Photo tour. The disappearing Aral sea and fabulous cities of Uzbekistan
Nukus – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand – Tashkent.
This historical and educational photo tour will introduce you to the amazing landscapes of the disappearing Aral Sea, the Aralkum and Kyzylkum deserts, and the most interesting ancient cities of Uzbekistan. You will see ancient UNESCO world heritage masterpieces in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, the ancient fortresses of Khorezm, plunge into ancient history and culture, enjoy the tastes of Uzbek cuisine and the skills of folk artisans. This is a comfortable, leisurely tour for photo enthusiasts. And everywhere you will find the hospitality of local residents with their centuries-old traditions. And as a souvenir of the trip, there will be wonderful photos taken by your own hands.
Tour program
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1
Nukus
Arrival in Nukus - the capital of autonomous Karakalpakstan. Visit to the famous National Museum. Savitsky with the 2nd most important collection of Russian and Soviet avant-garde in the world, as well as a magnificent collection of historical artifacts of ancient Khorezm and an ethnographic collection of the Karakalpak people. After lunch, visit to the ancient necropolis of Mizdakhkan: “world clock”, the seven-domed mausoleum of the giant hero Shamun-Nabi, the Jumart Kasab sanctuary, the mausoleum of Caliph Eredzheb (XI century), the underground mausoleum of the beautiful Nazlymkhan - Sulu (XII-XIV centuries) decorated with magnificent majolica, ruins of the ancient fortress Gyaur-kala.
2
Nukus-Muynak-sq. Ustyurt-Aral Sea
Transfer to the Aral Sea (480 km, 10 hours with photo stops)
In the morning, a trip from Nukus to Muynak begins with a guide and driver. stop in Muynak, where you will visit the so-called “ship graveyard” - a former port where the skeletons of abandoned ships rust. Here you will also visit an interesting local history museum. In the museum you can see some interesting artifacts of the history and ethnography of the Aral region. Lunch at the guest house. Continuation of the trip across the endless Ustyurt plateau to the Aral Sea. Arrival at the yurt camp on the banks of the Aral Sea. Dinner. Night in yurts
3
Aral. Photo shoots, relaxation, swimming in the sea
Aral. Photo shoots, relaxation, swimming in the sea
4
Aral Sea – Lake Sudochie – Kungrad – Mizdahan – Gaur Kala – Nukus
We recommend that you get up at dawn. At this time, in the rays of the rising sun, the most beautiful photographs of the landscapes of the Aral Sea are obtained. After breakfast, visit the Kurgancha settlement, whose history dates back to the 13th century. Further, the road runs through the Kungrad region, which was once one of the trading centers on the Great Silk Road. On the way you will pass by the ruins of a lighthouse and the abandoned village of Urga. Short stop at Lake Sudochye. Here you will have the opportunity to photograph incredibly beautiful local landscapes. Picnic lunch on the way. After lunch, continue the journey to Nukus. After a picnic lunch, continue the journey to Nukus. Along the way, visit the Mizdakhan necropolis (XIV century) and the Gyaur-Kala fortress. Arrival in Nukus.
5
Nukus - Khiva
Transfer to Khiva (260 km, 6-8 hours with photo sessions). On the way, visit the Zaraostrian dakhma Chalpyk and the ancient fortresses Dzhampyk-kala and Ayaz-kala (I–II centuries). Lunch at the yurt camp.
6
Khiva
Excursion around Khiva and photo session: Ichan Kala - an open-air city-museum protected by UNESCO, the Kalta Minor minaret (XIX century), the Kunya Ark fortress (XVII century) - the former residence of the Khiva khans, the complex of Pakhlavan Mahmud (XIV-XIX centuries) - a national hero and poet, Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah (1908), Juma mosque (X-XVIII centuries), Tash Khauli palaces, Allakuli Khan (XVIII-XIX centuries), bazaar where you can buy world-famous Khiva carpets, folklore, artisans.
7
Khiva-Bukhara
Transfer to Bukhara (480 km/7-8 hours) through the Kyzylkum desert with photo stops in the desert and on the banks of the Amu Darya River.
8
Bukhara
Excursions around Bukhara and photo sessions: Chashma Ayub Mazar tomb (XIV - XIX centuries), Poi-Kalyan complex (XI-XVI centuries), Miri-Arab madrasah (XVI century), Lyabi-Khauz complex (XVI-XVII centuries), mausoleum Samanids (IX – X centuries).
9
Bukhara
Excursions around Bukhara and photo sessions: Nadir Divanbegi madrasah (1622), Ark fortress (VI-VII centuries), Chor-Minor minaret (XVIII century), Sitorai Mokhi Khosa - “Palace of the Moon and Stars” - the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara ( XIX century).
10
Bukhara-Samarkand
Transfer to Samarkand (270 km/4 hours) Excursion and photo sessions: “Heart” of Samarkand - Registan Square (XIV-XVI centuries) with 3 famous madrassas: Sherdor, Ulugbek and Tillya-Kori, the grandiose cathedral mosque of Bibi- Khanum (XV century), the magnificent Gur-Emir mausoleum (XV century), in which Tamerlane, his sons and grandson Ulugbek are buried.
11
Samarkand. Train to Tashkent
Continuation of the excursion and photo sessions. Observatory of Ulugbek (1420) - grandson of Tamerlane, a famous ruler and scientist-astronomer, Shahi-Zinda (XI-XVIII centuries) - necropolis of the rulers and nobility of Samarkand, consisting of many magnificently decorated mausoleums, exotic Siab Bazaar. 17.00-19.10. Transfer by high-speed train Afrosiab to Tashkent.
12
Tashkent
Excursion - photo session in Tashkent: the old city, the architectural and religious complex Khast - Imam (Khazret - Imam), with the grandiose Friday mosque, the medieval mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi (XVI century), Barak Khan madrasah, Osman's Koran (VII century); Eastern bazaar Chorsu; Kukeldash Madrasah (XVI-XVII centuries); Friendship of Peoples Square, Abdulkosim madrasah (XVI-XVII centuries), monument to Alisher Navoi; Amir Temur (Tamerlane) Square; the monument “Courage” - a monument to the victims of the devastating Tashkent earthquake of 1966; Mustakillik (Independence) Square with the Independence Monument; Opera and Ballet Theater named after. Alisher Navoi; Palace of Prince N.K. Romanova
13
Flight home.
Price by request
Highlights
The vanishing Aral Sea and its picturesque surroundings
