Uzbekistan Tour 5
DAY 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, with the population over 3 million. The age of the city is over 2200. Sightseeing program in Tashkent. Visit center of Tashkent, Amir Timur Square, Independence Square, Applied Arts Museum. Visiting old town you will enjoy oriental bazaar Chorsu which is open daily from morning till evening. Visit of Khasti Imam Complex includes Barakhan Madrasah, Mui Muborak Library where you can see the holy book of Qoran dating back to the 7th century and the new biggest mosque of Hazrati Imam built in 2007 when Tashkent was announced as the Center of Islamic Culture. Overnight at the hotel.
Extras to do in Tashkent:
- Uzbek Art Gallery near Chor-Su bazaar
- Chor-Su bazaar, Oloy bazaar
- Uzbek handicrafts Center in Abul Qasim Madrasah
- Tashkent Subway
- Zangi Ata pilgrimage place 30 km
- State History Museum
- Fine Arts Museum
- Performance at Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre
DAY 2: Tashkent - Bukhara
Morning flight to Bukhara. Arrival in Bukhara, transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Bukhara is an important stop on the Great Silk Road, a center for religion, trade and culture. For centuries, Bukhara attracted different conquerors, it was destroyed and rebuilt many times and always was a center of different empires, khanates and emirates which resulted in mixture of different cultures and nationalities. In 1993, the historical part of Bukhara was included to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today historical highlights of Bukhara include Lyabi Hauz Complex, an artificial pond surrounded by 3 madrassahs of different period, magnificent Kalyon Mosque and Poi-Kalon Minaret, both monuments have survived the hordes of Genghis-Khan, Taki Zargaron market place for golden jewellery in ancient times, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah, Miri-Arab Madrasah. Tim Abdullakhan, a covered market, nowadays an antique shop of Carpets and silk fabrics. Taki Telpakfurushon, market of hats. Bukhara was also famous for its karakul (sheep fur) and this market was the special place for that. Magoki-Attori Mosque, Taki Sarafon, money exchange center. Visit centuries-old Ark Fortress, home to ruler’s of Bukhara, Bolo-Hauz Mosque and Samani dynasty mausoleum, the 10th century building, a resting place for Samani dynasty founder Ismail Samani and his family members. Overnight at the hotel.
Extras to do in Bukhara:
- Folklore and Fashion Show – Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah
- Puppet show
- Museum house of Fayzulla Khodjaev
- Borzi Kord Taqi-Telpakfurushon, daily except Tuesday, men’s bathhouse.
- Hammom Kunjak – The women’s bathhouse near Kalon Minaret.
- Trip to Gijduvan (50 km) to a work shop of Gijduvan pottery master.
DAY 3: Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand, (290 km, 4hrs + 90 km, 1,5 hrs)
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz. Stop in Shakhrisabz for sightseeing. Visit ruins of Ak-Saray Palace, Mausoleum of Jakhongir and Omar-Shaykh, Mausoleum of Dorut-Tilovat where conqueror Tamerlane’s father and his spiritual tutor were buried, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque. In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4: 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. Under Amir Timur's rule, Samarkand became the capital of his huge empire. Samarkand was one of the important stops on the Great Silk Road.
Visit Gur Emir mausoleum, family graveyard of Amir Timur and his sons, teacher and grandchildren. Famous Registan Square, known from the 13th century as a bazaar square and 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 in honor of his successful invasion of India in 1399. Continue to colorful Siab bazaar in Samarkand, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, the burial place for members of royal family and nobles of ancient Samarkand, with the main mausoleum believed to be the grave of Prophet Muhammad's cousin Qusam Ibn Abbas; Ulugbek Observatory, remains of astronomical instrument dating back to the 15th century and a small museum dedicated to Ulugbek, the great astronomer and ruler of Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.
Extras to do in Samarkand:
- Night Sound and Light Show in Registan Square after 21:00.
- Folk Show in the Sherdor Madrasah
- Silk carpet factory
- Fashion shop of Valentina
- Konigil, famous Samarkand paper production, displays the production of ancient Samarkand silk paper using ancient technology.
DAY 5: Samarkand-Tashkent, (297 km, 4hrs)
In the first half of the day free time in Samarkand. In the afternoon transfer to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent. End of the tour.
