Visit Uzbekistan at the time of harvest. Try the legendary Uzbek plov in his homeland, visit the famous Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand - ancient cities, in which every stone breathes history.
635 $/person in double occupancy (french speaking group)
757$/person in single ocсupancy
Dates: 02-10 November 2017
Itinerary: Tashkent – URGENCH/KHIVA – BUKHARA – SAMARKAND – Tashkent
Duration of stay: 9 days / 7 nights
Day 1/2, Thu/fri TASHKENT
Upon morning arrival at Tashkent airport, you will be met and transferred to the local café for breakfast.
Check in to hotel after 14h00. After breakfast we explore the capital of Uzbekistan: Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, and Alisher Navoi Theatre Square; visit to the Museum of Applied Arts located in the former residence of Russian diplomat Polovtsev. In the holy heart of Tashkent we visit Khast Imam Square with Barak Khan madrassah founded in the 16th century by a descendant of Tamerlane who ruled Tashkent for the Shaybanid dynasty, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, the district Friday Mosque and the mausoleum of Kafal Shashi, local doctor, philosopher and poet (X c.). Later on we visit Kukeldash madrassah (in activity) from XVI c.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3, Sat TASHKENT / URGENCH / KHIVA
Early breakfast breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Urgench. Upon arrival direct drive to Khiva (30 km). Arrive in Khiva.
Check in to the hotel after 14h00.
Our interest is focalized on the inner old town, Ichan Kala, encircled by the unbroken clay walls (2 km). The city has hardly changed since ancient times and gives to the visitor the exact appearance of the Middle Ages town. We visit the most important monuments of the city, such as the Kunya-Ark citadel with the Kurinish Khana; the mausoleums of Seyid Allauddin and Pakhlavan Mahmoud; the Juma - Friday mosque with its 218 decorated wooden columns and the caravanserai; the Palace of Tash Hauli with its beautiful courtyard of khan’s harem; madrassah and minaret of Islam Khodja (XIX c.).
Lunch at the ancient madrassah. Enjoy famous Khorezm dish “Shivet Oshi” - home-made dill noodles topped with meat and tomato sauce.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4, Sun KHIVA / BUKHARA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Take in the undulating landscape of Central Asia and drive to Bukhara (450 km/ app.7-8 hrs) across the Kyzylkum desert. This drive presents an unprecedented opportunity to view this arid landscape, and glimpse the sheep farmers or hunters roaming across it. You'll pause en route for a packed lunch before continuing to Bukhara. We arrive in Bukhara in the early evening. Perhaps stretch your legs by scrolling in the old town.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5, Mon BUKHARA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Start the day with a visit to the central complex Lyabi Hauz built around the pool with a fountain. The square was founded in the 16th - 17th centuries. The square of Lyabi Hauz is surrended by several madrassahs, the most important of which are those of Nodir Divan-Begi, Khanaka and that of Kukeldash. Visit to the Magoki Attari Mosque dates from the Zoroastrian and Buddhist period. We take a walk under the three ancient trading domes: Tok-i-Sarrafon – Moneychangers Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon – Cap makers Bazaar, Taqi Zargaron - Jeweler’s Bazaar. Enjoy bazaars full of various traditional articles and souvenirs.
Visit to the local Uzbek house where you will have an opportunity to acquaintance with the local customs and traditions deeply rooted in the oriental hospitality.
Furthermore, you have a chance to participate in the cooking of the national Uzbek dish «Pilov». Warm and friendly atmosphere and a delicious lunch served by the mistress of the house will be an excellent souvenir of this journey.
After lunch continue city tour by Poi Kalyan complex, one of the highlights of Bukhara. The complex consists of the Kalyan minaret (XII c.), the lighthouse for caravans for centuries; Friday mosque (XV c.) and the Miri-Arab madrassah, active Koran teaching center (the visit is from outside only).
Visit to the Samanids Mausoleum, the most precious Bukhara monuments dated from 9th c. Mausoleum is considered as the treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Nearby we cross Chashma-Ayub shrine (XIV-XVI cc.) known for its curative source.
This evening enjoy folklore and fashion performance at Nodir Divan Begi madrassah (depending on weather conditions). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6, tue BUKHARA – SAMARKAND
Breakfast at the hotel.
A.M.: Continue city tour of Bukhara: Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara; visit Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah (1807) with four peculiar looking towers, which was used as a library for students.
Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant with a master class of cooking “Navruz Kebab” - one of the unique dishes of Uzbek cuisine. Made of beef, potatoes, onions, tomatoes with cumin and some of pepper this dish is served traditionally in little pitchers.
P.M.: Drive to Samarkand (300 km/app. 5 hrs drive).
Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7, Wed SAMARKAND
Breakfast at the hotel.
A full day exploring the marvelous sites of Samarkand, Timur’s capital: the Reqistan square surrounded by the three splendid madrasahs. In the time of Timur, six main trade routes intersected this square. The oldest Ulugbek madrassah with its blue tilled facade was built in XV c. Two centuries later the Sher-Dor madrassah was built with the similar blue tilled façade. When in XVII c. the Tillya-Kari madrassah was finished the square was harmoniously completed. Today Registan square is considered as 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. This necropolis is one of the holiest pilgrim places in Uzbekistan. The huge gate and 70 m long staircase leads us to the alley between nearly 20 mausoleums. Here we admire the finest works in glazed ceramic of Central Asian and Islamic art; unique Observatory of Ulugbek Timur’s grandson (1428-1429).
Enjoy BBQ lunch at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8,Thu SAMARKAND / TASHKENT
Breakfast at the hotel.
A.M.: Continue city tour of Samarkand with a visit to the 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. Visit to the Rukhabad Mausoleum dated from XV c., (exterior). Visit to the excavation site of Afrosiab and Museum with the unique wall painting from VII c.
This afternoon enjoy a lunch at the local restaurant and taste of the region's favourite dishes “manty” - local dumplings with butter sour cream and black pepper.
Afternoon at leisure.
In the evening transfer to railway station to take a high-speed train ‘’Afrosiyob’’ to Tashkent.
Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9, Fri TASHKENT
Transfer to airport for flight back home.
THE PRICE OF TOUR BASED ON ACCOMMODATION AT THE FOLLOWING HOTELS:
Tashkent, htl “Shodlik Palace” 4*/ similar 1 + 1 o/n
Khiva, htl “Orient Star Khiva” 3* 1 o/n
Bukhara, htl “Asl” 3* / “Minzifa” 3* / similar 2 o/n
Samarkand, htl “Orient Star” 3*/ similar 2 o/n
THE PRICE OF TOUR INCLUDES:
THE PRICE OF TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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