Tour: ”The legends of ancient cities of Uzbekistan”
Brief description:
The legendary ancient Oriental cities are welcoming you! The legends of ancient cities of Uzbekistan tour was specially organized to show the old Islamic architectural monuments of the world’s most mystery cities of the old Silk Road, which will amaze any imagination and will be able to present the feeling of the fairy tale. Uzbekistan is the state famous not only with the magnificent ancient buildings but also with picturesque glorious mountains, stark deserts and stunning valleys. The tour will not disappoint you by the variety of Silk Road cities, traditions, art and modern history.Travelling throughout such cities as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva will let you feel the atmosphere of medieval epoch. Moreover, friendly society will introduce you kind and old traditions of hospitable inhabitants. Gorgeous medressas (medieval schools) and mosques are able to illustrate the spirit of the Oriental culture passing through the times.All in all, you will have the opportunity not only to enrich your knowledge about the most well known Central Asian cities, but also to share your time on nature; probable, Kyzyl Kum desert and Chimgan Mountains will be the best place to show you eco-friendly environment of Uzbekistan.
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Tashkent
On arrival in Tashkent you will be met by our representative with meeting board “Asia Travel Discoveries”. Transfer to hotel. After short rest, sightseeing of Tashkent. You will start from the exploring of Old city: visit Khast Imam Complex with Barak Khan Medressa, Mausoleum of Yunus Khan & Kafal-Al-Shashi. Next to the Old city under the green dome lies Chorsu Bazaar — one of the largest and oldest in Central Asia. Behind the bazaar is Kukeldash Medressa – an Islamic school that located beside the Juma Mosque dated back to 15th century. Also, we visit Abdul Kasim Medressa where we can see a lot of souvenirs workshops. After lunch we will continue to explore New city and visit Museum of Temurids . Next to see Independence Square – the main square in Uzbekistan. Then we can walk to the Alisher’s Navoi Uzbek state Opera and Ballet Theatre. Finally we see the Monument of Courage dedicated to earthquake in 1966 year.
After excursion transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand – 300 km
Today we will be transferred to Samarkand – one of the ancient oasis of Silk Road. Upon arrival to Samarkand, check-in to the hotel and start to explore Samarkand. We will go to the Central Registan square with the majestic Medressas dated back to different centuries: Ulugbek Medressa (1417-1420), Sher-Dor Medressa (1619-1636) and the Tilya Kori Medressa (1647-1660),Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the famous necropolis of Tamerlane. After excursion, transfer to hotel.
Day 3: Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand – 120 km
In the morning we will be transferred to Shakhrisabz – the pearl of Orient, dated back to the XV c. All monuments in Shakhrisabz related to Tamerlane and his family. We explore the summer Palace Ak-Saray, Dorut Siodat complex and Dorut Tillavat Medressa. After excursion drive back to Samarkand. Upon arrival to Samarkand, continuation of exploring Samarkand: visit the Shahi Zinda complex and the famous oriental Bazaar Siyob., Bibi-Khanum Mosque dedicated to one of Tamerlane’s wife. And finally we will observe Ulugbek Observatory – one of the greatest in the middle ages.
Day 4: Samarkand – Nurata – Kizil Kum desert — 220 km
Today we will drive to the Kyzylkum desert. Enroute visit Nurata. The main attraction of the city is a complex «Chashma» (means spring) — one of the most important Islamic centers in the region. On the southern part of Nurata there is another ancient monument — fortress Nur, built by Alexander the Great. After excursion in Nurata, arrival to the camp. After short rest — dinner under the open sky with folklore show at the campfire.
Day 5: Kyzyl Kum desert – Gijduvan — Bukhara — 240 km
In the morning we can walk to the beautiful Lake Aydar-Kul, surrounded by desert sands, like a mirage! Aydarkul — one of the most beautiful places in Uzbekistan — the turquoise lake located among Kyzylkum desert. On arrival at the organized beach at the lake – we can swim in its cool, clear water, sunbathing on the loungers, and then have a delicious lunch with fresh fried fish. After lunch, you will explore the gorge Sarmysh, where scientists have discovered a huge gallery of ancient petroglyphs. After excursion, you will drive to Bukhara via Gijduvan – the city of craftsmen and potters. In the evening we arrive to Bukhara — a real jewel of Central Asia, the sacred city of Muslims, carefully preserved its ancient monuments.
