Four splendours of Uzbekistan

Day 1. Istanbul/Moscow – Tashkent (air TK/SU)

AM. Arrival midnight Tashkent – capital of Uzbekistan. Meeting with guide and transfer to hotel for early acc. Rest. Breakfast.

Discover a city with unique underground in Central Asia, green parks, research centers, modern shops, biggest bazaars, theatres, fountains including TV Tower.

• Ensemble Hazrati Imom – Here is the tomb of one of the first Imams of Tashkent. The square hosts a beautiful Islamic library, Muyi Muborak, with ancient ceilings and ancient manuscripts and the Osman Koran. It is considered the oldest Koran in the world and is said to have been stained with the blood of Hazrat Osman in 655. Barak-Khan Madrasah was completed in the 2nd half of the 16th cent
• Chorsu Bazaar – City’s farmers market under a huge cupola that sells spices, grain, dairy products, fruits of the season.  Here you can encounter the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Central Asia and you will have a good chance to see people in the colourful local dress.
• Tashkent TV Tower (outside)– built in 1981 is the highest building in Central Asia. It is 375 m high. It is the 10th highest building in the world and the 2nd highest buildings in former USSR.
• Monument of Courage – built to acknowledge the courage of the people at the time of the Tashkent earthquake on 26th April 1966. The whole city was reduced to rubble and then modern Tashkent was built.
• Mustaqilik (Independence Square) – the political centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Government buildings and the Senate are located here.
• Independence Monument was erected 1991 as a symbol of the sovereignty of the country. It shows a golden globe and the outlines of Uzbekistan.
• Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre – The theatre was built on the plans of Alexey Shchusev, the architect of Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow in neoclassical style. The theatre has special significance for Japanese nationals because it was built by the Japanese prisoners of war during the Second World War. A plate acknowledging their contributions is part of the building

During sightseeing lunch at traditional restaurant.

Evening the dinner will be served in the open air restaurant of the hotel. It is located next to the swimming pool in the garden of the hotel.

Day 2. Tashkent – Urgench (air HY) – Khiva (30 km / 30 min)

Light breakfast at hotel or breakfast box. Transfer to airport for morning flight to Urgench by HY. Arrival and welcome to romantic city, Khiva, where you discover an extraordinary maze of twisting alleyways, medieval mosques, tombs and palaces. Visit royal palace of Khiva emir Tosh Khouli and sneak into the harems, Caravan Saray. Discovery of old city “Ichan Kala”:

• Kuhna Ark –Khivan rulers commanded from this fortress-residence from as early as the 12th century up to the 17th century when the khans expanded the structure to include a mosque, a harem, and a jail.
• Mohammed Rahim Khan Medrassah and Square – the medrassah is mostly dedicated to it’s namesake, the Khan Mohammed Rahim who managed to keep Khiva independent from infiltration by British and Russian forces until the late 19th century. The square was once the main square of Khivan people.
• Kalta Minor – This squat minaret is an iconic symbol of Khiva, mainly because of it’s exquisite blue and green tile work and the fact that it remains unfinished. It was originally supposed to rival the Kalon Minaret in Bukhara, however the architect fled before seeing it finished, fearing he would be put to death by the khan. Kalta Minor dates from the 19th cent.
• Juma Mosque – the old mosque was already mentioned by the Arab traveller Mohammed al-Magisi in the 10th cent. According to the inscriptions above the entrance the mosque was rebuilt in the 18th cent.
• Pahlawan Mahmud Mausoleum – one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in Uzbekistan. Pahlawan Mahmud (“the strong man”) was famous for his extraordinary bravery, physical strength as well as his good nature.
• Islam Khoja Minaret – 45 m high minaret. Built in 1908.  However using the same methods as the much older minarets at Bukhara, Wabkent and Konye Urgench. You can see the minaret from every place in Khiva and even from far away in the desert. It is probable that the minaret served military purposes as well.
• Medressa Muhammed Amin Khan – the largest medresse in Khiva. Its facade is made of coloured brick and mosaics. The main characteristics of the buliding are the hujiras (students’ cells). Khan Muhammed Amin was one of the most important khans of Khiva.
• Tash Havli – the beautiful Tash Havli palace was built by the Khan of Khiva in the 1830s as his main residence. He and his four official wives each had separate quarters in the pillared chambers on the left. Relatives and concubines stayed in other rooms to the right.

