Explore Aral Sea
About this tour
The Aral Sea and Ship Cemetery
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Flight from___ to Tashkent. Welcome by driver at Tashkent International Airport. Transfer to the hotel and leave luggage (check-in at/after 14:00). 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. Lunch time. In the afternoon continue and 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; Chorsu Bazaar –the biggest market of the country; The Mosque Minor, decorated with white marble. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Nukus, Uzbekistan
In the early morning transfer to the airport and take domestic flight to Nukus. (HY 011 | dep.: 07h00 | arr.: 08h45). Arrival to the airport of Nukus, meet the driver at the Airport and transfer to hotel and leave your luggage (check-in at/after 14:00). Visit to The Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art named after I.V. Savitsky. There you will meet the guide of the Museum, who will explain you in details all exhibits. This Museum houses a collection, total number of which rise to 90,000 items and includes graphics, paintings and sculptures, as well as thousands of artifacts, textiles and jewelry, ranging from the antiquities of Khorezm’s ancient civilization to the works of contemporary Uzbek and Karakalpak artists. Time for personal discoveries. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Nukus, Uzbekistan to Ustyurt Platosi, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. Note! For the trip to Aral Sea, it is recommended to take only backpack with all necessary things (personal hygiene products, change of clothes, camera, and mosquito spray (in case)). At about 08:00 depart to Aral Sea direction by 4x4. Pass through Kungrad region, which was one of the biggest commercial centers of The Great Silk Road. On the way to Aral Sea you will make 2 rest stops en route: 1. At the Lake Sudochie 2. Photo stop in Canyon of Ustyurt Plateau 3. Explore the ruins of Light House and abandoned village Ugra, have a picnic. In the afternoon continue to drive to Aral Sea. Arrive in the late afternoon, set up the tent. Have a walk (1 hour) from the camping ground to the nearby Kurgancha-Kala – an old caravan sarai hidden in the hills of the Ustyurt. Have camp-style dinner. Overnight at tent.
Day 4: Ustyurt Platosi, Uzbekistan to Nukus, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. Morning at leisure for personal exploration and for swimming. Wake up in the early morning for taking amazing photos at sunrise! At about 10-11 o’clock drive back to Nukus and make rest stop in Muynak. Drive on the road, which lies along the former sea bed among brushes and sand dunes. When the canyons leave behind, you will reach Muynak, the city, like a large port for hundreds of ships. Visit to the “ship cemetery” and museum (not always opened), which tells about the history and mode of life of local people. Have a picnic on the way. In the afternoon continue to drive, pass the gas towers, and arrive to Uchsai – Gas Plant. Drive to Khodjeli city to visit Mizdak-Khan architectural complex of the XIV C and Gyaur Qala ruins that was destroyed by Genghis Khan. Upon arrival in Nukus transfer to hotel and overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Nukus, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning meet the driver at hotel and drive to Khiva. On the way, make rest stops to see ancient settlements (you will explore on your own without guide). Explore ancient fortresses Toprak Kala and Kizyl Kala, situated in 80 km of Khiva. The fortress was built in the 3rd century and was used as the residence of khorezmshakhs - governors of the country- up to 305 A.D. Because of aggressive wars, that forced the governors to leave the residence, city gradually fell into decay. During the expedition in 1938 and the archeological excavations, from the territory of Toprak Kala were found coins, fragments of ossuaries (Zoroastrian’s canopic jars), magnificent samples of art culture, like thin manufactured ceramics, wool, silk fabrics, gold ornaments and a necklace of 300 glass beads, paste, amber, corals, bowls. Then drive to Ayaz Kala and visits ancient and biggest, mud-walled fortress, built on the top of a hill overlooking the vast Amu Darya plain (IV-II centuries B.C.). Lunch time. In the afternoon go on to drive to Khiva. Arrival by the evening, transfer and check-in to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the early morning meet your guide at hotel. 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 7: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at 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 8: 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". Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Shakhrisabz Station, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to Samarkand via 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 to Samarkand. Upon arrival, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning begin sightseeing tour in Samarkand: The Registan Square (“Sandy Place”), the ensemble of three madrasahs (the Ulughbek Madrasah (1417-1420), the Sher Dor Madrasah (1619-1636) and the Tillya Kori Madrasah (1646-1660)) is a unique example of town-building art, a remarkable pattern of the architectural planning of the main town square; The Gur-Amir Mausoleum –a world known masterpiece of Central Asian architecture, the family crypt of the great dynasty of Tamerlane, with a fine ribbed dome and decorated with paper-maché inside. Lunch time. In the afternoon you will explore other miracles of the city: The Pearl of Samarkand – Bibi Khanum Mosque. Constructed in 1399 by the best architects and artisans of Khorossan, Azerbaijan, Persia and India, the mosque was compared on the beauty and shining with the Milky Way; Siyab Bazar –the most ancient and the biggest traditional market of Samarkand. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, 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. Lunch time. In the afternoon you will take a visit to The Museum of Afrasiab. At 16:30 transfer to railway station and take fast speed train to Tashkent at 17:00. Arrival in Tashkent at 19:10, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Chimgan, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, at 09:00 meet the driver and 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 takes 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 13: Tashkent, 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 a single room in hotels mentioned or similar (Classification to the country's standards): - Breakfasts at hotels; -Tent style dinner at Day 3 in Aral Sea; - Entrance fees for all museums and sites, mentioned in program; - Hotel –Airport –Hotel Transfers by private, air conditioned transports; -Transportation by air-conditioned, private vehicle during the tour with driver. (Except movements, are not mentioned in program); - 7 days local guide services during the city tour; - Domestic Flight Ticket Tashkent –Nukus (Economy Class); - Domestic Train Ticket Samarkand –Tashkent (Economy Class); -Our assistance 24h/7.
- The International flight tickets; - Photo & Video charges during sightseeing (from 2 $ per site); - Lunches & Dinners (except some where you can not get your own meal); - Visa support; - Consular visa fee; - Tips for guides, drivers, etc.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan