15 days | Urgench, Khiva, Nukus, Khiva, Urgench, Bukhara, Aydarkul, Ashraf village, Samarkand, Tashkent
Uzbekistan is a most wonderful country on the Silk Road in Central Asia. Without a doubt, the most populous and fascinating republic is the one with the greatest tourist attraction among the Central Asian republics.
If today the traveler discovers perhaps with a surprise that Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is a modern and pleasant metropolis of more than two million inhabitants, at the same time also finds on this trip the ancient and wonderful cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Just mentioning names these cities will bring you images of beautiful legends, reflections of turquoise blue and caravans loaded with enigmatic merchandise that ran in slow walking through the Silk Road.Day 1:Urgench - arrival
Arrival in Urgench. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Rest after a long trip.
10:00 - Breakfast. 11:00 – The beginning of the tour of the city of Urgench. We will visit Ulli-Hovli. In the evening we go to Khiva by car/bus (30 km). Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Khiva.Day 2:Khiva
Breakfast. We will start with a visit to the Ichan-Kala architectural complex: Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark Castle, Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrasah, Isloma Khoja Madrasah and Tash Khovli Madrasah, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Allikulikhan Madrasah.
Overnight at the hotel.Day 3:Khiva - Nukus
Breakfast. We are going to Nukus by car/bus.
Arrival in Nukus and visit to the Karakalpakstan Art Museum named after Savitsky (Monday is a day off). The museum houses the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and an exhibition of objects of Karakalpak applied art. A short trip to the center of Nukus: we will see the statue of the Karakalpak poet Berdakh, the town Hall of Nukus and the Drama Theater. In the afternoon, visit the Mizdakhan necropolis – an ancient cemetery and one of the oldest and most visited places of pilgrimage in Karakalpakstan. We will continue our way to the ruins of the Giaur-Kala fortress. Return to Nukus. Overnight in Nukus.Day 4:Nukus-Khiva
After breakfast we return to Khiva.
Arrival and free time. In the afternoon we will visit Nurullabai Palace, the summer palace of Mukhammad Rakhim Khan II. Overnight at the hotel.Day 5:Khiva – Urgench – Bukhara
Breakfast. Transfer Khiva-Bukhara through the Kyzylkum desert. On the way we will make a stop to see the Amu Darya River.
Transfer to the hotel. Time to rest. In the evening we will visit the Lyabi House complex, as well as a complex of two madrasahs and a Khanaka, Chor Minor. Overnight at the hotel.Day 6:Bukhara
Breakfast. We will start a tour of Bukhara: a visit to the Samani Mausoleum, the sacred spring of Chashmai Ayub, the Bolo Hauz Mosque, the Ark Citadel.
In the afternoon we will continue visiting the Kalyan Minaret and Poi Kalyan Mosque, Miri Arab Madrasah, Toki Zargaron Domes, Ulugbek and Abdullazizkan madrasahs, Toki Telpak Furushon domes, Magoki Attori Mosque, Toki Sarafon Domes. Overnight at the hotel.Day 7:Bukhara
Breakfast. The second day in Bukhara will begin with a trip outside the city to the summer residence of the last emir of Bukhara, Sitorai Mokhi-Khos. The unique building combines the traditions of oriental architecture and the motifs of Russian architecture.
Overnight at the hotel.Day 8:Bukhara – Aydarkul
In the morning, transfer to a yurt camp located in the Kyzylkum desert (170 km, 3 hours). Stop in the city of Nurata and visit the local mosque with holy spring water.
Transfer to the yurt camp. Arrival at the yurt camp, accommodation in the yurt. Camel riding and free time. In the evening, dinner by the campfire with a Kazakh akyn singing folk songs. Overnight in a yurt. Meals: Dinner Although meals are included in the price, based on the experience and advice of our guests, we advise you to take some food in advance, since there are no shops around the yurts.Day 9:Aydarkul – Ashraf village
In the morning we will visit the deserted Aydarkul lake. Free time on the lake.
Additional classes in this area (optional): Option 1. Camel ride to Aydarkul Lake through the desert on your own (8.5 km, 3 hours). Have a nice time on the lake and have lunch. Option 2. Take a short camel ride on your own to the nearby village of Dundalk (1.5 km, 30 minutes). Participate in the baking of traditional “non” bread. Take a short walk around the village to see the life of the locals, and return to the camp. In the afternoon we leave the yurt camp and go to the village of Ashraf. This village is located away from roads and cities in a picturesque mountainous area with fresh air, green orchards, singing birds, a sky full of stars, and friendly people. We will take a tour of the village and get acquainted with the life of local residents. Overnight at the guest house. Meals: breakfast, lunch or picnic, dinner.Day 10:Ashraf village – Samarkand
People have lived in the mountains of Nurat since the time of Alexander the Great. The villagers are farming the way it was done centuries ago. Women cook on an open fire, weave, spin yarn, bake bread themselves, milk cows. Men were engaged in agriculture, built houses out of stone, rocks and clay.
Staying in the village, bird watching, hiking, donkey riding and participating in the preparation of traditional dishes provide an excellent opportunity to observe the life of local peasants. Additional classes in the area (optional): Option 1. Take a guided tour of the surrounding area. On the way, look at the petroglyphs. (6-7 km, 2-3 hours in one direction). Go back to the guest house. Option 2. Ride a donkey. In the afternoon we leave the village and go to Samarkand (220 km, 4 hours). Arrival in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch.Day 11:Samarkand
Breakfast. We will take a tour of the city: Registan Square: Ulugbek Madrasah, Sherdor Madrasah, Tilla-Kori Madrasah, Guri Emir Mausoleum (Tamerlane's tomb), Bibi-Honum Mosque and Siab Bazaar.
Overnight at the hotel.Day 12 :Samarkand
Breakfast. Continue visiting: Shahi-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory, Afrosiab Museum.
In the afternoon we will visit the Meros paper factory, which is located in Konigil, near Samarkand. In the evening we return to Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.Day 13:Samarkand - Tashkent
Breakfast. Free time for shopping.
Transfer to the train station in the evening. Samarkand-Tashkent train. Arrival in Tashkent. Accommodation.Day 14 :Tashkent
Breakfast. We will visit the old part of the city: Hasti Imom, including Barak Khan Madrasah, Kaffal Shoshi Madrasah, a library located on the same square and important for the storage of the Koran of Usman. We will continue our acquaintance with the Kukaldosh and Abdul Kasim madrassas. We will also get closer to the eastern Chorsu market.
In the afternoon we will visit Independence Square, city fountains and modern monuments, Opera and Ballet Square, Amir Temur Square. Overnight at the hotel.Day 15:Tashkent - Home country
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to come back home country. Flight.