Day 6: Bukhara
Today we explore the mausoleum of the Samanids (IX-X cc.) — the pearl of Central Asia . Next we visit the tomb of Chashma Ayub (XII century.), which means «source of Job.» Bolo House complex including a reservoir, a Friday mosque and minaret. Friday Mosque Bolo House is located at the entrance to the Arc citadel. Inside the citadel was situated a town, which includes residential and office buildings: the mosque, a prison, a harem, the treasury, the residence of the Emir, etc. Then we see Poi Kalyan complex (XII-XVI cc.) includes the Kalyan Mosque , Mir-Arab and the famous Kalyan minaret. After lunch, we explore one of the biggest architectural ensembles of Bukhara «Lyabi House.» The oldest part of the complex — Medressa Kulbaba-Kukeldash, which has 160 cells and it pretend the biggest in Bukhara. Medressa «Nadir Devanbegi» was built by order of vizier Nadir-devanbegi shortly after the device pool and logically completed the ensemble “Lyabi- House”. The oldest mosque Magoki Attori located next to the ensemble “Lyabi House”, built in the tradition of figurative brick masonry and carved ornaments of archaic majolica. And finally, you see interesting monument — Chor Minor Medressa, built in 1807 on money Turkmen traveler. Until present time have survived four minarets, which gave the name of this complex.
Day 7: Bukhara
In the morning we drive to summer palace of Bukhara emirs «Sitora-I-Mohihosa.», built in fusion of European &
Bukhara’s traditions, more than hundred years ago. Next we visit the complex of Bahauddin Naqshbandi shaykh, as well as a necropolis Chor Bakr — city of shadows, dated to the 16th century. After excursion back to Bukhara. Free time for shopping.
Day 8: Bukhara — Khiva — 450 km
Drive to Khiva — ancient and interesting city and UNESCO heritage. The road will be via Kyzylkum desert and Amu Darya River, the largest in Central Asia. Kyzylkum desert, an oasis of ancient Khorezm, located among the dunes, keeping the ruins of ancient cities. «Kyzyl Kum» means «red sands». Indeed, the local sands are reddish, oddly mirrored in the waters of the great Amu Darya river. Later in the afternoon we arrive to Khiva. Today Khiva — an open air museum, rightly claims as «the eighth wonder of the world.»
Day 9: Khiva
Khiva is a beautiful and ancient town and perfect for exploring by walk, with impressive four walls at the centre of each side of the old city. Upon entering through its gates we are welcome by high minarets and many medressas. We visit many of these monuments including the Kalta Minor Minaret and Mohammed Rakhim Khan Medressa, Juma Mosque (XVII c.), the Islom-Khodja complex includes mosque and minaret, the Kuhna Ark, which was the main fortress, the Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum complex and Toza Bog Palace, which was the summer palace of Mohammed Rakhim Khan II.
Day 10: Khiva – Ayaz Qala – Toprak Qala – Urgench – Tashkent — 1210 km (1050 by air)
We enjoy a journey to Ayaz Qala & Toprak Qala — the relics of the Khorezm towns dated back to 1st cc. BC. The most ancient of the sites is Toprak Qala and it was a capital of Khorezm region in the 3rd century AD. Ayaz Qala, an impressive mud-walled hilltop fortress from the 6th-7th centuries. After excursion transfer to Urgench for flight to Tashkent. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel in Tashkent.
Day 11: Tashkent — Chimgan – Tashkent – 120 km
Today, we drive to Chimgan mountains. Chimgan (mountains of Western Tien Shan) — a ski resort, which is rightly regarded as the most popular holiday destination in Uzbekistan. In the evening you will return to Tashkent.
Day 12: Tashkent – departure
Transfer to airport for flight to your destination. End of tour.
Price is given in USD per person in twin room sharing:
Number of persons: | Budget option 2*(guest houses) | 3-4* Hotel option |
2 | 1325 | 1575 |
3-4 | 1235 | 1490 |
5-7 | 950 | 1200 |
More than 8 | Per request | Per request |
Additional payment for single supplement | 120 | 180 |
Price includes:
Price includes: | Price excludes: |
Letter of Invitation for Uzbekistan (not visa fees) | International air fare to/from Uzbekistan |
All transfers by comfortable vehicle | Full board (lunches/dinners) |
Accommodation in twin room sharing with breakfasts | Photo and camera fees on sights |
Excursions with Professional English Speaking guides with escort | Early check — in, late check — out after 14:00 |
Entry tickets | Insurance |
Air fare Tashkent – Urgench (economy class) | |
Mineral water 1 lt per day on transfers between cities |
Offered hotels:
Cities: | Budget option 2*(guest houses) | 3-4* Hotel option |
Tashkent | «Atlas» or similar | «Shodlik Palace» or similar |
Samarkand | «Dilshoda» or similar | «Asia Samarkand» or similar |
Desert Kyzyl Kum | Yurt camp | Yurt camp |
Bukhara | «Fatima & Ibrogim» or similar | «Asia Bukhara» or similar |
Khiva | «Islambek» or similar | «Asia Khiva» or similar |
We are local tour operator with office in Uzbekistan. So you can get best rates for tour packages 2017, visa support and hotels in Uzbekistan and all Central Asian countries.
Contact our office in Uzbekistan
Tatyana Pak - Senior Manager
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