Uzbekistan Tour 1
DAY 1: Tashkent - Bukhara by Uzbekistan airways (1 hr flight)
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for morning flight to Bukhara. Arrival in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. According to the legend Bukhara was founded by the King Siavush, a legendary Persian prince of the Persian Empire.
Full day guided sightseeing tour program in Bukhara. Visit Chashma-Ayub (Job’s well), Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, the mausoleum of the 1st local ruler in Central Asia who occupied a great territory in the region in 9-10th centuries; Bolo Hauz Mosque, which was used as a prayer place of the Emir of Bukhara, still functioning as the main mosque in the city. Ark Fortress, residence of Bukhara rulers and destroyed by Soviet army in 1920 but still preserved and displaying biography of Bukhara and its history. Kalon mosque and minaret, the biggest mosque in Central Asia built in the 16th century and opposite to it the madrasah of Miri-Arab. Walking further you will visit Taki Zargaron, trade dome of golden jewelry, one of three trade domes in Bukhara. Madrasah of Ulugbek and ,Abdulazizkhan one of two madrasahs facing each other. Tim Abdullakhan, a covered market of carpets and silk. Taki Telpakfurushon, the second trade domes in Bukhara for selling karakul hats. Magoki-Attori mosque the museum of carpets and rugs of Central Asia and Uzbekistan, in the past this building was a Buddhist temple, later it became the mosque and spice market, therefore it is called mosque and spice market. Taki Sarafon, money exchange dome. Lyabi Hauz Complex including Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah and Khanaqa, located in the Jewish quarter of Bukhara, close to Synagogue and Jewish school. Madrasah of Chor-Minor, the unique and smallest madrasah in the city built in the 19th cent.
Extras to do in Bukhara:
• Borzi Kord Taqi-Telpakfurushon, men’s bathhouse, daily except Tuesday
• Hammom Kunjak – The women’s bathhouse near Kalon Minaret.
• Folklore and Fashion Show – Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah
• Puppet show
• Museum house of Fayzulla Khodjaev
DAY 2: Bukhara - Samarkand, (270 km, 4 hrs)
In the morning continue sightseeing Bukhara. Trip to the summer palace Sitorai-Mokhikhosa, used to be the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. In the afternoon depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand. On the way to Samarkand stop at the Karavan saray of 11th cent., Rabbat Malik and Sardoba opposite to it. Arrival in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Extras to do in Samarkand:
• Sound and Light Show in Registan square at night after 2100.
• Folk Show in Sher-Dor Madrasah
• Silk carpet factory
• Fashion shop of Valentina
DAY 3: Samarkand
Full day sightseeing Samarkand.
Samarkand, the capital of ancient Sogdiana, is one of the oldest cities in the world, of the same age as Rome, Athens and Babylon.
For 25 centuries the city has survived many great and dramatic events. Samarkand saw Saka and Massagets, Greeks and Macedonians, Karakitais, Arab commanders and hordes of Genghis Khan. During the reign of Tameralne, Samarkand became the capital of his huge empire. The Great Silk Road went through the city.
Visit Gur Emir Mausoleum, family graveyard of Amir Timur and his sons, teacher and grandchildren. Supposed to be the khanaka of his grandson Muhammad Sultan, but due to the Temur’s sudden death and other circumstances it became the grave of Timur and his relatives.
Famous Registan Square, known from the 13th century as a bazaar square, was the centre of trade and cultural life in medieval Samarkand. It is surrounded by 3 madrasahs of different periods. Bibi Khanym Mosque, built by Timur and devoted to his favorite wife, however other legends say that it was built by his wife as a present for his successful invasion of India in 1399.
In the Siob Bazaar you will taste the oriental bazaar where you can find everything from spices to delicious Samarkand bread and fruits. Shakhi-Zinda Complex, one of the famous places in Islamic world with its holy burial place of Kusam Ibn Abbas the cousin of Muhammad prophet. Ulugbek observatory, renovated in 2010 and displaying education life of Timurids period as a center of astronomical and mathematical studies of Ulugbek.
Afrosiab Site & Museum: The settlement takes about 212 hectares and the most part of it is surrounded by a moat. Ancient Afrosiab (the old name of Samarkand) had existed from the 6th century BC till the 13th AD. Now archaeologists continuously conduct excavations here. The museum displays: the model of the ancient city and fortress walls, pottery, weaponry, coinage, altars and most of all the mural painting of the 7th century.
Extras to do in Samarkand:
• State Museum of Cultural History (Optional): The collection established in 1874 is extensive and well displayed. The ground floor houses modern paintings and early Soviet posters. Archaeological exhibits on the first floor include vessels and ossuaries (clay boxes for bones) from Afrosiab, plus fully painted copies of its fragmented murals and replicas of finds from ancient Bactria, such as the Kushan Ayrtam frieze, a limestone sculpture of an Indo-European culture. Other treasures are Tamerlane's wooden coffin and a 19th-century Koran.
• Konigil – famous Samarkand paper production, displays the production of ancient Samarkand silk paper by ancient technologies.
DAY 4: Samarkand - Tashkent, (297km, 4hrs)
Depart Samarkand and drive to Tashkent.
End of the tour