12:00 check in hotel. Lunch at Toza Bog – this outside-the-city royal palace served the monarchy as the guest palace for most important state visitors. Now you can experience finest royal cuisines of Khorezm region.  The original Euro-Oriental design of the palace will surely leave lasting memories on you.

Continue sightseeing.

Aperitif at Ak Sheih Baba Observation Platform (local soft drinks/local alcohol).

There will be an aperitif on the top of the historic sight inside Ichan kala. The visitors could enjoy some juice, soft drinks and local alcohol while observing the busy city from above.

Uzbek style candle light  dinner at Harem “Tosh Khouli Palace” followed by “Lyazgi” Khorezmian folklore show (private dinner). 

Menu: skewered lamb. Today we will have an exclusive dinner in style inside the royal court of late Khiva Khan. Local folklore band will perform for the group with ample amount of live music and dancing.

Day 3.  Khiva – Bukhara (450 km)

After breakfast, drive to Bukhara – one of the most sacred places of Islam, the admired and charming city of Bukhara was also one of the key stops along the Silk Route.

Lunch barbeque in desert (exact place is to be discussed). We will have some meal in a local tea-house in the middle of Kyzylkum dessert.

Arrival and acc at hotel.

Dinner  at open Terrace at hotel. 

We shall have our dinner in the upper level patio of the hotel, from where we can see the sunset behind the minarets and domes.

Day 4. Bukhara

Breakfast. Full day sightseeing:

• Ark citadel / Registan Square – From the most ancient times the Ark was the fortified residence of the rulers of Bukhara. Everything could be found there – palaces, temples, barracks, offices, the mint, warehouses, workshops, stables, an arsenal, and even a prison
• Bolo Khauz Mosque
• Ismoil Somoni Mausoleum –  was built in the 9th (10th) century (between 892 and 943) as the resting-place of Ismail Samani – a powerful and influential amir of the Samanid dynasty, one of the Persian dynasties that ruled in Central Asia, who held the city in the 9th and 10th centuries. The architects used an ancient tradition of baked brick construction, but to a much higher standard than had been seen before. The construction and artistic details of the brickwork, are still enormously impressive, and display traditional features dating back to pre-Islamic culture.

Lunch at local Tea House. Continue SS:

• Poikalon Complex – consists of three structures, Minorai Kalon, Masjidi Kalon & Miri Arab Madrassa. Minaret was built by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan in 1127. The mosque was built circa 1514 & madrassah was completed in 1536.
• Labi Hauz – considered to be the center of the Old City. It means “ensemble near the pool”. The main element of this ensemble is the pool. The ensemble Labi-havz has three monumental structures. These are: Kukeldash madrassah (16th century) built by Abdullah II was, at the time, the biggest Islamic School in Central Asia. Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah (16th century) was inteded to be a caravan saray, but according to the order of the ruler Imam Kulimkhan, was reconstructed into a Madrassah. Nadir Devanbegi Khanaka (winter mosque) was built at the same time as the Labi-havz (16th century).
• Maggoki Attar Mosque – the oldest surviving mosque in Central Asia, dating back to the 9th cent., reconstructed in the 16th cent.  It was built in place of the temple of fire worshipers. Till present time reached the sample recovered in 1546, it is16th stepped hall under two domes. Portals building are a real masterpiece of architectural decoration.
• Jewish quarter
• Tea Spice House – taste a huge variety of delicious teas prepared from herbs and spices

Private dinner at the house of famous tradesman Faizulla Khodjaev (XIX-XX. Jh), The dinner would be organized inside the house of the 19^th century merchant. Fayzulla Hojaev is a famous Bukharian who enjoyed luxurious life yet looked after his people. The house consists of inner and outer courtyards.

Day 5. Bukhara

Breakfast at hotel. Continue sightseeing:

• Visit the religious complex of the Sufi founder Naqshbandi which is a pilgrimage place with many local visitors today. It is the holiest ensemble in Bukhara is a place of shrines, stories and superstitions. Back to the city:
• Learning expedition to golden embroidery private workshop

Lunch at hotel restaurant. Continue SS:

• Sitorai Mohi Hosa – the residence of the last Emir of Bukhara where, today as a hundred years ago, the visitors in the reflections of its former magnificence, as though still available to receive royalties and overseas ambassadors. It was constructed in a tight combination of local and European traditions in the countryside near Bukhara. The halls of the palace are richly decorated with carpets & paintings.

