Beyond The Great Silk Road
About this tour
All must-visits in Uzbekistan
Activities included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Flight from ___ to Tashkent. Upon arrival at __ at Airport of Tashkent meet driver, transfer to hotel and sometime to rest. At 10:00 meet the guide at hotel and start city tour to Tashkent and visits: The first discovery by the visit to complex of Khast-i-Imam (reconstructed in 2007), religious center of Tashkent. Architectural ensemble includes several constructions, built in XVI –XIX cc. Then you will discover beautiful madrasa Kukeldash and Juma Mosque and Chorsu Bazaar –the biggest market of the country. Lunch time. In the afternoon visit to The Museum of Applied Art of Tashkent, the ancient palace of Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev that is transformed to the museum in 1938. After, city tour to Amir Temur Square, Independence Square and Minor Mosque. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Chimgan, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, at 09:00 drive to Chimgan Mountains. In Chimgan Mountains, you can take long ride in cable car from Beldersay gorge to Kumbel peak, from where the longest ski tracks take start (optional, not included to the tour price); have a walk in mountain area and relax observing gorgeous view of green mountains. Then, drive to the shore of Charvak Reservoir. There are numerous resorts, beaches and children summer camps. You can have lunch under the shade of four giant trees at Chinara restaurant. On the territory of restaurant, you can explore unique petroglyphs, rock carvings made by prehistoric people, reserved until nowadays. Return to Tashkent after lunch. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the early morning transfer to the airport to take domestic flight to Urgench. (HY 055 | dep : 07h25 | arr : 09h05). Arrival at the airport of Urgench, meet the driver at the Airport and transfer to Khiva. On arrival, transfer to hotel and leave there luggage (check-in at/after 14:00). Explore marvelous city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing program includes excursion in all monuments of Ichan Kala. Ichan Kala is the inner town (protected by brick walls some 10 m high) of the old Khiva oasis, which was the last resting-place of caravans before crossing the desert to Iran. Although few very old monuments still remain, it is a coherent and well-preserved example of the Muslim architecture of Central Asia: Juma Mosque, constitutes remarkable type of architecture of XVII cc.; Kunya Ark –the 'ancient fortress', established in 1686 - 1688 by Arang-Khan; to south of Kunya Ark were found Kalta Minor and the Medresa of Muhammad-Amin-Khan; The Tash-Kauli Palace, built in 1830 - 1838 for Alla-Kulli-Khan, (whose name means 'slave of God', he was blissfully unaware of the plans being put into place in Russia for a massive invasion). Lunch time. After, explore other exceptional monuments, situated in Ichan Kala – the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud (1247 - 1325); the Mausoleum of Sayid All-Uddin, which has retained its XIVth-century layout intact; the Medresa of Islam-Khodja (1908 - 1910), with its elegant minaret, at 45 m the highest in Khiva; The Medresa of Alla-Kuli, built in 1835 in an awkward space near the east gate of the inner town, is a celebrated example of harmonious blending into an ancient urban fabric. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning drive to Bukhara direction by passing red sands of the desert Kizil-Kum. On the road crossing the arid steppe with its herds of sheep of astrakhan. Rest stop and explore the river of Amu-Darya, blue serpent in the desert... Lunch on the way. In the afternoon going on the road doing another rest stop en-route near Gazli. Arrive late afternoon, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Dinner time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning meet your guide at hotel and discover the most mysterious city of the Silk Road –Bukhara and its magnificent historical monuments that attract thousands of visitors by their beauty. Full day sightseeing program includes the visits to: Architectural complex Poi-Kalyan (means «Foot of the Great»), consists of three constructions built in XII-XVI centuries: madrasah Miri-Arab, mosque and minaret Kalyan – “Great minaret” is the main decoration of the complex; the madrasa of Ulug Beg and Abdulaziz Khan. Built in 1652, a few centuries later than Ulugh-Beg Madrasah (built in 1417), Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasa marks the remarkable progress of medieval Central Asian architecture; Tim Abdullah Khan – a covered bazaar built in 1577; Magok-i Attari Mosque (today, Museum of Carpets) is one of the oldest architectural monuments where you will find heathen shrines, the remains of a Buddhist monastery, a Zoroastrian Temple in Bukhara. Lunch time. In the afternoon continue to explore other monuments, as: architectural ensemble Laybi-Hauz (means «the shore of reservoir»), consists of three monumental buildings: Kukeldash madrassa and two other religious buildings: Hanaka on the west and Madrasah of Nadir Divan-Begi on the east; Ark-Citadel –a residence of Bukhara khans, a massive fortress, built and occupied around the 5th century AD. Bolo-Hauz Mosque, built in the 17th century, was a place of prayer for the Emirs and their entourage. It is the only preserved monument in Registan Square that includes: multi-column aivan, domed mosque, minaret and a small pool; the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, one of the most ancient monuments in the city, mausoleum Chashma Ayub, or "Source of Job". Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning meet the guide at hotel, at this day you will visit other monuments situated in countryside of the Bukhara: the mosque Tchor Minor, or « Four Minarets », hidden in the alleys of the ancient district of the city, an example of XIX cc. monument; summer residence of Bukhara Emirs, Sitora-i-Mokhi Khosa, which was the second residence of the last emir of Bukhara. Lunch time. In the afternoon you will visit holy site, the memorial complex of Hazrati Bakhouddin Naqshbandi – the founder of Naqshbandiya Order, located in the village of Qasri Orifon village. Then you will visit Chor –Bakr Necropolis, a complex located in Sumiton village and the Mausoleum of Aby Khafs Kabir. Dinner time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Yangikazgan, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to the Nurata direction. On the way make a rest stop en-route in Guijduvan, a small village 40 km far from the Bukhara. Guijduvan ceramic workshop is known throughout the country and is protected by UNESCO. Alisher Narzullaev will demonstrate with a great pleasure our National ceramics with beautiful oriental patterns. Further, make another stop in the naval region, to visit ancient caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik (XI c) and medieval water keeper Sardoba (XV c). After arriving, visit local house for a lunch. Afternoon- a visit to the ruins of an ancient Citadel of Alexander the Great and finally arrive to yurt. Accommodation in the yurt camp, riding Camels and dinner in a desert around the fire. Dinner and Overnight in yurts. GOOD TO KNOW! Yurt camping in Nurata consists of a dozen yurts, at one of which you will stay. There is no individual yurt; you will be from 4 to 8 people per yurt. From the point of hygiene view, the camp has 4 showers, 1 European WC and 4 Turkish WC. The bedding is provided (mattress, sheets, and blankets). Dinner is based on local food (usually beef or mutton with rice, pasta and vegetables). The temperature differences are significant: up to 40 ° C in summer and 10 ° C during thunderstorms. Nights are usually clear.
Day 8: Yangikazgan, Uzbekistan to Ukhum, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at Yurts. transfer to homestay in Uhum village (about 3 hours drive). Arrive in Uhum village by lunch time and settle in homestay. Lunch with host family. After lunch, one of family members will take you for short excursion where you may get familiar with daily livelihood activities of the rural people and explore some local sights such as ruins of an ancient fortress and community water mill (8 km). In the evening you may watch or participate in the preparation of traditional meal ‘Plov’ Overnight at guest house.
Day 9: Ukhum, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at Guest house. On this day, you will be hiking around Uhum village first to the petroglyph site on the buffer zone of the Nuratau Nature Reserve and on the second half of the day to the breeding enclosure located in Hayat village. After breakfast, start guided hiking from the homestay in Uhumsay valley up to the petroglyph site (4,3 km / 2 hours one way). Hiking in the Uhumsay valley you will see many summer huts of the local population and busy locals doing their daily livelihood activities such as butter making, bread backing in tandir oven, fruit harvesting, and firewood collection. Shortly before reaching the petroglyph site, we will stop to visit the mausoleum of Hazrati Boboy Eshon. Reach the petroglyph site and after taking some photos return to the homestay taking the same way. Arrive in the homestay and have lunch. After lunch, you will be doing second guided hike to the neigh bouring Hayat village to see the wild endangered Severtzo’s sheep in a breeding enclosure (3 km / 1,2 hours one way). Start hiking from the homestay towards the west on the path that that reaches Karaul mount where you will have picturesque views of lake Aydarkul and Kyzilkum steppe. After taking some time for rest, continue to Hayat village. Reach the breeding enclosure and spend some time around to explore the area and take some pictures of this unique sheep. Nuratau Mountains inhabit almost 95% of world’s population of Severtzo’s wild sheep and this was the reason why large part of the area was declared as Nature Reserve. Return to Uhum village, Dinner and Overnight at homestay.
