Day 1 - Tashkent Arrive and check in to your hotel. Tashkent Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and reveals a rich blend of different influences. In the past it has been ruled by the Arabs, Mongols and Timurids, all of whom have left their mark, but the most obvious influence has been left by the most recent rulers – the Russians. Wander through the streets and you will see large Soviet buildings which jostle for space with beautifully decorated mosques and old mud houses. Day 2 - Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva Transfer to the airport fly to Urgench, the far west of Uzbekistan. We spend the afternoon exploring Khiva, including a guided tour to major sites Khiva This city is frequently called a ‘living museum’ and as soon as you arrive here you will understand why. Far from the rest of Uzbekistan, across the Kyzyl Kum desert, the town retains a frontier feel and it is not difficult to imagine its history of slave trading and political intrigue. The town is enclosed within city walls and you can wander through the narrow streets past mosques, madrasahs (religious schools) and caravanserai (old overnight stops for the trading caravans) all of which are densely packed within the walls. The highlights of the city include the Kalta Minaret, one of the most beautiful in the region, the Tash Khauli (stone palace) and the Kunya Ark, where the Khan (ruler) used to live. For many travellers the highlight of Khiva is just getting lost in the maze of old streets and stopping for a drink of green tea with the locals. Day 3 -Khiva- Bukhara Morning drive to Bukhara, a city alive with history. Afternoon city tour and evening cultural performance. (BD) Bukhara Bukhara has an atmosphere all of its own. Gorgeous madrasahs and exquisite mosques vie with covered bazaars for pride of place in this still bustling urban centre. You can wander through the old streets of the city, following winding alleyways and stop in a chaikhana (teahouse) for a cup of Uzbek tea. There are endless bazaars where you can hone your bargaining skills as you haggle over rugs, silks, spices, pottery and just about anything else you can think of. There are plenty of sights to see, and you can step back in history at the Ark fortress or the beautiful Samanid mausoleum. The yellow brick Kalyan Minaret which, at 47 metres is one of the highest in Central Asia, is Bukhara's trademark. It was the tallest structure in the world when it was built in the 12th century and so impressed Genghis Khan that he spared the minaret the destruction he meted out to the rest of the city. Day 4 - Bukhara A guided tour of the town takes in the Ark Fortress, Kaylan Minaret, Registan Square and the covered bazaars still redolent of the Silk Road trade that flourished here until recently. (BL) Day 5 -Bukhara-Yurt Encampment We drive through the Kyzyl Kum desert via the village of Gijduvan where we visit a potter's workshop. Continue to the Kazakh village of Yangigazgan where we spend the night in yurts (nomadic tents). Here we will have the chance to ride a camel before the evening's entertainment: Kazakh singing and dancing. (BD) Kyzyl Kum Desert The Kyzyl Kum (red sand) desert is a natural border between the province of Khorezm and the rest of Uzbekistan. Consisting mainly of rocky areas covered by sparse vegetation and shifting sand dunes, the desert is home to semi-nomadic tribespeople who raise Karakul sheep and camels. Day 6 - Yurt Encampment- Samarkand Drive to the Mirankul Mountains where we take a short trek to visit the cave of Hazrati Daud, a local saint. We continue to Samarkand. (BD) Samarkand Samarkand is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities on the Silk Road, and its name alone is enough to bring to mind images of the old trade caravans. Its ideal location in central Uzbekistan, in the valley of Zeravshan, made it a cornerstone of the ancient Silk Road with thousands of caravans passing through on their way to Europe. The turquoise-domed city was built by Tamerlane and was finished by his grandson Ulug Beg – it has an incredibly rich history and is one of the oldest cities in the world. At the heart of the city is the spectacular Registan, one of the most breathtaking sights in all Central Asia. The square is composed of three exquisitely tiled madrasahs (religious schools) topped with fluted domes of dazzling turquoise, and an enormous mosque. Day 7 - Samarkand The Registan in Samarkand is Central Asia’s most spectacular architectural ensemble. This Silk Road oasis also has a feast of other stunning monuments and we spend a full day on a guided tour of the city. (BL) Day 8 - Samarkand -Tashkent We return to Tashkent where we have a city tour of the many mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs. (Approx 5-6 hours driving) End of the tour
Guide:Laziz Otayarov Country:Uzbekistan Languages: English, French, Russian Airport Transfer: YES Hotel Reservation: YES Translation Service: YES Additional services of this guide: Visa support (Letter of Invitation)
My name is Laziz. I have been working as licensed tour guide in Uzbekistan for 10 years. My objective is to show my guests the most interesting places of my country, introduce them authentic culture & traditions of this Great Land & its legendary cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva.
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