Discover Uzbekistan’s amazing culture and traditions, visit architectural and historical masterpieces of islamic culture as well as modern life of Uzbek people.
You will start from the capital city Tashkent,visiting its old and new town with Madrasah, Mosque and old Bazaar of Tashkent, its modern part with museums, galleries, workshops and beautiful squares and parks. Later we will travel to Samarkand, Shahrisabz, Bukhara and Khiva. At the end we will fly back to Tashkent and say good bye to Uzbekistan.
Tashkent International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
During your 8 days tour you will visit the most famous highlights of Uzbekistan.
Chorsu bazar of Tashkent
Osman Koran of 7th century
Metro of Tashkent
Registan square
Trade domes of Bukhara
Kalyan mosque and minaret
Ark
Birth place of Temur
Ichan kala
Harem of Khiva Khan
Folk Dance and music of Uzbek, Tajik people
We’ll meet at airport of Tashkent (please inform your flight details) transfer to your hotel. Sightseeing will start in Tashkent at 1200. Visit old and modern Tashkent. In the old part you will see Hasti Imam complex with barakhan madrasah, Mui muborak library where osman koran of 7th century is displayed. Later proceed to oldest bazar of Central Asia – Chorsu bazar. The name tells its history, Cross road market as it was the market located in Tashkent along the Great Silk Road. Afternoon we will visit modern Tashkent with its Applied Arts museum, Indpendence square and Tashkent metro with its beautiful decoration of each station. Evening free and you can go to Opera or Ballet show at Navoi Theatre.
Tashkent-Samarkand (300 kms, 2 hours by fast train). Take morning train ride to Samarkand 0800-1010. Visit includes: Registan square with Sherdor Madrasa, Ulughbek madrasa, Tilla Sheikh madrasa, Gur Emir Mausoleum, the stunning burial place of Temur’s teacher, sons and grandsons. Bibi Hanum mosque, Bazaar, Shahi Zinda complex, a holy place in Central Asia famed for its tile work; Afrosiab ancient settlement destroyed by Ghengis Khan in the 13th century. Tour ends up with folk show or Light and Sound show at Registan square (optional, available upon request or join booked show)
Samarkand-Bukhara via Shahrisabz. (80 km+290 km) After breakfast drive to Bukhara via Shahrisabz , the birthplace of Amir Temur. If you are a small group of 1-3 persons, you can drive over the mountain of Zarafshan pass (1450 m) and arrive Shahrisabz in around one hour; bigger groups will travel by van or bus around the mountain which will take around 2. 5 hours and see remote villages of the province.
Visit in Shahrisabz includes Ak Saray Palace, Jahangir’s mausoleum and Kok Gumbaz mosque PM continue driving to Bukhara, another 290 kms through the semi steppe of Kyzikum desert.
Today’s full day city tour, all on foot through this ancient, holy city, includes Chashmai Ayub mausoleum, Ismail Samani mausoleum, Bolo Hauz mosque and Ark Fortress. Turkish hammam, the bazaar and many souvenir shops.
After lunch at a local restaurants or café. you visit Kalyan minaret, Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasa, Nadir Divan Begi Madrasa and Khanaka, Magaki Attari mosque, Chor Minor madrasa. You can finish city tour with an optional folk show in Nadir Divan Begi madrasa at 1800.
Bukhara-Khiva (500 km, 6 hrs) Today you will have a long journey through the Kyzilkum desert, which covers 1/3 of Uzbekistan’s territory, crossing the river Amudarya (Oxus) near Urgench and arrive in Khiva at around 1500. Free time. Overnight.
Another option is to overnight in Ayazkala Yurt . Those who want to sleep in Yurt please let us know in advance. if you prefer hotel to Yurt, you can sleep in Khiva in a hotel.
Full day walking tour in Khiva. You will visit the whole town with its minarets, mosques, museums, palaces and caravanserai. You will meet also local people living in the old town, celebrating weddings in the city, shopping in the local market. Kunya Ark, Kalta minor, Muhammad Aminkhan madrasa, Muhammad Rahimkhan madrasa, Juma mosque and Minaret, Islam Khodja minaret, Tash Hauli palace are the main but not the full list of attractions located in the town.
After breakfast we will transfer to airport of Urgench for your flight to Tashkent at 0935-1055. Transfer to hotel . Afternoon you are free on your own to explore more in the city and do last day shopping or visiting museums or galleries. You may want also to visit Opera and Ballet theatre at 1830. Overnight.
Transfer from hotel to airport for your return flight home. End of services.