This fascinating tour will introduce you with ancient history and culture of Uzbekistan, the world-famous ancient monuments of Samarkand and Bukhara, and also with the wonderful nature of Uzbekistan. High and elegant minarets, grandiose madrassas and mosques, medieval palaces and mausoleums, the unique bustle and color of Eastern bazaars, fabulous legends, warm hospitality and ancient traditions of local residents, snow-capped mountain peaks of the Western Tien Shan and the endless Sands of the Kyzylkum desert, a ride on Bactrian camels, "stone picture gallery” of Sarmyshwill leave indelible impressions in the memory of tourists.
Tour program
show all
1
Arrival in Tashken. Excursion.
Morning arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, a metropolis with a population of 3 million, check in to hotel and rest till afternoon after a long flight. After lunch - excursion around Tashkent: Old City: architectural and religious complex Khast-Imam (Khazret-Imam), with the grandiose Friday mosque, medieval mausoleum Kafal Shashi (XVI century), Barak Khan Madrasah (XVI century), Muyi Madrasah Muborak with one of their original Korans of Caliph Osman (7th century), one of the oldest in the world; operating Kukeldash madrasah (XVI-XVII, colorful oriental bazaar Chorsu. People's Friendship Square; Amir Temur (Tamerlane) square with a park, an equestrian statue of Tamerlane, surrounded by historical and administrative buildings - the Palace of Forums, the Temurids Museum, Tashkent chimes, the original hotel building “Uzbekistan”; the monument “Courage” - a memorial about the devastating disaster - the Tashkent earthquake of 1966; the Opera and Ballet Theater (1945) and the light and music fountain; Mustakillik (Independence) Square with the Independence Monument, the Ezgulik arch, the eternal flame, fountains; Palace of Grand Duke N.K. Romanov (1891), Metro.
2
Tashkent-Chimgan – Tashkent. Walking in the mountains.
Today we drive to the picturesque mountains in the Ugam-Chatkal Natural Park, located in the mountains of the southwestern Tien Shan, 90 km from Tashkent. We will visit a unique solar complex with the largest solar in the world, the all-season resort of Amirsay, where we will take a cable car and gondola to an observation point with magnificent views of the Tien Shan Mountains and the dominant peak of the region, the Big Chimgan peak (3308m). If the group wishes, you can take a walk ( 3-4 hours) along the Aksai gorge to the “black” or “red” waterfall. Return to Tashkent through the Charvak mountain reservoir, formed by the confluence of the three rivers Chatkal, Pskem, Koksu and the grandiose dam of the Charvak hydroelectric station.
Today we are waiting for the legendary Samarkand, a city with a 2700-year history. On the AFROSIAB high-speed train we will cover 300 km just in 2 hours. Upon arrival in Samarkand, we will be met by a guide and given a city tour: the “Heart” of Samarkand - Registan Square (XIV-XVI centuries) with 3 famous madrassas: Sherdor, Ulugbek and Tillya-Kori, the grandiose Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque (XV century), the magnificent Gur-Emir mausoleum (XV century), in which Tamerlane, his sons and grandson Ulugbek are buried.
4
Samarkand, excursion. Transfer to the yurt camp “Safari” (350 km/5 hours)
After breakfast, we continue our excursion in Samarkand: Observatory of Ulugbek (1420) - the grandson of Tamerlane, a famous ruler and astronomer, Shahi-Zinda (XI-XVIII centuries) - necropolis of the rulers and nobility of Samarkand, consisting of many magnificently decorated mausoleums, tourist ethnic village “Konigil”. After lunch we drive to the west, Kyzylkum desert, where we will stay for overnight at the Safari yurt camp. On the way we cross the Nurata ridge. Arriving at the camp, after dinner, a large fire is lit, sitting around it, we listen to the songs of the local singer “akyn” and admire the incredibly bright constellations.
5
Yurt camp “Safari” – Gijduvan – Bukhara (250 km/5 hours)
After breakfast, we ride Bactrian camels, walk around the camp, get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the desert, then move (4 km) to Lake Aydarkul. Aidar Kul is a huge (more than 200 km long and up to 15 km wide) lake, surrounded on all sides by the sands and dunes of the Kyzylkum desert. Here we relax, swim on the sandy beach, have lunch. After lunch we leave the sands and go to Bukhara. On the way, a stop in Gijduvan, a small town famous for its ceramic potters, Gijduvan kebab and Gijduvan apricot kernels baked in ash. Visit to the Gijduvani memorial and cult complex with a mausoleum and madrasah, a master class on making and painting ceramic dishes in the family of the illustrious dynasty (8 generations) of Nazrullaev ceramists. Next we go to Bukhara - a fabulous ancient city. Upon arrival in Bukhara, check into a hotel. Rest.
6
Bukhara, excursion.
Excursion around Bukhara: Lyabi-Khauz complex (XVI-XVII centuries) - the “heart” of old Bukhara with an ancient reservoir, Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah (XVII century); Kukeldash Madrasah (XVI century); with an original bronze sculpture of the sage Khoja Nasreddin on a donkey;; Mausoleum of the Samanids (IX - X centuries) - the family tomb of the rulers of Bukhara, the oldest in Central Asia; Mazar Chashma Ayub (XIV - XIX centuries) - mausoleum - sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring; Ark fortress (VII – XIX centuries) – residence of Bukhara rulers - emirs; the Poi-Kalyan complex (XI-XVI centuries) is the visiting card of Bukhara with the Kalyan minaret (XI century) 47 meters high, with the existing Miri-Arab madrasah (XVI century), the Kalyan mosque (XV century) with the original multi-domed gallery; Trade domes (16th century), where local craftsmen sold their products since ancient times. And today tourists can buy magnificent souvenirs and products of folk craftsmen here: gold embroidery, carpets, suzani, ceramics, embossing, knives and much more.
7
Bukhara. Flight home.
Free time for walk, to buy souvenirs, shopping by yourself. Flight home.
Tour price from
$ 550
(7,012,500 UZS)
Highlights
UNESCO sites - Samarkand, Bukhara
Ugam-Chatkal National Park, Charvak Reservoir, Sarmysh petroglyphs, flora and fauna of the Kyzyl Kum Desert
The capital of Uzbekistan - the megalopolis Tashkent
Craftsmanship
Local national cuisine
What is included
accommodation in cities in 3* hotels in DBL/TWIN standard rooms with breakfast
accommodation in Safari Yurt Camp (1 night)
meals lunch and dinner in the desert
comfortable transport for all transfers according to the program
excursions in each city with a local guide(except mountains and desert)
What is not included
meals: half / full board
entrance tickets to museums and other tourist places according to the program ($85/person)
guide in the mountains and desert (2, 4 and 5 days). The driver will help you with everything. If you need a guide, then an additional payment for these days is $300 per group
costs for photo/video shooting in museums and other places where fees are charged
