Explore Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Destination: UZBEKISTAN - TAJIKISTAN
Route: TASHKENT-KHIVA-BUKHARA-SHAKHRISABZ-SAMARKAND-PENJIKENT-DUSHANBE
Duration: 11 NIGHTS, 12 DAYS

Day 1,Tashkent

Arrive to Tashkent International Airport. After passport and customs controls you will be met by your guide/driver. Tashkent - The Capital of Independent Uzbekistan, the cosmopolitan city in the heart of Central Asia, the crossroad of different cultures. Depart airport to hotel. Check in, rest. Dinner and o/n.

Day 2, Tashkent

Today explore the capital of Uzbekistan, the largest city of Central Asia. Once attracting thousands of traders with its goods, among them turquoise was the popular one, the city name originates from it. Visit: The Museum of Applied Art based in the mansion of Russian Diplomat, Khast Imam Complex, Monument of Courage, Independence Square and Amir Temur Square, explore underground of Tashkent which is outstanding together with site on the ground. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 3, Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva  

Early breakfast and transfer to the domestic terminal for the flight to Urgench, the capital of Khorezmian province. Flight by the schedule, arrival to Urgench. Drive to Khiva, historical town and museum under open sky. The place of the great scholars in renaissance, the center of crafts in medieval period, and finally the capital f the kingdom in last stage of its history. Start exploring the town: Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah and Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Muhammad Rakhimkhan Madrasah, Pakhlavan Makhmud Complex, Islam Khodja Complex, Friday Mosque, Tosh Khovli Palace and Harem. Finish the day by walking around the backstreets of Khiva, its neighborhoods, sneak out from the walls and explore the outside area of it. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4, Khiva – Bukhara 450km 

Breakfast and long drive to Bukhara through Kyzyl Kum Desert, on the way stop for a panoramic view over Amu Darya River, largest river of Central Asia. Late afternoon arrive to Bukhara, the city of splendor Islamic architecture, amazing bazaar, craft workshops and historical atmosphere surrounding you. Bukhoroi Sharif – that’s how it is famous in Islamic world, the center of Medieval Islamic Education, and the place of hundred holy sites around. Check in to the hotel, dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 5, Bukhara

Full day city tour in this breathtaking city visiting: Ark, the citadel of the last rulers of Bukhara, Bolo Khauz Mosque with its columns, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum – the tomb of Prophet Job, Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, continue with Poi Kalon Complex, trade domes, Magoki Attor Mosque, Lyabi Khauz Mosque, Chor Minor, and a walk through the bazaars of ancient Silk Road. Finish your day with the folk show in an old Madrasah. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6, Bukhara – Shakhrisabz –Samarkand 280km + 120km 

Drive to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of The Great Tamerlane, road goes through the steppe and finishes at the Fan Mountains view. Tour in Shakhrisabz, ruins of Ak-Saray Palace, which once was standing still and impressing visitors with its decoration and plan. Continue to Dorus-Saadat Complex, where you see the Mausoleum of Jahangir, the first son of the Emperor, and the original tomb of him. Dorut-Tilovat Complex id the place of Peace and Faith. Afternoon proceed to Samarkand, the capital of The Great Tamerlane. Check in to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 7, Samarkand

Full day of sightseeing and exploration in Samarkand, a city that present the romance of the Silk Road more than any other. The city which became the dream of many conquerors, Sirius The Great, Darius the Great, Alexander the Great, who was standing behind the walls in 329 BC and many other rulers chose to make it their capital in the centuries that followed. Not many historical heritage sites have been preserved, but outstanding ones are impressive; Registan Square, with the three Madrassah, The family tomb of Timurids, the dynasty of Tamerlane, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Close to the center is Bibi Khanum Mosque built by ruler and named after his favorite wife became a symbol of a man's love for his wife. The other sites visited will be Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and the Museum of Ulugbek Observatory. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 8, Samarkand – Penjikent 45km+15km

After breakfast drive to the border with Tajikistan, border formalities and continue to  Penjikent. Penjikent is the largest town in the Zerafshan Valley of Tajikistan. Starting from here you explore the most ancient historical cities of Tajikistan. Close to the new town lie the excavations of the settlement of Ancient Penjikent dating from the 5 – 8 Century, there is charming museum housing many finds from the excavations. Dinner is in a traditional Tajik home. A hostess displays a fascinating and unique collection of national costumes from historical to modern times and offers a unique display of local produced crafts and jewellery. Overnight in Penjikent.

Day 9, Penjikent – Mazori-Sharif Village – Dushanbe 300km 

Breakfast at hotel. Depart to Dushanbe through Mazori Sharif Village and the Muhammadi Bashoro Mausoleum - a monument of early Islamic Tajik Architecture from the 11th Century. We continue over the stunning mountain road through the Anzob tunnel to Dushanbe. Stopping at a scenic spot for lunch along the way. Time to rest in Dushanbe. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day 10, Dushanbe – Vakhsh – Dushanbe 125km + 125km 

Breakfast. Drive to Vakhsh via Kurgantyube. Explore archeological site of Adjinatepo from 7th -8th cent, where the statue of Buddha in Nirvana was found, this is one of the biggest statues found in Central Asia. Explore Kurgantyube, later drive back to Dushanbe. Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 11 Dushanbe - Hissar (30km) - Dushanbe

After breakfast drive to Hissar, sightseeing in the 19th Century Fortr ruines and museum at Hissar. After lunch in Dushanbe. Afternoon drive back to Dushanbe, Visit Madrasah-Mosque Yakub Charkhi from 16th cent, Take a walk in a park named after Rudakiy and visit the statue of Ismail Samani, Museum of Ethnography of Tajikistan. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 12 Dushanbe

This morning you after breakfast transfer to the airport for the international flight back home.

*** END OF THE SERVICES ***

Back Book it now!!!