Zoroastrian and Buddhist cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan
Destinations: | Tashkent - Nukus - Khiva - Bukhara - Termez - Shahrisabz - Samarkand |
Duration: | 12 Days |
Tashkent |
Welcome meeting at airport of Tashkent. |
Tashkent - Nukus |
Transfer to airport for flight to Nukus at 07:00. Arrival at 08:20. Visit Savitskiy art gallery with its unique collection of many thousands of works by dissenting artists from the Soviet Union during the period in which Stalinist socialist realism was the only permitted form of Soviet art. Many travelers believe this is the only compelling reason to visit Nukus. Nearby is the Museum of Applied Arts showing local fabrics, traditional clothing and jewelry. The Karakalpak State Museum exhibits examples of natural history dating back to ancient time of Khorezm kingdom. |
Ayaz kala Topraq kala Koykirilgan kala |
About 50 km east of Gaur Kala in a straight line, stand some of the larger fortress in Khorezm - the three Ayes kales, kale meaning fortress. |
Ayazkala - Khiva |
After breakfast drive to Khiva and check in hotel. Today you will visit historical city museum in open air. spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Qala fortress. Which is surrounded by more than 2 km city wall, rebuilt in 19 century. It is still populated with local people and the population of Khiva is about 2000 people. It is so called museum in open air with its interesting history, stories and intrigues and local people who welcome you in their house at any time. In Ichan-Qala fortress visit Mukhammad Amin Khan madrasah with attached Kalta minor which means a short minaret or unfinished minaret. Mukhammad Rahimkhan Medresah or medrasa of Feruz, the poet , musician and khan of Khiva, Kunya-Ark the old citadel of Khiva khan with its watch tower , salamkhana and administrative offices of that time, Juma mosque- a unique mosque in central asia with its 218 wooden pillars dating back to 1st and 19 centruries . Toshkhovli palace-harem of Khiva khanate, decorated with beautiful blue tiles and inner yard for wives and concubines of Khan, Pakhlavan Makhmud mausoleum- a burial place of a great poet, writer, philosopher and wrestler of 12 C, minaret and madrasa Islom-khodja. Akmachit-white mosque located inside of ichan qala, close to Eastern gate which was used a punishment gate for slaves who tried to escape from Khan. The city has 4 gates, Western gate or Ata Darvaza, the main entrance to the city, Northern gate and southern gate. You can end your visit of Khiva with Karavansaray of 19 century and present day provincial bazaar of Khiva. Free time in the afternoon. Besides historical sites you can also visit handicrafts workshops of wooden stuff and silk carpets. Free time in the afternoon. Extras to do in Khiva:
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Khiva - Bukhara |
After breakfast drive to Bukhara via Kyzylkum desert and en route a short stop at Amudarya river bank. Box lunch or late lunch in Bukhara. PM free in Bukhara. Overnight. Extras to do in Bukhara:
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Bukhara |
Today Visit includes trade domes of Bukhara. Bukhara was cultural, Islamic and trade center of Central Asia. Taki Zargaron,special market place for golden jewelery in ancient times, but still at present you can find some modern and antique jewelry. Medrese Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasa, which is famous as Kosh madrasa or double madrasahs facing to each other, but built in different periods 16 and 17 C. Tim Abdullakhan, was a covered market, nowadays it is antique shop of Carpets and silk fabrics. Taki Telpakfurushon, market of hats. Bukhara was also famous for its karakul sheep's fur and this market was the special place for that. Magoki-Attori mosque, used to be temple of Bhuddist, bazaar of spices and mosque. At present it is museum of carpets of Central Asia and Uzbekistan. Taki Sarafon, money exchange center, during silk road trades it was used as an exchange market and even now you can find modern banks for exchange or cash withdrawal. |
Bukhara - Samarkand |
After breakfast drive to Samarkand, en route stop at the ruins of Rabbati Malik Caravan saray ruined in 11 C by Chengizkhan troops and Sardoba well. |
Samarkand |
