Description

Highlight Tour (11D10N)

 

At a Glance

• Tashkent, 2 nights
• Ferghana, 1 night
• Tashkent, 1 night
• Khiva, 1 night
• Bukhara, 2 nights
• Samarkand, 2 nights
• Tashkent, 1 night

Day 1. Tashkent

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

A Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic, landlocked Uzbekistan is the proud home to spellbinding architecture and ancient cities that have been overlooked for many years.

Its centuries-long history under Persian rule and as a key stop on the Silk Road left a rich cultural and architectural legacy, made all the more fascinating by the country’s time as an enclave of the Soviet Union.

Upon clearing immigration and customs, the representative will be waiting at the airport meeting area for your transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Tashkent

Meal(s): –

 

Day 2. Tashkent 

Tashkent, a charming mish mash of austere Soviet-style buildings and classical Russian architecture, has a long history of 2,200 years and has been the capital of Uzbekistan since 1930.

We’ll go on a half-day city tour, starting by exploring the narrow winding streets of the Old Town. This area is home to Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Library of Islamic Literature.

Under a giant dome, we’ll find a delightful slice of city life in the traditional Chor-Su Bazaar. It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs, watch Uzbek bread baking and taste many national dishes in between the numerous food rows. 

In the modern part of the city we’ll visit Mustakillik Square. We’ll even take a ride on the vibrant, arty Tashkent Metro. The tour of Tashkent ends at Amir Temur Square, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads in the heart of the city. 

Overnight in Tashkent

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 3. Tashkent – Kokand – Ferghana   

After an early breakfast, we`ll proceed to the main station and board the train for the four-hour ride to Kokand. We’ll visit the impressive Juma Mosque and the Khudoyar-Khan Palace with its seven courtyards, 114 rooms and dazzling tiled exterior.

We’ll continue to Rishtan town, famous for ceramic production. At the school of a well-known ceramic master we can learn all about the traditional blue and green pottery.

Continue to Ferghana city.

Overnight in Ferghana

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 4. Ferghana – Margilan – Tashkent 

As far back as the 10th century, Margilan – the largest city in the Ferghana Valley – was known for its craftsmen of silk fabrics. We’ll drive to the town and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrassah. These days it houses artisan shops where we can see the famous silk along with handmade carpets. In Yodgorlik Silk factory we can witness how silk is woven with traditional Ikat patterns. 

We then board the early evening train for the four-hour ride back to Tashkent.

Overnight in Tashkent

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 5. Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

A morning flight will take us to Urgench, followed by a 40-minute drive to Khiva.

A visit to this 6th century walled city is like travelling back in time. It is a city of colour thanks to the navy, indigo and cerulean ceramic tiles embedded in the ochre walls of many of the buildings.

We’ll walk the labyrinth of sand-laden alleyways to find the Juma Mosque whose roof is supported by 213 unique columns of 10th century elm; Tash Hauli, the main palace of Khiva rulers and Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, an open-air mausoleum. We’ll also visit Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret and Shirgazi Khan Madrassah.

Overnight in Khiva

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 6. Khiva – Bukhara 

After breakfast we’ll set off on a road trip of six to seven hours to Bukhara. The drive takes us through the red sands of Kyzylkum Desert, the 15th-largest desert in the world. It’s a dry and desolate, yet beautiful area, populated by nomadic tribes. We’ll have stops to stretch our legs on the bank of the Amudarya River.

Upon arrival in Bukhara, time at leisure. We recommend relaxing at local ancient hammam Bozori Kord (XVII C) with some spa procedures.

Overnight in Bukhara

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 7. Bukhara 

Today we’ll explore Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city. It is home to buildings spanning a thousand years of history and a thoroughly lived-in and cohesive old centre that hasn’t changed too much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan.

We’ll visit the Ark Fortress – the residence of Bukhara khans, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and some beautiful madrassahs.

At the Poi-Kalyan complex we can see the Kalyan Minaret, also known as the ‘Tower of Death’. We’ll also visit the Lyabi Hauz complex, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city containing several impressive Islamic monuments.

Dinner with a family of local artisan – master of oriental miniature, where you can eat main Uzbek dish – plov (pilaf).

Overnight in Bukhara

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 8. Bukhara – Samarkand  

The City of the Dead – this is one of the sights we will see today. Located just outside Bukhara, Chor Bakr Necropolis, as it is officially known, is an unusual and mysterious burial place for the Dzhuibar sheikhs.

We’ll also visit the Chor Minor Mosque; Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara; and the Baghautdin Nakhshbandi Mausoleum – an important Muslim shrine and pilgrimage site.

In the afternoon, we’ll board the train for the 1.5 hour ride to Samarkand.

Overnight in Samarkand

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 9. Samarkand

No name is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand, which lies at the crossroads of the silk trading route through Europe and Asia.

We’ll visit the awe-inspiring restored madrassas standing on three sides of the iconic Registan Square: Ulughbek Madrassah, Sher-Dor Madrassah and the gold-covered Tillya-Kari Madrassah.

Other highlights include the Bibi Khanym Mosque with its ocean-blue domes and exquisite carvings and the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, which contains monuments dating back between 500 to 1000 years. We’ll also visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum and the Ulughbek Observatory with its interesting underground passages.

In the evening, we’ll visit Khovrenko Winery and have degustation of wine produced there.

Overnight in Samarkand

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 10. Samarkand – Tashkent  

We’ll continue seeing the sights of Samarkand today. There’s the ancient settlement and museum of Afrosiab, and the Tombstone of Saint Daniyar – the restored tomb of the Old Testament prophet Daniyar (Daniel).

At Konigil village there’s time to visit the local paper mill which offers a fantastic insight into how traditional paper is still made using old-fashioned techniques.

We’ll then catch the evening train to Tashkent.

Overnight in Tashkent

Meal(s): Breakfast

 

Day 11. Departure from Tashkent 

Sadly it’s our last day and time to say goodbye. Enjoy a final breakfast before the transfer back to the airport for your onward flight.

Meal(s): Breakfast