Uzbekistan Classical Tour 8 days 7 nights

After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Urgench at 7:25 Arrival in Urgench at 08:55 and transfer to Khiva (35km). Accomodation at hotel after 12:00. Full day excursion.

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. Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara by car or minibus. On the way to Bukhara we will visit Karakalpakstan (an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan) to see the ruins of the fortresses of ancient Khorezm – Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala (2-4 c AD). Tea at a yurt camp.

We travel on to Bukhara through Kyzylkum Desert. On the way stop at the Amu Darya River and near the seif-dunes.  The name « Kyzylkum »  translated from Turkic means « red sands. » Lunch on the road at a choykhana (tea house). Arrival in Bukhara in the evening. Accommodation in 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. 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.

Breakfast at the holel. Continue the 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  from Bukhara to Samarkand by car or minibus. Arrival in Samarkand. Accommodation.  Free evening. Overnight at hotel of Samarkand.

After breakfast – a city tour of Samarkand. Today you will 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 Registran 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. To finish, we stop at a famous Samarkand Siob bazar. Here you can find all kinds of spices and fruits, and famous Samarkand bread. Free evening. Overnight at hotel of Samarkand.

After breakfast continue exploring Samarkand with your guide. The mausoleum of Guri Emir with a majestic blue dome (XVc) is a burial place of Amir Timur, his sons and grandchildren. Visit to a legendary Saint Daniel’s grave. It is a remarkable place with unforgettable atmosphere.

After lunch transfer by car or minibus Samarkand – Tashkent. Overnight at hotel of Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel. We depart early to Chimgan mountains 100 km northeast of Tashkent in the foothills of Thien Shan . It is about 2- hour drive through picturesque villages and fields. On arrival trekking in Chimgan and Beldersay. Chimgan Valley is located at 1200 – 1600 m above sea level. The highest mountain is Greater Chimgan (3309 m.) For fresh air and mild climate Chimgan is called Uzbek Switzerland. There is really something to see in Chimgan: amazing turquoise waters of Charvak reservoir, waterfalls, ancient petroglyphs. Here you can ride on a cable car and enjoy mountain landscapes. Return to Tashkent. Transfer to the airport for international flight home.

End of the programme.