Across Uzbekistan by Train 8 days

Arrival in Khiva at 10:54. Transfer to hotel, accomodation and rest. After lunch – excursion in Khiva.

Ichan-Qala  is the historical center of Khiva which has been inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List. City tour around the architectural complex “Ichan-Qala”: Kunya-Ark Khan’s castle – the inner citadel of Ichan-Qala (16-17th cc.), Kalta Minor Tower (Short minaret) that would have become the biggest and tallest minaret in Central Asia (19th c.), Muhammad Amin-Khan – the biggest  medieval madrasah in Khiva (1845-1855 yy.), Djuma mosque with 220 wooden columns and a minaret 32 meters high. Lunch at a local restaurant. Tash Hauli (Stone courtyard) palace looking like a fortress with a high battlements, towers and fortified gates (19th c.), Ak mosque (White Mosque) – a small quarter mosque by the  gates of Palvan-Darvaza (1838-1842), necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud – the cultic center of Ichan-Qala (1810-1913 yy.), residence of Islam Khodja (1910 y.) – the vizier of the last khan. Ensemble consists of the smallest madrasah in Khiva and a minaret which top platform has a height of 45 m and is the highest observation point in town. Dinner.

After a little rest in the hotel, be sure to take a walk in Khiva in the evening! Khiva at night is the eighth miracle of the world! Walking along the streets of this town, where minarets rise, and the sky is filled with large bright stars you will find yourself in a fairy tale! And words cannot discribe extraordinary calmness and peace in the air! Overnight at hotel of Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will continue exploring magnificent old town of Khiva with your guide. At 14:30 transfer to the railway station in Urgench. Train departs to Bukhara at 15.50. Sit back and enjoy the view of Kyzylkum desert and great spaces of the steppes. Arrival in Bukhara at 22:47. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel of Bukhara.

After breakfast start exploring Bukhara with your guide.

Bukhara the divine! It is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia the age of which reaches 2,500 years. This city has been a spiritual and commercial center and its importance does not decline over the centuries. “Bukhoroi – Sharif” – “Noble and Sacred Bukhara” – is one of the numerous epithets that this ancient city was awarded with. Here you can fully feel the charming atmosphere of the East!

Visit the central part of the city: complex of Poikalon (XII—XVI c), architectural ensemble of “Masjidi Kalon”, “Miri Arab” madrasah and  minaret (46 m). Ulugbek Madrasah (1417) was the earliest of three commissioned by the enlightened Timurid ruler. Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah (1652). Trading Domes including Toki Zargaron, Toki Telpak Furushon and Toki Saraffon. Tim of Abdullakhan (1577) and one of the most elegant trade halls. Faizulla Khodjaev House (XIX c) — a 150-year old house of the Bukhara merchant. Magoki Attori mosque, Labi-Hauz (XVI—XVII c) — a complex with Nodir Devon Begi madrasah. Lunch at a local restaurant. Ark Fortress (VI — XIX c) — in the Middle Ages it was a whole town with the Emir’s family house with wives, mosques, mint place, government institutes, store rooms, a prison and a square for public executions, Bolo Haus Ensemble, Samanid mausoleum (IXc)- the first brick building shaped as a cube covered with dome with unrepeatable geometrical brickwork design, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. Overnight at hotel of Bukhara.

Today you will have a tour in the vicinity of Bukhara: Chor Minor (XVIII c), visit Mausoleum of Bahouddin Nakshbandi (VI — XIX c), summer residence of Bukhara Emir – Sitorai Mohi Hosa (XIX c). After lunch transfer  to the railway station to take a train to Samarkand. The train departs at 15:50. Arrival in Samarkand at 17:20 (270 km). Transfer to hotel. Free evening. Overnight at hotel of Samarkand.

This morning you will meet your guide and start the city tour of Samarkand. Legendary Samarkand – the capital of ancient Sogdiana is one of the oldest cities in the world, of the same age as Rome, Athens and Babylon! On this tour you will learn about the history and culture of Samarkand , see its architectural masterpieces.

Visit Ulugbek Observatory (XV c), the Museum of Archaeology of Afrosiob, the Necropolis of Shahi Zinda (XIV-X cc) – “City of the Dead” – complex of 20 elegant mausoleums covered with blue glittering tiles. Lunch in a national house (included in the price).

After lunch you will visit Registan Square (15-17 c), which was the main city square during Tamerlan ‘s reign. It is surrounded by three majestic buildings: Ulugbek madrasah, Sher Dor and Tilla Kari madrasahs. Bibi Hanum mosque (XIVc) was built on Timur ‘s orders to become the grandest building of the time. Visit to a  famous Samarkand Siob bazar. Here you can find all kinds of spices and fruits, famous Samarkand bread and souvenirs. Overnight at hotel of Samarkand.

Continue excursion in Samarkand. Today we will visit Guri Emir mausoleum with a majestic blue dome (XVc) – it is a burial place of Amir Timur, his sons and grandchildren. Stroll on to the 14^th century mausoleum Rukhabad – the grave of theologian and mystic Burhaneddin Sagaradzhi. To finish, we stop at a legendary Saint Daniel’s grave. This Old Testament prophet is known in three religions. Muslim, Christian and Jew come to pray here. It is a remarkable place with unforgettable atmosphere! In the evening transfer to the railway station and departure to Tashkent on comfortable high-speed train Afrosiob at 18:00. Arrival in Tashkent at 20:10. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel of Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Tashkent. Transfer to airport for international flight to your home nation.

End of the programme.