Day 10: Ukhum, Uzbekistan to Mitan responsible tourism project, Узбекистан, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at Guest house. Morning drive to Samarkand via Mitan Village. Arriving at the village of Mitan which is the winner of the World Responsible Tourism Travel Award 'To Do' at the ITB Berlin 2015. In the village you will be a guest in one of the Uzbek local family. Lunch at the local house, with traditional Uzbek welcome meals: “bichaks”- triangular baked pastries with meat or pumpkin; “plov”- cooked with rice, fresh mutton or beef, yellow or red carrot, onions and vegetable oil (you can take part in the preparation). Authentic meetings and various exchanges between the visitors and local residents are the best ways of cross-cultural understanding; as well, participation to various kinds of activities leads to familiarization with lifestyle of local people. In the afternoon you can go for a walk in village and observe beautiful nature almost untouched by human development. Having the tour in Mitan village, you really feel the Uzbek Life. You will have a unique opportunity to see the life of an ordinary Uzbek village with all its joys and difficulties. In Mitan village, away from the daily hustle and bustle of civilization you will understand what really has meaning in life, and what is imposed by conventionalities of the external modern world. You will meet some incredibly friendly local people, to chat with them, together make Uzbek national meals in host Village house and enjoy watching the traditions and customs as well as Uzbek hospitability. In the afternoon drive to Samarkand, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to the Memorial Complex of Imam Al-Bukhari, the great theologian of the East, who collected and recorded about 600 thousand hadith, sayings of the Prophet. Besides, al-Bukhari selected as “flawless” about 7400 hadith to include into the famous “As-Sahih” which became the second most important book after the Koran for the majority of Sunni. The next visit of holy place is a few kilometers away from the complex of Imam al-Bukhari, the burial place of Hazrat Makhdumi A'zam Dahbediy (1461-1542), a Sufi philosopher, and a descendent of Hazrat Ali. Lunch time. In the afternoon visit to magnificent Reguistan Square, surrounded by its three madrasas, the medrasa Ulugbek (XV c.), the Sher-Dor medrasa (XVII c.) and Tillya Kori with his golden mosque (XVII century.). Last visit of the day will be to the Bibi Khanum Mosque the best architects and artisans of Khorossan, Azerbaijan, Persia and India were involved to the construction of the largest mosque in Central Asia in XIV c. Afterwards, you will pay a visit to Guri Emir Madrasah. Dinner time. Night at hotel.
Day 12: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning meet the guide at hotel and start exploring other historical sites of Samarkand: The Shakhi-Zinda ensemble with more than 20 buildings, built from early XI up to XIV cc. Each mausoleum has its own style of decoration and great fantasy of skillful artisans; the Observatory of Ulugbek, the first observatory in Central Asia, built in XIV c. Visit to the mausoleum of Hodja Daniyar, located near the healing spring and attracts crowds of tourists every day. Some believe that Daniel was biblical prophet others – associate him with fellow-soldier of Kusam ibn Abbas. Siyab Bazaar – one of the biggest oriental market in Samarkand. Lunch time. In the afternoon you will take a visit to The Museum of Afrasiab. visit to the workshop of handmade silk paper, located in Koniguil village. In the workshop you can explore the ancient technologies of producing silk paper, developed by Chinese handicrafts in VIII century. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to Shakhrisabz city. In Shakhrisabz make rest stop en route and have a sightseeing tour: Visit to the Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. Lunch time. In the afternoon drive back to Samarkand and following that to the Railway Station to take a high speed train to Tashkent (dep: 18:00 PM | arr: 20:10 PM) Upon arrival, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Tashkent International Airport, Тошкент, Uzbekistan
At ___(2-3 hours before departure) transfer to the International Airport for taking flight to homeland. Flight at __. Have a safe flight! End of our services!
What's included
- Accommodation in twin rooms at hotels mentioned or similar (Classification to the country's standards): - Breakfasts at hotels; - Lunches and Dinners in Ukhum village; - Dinner at Yurt camps; - Lunch in Mitan village; - Entrance fees (museums and sites); - English local guides for downtown tours; - Transportations and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle during the tour, including driver petrol, road tax, etc. (Unless not mentioned in program movements); - Domestic Flight Tickets Tashkent – Urgench (Economy Class); - Domestic Train Tickets Samarkand – Tashkent (Economy Class); -Hotel –Airport –Hotel transfers; - Our assistance 24h/7.
- The International flight tickets; - Lunches and dinners; - Photo & Video charges during sightseeing (from 2 $ per site); - Early check – in. late check – out;
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan