Aral Sea And Ustyurt Plateau Uzbekistan Tour
About this tour
The Aral Sea stands at the boundary between Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south. It was once a large saltwater lake of Central Asia and the world’s fourth largest body of inland water. The remarkable shrinkage of its area and volume began in the second half of the 20th century - when the region was part of the Soviet Union - and continued into the 21st (mainly to irrigation). Getting to the Aral Sea is not easy. However, such a journey can be an unforgettable discovery for you. Aral Sea discovery…
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Arrival at Tashkent airport. Transfer to the hotel (check-in from 14:00). Early luggage drop off, breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00 - beginning of exploring the capital, one of Central Asia`s most populous and dynamic cities. Sightseeing tour in old part of the city. Hazrati Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of Tashkent for centuries. The ensemble was built near the grave of one of the first Islamic preachers in Tashkent. In addition to the buildings, the complex has a library of oriental manuscripts. Here you can see one of Islam's most sacred relics - the world's oldest Quran. Afterwards you visit the largest and most dynamic market of Uzbekistan - Chorsu Bazaar. Here you can taste real Uzbek pilaff and shashlik. Here is the whole history of Uzbekistan: ceramic products, skullcaps, national robes, oriental sweets, spices, fruits, vegetables, clay products, handmade souvenirs. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Aral Sea Monument, Moynaq, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. At 04:45 – transfer to Tashkent airport. Domestic flight HY-011 (07:15 - 08:55) to Nukus. Nukus is the capital of the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. Meeting with a guide, transfer to Muynak, formerly a sea port on the Aral Sea. In Muynak you will visit the “Graveyard of Ships”, Muynak Museum of Culture, where works of artists F. Madgazin and R. Matevosyan, who depicted the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya River, are exhibited. You can compare the Aral Sea before and after drying. Lunch at the guesthouse. Continuation of the journey across the dried up Aral Sea. Stop at the magnificent Ustyurt canyons. Arrival at the current sea shore. A walk around the neighborhood. Dinner. Overnight stay in the yurt camp.
Day 3: Aral Sea Monument, Moynaq, Uzbekistan
Waking up early will give you the opportunity to enjoy the sunrise over the sea. Breakfast at the yurt camp. Today's tour: ruins of Kurgancha Kala fortress, cape Aktumsyk, walking tour through picturesque places of Ustyurt, where you can see canyons, slabs, caves. On the way stop at the ancient cemetery, descent down the path for a photo of canyons (it looks like Martian landscape). Lunch at the yurt camp. Walking on the beach, swimming (depending on the weather). Dinner at the yurt camp. Overnight stay in the yurt camp.
Day 4: Aral Sea Monument, Moynaq, Uzbekistan to Nukus, Uzbekistan
Today you can once again enjoy the sunrise over the sea. Breakfast at the yurt camp. The journey will continue with a trip to the settlement “Komsomolsk” on the Ustyurt plateau. There you can see the abandoned airport of the gas compressor station. It was used as an emergency landing place for aircraft. There you can take photos of camels and horses and taste camel milk in the village of Kubla Ustyurt. From the Ustyurt Plateau, the journey will continue to the Barsakelmes salt marsh. This huge salt lake is a remnant of the ancient Tethys Ocean. You can make a unique photo session. Continuation of the way to Sudochie Lake, former part of the Aral Sea – a place where many migratory birds nest, such as Pink Flamingo and others. On the way we pass Khojel and Kungrad districts, which were trade centres during the period of the Great Silk Road. Lunch in Kungrad. Transfer to Mizdakhkan necropolis, located in Khojeli district. Excursion around the necropolis: Nazlumkhan mausoleum (XII-XIVcc), Jumart kassab hillock, Shamun Nabi (XIX c), mausoleum of Khalifa Yerezhep and Gaur kala (VI B.C.-IX A.D.). Transfer to Nukus. Arrival and accommodation. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Nukus, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Khiva. On the way visit Kyzyl-Kala fortress. Kyzyl-Kala is a monument of the last stage in the history of ancient Khorezm architecture and can be considered a prototype of undulating Afrigid fortresses with massive columns. Further – a visit to Toprak-Kala settlement, an outstanding cultural monument of Khorezm I-VI centuries AD. In the III century it was the capital of Khorezm. Toprak-Kala was discovered by the Khorezm expedition led by S.P. Tolstov in 1938. The city has the shape of a regular rectangle. Ayaz-Kala – remains of fortifications of the period of Kushan culture (III-II centuries BC), 200 km from the Aral Sea. Lunch at the yurt camp “Ayaz Kala”. Arrival in Khiva. Accomodation. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Khiva is a beautiful oasis city that impresses with its tranquility. Sightseeing tour inside of Itchan Kala, the walled inner town of the city of Khiva. You visit many historic monuments: citadel Konya Ark, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Itchan Kala Minaret and Madrasah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Tash Khovli Palace, Ak Mosque, Anush Khan Baths, Muhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Friday Mosque. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Extended trip to Bukhara (450 km, 7-8 hours) through the Kyzylkum Desert, one of the most extensive deserts in Asia. Arrival and accommodation. Free time for a walk through the narrow streets of the old city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s tour is dedicated to discover old city of Bukhara. Bukhara sightseeing tour: Magokki Attari Mosque, built on the site of a Buddhist and Zoroastrian temple; four medieval (16th century) trading domes; Ulugbek Madrasah built by Tamerlane’s grandson; Abdul-Aziz Khan Madrasah (17th century); Abdullah Khan Tim Madrasah (16th century), which was used by Afghan silk and wool traders and the magnificent architectural complex of Poy Kalon (12th-16th centuries). Visit to Lyabi Hauz complex of XVI-XVII centuries. The Lyabi Hauz ensemble, surrounding the pool on three sides, consists of the Kukeldash Madrasah and two religious edifices built by Nadir Divan-Beghi: a khanqah and a madrasa. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Samarkand (280 km, about 5 hours drive). Samarkand was blessed with a strategic geographical location which made it an important part of the Great Silk Road. In the 14th century the conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), the founder and ruler of the Timurid Empire, made Samarkand his capital. He built many architectural masterpieces here, many of which have survived over the centuries. The tour starts with a visit to the famous Registan Square, where Ulugbek, Till Kori and Sherdor madrassahs are located. Visit to Gur-Emir Mausoleum. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Second day of sightseeing tour in Samarkand: necropolis Shahi-Zinda, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Afrosiab Archaeological Museum and Siab Market, the busiest market in the city. Visit to the Konigil Meros paper factory. The place is famous for its unique traditions of handicrafts, the purest nature and shady trees. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent (280 km, 4-5 hours). Arrival and accommodation. Visiting religious sites: the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Roman Catholic Church) and the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Panoramic tour in the capital: Independence Square, Opera and Ballet Theater Square, Amir Temur Square. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport.
What's included
Hotel accomodation. Accommodation in a yurt camp (4 to 6 people in 1 yurt). Meals: 12 breakfasts, full board (days 3,4,5) and lunch at Ayaz Kala yurt camp (day 6). Services of local guides. Entrance tickets. A/C transportation for the whole tour. Bottle of still water daily. Tourist fee in Uzbekistan.
Insurance. International flights. Domestic flight HY-011 from Tashkent to Nukus. Uzbek visa – visa-free for Europeans. Meals: lunches and dinners. Single room supplement of €150. Personal expenses, including on-site photo and video rights. Excess baggage. Tips for guides and drivers.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan