Explore The Highlights Of Uzbekistan
About this tour
All highlights of Uzbekistan
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
In the morning arrival at Tashkent International Airport. Welcome by guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel and leave there baggage (Check-in after 14:00). Breakfast at local restaurant. 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; Lunch at traditional Uzbek restaurant. 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. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Urgench. HY 1051 | dep : 07h50 | arr : 09h30. In the morning, arrival to the airport of Urgench, the capital of Khorezm region and transfer to Khiva. On arrival, transfer to hotel for leaving there the baggage. Explore marvelous city, listed in 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 at restaurant and acquaintance with local cuisine. 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. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Ayaz-Kala Fortress, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. 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 drive back to Khiva.
Day 4: 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. 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 at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. 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»), situated at the foot of the minaret Kalyan. Complex 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. Poi-Kalyan is one of the central architectural ensembles of Bukhara; 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») –the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara. The pool, dug in 1620 between khanaka and madrassa, has a length 42 m, a width 36 m, a depth 5 m. The ensemble 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. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning 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 Khossa, which was the second residence of the last emir of Bukhara. Lunch time. Afternoon will be a free time for personal discovery. You can go for a walk in a former Jewish district and visit the synagogue (opened after 17:00), or visit Shavkat BOLTAEV workshop and admire his gorgeous photography; As well as the visit to workshop of popular puppet-creator Iskandar KHAKIMOV. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Sputnik, Navoi, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to the Nurata direction. On the way make a 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 which are very interesting. 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- visit the ruins the ancient Citadel of Alexander the Great and finally arrive to a camping yurt. Accommodation in the camp yurt, riding Camels and dinner in a desert around the fire. 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: Sputnik, Navoi, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at yurt camping. Morning drive to 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. There you will meet your local guide. 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. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel
Day 9: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel. Right after begins sightseeing program: 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 discover 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 with the beauty and shining of the Milky Way; the Siyab Bazaar, the most ancient and biggest in Samarkand. Dinner time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing program: 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 –one of the famous observatories of the middle Ages, built in 1428-1429. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon drive to Tashkent . Arrival in Tashkent in the evening, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at hotel, departure to airport for taking flights of Turkish Airlines. Flight at ___. Have a safe flight!
What's included
- Accommodation in a double (twin) room in hotels mentioned or similar (Classification to the country's standards): - Breakfasts at hotels; - Lunches and Dinners at local restaurants (Each meal includes: three salads, soup, main course, desert, bread, tea & mineral water); - Entrance fees (museums and sites); - The English speaking guide; - Domestic flight ticket Tashkent-Urgench (Economy Class); -Transport and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle with driver, including petrol, road tax, etc. (Unless not mention in program movements); -Our assistance 24h/7.
-The International flight tickets; - Consular visa fee; - Tips for guides, drivers, etc; - Photo & Video charges during sightseeing;
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan