Classical Uzbekistan

Flight to Tashkent by Uzbekistan Airways HY-778 Bishkek  19:50-20:10.
Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel for accommodation.
Overnight at hotel.

In the morning transfer to train station for high-speed train Afrosiab Tashkent-Bukhara 07.28-11.19.
Arrival in Kagan station and transfer to Bukhara (15 km drive). Check-in to hotel after 14.00pm. 

Explore Bukhara. Visit to the central complex Lyabi Hauz. The square was built around the 16th - 17th centuries. Long ago there were approximately 119 such “swimming pools'' in Bukhara: the Russians, however, closed most of these for hygiene reasons. Around Lyabi Hauz there are many madrasas, the most important of which are those of Nodir Divan-Begi, Khanaka and that of Kukeldash; Magaki Attari Mosque - the mosque was built on a higher level in order to protect the burning fire from the wind, and dates from the Zoroastrian period (fire played a crucial role in Zoroastrianism); trading domes consists of three trading centers: Tok-i-Sarrafon – Money Changers Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon – Cap makers Bazaar, Taqi Zargaron - Jeweler’s Bazaar. Also visit a puppet workshop. 

Poi Kalyan complex consists of the Kalyan minaret (XII c.), the lighthouse for caravans for centuries; Friday mosque (XV c.) and the Miri-Arab madrasa, active Koran teaching center (the visit from outside only). 

Folklore performance with fashion presentation at the ancient madrassah (weather permitting). Overnight at hotel.

Continue sightseeing tour of Bukhara: Samanids Mausoleum, the most precious Bukhara monument dated back to the 9th century. Mausoleum is considered as a treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia.  Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara; Chashma-Ayub shrine (XIV-XVI cc.) known for its curative source; later on visit Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah, former library for students (1807) with four peculiar looking towers. 

Transfer to train station for high-speed train Afrosiab Bukhara-Samarkand. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. 

Full day exploration of the marvelous sity of Samarkand: the Registan square surrounded by the three splendid madrassahs, was intersected by six main trade routes in the time of Timur. The oldest Ulugbek madrassah with its blue tiled facade was built in XV c. Two centuries later the Sher-Dor madrassah was built with a similar blue tiled facade. When in XVII c. the Tillya-Kari madrassah was finished the square was harmoniously completed. Today Registan square is considered to be the most beautiful square in Central Asia; the Bibi Khanym Mosque, named after one of Timur’s beloved wives, is a little further on. Enjoy a brief stroll through the colorful Siab bazaar. We visit the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda IX–XIV and XIX c. – one of the holiest pilgrimage places in Uzbekistan. The huge gate and 70 m long staircase leads us to the alley between nearly 20 mausoleums. Here we have the finest works in glazed ceramic of Central Asian and Islamic art; Mausoleum of Gur-Emir, the tomb of Timur himself and his descendents. The octagonal complex with marble and onyx interior and a gold ceiling was completed in 1404.

Afternoon at leisure. In the evening transfer to train station for high-speed train Afrosiab Samarkand-Tashkent.
Arrival and accommodation. Overnight at hotel.

Excursion in Tashkent: Amir Temur Square; Independence Square; Theatre Square; we take a ride on most beautiful stations of the Tashkent metro. Visit to Khast Imam Square – the holy heart of Tashkent and the least Russified or Sovietized part of the city – consisting of Barak Khan Madrassah (was founded in the 16th century by a descendant of Tamerlane who ruled Tashkent for the Shaybanid dynasty, Tillya Sheykh Mosque (built in the same time as Barak Khan Madrassah, now serves as the district’s Friday Mosque and Kafal Shashi mausoleum (The grave of a local doctor, philosopher and poet of Islam who lived from 904 to 979; visit to Kukeldash madrassah (functioning madrassah – XVI c.). 

Transfer to airport for  flight HY-777 Tashkent  16.20 – Bishkek  18.30.