Uzbekistan Explorer

Welcome to Tashkent! Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport today, you will be met by our representative and assisted to board transfer to your hotel, where you can freshen up at the hotel and keep your stuff. After freshening up, meet your guide and driver and start sightseeing capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit the 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, Tilla Sheik 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 the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour and head to the hotel for check-in process and rest at the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant.




Overnight in Tashkent

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the local airport to board the flight to Urgench. Upon arrival in Urgench, transfer to Khiva, leave your luggage at the hotel and proceed to meet with the local English-speaking guide at the hotel reception. The tour in Khiva begins with a visit to Ichan-Kala, the old part of the city, surrounded by a fortress wall and turned into a state historical and archaeological museum-reserve. Muhammad Aminkhana Madrasah is the largest madrasah in Central Asia, built by order of Muhammad Amin Khan in 1851-1854. The two-storey building covers an area of 72 by 60 meters, and has 125 hujras (rooms) designed for 260 students. Next youll visit the Kalta Minor (\"shortened minaret\") which is a minaret located in front of the main facade of the madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan, 26 meters high. According to history, the minaret was to become the tallest minaret in Central Asia, reaching a height of 70 meters. However, the minaret remained unfinished due to the death of the khan during a military campaign in Turkmenistan. Youll then explore the Madrasah of Muhammad Rahim Khan, which was built by order of Khan Said Muhammad Rahim II, known as the patron saint of literature and music. He was an educated and enlightened ruler and wrote poetry under the pseudonym Feruz. Kunya Ark Fortress (\"old fortress\") is a citadel that served as one of the residences of the Khans before the arrival of the Bolsheviks. The citadel housed the khan's residence, mosque, supreme court, reception hall, mint, harem, arsenal and stable. The Mausoleum of Said Allauddin (XVI century) is one of the ancient architectural monuments of Khiva, erected over the burial of the famous Sufi Sheikh Sayyid Alauddin. Juma Mosque is the Friday mosque of Ichan Kala, built with money donated by Khan Abdurakhman Mehtar. The Juma mosque is unique in structure, it does not have portals, domes, galleries and an inner courtyard. The prayer hall is supported by 212 columns with a height of four to five meters, dating from the X–XVIII centuries. Tash Hovli Palace (Tash Hovli Palace (\"stone palace\"), another iconic landmarks of Khiva, that youll visit next, was built on the initiative of Allakuli Khan in the XIX century. The palace consists of three main parts: harems, mekhmonkhons (a room for khan's receptions and feasts) and arzans (officially an administrative room). Madrasah and caravanserai of Allakuli Khan (1834-1835) Madrasah is one of the richest in decoration, where the city library was once located, which was used by students of all Khiva madrasahs. Islam Khoja complex, consisting of the smallest madrasah and the highest minaret (57 m), built on the initiative of the chief vizier and father-in–law of the ruler of the Khiva Khanate Asfandiyar Khan - Islam  Khoja.Youll also visit the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, the patron saint of the city, which is one of the best works of Khiva architecture of the mid-XIX century, constructed in the traditions of Khorezm architecture before the Timur period. Dinner at the hotel.




Overnight in Khiva

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and mee with the driver at the hotel reception. Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara (450 km / 6-7 hours). The modern highway crosses the Kyzylkum desert, repeating the ancient route of the Great Silk Road. You will have a stop on the way, during which you will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the desert and the Amu Darya River. Arrive in Khiva by the end of the day, and transfer to the hotel. Rest and enjoy free time, before enjoying a traditional dinner with folklore show hosted by Uzbek family at 19:00.




Overnight in Bukhara

After breakfast, meet the guide at the reception, and proceed on the of the excursion program to the suburban monuments of Bukhara: First youll visit the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble (XVI-XVII centuries), which is an architectural ensemble that was considered a trading square in the Middle Ages, including the Nodir Divan Begi madrasah (XVII century) – part of an architectural ensemble located around Lyabi-Hausa and Honako (a place of rest and solitude of Sufis) and Kukeldash madrasah – the largest madrasah of Bukhara of the XVI century and the well-known monument to Khoja Nasreddin. Next, youll visit the Magoki-Attari Mosque (IX century), or the Mokh Mosque (\"Deep Mosque\"), which is considered one of the first mosques of the pre-Islamic era. Next, a passage through the first shopping dome passage Toki Sarrafon (\"The Dome of the Money Changers\"), an entertaining passage through the \"Dome of the Shapochnikov\", otherwise Toki Tilpak Furushon (XVI century.), where you will again be able to plunge into the atmosphere of the ancient oriental bazaar with its silks, carpets and exquisite suzanes in the national style. Youll also visit the Kosh Ensemble: Abdullaziz Khan Madrasah (XVII century), built by order of the Ashtarkhanid ruler Abdulaziz Khan and Ulugbek Madrasah (XV century), which is one of the oldest madrasahs of the architectural ensemble of Registan Square. You will then proceed to explore the architectural ensemble of Poi-Kalon (\"Pedestal of the Great\"), the religious heart of Sacred Bukhara, consisting of the Kalon minaret (XII century), the Kalyan mosque and the Miri-Arab madrasah (XII — XVI centuries). Toki Zargaron Shopping Dome Passage (\"Jewelers' Dome\") is an indoor market located at the intersection of the once busy shopping streets of Bukhara. The shopping arcade was built at the end of the XVI century . Abudullah was Khan II of the Sheibanid dynasty and was intended for the jewelry trade. Sayfiddin's caravanserai (XIX century), the center of crafts of Bukhara at present and Tim Abdullakhan (XVI century), a traditional covered bazaar built during the reign of the Sheibanid dynasty. Dinner at a local restaurant.




