uzbekistangrouptrip

ITINERARY

Day 1:  June 10th : Tashkent
Welcome to the eclectic capital of Uzbekistan, where modern skyscrapers mix with Soviet-era architecture and mosaic mausoleums. The largest city in Central Asia, Tashkent is a mix of Russian and Uzbek styles, an indication of the fact that for many years it was a key city of the USSR.
Arrive and transfer to the hotel. After some rest and lunch, we explore Tashkent. First, we visit the Khast Imom Complex including the Barak Khan madrassa (a college for Islamic instruction), Kaffal Shashi mausoleum, Quran Library, and Mosque, which holds what’s said to be one of the oldest and holiest Koran in the world. Then leave behind the spiritual world and venture into the real-life hustle and bustle of Chorsu Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia. Wandering through this giant marketplace is a fantastic way to see locals going about their daily lives. Later we take a metro ride to see some of Tashkent’s beautiful metro stations. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 2:  June 11th : Tashkent – Samarkand
After breakfast, we take one of Uzbekistan’s high speed train to the ancient Silk Road hub of Samarkand. The city has long been a center of artisans and traders as well as the prize for many a conquering army, leaving behind a rich and complex history. Make a visit to the Gur Amir Mausoleum. Stand on the iconic Registan Square with three mosaic-adorned madrassas towering over you. Visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, overlooking the busy and colourful Siob Bazaar, full of bustling stalls and friendly local traders. Continue to the holy Shah-i-Zinda complex, the so-called ‘Town of the Dead’ necropolis, with more than 20 beautifully decorated unique buildings. After your city tour, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening to soak up the magic of this historical city. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 3:  June 12th : Samarkand 
Spend a full day in Samarkand continuing to take in the ancient sights and sounds. We start with Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning avenue of mausoleums decorated with beautiful blue tiles. Its holiest, most loved shrine is built around what’s thought to be the grave of Quasam ibn-Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Mohammed and the man who brought Islam to the region many centuries ago. Another highlight is a visit to the workshop of Zarif Mukhtarov, one of the few people producing handmade paper in Central Asia as per a 1000-year-old process. Also, visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory. Built-in the 1420s by the Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg. For lunch, we can try the plov/pilaf, the national dish of Uzbekistan. Afternoon, free to stroll and explore Samarkand on your own, have a cuppa in a local tea house or wander around the bazaars. Overnight at Samarkand.

Day 4:  June 13th : Samarkand – Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp  
After breakfast, we drive out of the city to the Kyzylkum desert crossing Nurata town. The city proper was founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, though archaeological remains date the first inhabitants of the area many thousands of years earlier, and the ruins of his fortress can still be seen today. Visit the Chashma Complex in Nurata which contains multiple important Islamic sights including the Juma Mosque and spring. The spring is believed to heal diseases and attracts many visitors. From Nurata, we head into the Kyzylkum desert to spend the night sleeping in yurts. Visit Aydar Lake and choose to take an optional camel ride in the desert. Later enjoy an evening campfire and local music with tonight’s dinner underneath the desert stars. Overnight at Yurt camp.

Day 5:  June 14th : Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp to Bukhara
After breakfast travel to Bukhara, known as one of the most charming cities in the country. Stop along the way in Gijduvan, famous for its ceramic pottery, where you’ll have the chance to visit a pottery workshop. Witness the pottery process from start to finish and see a small museum to uncover the centuries-old history of ceramics in this area. Reach Bukhara by afternoon and after lunch explore the old city bazaars. One can also try a traditional Uzbeki Hammam in the evening. Overnight at Bukhara. 

Day 6:  June 15th : Bukhara
A UNESCO-listed site, Bukhara is widely regarded as Central Asia’s holiest city with monuments dating from the 8th to the 18th century. The meticulous restoration of many of the mosaic and majolica decorations give you a true sense of how these buildings looked in their original glory. Visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the Bolo-Khauz Mosque, the ruins of the 5th-century Ark Fortress and the imposing Poikalon complex. Taki Zargaron and the trading domes near here still offer a colorful array of goods including embroideries, jewellery, spices, handicrafts, and all manner of Silk Road treasures. Enjoy a free evening here – the twilight hours lend themselves to wandering around the central Lyabi-Hauz and its surrounding areas. Overnight at Bukhara.

Day 7:  June 16th :  Bukhara – Khiva 
Wake up really early in the morning to take the early morning 4.30 a.m. train to Khiva. You’ll travel through the Kyzyl-Kum (Red Sands Desert), the largest desert area in Central Asia. It’s long been inhabited by various nomadic people and on the way you might pass cowboys on their camels. Arrive by noon and check into the hotel and after lunch and some rest explore Khiva. As one of the ancient cities situated along the Silk Roads, Khiva has been a centre of education, science, and culture, and served as a cradle of civilizations spanning millennia, with ‘Ichan Kala’ inner city of the ancient oasis of Khiva inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.
We wander through the narrow labyrinth mudbrick alleyways of old town, bargain with locals at the bazaar, admire the madrassas, mosques, and blue mosaic domes, climb up towering minarets, and venture into the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Explore the inner walls of Ichon-Qala, and enjoy spectacular sunset views on the sand-colored buildings. Overnight at Khiva.

Day 8: June 17th :  Khiva to Tashkent ( Flight )  
After breakfast free to explore more of Khiva on foot and around the afternoon we take the flight to Tashkent. Evening check into the hotel and free to explore Tashkent’s nightlife. Overnight at Tashkent.

Day 9: June 18th : Tashkent  ( Departure )  
After breakfast transfer to airport. End of tour.