 Exclusive dinner at Medresse Kukeldash. Enjoy Classic Music during dinner.

 Kukeldash is a 17^th century university in Bukhara. We will have a private puppet theatre show and live music performance for us during the dinner.

Day 6. Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand (280 km / 5 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Take a route to Samarkand – “Rome of East” via Gijduvan – city of ceramists the 5^th generation.

Gijduvan ceramics are well known in Central Asia and recognizable due to its original color and decoration style. Master Abdulloh Narzullaev is the sixth generation hereditary master. His works are well known in Uzbekistan and among ceramists abroad. He participates in more than 50 international exhibitions. Now he is teaching his sons and daughters the secret of his profession. Visiting the workshop of the master  you will get an impression of how original Gijduvan ceramics is produced, participate in process of producing. Visit home museum of ceramics of master Abdulloh.

See the workshop and have a show around. Tea time with family.

 Continue driving. Lunch in route. Stop at sight with snack: season fruits:

• Mausoleum of Saint Daniel – amongst other curiosities in Samarkand is the tomb of the Hebrew Prophet Daniel, which is in the cemetery section of Afrosiab next to a pleasant stream. It contains a burial chamber around 18 meters long. After the conquest of Syria the grave was transported to Samarkand under the orders of Amir Temur.

Arrival at Samarkand and acc t hotel.

Dinner at national family. Feast of Uzbek Pilav. The program will present the traveller with inside story of the region. The visitors are encouraged to participate in cooking class in the family. You can walk in the neighborhood before joining the family in the preparation of famous Central  Asian cuisine – Plov. You will chat with family members over the beautifully laid table of national dishes, sweets and breads.

Day 7. Samarkand

Breakfast.

“Everything I have heard about Samarkand is true except that it is even more beautiful that I could have imagined” Alexander the Great

Start SS:

• Ulugbek’s Observatory – observatory of Timur’s grandson. Only the foundations remain but it is truly extraordinary. Ulugbek was an astronomer, scientist and architect. His scientific and astronomical discoveries greatly advanced knowledge in these fields. The only thing that was preserved is a part of huge sextant – major astronomic instrument, the lowest part of which was in a deep trench (11km).
• Shakhi-Zinda Ensemble – (9 -14, 19 centuries) situated on southeastern mound of Afrosiab. This architectural complex consists of 44 tombs in more than 20 mausoleums. The greatest significance of Shah E Zinda is that he was the First cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Meros Paper Mill – The visitors are invited to learn and participate in the process of producing paper. The local craftsman Zarif has revived this lost art of paper making that were initially introduced by Chinese war prisoners in 751 of Talas Battle. Visitors are invited to have some local sweets and tea with the master.

Light lunch in the yard of Meros Paper Mill. Continue SS:

• Bibi-Khanym Mosque – named after the wife of Temur and built between 1399-1404 – is one of best known architectural attractions of Central Asia. The Mosque was erected on Timur’s order after his combat of Delhi. The Minaret of the Mosque was supposed to be the tallest.
• Siab bazar
• Registan Ensemble – Registan became the city square when the life in Afrosiab stopped. Since that time Registan was reconstructed several times. Today it is surrounded by the three medreses Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tillokori.

Candel light gala dinner at Registan Square. Show entertainment. The dinner would be organized inside the courtyard of the 15^th century medresse – Ulugbek.

Day 8. Samarkand – Tashkent (high speed train)

Breakfast at hotel.

• Gur Emir Mausoleum – As a conqueror there are few that are Tamerlane’s equal, both in territory and legacy left. Today one can visit his tomb in the beautifully reconstructed Gur-Emir Mausoleum (1404-1405, 15-17 centuries) and reflect on his life while looking at the largest piece of jade (greenstone) in the world.
• Visit the famous design shop of Valentina Romanenko and tea break at her lovely yard

Lunch at traditional restaurant.

Transfer to train station. High speed train “Afrosiab” to Tashkent at 17:00-19:10. Arrival and acc at hotel.

Farewell dinner at traditional restaurant.

Day 9. Tashkent – Istanbul/Moscow (air TK/SU)

Transfer to airport for morning flight to sweet home.

End of services… 

See you soon at our ancient land!