Overnight in Bukhara

After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and start the exploration of the day in Bukhara. The first stop will be the Mausoleum of the Samanids (IX-X centuries), which is one of the oldest monuments of Central Asian architecture. The mausoleum is one of the first surviving structures built of burnt brick and decorated with elaborate carvings. The mausoleum of Chashma-Ayub (XII—XVI centuries) is one of the most mysterious buildings in Bukhara, a traditionally revered place, a well with a spring, according to legend, originated by the will of the biblical Job. Bolo-Hauz complex (XVIII—XX centuries): unusual in its beauty, a Friday mosque for the nobility who lived in the Ark fortress. Ark Fortress is the so–called \"city within a city\", which for centuries served as the residence of the Bukhara emirs, in which the whole family of the emir lived without leaving, the official apparatus was located, as well as the zindan, harem and treasury. If you look at the fortress from a bird's-eye view, then in shape it resembles the constellation of the big dipper, the same intricate bucket that Bukharans and guests of the city can observe every day in the night sky. Next up on the list is the country residence of the last emir of Bukhara Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa (XIX-XX centuries), which is located 4 km north of Bukhara. The Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa Palace perfectly combines European style with elements of local architecture. Today, the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts is located on the territory of the palace. The Chor-Minor Madrasah (\"Four Minarets\") is the most unusual and interesting structure in Bukhara, built in 1807 with the money of a rich Turkmen merchant and traveler, Caliph Niyaz–Kula, who visited India and was very impressed by the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum. Dinner at the hotel.




Overnight in Bukhara

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before immersing yourself in any of the optional excursions in Bukhara. 



Later, after lunch, you'll be transferred to the railway station for a high-speed Afrosiyob train ride to Samarkand (Travel duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes). Upon arrival in Samarkand, a driver will be waiting for you at the train station to escort you to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.




Overnight in Samarkand

Enjoy a satisfying breakfast at your hotel before, meeting the guide and embarking on an immersive city tour of Samarkand. This city tour of Samarkand will include a visit to some of the most iconic landmarks in Uzbekistan. Begin the tour with visiting the Gur Emir Mausoleum, also known as the \"Tomb of the Emperor,\" which was constructed between the late 14th and mid-15th centuries as the final resting place of Timur. Next, youll be visiting the awe-inspiring Registan Square, featuring three majestic madrassas that were established as the focal point of Samarkand during the 14th and 17th centuries under Timur's patronage. Then proceed to visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque - a magnificent 14th-century structure that serves as the main mosque, that was remarkably erected within a span of five years, from 1399 to 1404. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Oriental Bazaar-Siyab, where you can experience the local culture and find an array of traditional goods and local delicacies. Next, venture to the Shahi Zinda Necropolis, a historic burial complex commissioned by Timur for his family and  closest confidants between the 11th and 15th centuries. It stands as a striking testament to the exquisite and diverse Timurid architectural style. As the day draws to a close, relish an optional delightful traditional dinner hosted by an Uzbek family, where you'll have the opportunity to partake in the preparation of Plov, the national dish of Uzbekistan, creating lasting memories of local customs and culinary traditions.




Overnight in Samarkand

Start the day with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. Then proceed to meet the guide at the reception, and heading out to explore the highlights of Samarkand. Start with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory: in the 20s of the XV century, the ruler of Samarkand, grandson of Timur, Mirzo Ulugbek built the largest observatory in the East. Astronomical observations were carried out in it, the results of which were summarized in the Zij Guragani catalog. Only the underground part of the observatory's main astronomical instrument, the sextant, and the remains of the building's foundations have survived to this day. The mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar is one of the most revered mazars by believers – a \"place of worship\". Legends associate Khoja Daniyar with the names of the Jewish prophet Daniel and the Christian Daniel. The mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar is visited by Jews and Christians along with Muslims. Youll also get to visit the carpet factory \"Khujum\", where you will have a unique opportunity to track the full process of carpet creation, from unwinding cocoons and dyeing silk threads, to trimming the pile of the finished product, using old technologies and exclusively by hand.  After lunch youll be transferred for a high-speed Afrosiyob train ride to Tashkent (Travel duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes). Upon arrival in Tashkent, a driver will be waiting for you at the train station to escort you to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.




Overnight in Tashkent

After satisfying breakfast you will take journey (2-2,5 hours) to the mountain area and get acquainted with the nature of our country. Just over an hour northeast of Tashkent by car lies Ugam-Chatkal National Park, an outdoor haven loaded with hiking and adventure-sport opportunities as well as more relaxing pursuits. The mountains here are not quite as extreme or scenic as the higher peaks around Almaty and Bishkek, but certain activities are more accessible and at least as challenging. Visit Amirsoy resort as well as water reservoir Charvak. Drive back to the city in the evening and visit an interesting park Magic city with museums and aquariums in it. Dinner at local restaurant.




Overnight in Tashkent

After breakfast, have some time at leisure until the scheduled transfer to the airport for your departure flight.