Archaeological pearls of Uzbekistan

Destination: Uzbekistan
Route: Tashkent-Nukus-Toprak Kala-Ayaz Kala-Khiva-Bukhara-Termez-Shakhrisabz-Samarkand-Fergana-Tashkent
Duration: 14 nights, 15 days

Day 1 Tashkent

Arrive to Tashkent International Airport. Tashkent - The Capital of Independent Uzbekistan, the cosmopolitan city in the heart of Central Asia, the crossroad of different cultures. The city was an ancient center of The Great Silk Road, and where still today you can see the parts of the old city. After passport and customs controls you will be met by your guide/driver. Depart airport to hotel. Check in, rest. Depart for a dinner and o/n at the hotel.

Day 2 Tashkent – Nukus

After breakfast check out from the hotel and start city tour in Tashkent: Museum of Applied Arts, Monument of Courage, and Khazrat Imam Complex with the Museum of Islamic Calligraphy. Afternoon transfer to the airport for domestic flight Tashkent – Nukus HY 1007 at 17.30. Upon arrival transfer to hotel, check in. Dinner and o/n.

Day 3 Nukus – Toprak Kala – Ayaz Kala

Breakfast and check out from hotel, visit the State Museum of Savitsky, drive to Mizdakkhana Necropolis and explore of one the gems of Central Asian architecture. Afternoon depart to the land of ancient civilization to visit the remnants of ancient forts. First to Toprak Kala and Kizil Kala, continue to Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp. Dinner and overnight at Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp.

Day 4 Ayaz Kala – Khiva

Morning explore the ruins of citadel, once busy with locals and traders of the Silk Road. Start driving to the ancient capital of Khorezm – Khiva. En-route cross Amu Darya – the largest river of Central Asia. Upon arrival check in to hotel and rest. Dinner and o/n.

Day 5 Khiva

Breakfast and start city tour with UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan Kala Complex, Kalta Minar, Muhammad Amin khan Madrassah, Kunya Ark, the early period residence of the rulers of Khiva which includes a mosque, the palace of the khan, the residence of his harem, the mint, the arsenal. Other sites tour includes the Tomb of Sayid Allauddin, the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud – the Patron of Khorezm, the Shirgazi Khan Madrassah, the Islam Khodja Madrassah and Minaret, the Djuma Mosque and Tash Khauli and the harem. Return to your hotel. Dinner and o/n.

Day 6 Khiva – Bukhara

Breakfast and depart to Bukhara via the Kyzyl-Kum (red sands) desert. En-route stop to see a panoramic view over The Amu Darya river (Oxus). Arrive afternoon to Bukhara and transfer to the hotel. Time for refreshment and walk in the old city. Dinner and o/n.

Day 7 Bukhara

After breakfast start your city tour. Bukhara is known as Central Asia’s most ancient living city, as Morocco in the Middle East. Visit to the Citadel Ark, the palace of the rulers of Bukhara, Bolo Khauz Mosque with beautiful ayvan in traditional Bukharian style. Take a walk through the old part of the city towards Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, next is “the pearl of the east” The Samanid Mausoleum. Proceed to covered bazaars which were built on a crossroads of caravan routes, Toki Zargaron – cupola of jewelers, Abdulla khan Tim – a center of silk trade, Toki Telpak Furushon – cupola of the hat sellers, and Toki Sarrafon – cupola of moneychangers, visit Magoki Attor Mosque one of the oldest Mosques in Central Asia, and Lyabi Khauz Complex. The Jewish Quarter and the synagogue will be a part of the tour too. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Bukhara – Termez

Morning check out from the hotel and transfer to Bukhara. The road goes through the part of Hungry Steppe. Upon arrival check in to hotel and time to refresh. Walk around the old city. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 9 Termez

Termez or “Termita” the ancient land of Bactria. The land passed by Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Great and many others, the city bordering with Afghanistan. It was here the capital of Kushan Empire, with the Buddhism as the state religion. Here you still find remains of those temples served thousands of pilgrims from Central Asia, Tibet and China. Visit the Museum of History and Archaeology, Mausoleum of At-Termiziy, Fayaz Tepe Buddhist Temple ruins, Kirk-Kiz fort. Return back to the hotel. Dinner and o/n.

Day 10 Termez – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand

Depart early to Shakhrisabz or “green town” birthplace of Tamerlane, who supported The Great Silk Road, the road goes through the Valley of Khissar Mountains, the part of Pamir Range. Upon arrival start your tour: Ak-Saray or white palace, once the grandeurs structure in Temur’s Empire, Dorut-Tilovat Complex – The House of Meditation, Kok-Gumbaz (blue dome) Mosque built by Ulugbek, Dorus-Saodat – the seat of power and might, the family crypt of the Timurids. Afternoon depart to Samarkand, the capital of Tamerlane’s Empire. Check in to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 Samarkand

After breakfast city tour, including: Registan Square-14th century bazaar area and the center of trade and cultural life in medieval Samarkand, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, erected by order of Tamerlane after his victorious Indian campaign in 1399. Gur Emir Mausoleum, family tomb of Timurid’s, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis; visit a site of pilgrimage since the 11th century. There you can enjoy the finest samples of majolica, mosaic and terracotta tile works, mausoleums are concentrated around the shrine of Kusam Ibn Abbas. Among the sites of Samarkand outstanding one is the Museum of Observatory of Ulugbek with the part of instrument-sextant (15th century). Dinner and overnight.

Day 12 Samarkand – Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana

Breakfast, check out from the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent, upon arrival drive to Fergana valley, the ancient area for The Silk route, modern center of Silk industry in Central Asia. The road goes through the parts of Tien Shan Mountains, Kamchik Pass (2200m). Afternoon visit Kokand, capital of the Kokand Khanate in the 17th and 19th centuries. City tour includes visit to the Khan\'s palace museum, Friday mosque and Norbutabiy madrassah. Continue to Fergana city, a green city of the valley which was founded by Russian Cossacks, where the house of the General-Governor still makes a main part of the city center as a part of Russian history. Check in to hotel and o/n.

Day 13 Fergana – Margilan – Rishtan – Fergana

Morning drive to Margilan – the city of silk production in Central Asia. You have a chance to join the old process of silk production and learn from the masters about the unique colors and patterns historically known as Chinese and Persian art. After silk factory you drive to Rishtan, the center of Ceramics in Fergana Valley, visit the ceramics workshop of Usmanov, one of the first private ceramics workshops. Afternoon drive back to Fergana. Dinner and o/n at the hotel.

Day 14 Fergana – Tashkent

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive back to Tashkent. Arrive to Tashkent check in to the hotel, short rest. City tour around the city, take a walk along the Independence Square, through Pedestrian Street towards Amir Temur Square. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 15 Tashkent

After breakfast check out from the hotel for the flight back home.

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