Uzbekistan: A New Perspective on Historical Authenticity and Hospitality
Highlights:
Tashkent metro: Discover the subway, where each station is decorated as a symbolic work of art of the country.
Ferghana Valley: Discovery of a green part of the country surrounded by a mountain range.
Itchan Kala castle.’’Thousand and one nights’’ allow yourself to immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of the fairy tale.
Poi Kalon ensemble: Feel the energy of the place through the centuries-old stories of the Kalon Tower.
Registan square: Discovery of the legendary city of Samarkand with a visiting card of three madrasahs illuminated with all the colors of the world.
- Accommodation in a double room in hotels with breakfast;
- Morning installation at the hotel on the 2nd day;
- Full board (meals included - salads, first course, main course, desert, bread, tea/mineral water);
- Transportation and all transfers according to the program in an air-conditioned vehicle with all road taxes;
- Entrance tickets to sites and museums;
- French-speaking tour service during any tour;
- Tashkent - Urganch domestic air tickets in economy class;
- An economy class ticket for the Tashkent - Kokan train;
- Economy class ticket for Margilan-Tashkent train;
- Economy class ticket for the Samarkand-Tashkent train;
- A souvenir for each participant;
- Mineral waters in transport;
- Our support before departure and 24/7.
- Tickets for international flights;
- Travel insurance;
- Drinks package;
- Allow taking photos/videos on sites;
- Tips for guides and drivers;
- Personal expenses.
Foto of tour
Detailed program
Take a day-night flight. Night on board.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tashkent is a city that has preserved both the atmosphere of the East and modernity. The tour begins with exploring the capital's oriental charm, starting with the Barak Khan Complex, Hasti-Imam Square, Kaffal Shoshi Mausoleum, Juma Mosque, and Moi Mubarak Madrasa, where the ancient Ottoman Quran is preserved.
The exploration continues with a visit to the covered market of Chorsou Bazaar, renowned for its grandeur and blue dome.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant in the capital.
In the afternoon, the visits will continue with a trip to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the former palace of Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev.
Before dinner, there will be some rest time after the night’s exhaustion from flying.
Dinner at a traditional restaurant in town.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
The Ferghana Valley is a lush region of the country surrounded by mountain ranges.
In the morning, transfer to Tashkent railway station and board the train to Kokand. Enjoy the scenic beauty of nature and mountains along the way. Upon arrival in Kokand in the afternoon, visit the Khudayar Khan Palace, built by Kokand artisans in 1871, and the Juma Mosque, known for its 99 pillars and being one of the largest and most historic mosques in Kokand.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive to the small town of Rishtan, renowned for its pottery. Visit the pottery workshop of the renowned craftsman Rustam Usmanov. Rishtan has been famous for its pottery for centuries. Spend time with the family members and enjoy their hospitality. Mr. Odilov speaks German, so you can communicate with him directly.
Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse of a ceramic master family.
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, travel to the city of Margilan. Visit the "Yodgorlik" silk factory to learn about the silk production process. This factory provides a comprehensive insight into the entire process, from caterpillars and cocoons to silk production and patterns.
In the afternoon, explore the local town square, including the bazaar and the central mosque.
At 3:30 p.m., transfer to Margilan railway station for the train journey back to Tashkent.
Dinner will be served on the train.
Arrive in Tashkent in the evening, followed by a transfer and overnight stay at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, your driver will pick you up for transfer to the airport. Fly to Urganch. Upon arrival in Urganch, transfer to the Khiva Hotel to rest and unload. (Rooms are available from 2:00 p.m.).
Khiva, known as the "castle city - Itchan Kala," presents the atmosphere of the fairy tale "One Thousand and One Nights." This ancient city, the oldest among the historic cities of the country, is well-preserved and will showcase its remarkable beauty.
The city tour begins with a visit to the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and the Kalta Tower near the Ota Darvoza Gate. Continue with visits to the Kouhna Ark Fort, which includes the Juma Mosque, the throne room, and the chancellery, as well as the madrasa of the poet Khan Muhammad Rahim, known as Feruz.
Lunch at a small restaurant on the terrace.
In the afternoon, explore the Tach Khauli Palace or "Stone Palace" and its Haram, the Ollakolikhan Madrasah and Caravanserai, and the Juma Mosque with its 218 intricately carved wooden pillars. Head to the terrace of the fort wall known as Aivanga - Akshahbabo to watch the sunset.
Dinner at a restaurant with a stunning illuminated view of the Itchan Kala castle.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the Islam Khoja Madrasah, which features the tallest minaret in the city, and the mausoleum of Pakhlawan Mahmud. Continue with visits to the mausoleums of Syed Alauddin and the Outer Palace of the Itchan Kala castle, named after the famous figure Nurullabay.
Lunch at a small restaurant on the terrace.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time for personal exploration.
Dinner at a restaurant with a beautiful illuminated view of the Itchan Kala castle.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Picked up by a driver at 9:00 AM, you will drive through the red sands of the Kizil Kum Desert, passing rice paddies to explore the agriculture of Khorezm (depending on the season) and the Amudarya River. Look out for the rare blue snake in the desert.
Lunch break at a café on the way.
In the afternoon, continue your journey to Bukhara, arriving by late afternoon.
Hotel accommodation.
Dinner to taste traditional Bukhara cuisine.
