Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent. Travelers after luggage pick up should go outside of airport building to meet the driver. You need to follow below directions to meet your driver: 1. Exit the airport building after you have cleared customs and turn left (there is only 1 exit) 2. Follow the white arrow on the group outside the airport 3. Walk past the official taxi stand on your right and continue 4. From the airport exit you walk for about 30 meters until you see iron fence on your right where all people wait. Your driver will be waiting for you behind the fence holding the sign with your name on it and transfer to the hotel in Tashkent city.

Uzbekistan State Museum of Applied Art

State Museum of Applied Art—founded in 1997, holds more than 7000 rare works of applied art created by golden hands of masters from the first half of XIX century to the present time.

Courage Earthquake Memorial

Earthquake Memorial— this memorial is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26th of 1966 and is erected in the approximate spot of the earthquake epicenter.

Ensemble Hazrati Imam

Khazrati Imom Complex (XVI-XX centuries) the historical spiritual heart of the city (consists of functioning Friday mosque “Khazrati Imom Mosque” from 2007, Barak-Khan Madrassa from XVI-XVIII centuries—present-day serving as shopping place, Tellya Sheikh Mosque from XIX century, Muyi Moborak Library— holds rare Oriental manuscripts collection, among which the world-famous Caliph Osman-Koran from the VII century and the mausoleum of Abu Bakr Mohammed Kaffal Shashi, the first Koran preachers of Central Asia, who was also a famous scientist).

Chorsu Bazaar Tashkent

The market Chorsu (“four roads” in Uzbek, the commercial heart of the city and has been for hundreds of years).

Tashkent Metro tour guide

Metro riding (the only Central Asian Underground, built in 1977).

Tashkent

In the morning check out from the hotel and transfer to the railway station of Tashkent. Take the train to Samarkand.

Samarkand

Samarkand, one of the most ancient cities of the world, a contemporary of the Rome, Athens and Babylon, has a 2750-year-old history. “The Mirror of the World”, “The Garden of the Soul”, “The Jewel of Islam”, “The Precious Pearl of the Moslem World” are some the names given to this unique city. In ancient Greece, this city was known as Marakanda.

The Ulugbek Observatory, built by Amir Temur’s grandson astronomer-king Ulugbek in XV century.

Bibi Khanym Mosque

Bibi Hanim mosque XV century. The mosque was built in honour of Temur’s chief wife, Saray Mulk Khanum

Siyob Bozor

Local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek). Travelers can find in this market spices, fresh and dry fruits and different souvenirs

Registan

Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVII centuries. A spectacular architectural ensembles, with fantastic Islamic designs and calligraphy etched into the facades of its mosques and madrassahs. Ulugbek Madrasah built between 1417 and 1420 is the oldest madrasa in Registan square. This construction work was carried on under Ulugbeg (the Astronomer King, the author of astronomic tables known throughout the world), Temur’s grandson, who was both an eminent ruler and scholar. Tilya-Kori Madrasah means Gold-covered madrasa was built in XVII century in Registan square. This is the one madrasa the travelers must go inside: the golden ceiling of the mosque, to the left of the courtyard, is utterly enthralling, and it is this gilt that gives the madrasa its name. Sher Dor Madrasah means the tiger or lion madrasa built between 1619 and 1636 by Yalangtush Biy, must be one of the most-photographed buildings in existence.

Gur Emir Mausoleum

Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) must see sight in Samarkand from XV century the final resting place of Temir. The mausoleum was originally planned for temur’s favourite grandson, Muhammad Sultan but Samarkand was deemed a more fitting resting place.

Shah-i-Zinda

The complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries. Burial place of royal persons and nobles. One of the most spiritual places in Uzbekistan.

Bukhara

In the morning check out from the hotel and transfer to the railway station of Samarkand. Take the train to Bukhara.

Bukhara

Bukhara, one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, has a 2500-year-old history. Bumichkat “New Castle”, Al Madina as-sufriyya “Copper City”, Madinat at-tujjor “City of Traders”, Foxira “Honorable City” are some the names given to this unique city.

Lyab-i-Hauz

Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, The Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620

Monument to Hodja Nasreddin

Statue of Hodja Nasruddin— the homespun philosopher and humourist on his donkey. Elsewhere in the world he is generally accepted as Turkish, but Uzbeks claim he was born in Bukhara and is one of their own.

Great Minaret of the Kalon

Poi Kalon complex (“The foot of tall” in Uzbek) from XII-XVI centuries. Consisting of mosque, madrassah and minaret, one of the great centre of trade and scholarship along the Silk Road. The beauty of the minaret amazed Genghis Khan (Temuchin or Temujin)

The summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs— the palace was built in 1911 for the last emir, Amir Alim Khan, the building compound elements of both Russian and traditional Bukharan architecture.

Ark of Bukhara

The Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries)— the construction of the citadel is dated to beginning of the 1st millennium BC. During the history the fortress has been destroyed several times but has been restored again. All buildings of the citadel have been reconstructed mainly during the XVIII-XX centuries

Ismail Samani Mausoleum

Ismail Samaniy mausoleum (IX-X centuries)— the oldest, best preserved and most breathtakingly original building in Bukhara.

The mausoleum of Chashmai Ayub (“Prophet Job”)— according to the legends the prophet Job came to the Zerafshan Valley and witnessed a great and terrible drought. As people perished of thirst around him, Job struck the dusty earth with his staff and a cool source of sweet spring water brought liquid salvation. The Chashmai Ayub (“the Spring of Job” in Uzbek) commemorates this site.

Bukhara

Transfer from Bukhara to Khiva 7-hour drive. Crossing the river Amu Darya (in the antique called Oxus) and the desert Kizilkum. On the way lunch stop in a tea house—chayxana (optional)

Khiva

When you reach Khiva check in to your hotel

Khiva

Ichan Qala Fort— is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Present day Ichan Qala is open-air museum. It represents the old part of the city, surrounded with wall and turned into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. The area of Ichan Qala is 26 hectares. The feeling in Inner Fortress transfers people into the past in a city with narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs (Quran or Koran schools). The sightseeing in Ichan Qala Fort: Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa— (1855) Kalta Minor. Zindon— city jail. Kunya Ark (“Kuhna Ark” in Uzbek). Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassa— (1871) Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum Islam Khoja Madrassa Islam Khoja Minaret— the tallest minaret in the city (Note: climbing the minaret 100.000 sum per person and it is not included to the tour price) Juma Mosque— (1788) Tash Hauli Palace (“Stone Palace” in Uzbek)(Note: separate entrance) to the reception court (ishrat hauli).

Urgench

Transfer to Urgench airport and fly to Tashkent

Tashkent

Your adventure comes to an end. If you would like to spend some more time in Tashkent, extra accommodation can be arranged in advance (subject to availability) or you can purchase day trip in Tashkent.