Visit 7 cities of Uzbekistan in 12 days with the bright cultural Uzbekistan Tour. This is an unforgettable journey, with the first part spent in Muynak, a former fishing village where once there was a shore of currently dried Aral Sea. There, you will see rusted remains of ships like midshipmen stuck in the sands of the sea having retreated in the face of human madness. You will also visit I.V. Savitsky Museum in Nukus which keeps a unique collection of Russian avant-garde, the world second largest and most important. During the second part you will have a trip to Uzbekistan ancient cities: Khiva, Bukhara, Sharkhrizabz, Samarkand and Tashkent, where you will enjoy an amazing beauty of architectural monuments of the antiquity and Middle Ages, visit famous oriental bazaars and, of course, learn more about national Uzbek culture, traditions, way of life coupled with a true oriental hospitability.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Morning flight to Nukus (1255 km, 2 h. 45 min. flight). Arrive in Nukus and drive to former fishermen’s town Muynak (220 km, 3 h.), which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea. On the way stop at archaeological complex Mizdakhan. In Muynak have a look at a former port with abandoned ships in the sand – “Cemetery of ships”. Then visit Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history. In the afternoon return to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel.
Visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around center of Nukus: see statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. In the afternoon depart to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 h.). On the way visit archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: Chilpyk – a Zoroastrian dakhma, and Toprak-Kala – the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. Arrive in Khiva, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Spend a day in Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walking sightseeing tour in Khiva with a guide: visit Kunya-Ark Citadel, Tash-Khovli Palace, Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.*). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road does nowadays**. Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amudarya River and the desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*Since there is only one cafe on the way, you might want to consider preparing a packed lunch before this trip.
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.
*Since there is only one cafe on the way, you might want to consider preparing a packed lunch before this trip.
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.
Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz (275 km, 4 h.*).
Stop in Shakhrisabz for city tour. Visit 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. In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand (90 km, 2 h.*). Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
*The road on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Stop in Shakhrisabz for city tour. Visit 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. In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand (90 km, 2 h.*). Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
*The road on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. At 16:00 transfer to railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 17:00 (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:10. Pick-up and transfer to hotel in Tashkent. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia with a guide. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imam visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center to walk through Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and Applied Arts Museum. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.
- All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3-7 pax by minivan type car; 8-13 pax by 20 seat bus, 14 pax and more by 40-50 seat bus;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides (except for city tour in Nukus and trip to fortresses of Ancient Khorezm);
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class ticket for flight Tashkent-Nukus;
- Business/Economy-class ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent as per option;
- Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa;
- Starting 8 persons English speaking tour leader from Advantour;
- Starting 10 persons +1 person travels free of charge accommodated in single room.
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Travel insurance.
Accommodation:
| Tashkent - 3 nights | |
| Ichan Qala, Sharq or similar | Miran, City Palace or similar |
| Nukus - 1 night | |
| Jipek Joli or similar | Jipek Joli or similar |
| Khiva - 2 nights | |
| Malika Kheivak, Qosha Darvoza or similar | Asia Khiva, Bek Khiva or similar |
| Bukhara - 3 nights | |
| As-Salom, K.Komil or similar | Omar Khayam, Asia Bukhara or similar |
| Samarkand - 2 nights | |
| City, Billuri Sitora or similar | Sultan, Platan or similar |