Enjoy an evening walk through the old town of Bukhara.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Bukhara, a center of Islam and a mysterious caravan city known for its narrow streets, begins with a tour of its historic sites. Start with the Tomb of Ismail Samani, one of the oldest monuments in the city and its surroundings, followed by the Mausoleum of Chachmaï Ayub; the Bolo-Khouz Mosque, notable for its twenty-column porch; and the Ark Fortress, the ancient residence of the Bukhara kings.
Lunch at a restaurant in the old city center.
Continue the exploration with a visit to the Poy-Kalyan Square, which includes the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah, the Kalon Mosque, and the Kalon Minaret. Also visit the Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasas, the Tok-i-Zargaron (Jewellers' Domes), and the Tim Abdullah Khan (covered market) where you can find beautiful hand-woven silks. Discover the Magok-i-Attari Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the city, located on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian temple. Explore the Lyabi-Khauz complex, which includes the large pool, the Kouklodch Madrasah, the Khanaqah, and the Nadir Devonbegi Madrasah. End the tour with a visit to the Tchor Minor Madrasah, tucked away in the old districts of the city.
Dinner at the outdoor restaurant in the Lyabi-Khuz complex.
In the evening, enjoy the illuminated view of Poi Kalon Square.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue exploring Bukhara with a visit to its external monuments. First, visit the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi, a significant and sacred site for Muslims dedicated to a renowned figure. Next, tour the summer residence of the last emirs of Bukhara, Sitora-i Mokhi Khosa.
Return to the old town for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time.
Recommended:
- Visit the workshop-museum of the creator of traditional dolls.
- Explore the workshop of professional photographer Shavkat Boltayev.
- Check out the workshop of miniaturist Davron Toshev.
- Discover the 16th-century trading domes, where you can see craftsmen at work and learn about their techniques.
Dinner at a traditional Bukhara chef’s house.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, drive to Samarkand.
On the way, stop in the small town of Guijduvan, known for its pottery dynasty and craftsmanship. Visit the pottery workshop of master potter Abdullo Narzullayev. Discover the process of creating ceramic objects and get involved in the preparation stages.
Additionally, learn about the traditional embroidery practices of the family members.
Enjoy a cooking session with the family, followed by lunch together.
Continue your journey to Samarkand. On the way, visit the Sarmish-Soy region, located on the southern slope of Karatov, 30-40 km northeast of Navoi. This region is famous for its petroglyphs.
Arrive in Samarkand in the late afternoon.
Free time at the hotel.
Prepare and enjoy dinner with a local family in Samarkand. The residents of Samarkand are known for their traditions, culture, and unique dialect.
Accommodation in a family guest house.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Samarkand is a legendary city renowned for its rich history and significant role in Silk Road trade. Begin your exploration at Registan Square, which was once the central hub with a bazaar and three madrasahs: Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Sherdor Madrasah, and Tilla-Kori Madrasah. Next, visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, originally constructed as a madrasa by Timur's grandson but converted into a mausoleum after Timur's death.
Lunch at a local café to savor the traditional cuisine of Samarkand.
In the afternoon, continue your city tour. Visit the Afrosiyab Museum to see the region’s pre-Islamic frescoes. Explore the Mausoleum of Prophet Daniel, located in the old city of Afrosiyab.
Also, visit the first observatory built by Timur’s grandson, Ulugh Beg.
At 6:00 p.m., attend a presentation of historical costumes of Central Asian peoples at the "El Merosi" Theater.
Dinner at a local restaurant in town. Accommodation in a family guest house.
Experience Samarkand and its monuments illuminated in the evening. Locals often gather in these beautiful settings to relax with family or friends in a warm atmosphere.
Accommodation in a family guest house.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue your exploration of Samarkand. Start the morning with a visit to the Shahi Zinda necropolis, a complex of monuments that showcases the intricate artistic details of Islamic architectural decoration.
Next, visit Bibikhanim Mosque, which was the largest mosque of its time in Central Asia.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Samarkand.
In the evening, explore the Silk Road complex. Wander through narrow streets filled with shops of artists, artisans, and masters of applied arts. The pavilions and beautiful grounds resemble those described in ancient texts, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere with turquoise domes, mosaics on palace walls, and towers reaching toward the sky.
Dinner at the local restaurant "Samarkand" in the city.
Accommodation in a family guest house.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit a paper mill to observe the paper-making process. You might want to send a letter to your friends on this unique paper to share your experience after you return.
Next, tour a silk carpet factory to see all stages of carpet production, from dyeing silk threads to the finished product.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Samarkand.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time for personal exploration. Later, your driver will meet you for a transfer to Samarkand railway station. Board the train to Tashkent.
Arrive in Tashkent.
Dinner at a restaurant in the capital.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a free morning.
Lunch at a local restaurant in the capital.
Explore the city starting with Independence Square and its World War II Memorial. Visit the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater, designed by Chussiev, the same architect behind Lenin's Tomb in Moscow.
Take a stroll along Broadway in the capital, where you can see local youth, artists, and their works.
Continue your tour with a ride on the Tashkent Metro, where each station is decorated as a symbolic work of art representing the country. Travel to the Tashkent Radio and Television Tower, which stands 375 meters tall and is the 11th tallest tower in the world. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the city.
Dinner at a traditional restaurant in town.
Hotel accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, your driver will pick you up for transfer to the airport. Take your return flight.
End of trip 😊 Welcome back!