Uzbekistan Zoroastrianism and Buddhism Tour

This complete 12-day tour will introduce you to the Zoroastrian and Buddhist cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has long been a diverse region, with many religions coexisting side by side. Some historians even think that Zoroastrianism originated in the oases of Khorezm, but no matter its origins, this religion has long been a spiritual center. Buddhism also played a vital role in the development no the Termez region, not far away. From the 1st through the 7th centuries AD, Termez was at the center of Buddhism in Central Asia, with a bustling monastery. This tour will take you to all of the major sights in Uzbekistan, including Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, plus some less-popular destinations, such as Nukus and Termez. The Zoroastrianism and Buddhism Tour is a great introduction to the spiritual history of Uzbekistan.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Guided tour in Tashkent: visit History Museum to explore vast collection of artifacts related to Zoroastrian and Buddhist period in Uzbekistan. Continue to archaeological site of Ming Urik, visit Old City part of Tashkent with Chorsu Bazaar, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square in the center of Tashkent.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 2: Tashkent – Termez

Transfer to local airport for morning flight to Termez (661 km, 2 h.). Upon arrival you will be met by driver and guide. Start sightseeing in ancient Buddhist center and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia – Termez. Visit Kokildor-Ota Khanaka, Fortress Kyrk-Kyz – a summer residence of Samani rulers, Sultan Saodat Ensemble, and Zurmala Tower – Buddha's stupa. Continue to Buddhist archaeological sites of Kara-Tepe, Fayaz-Tepe and Mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termezi.
Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 3: Termez

Continue guided tour in Termez. Drive north-east to see Kampyr-Tepe – Greco-Bactrian Kingdom fortress (35 km, 1 h.). Then visit Jarkurgan Minaret (30 km, 50 min.). Drive back to Termez, on the way enjoy views of Surkhan oasis and Friendship Bridge, which connects Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Visit Archaeology Museum to explore exhibits discovered on the territory of Termez and its surroundings. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 4: Termez – Samarkand

In the morning depart Termez for Samarkand (375 km, 5h. 26 min.). Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon. Check-in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Samarkand

Visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum, famous Registan Square, and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Continue to Afrasiab Museum & archaeological site – a hilly area of 212 hectares surrounded by a moat. Archaeologists presently conduct excavations on the site. The Afrasiab Museum displays the model of ancient city and fortress walls, pottery, weaponry, coinage, altars and most of all the mural painting of the 7th century. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 6: Samarkand – Bukhara

In the morning depart to Bukhara (280 km, 4 h.). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to 11th century. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, drive to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Then head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 7: Bukhara

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, 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, Chor-Minor Madrasah, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 8: Bukhara – Khiva

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (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 Khiva late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.

Day 9: Khiva

Spend a day in Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 10: Khiva – Toprak-Kala – Koykirilgan-Kala – Gyaur-Kala – Ayaz-Kala

This day you’ll have the journey to the Ancient Khorezm. Visit the fortress of Toprak-Kala – residence of ancient Khorezm rulers, and Gyaur-Kala – meaning infidel fortress, Koykirilgan-Kala. Then continue to one of the largest fortresses of Ancient Khorezm – Ayaz-Kala, II century AD, relevant to the period of Kushan Empire prosperity. Ayaz-Kala was neither a city nor a settlement, it was a fortress complex where nearly 19 centuries ago boundary groups of Kushan dynasty settled down.
Meals: lunch, dinner

Day 11: Ayaz-Kala – Nukus – Tashkent

After breakfast drive to Nukus via Chilpyk – hill of silence or Zoroastrian dakhma. Arrive in Nukus. Transfer to the 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 evening transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent (1255 km, 2 h. 45 min.). Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast

* Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum is closed on Mondays.
Due to renovations at Savitsky Museum, some of the archeological and applied arts exhibitions remain closed indefinitely.

Day 12: Tashkent – departure

Check out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.

Price includes:

All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan economy type car; 3-7 pax by minivan type car; 8-13 pax by 30 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 tickets for flights Tashkent-Termez, Nukus-Tashkent;
Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa.