Bewitching Uzbekistan
Bewitching Uzbekistan
Name of the tour: Bewitching Uzbekistan
Length of itinerary: 7 days / 6 nights
Day 1: Tashkent– Nukus
In the morning you will have a flight to Nukus. This entire day you will have a city tour in this city. First you will visit the Museum of Savitsky which exhibits the masterpieces of forbidden art. Museum collects 20th century Russian avant-garde paintings, works of Sokolov, Komarovskiy and Amaravella group. The curator of the Karakalpakstan state museum of art collected the artworks in 1960s. He purchased banned works from persecuted soviet artists, sometimes free. He carefully preserved and finally exhibited them in this remote central Asian art-house. After that we drive outside of Nukus to see Mizdakhan necropolis which used to be an ancient city centuries ago. Archaeological findings confirmed that area was continuously captured from the 4th century BC till about 14th century AD. Moreover, you will visit a 2200 years-old Zoroastrian ancient monument known as Chilpyk. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 2: Nukus – Khiva
Today we will have a transfer to Khiva. We will have a wonderful sightseeing tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. It will be inside of Ichan-Qala, the inner city in Khiva rounded with strong walls. Centuries old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses transformed Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. Ichan-Qala consists of over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 Ichan-Qala was designated a historical and architectural conservation area. The most remarkable sites in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress dating back to 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, an incredible sample of Khorezm architectural mastership of 1830s. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara
In the early morning we will have transfer to a fascinating city of Bukhara. With its more than 140 architectural monuments Bukhara is a "town museum" dating back to the Middle Ages. The city consists of narrow streets, green parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments belong to different epochs, but locate very close to each other. The road from Khiva to Bukhara goes through famous Kizilkum desert. On the way you will enjoy the amazing view to Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan and flowing into Aral See. Upon arrival in Bukhara you will have free time. Then the night will be in a hotel.
Day 4: Bukhara
Today you will have a whole day of sightseeing tour in the fascinating city of Bukhara. At first you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Further you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have an opportunity to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand
Today we will start our way to Samarkand. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. At the end of the tour the transfer will take you to the hotel.
Day 6: Samarkand – Tashkent
In the morning you will have a transfer to Tashkent by train. Today you will visit Independence square which is the main square of the country, erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Then you can take a ride in famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. First line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8th c. Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-muslims in 8th century. His blood spred over the Quran that you still can see on its pages. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 7: Tashkent – Flight
After seeing Uzbekistan with your own eyes, you are returning your home. Today in the morning the transfer will take you to the airport. This is the end of your tour in fabulous Uzbekistan.
Transport:
02 pax – Sedan
04-08 pax – Minivan (Grand Starex, Istana)
10 pax – Midibus (Mitsubishi Rosa, Sprinter)
Price per person:
02 pax – 690 $
04 pax – 575 $
06 pax – 510 $
08 pax – 470 $
10 pax – 435 $
Single – 65 $
Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 55 $
*Half board – 50 $
*Full board – 95 $
*Entrance fees – 65 $ available with escort guide only
Local guides – 210 $ per group
Escort guide – 390 $ per group
Flight tickets Tashkent – Nukus – from 80 $ per person
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Tashkent – “Tourist Inn” Hotel 3*
Nukus – “Jipek Joli” Hotel 3*
Khiva – “Old Khiva” Hotel 3*
Bukhara – “Old City” Hotel 3*
Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Samarkand – Tashkent
Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Flight tickets Tashkent – Nukus