Full day sightseeing in Samarkand. Samarkand, the capital of ancient Sogdiana, is one of the oldest cities in the world, of the same age as Rome, Athens and Babylon, estimated 25 centuries old. During those centuries the city has survived many great and dramatic events. Samarkand saw Saka and Massagets, Greeks and Macedonians, Karakitais, Arab commanders and hordes of Genghis Khan. Under Amir Timur's rule, Samarkand became the capital of his huge empire. The Great Silk Road went through the city. Hsuan Tsang visited Samarkand on his way to India. Visit Gur Emir mausoleum, family graveyard of Temur and his sons, teacher and grandchildren. Supposed to be the hanaka of his grandson Muhammad Sultan, but due to sudden death of Temur and due to other cistcumstances became the grave of Temur and his relatives. Famous Registan Square-known from the 13th century AD as a bazaar square, was the centre of trade and cultural life in medieval Samarkand. It is surrounded by 3 madrasahs of different periods. Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Temur and devoted to his favorite wife, however other legends say that it was built by his wife as present to him for his successful invasion of India in 1399. Afrosiab Site & Museum: It is the area of 212 hectares mostly hilly surrounded by a moat. Here was situated ancient Afrosiab (old name of Samarkand). It had existed from 6th century BC till the 13th AD. Now archaeologists here continuously conduct excavations. The 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. Extras to do in Bukhara:
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Samarkand Shahrisabz Termiz |
Am drive to Shahrisabz, visit the ruins of Ak Saray palace of Temur, Kok Gumbaz mosque, Jahangir's mausoleum. Lunch in local restaurant. PM continue driving to Termez. The road lies through Hisor mountains and you may stop at one of the mountain villages for lunch in local chayhana. |
Termez |
You will spend your day in old and ancient city. Visit History and archeology museum of Termez Visit Fayaztepa, dating back to 1c AD, Buddhist temple and Kara tepa. In all probability in the middle of the 1st century A.D. in the northeast part of Kushan Termez many Buddha's cult monuments were built in Karatepa and Fayaztepa. An aqueduct might have been erected then to provide these monuments water. Its remains have been preserved as a running to the northeast part of Old Termez. |
Termez - Tashkent |
AM flight to Tashkent. PM free and you can enjoy walking in the city, visiting local bazaars and souvenir shops, you can ride in subway of Tashkent, or visit Opera and ballet theatre. |
Tashkent |
Transfer to airport for flight to home |
Accomodation:
Cities | Accommodation, 4* or best available option | Accommodation, 3* option |
Accommodation, Budget Option |
Tashkent | La Grand plaza | Grand Nur hotel | Rovshan hotel |
Park Turon | Expo Hotel | Oasiz asaka | |
Grand Mir | Asia Tashkent | Akbar Shoh hotel | |
Dedeman | Sayohat hotel | Grand Tashkent | |
Tashkent Palace | Grand Bek | ||
Samarkand | President Palace | Malika Classic | Zarina hotel |
Afrosiyob Hotel | Sherdor | Shakhname hotel | |
Regal Palace hotel | Kamilla | Furkat hotel | |
Bukhara | Grand Bukhara | Lyabi house | Old city hotel |
Bukhara Palace | Malika Bukhara | Mekhtar ambar | |
Grand Nodirbek | |||
Caravan hotel | |||
Salom Inn hotel | |||
Khiva | Malika Kheivak | Isak hoja | |
Arkanchi hotel | Islambek | ||
Malika Khiva | Zafarbek | ||
Asia khiva | |||
Orint star |
Prices include:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3-7 pax by van type car, 8-12 by 20 seat bus; from 13 pax and more by 45 seat tourist class bus;
- Accommodation based on double room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides;
- Entrance tickets to the sights, museums, mausoleums;
- Airplane tickets for domestic flight Tashkent-Urgench;
- Visa support for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Starting from 6 pax full board;
- Starting from 10 pax 1 person travels free of charge, accommodated in single room;
Prices DO NOT include:
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour up to 6 pax;
- Full board up to 6 pax;
- Charges in hotels for additional services;
- Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Personal insurance.