15 Days From the West to the East

Arrive in Tashkent. The most exciting trip to Uzbekistan begins at the capital of Uzbekistan. You will be met by Creative Tours Guide and transferred to the hotel, check-in. After breakfast, you start sightseeing in Tashkent-the capital of Uzbekistan.
Visit:

• Old  part of the city
• Khast-Imom Complex (XVI-XXI century)where the world-famous Quran (VII century) of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imom visit the Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari;
• Chor-Su Bazaar, the age of which is more than a hundred years;
• Tashkent Metro (1977) Ride – is the only currently operating metro in Central Asia;
• Amir Temur Square – surrounded by the buildings of the “Uzbekistan” Hotel, University of Law (former Women’s Gymnasium), the Amir Timur Museum, well-known Tashkent Chimes, and the Forums Palace – one of the most grandiose architectural structures in Tashkent;
• Independence Square– located in the center of Tashkent city. It is a favorite resting place for the Tashkent residents. The fact that the most beautiful fountains of the city are located in the square contributed considerably to it;
• Amir Temur Museum (2006) – has collected more than three thousand exhibits that tell about the ancient history of our region. Among them, there are paintings, historical documents that relate to the life and activity of Amir Timur, unique manuscripts, weapons, old clothes, utensils, and various coins.

Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Fergana Valley (320 km). The steep road* which connects Fergana Valley with the rest of Uzbekistan runs via the picturesque mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m. above sea level). Stop in the city of Kokand and visit:

• Khudoyar-Khan Palace – former Khan’s palace in Kokand;
• Kamol-Kazy Madrasah – madrasah built in the classical traditions of Kokand architecture;
• Jami Mosque – the biggest in the city, was completed in 1818;
• Norbut-biy Madrasah –  Unique among Kokand’s religious institutions, the madrassah functioned in the Soviet era;
  After, continue driving to Fergana city (80 km). Visit:
• Akhmad Al-Fergani Park in Fergana.
  Check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, drive from Fergana to Margilan and visit:

• Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah – today, the madrasah is home to craftsmen producing carpets and silk.
• Traditional market
• Yodgorlik Silk Factory – the production process of silk with traditional Ikat patterns.
• Kumtepa Bazaar – the largest market in Fergana Valley (if it is Thursday or Sunday)

Drive to Rishtan to the house of a well-known ceramic master Rustam Usmanov. Enjoy a pottery workshop and have a look at the ceramic collection in a small museum.

Return to Tashkent. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Than flight to Nukus (1255 km, 2 h. 45 min.). Arrive in Nukus and drive to Muynak– former fishermen’s town (220 km, 3 h.). In Muynak have a look at:

• Cemetery of ships – a former port with abandoned ships in the sand;
• Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history;

In the afternoon return to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Meet your guide and driver and visit:

• Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum – hosts the world’s second-largest collection of Russian avant-garden (after the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg). It is also home to one of the largest collections of archeological objects and folk, applied, and contemporary art originating from Central Asia.

Have a short drive around the center of Nukus to see:

• Statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh;
• Nukus City Hall;
• Drama Theatre.

In the afternoon depart to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 h.). On the way visit the archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm:

• Chylpyk Zoroastrian dakhma;
• Toprak-Kala – the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D.

Arrive in Khiva, and check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Start a sightseeing program in Khiva. You will visit:

• Ichan-Kala Fortress (open-air museum) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the old part of the city, surrounded by walla and turned into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. Here on the vast territory of 26 hectares, the exotic image of the eastern city has been preserved. In Itchan-Kala there are about 60 historic buildings.
• Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah (1876) – is a bright sample of the culture of the architecture of that epoch and takes a special niche in the history of Khoresm. Named after Muhammad Rahim-khan, who was one of the most educated representatives of the Kungrat dynasty ever to rule in Khiva since 1770.
• Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah (1851-1854) – is the largest madrasah not only in Khiva but in Central Asia. The two-storied building occupies an area of 72 to 60 meters and has 125 khudjras (cells), intended for 260 students.
• Juma Mosque (XVIII century end) – is an original building without portals and cupolas, without galleries and yards. It is 55×46 m. The interior space is a single hall, the flat ceiling of which is supported by 215 wooden pillars.
• Kalta-Minor (1855) – it has become the real symbol of the city. The foundation of the minaret is 15 meters, the diameter at the foundation is 14,5 meters and the height is 29 meters. But this massive tower has only a third part of the project height. Its unique decoration strikes an imagination: the minaret is completely covered with glazed tile and majolica.
• Tash-Khovli Palace (XIX century) – summer residence of Khiva Khans. The original synthesis of architecture and monumental decorative art in the creative work of the Khorezm masters is vividly represented by this palace.
• Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum (1701) – If blue domes as the symbol of eastern architecture can be often found in Samarkand and Bukhara, there is only one blue dome in Khiva.  It decorates the tomb of Makhmud Pahlavan, a famous poet and warrior of the XIV century. In the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud people pray and drink the holy water.
• Islam-Khoja minaret (XX century) – is the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. The height of the minaret is 6 meters, and the diameter of the fundament is 9.5 at the base.
• Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Khiva in Kunya-Ark (1686). 

Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzyl Kum Desert, as the present road does nowadays. Stop en route to enjoy views of the Amu Darya River and the desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, and check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.

After Breakfast, enjoying with the excursion in the old Bukhara. Visit:

• Kalyan Minaret (1127) – City symbol of Bukhara.  The minaret was designated to summon Muslims to prayer five times a day. It still dominates the skyline of Bukhara, astonishing all who see it with its magnificent and flawless shape
• Kalyan Mosque (XV century) – The layout of the Djuma Mosque (named the Kalyan Mosque) is traditional: a rectangular courtyard with a tall and large maksura room on the west side.
• Miri-Arab Madrasah (XVI century) – is one of the best Bukhara architectural school monuments. The architecture and décor of Miri-Arab distinguish by the highest culture and taste.
• Magoki-Attori Mosque (XII century) – Islamic mosque dating back to Zoroastrianism. It is an example of an urban mosque in a residential quarter
• Ulugbek madrasah (1417) – the most ancient of three madrasahs, built by Ulugbek
• Abdulazizkhan madrasahs (1651-1652) – luxurious decoration. The building is typical by composition, with a four-vans yard, but with an unordinary divergent fan of hudj groups after side Evans and cupola buildings on the central axis
• Trading domes – Toki-Sarrafon Trading Dome (was the currency exchange center of Central Asia), Telpak Furushon Trading Dome (first was a bookselling place, later selling caps), Timi Abdullakhan Trading Dome (carpets and fabrics were sold), Toki-Zargaron Trading Dome (were selling jewelry)
• Lyabi Hauz Ensemble (XVI-XVII centuries) – the historical source of water supply in Bukhara. It is formed with three large monumental buildings: Kukeldash Madrasah (1568-1569) in the north, khanakah (1619-1620), and Nodir Divan-begin in the west and the east
• Chor-Minor Madrasah (1807) – “Four Minarets” – The towers’ décor elements are believed to reflect the religious-philosophical understanding of the world’s four religions
• Legendary Ark Fortress (IV century BC) – The symbol of the state power. It was a residence of Bukhara Khans
• Bolo-Khauz Mosque (1712) – it is the only preserved monument on Registan Square. The complex consists of the reservoir, Friday mosque, and minaret. The most ancient part of the complex is the pond (Khauz), which is called as Bolo-Khauz (“Children’s reservoir”).
• Ismail Samani mausoleum (IX century) – It was erected as a family crypt immediately after the death of Ismail Samani’s father. Mausoleum is full of magnificence and the feeling of moving from this world to a world that lasts forever.
• Chashma-Ayub mausoleum (XII-XVI centuries) – “Saint Job’s Source”. A legend has it that the Bible prophet Job, having visited this land, decided to help the people who suffered from water shortage in the desert. He struck the ground with his stick, making a source of crystal clear water spring at that place.

Overnight at the hotel.

Start the second day of an exciting trip to Uzbekistan by driving out of the city outskirts and visiting:

• Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (XIX century mid) – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. The Bukhara architects having trained in Russia managed to combine Oriental and Western styles in their creation.
• Mausoleum of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi (1544) – is one of the most important Muslim shrines. The Mausoleum of Saint Bakhouddin Naqshbandi is considered the Central Asian Mekka.  Believers from different Muslim countries come here to ask for the fulfilment of wishes and healing.
• Chor-Bakr Necropolis

Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to the yurt camp located in the Kyzyl Kum desert (230 km, 4 h.). Stop on the way at:

• Gijduvan pottery masters workshop.
• Nurata town to visit a local mosque with holy spring water.

In the afternoon continue the most exciting trip to Uzbekistan by driving to the yurt camp in Kyzyl Kum desert. Stop on Nurata Pass to see petroglyphs. Arrive at Safari Yurt Camp, accommodation in a yurt as part of the Exciting trip to Uzbekistan. Camel riding and free time. In the evening dinner near the campfire with Kazakh akin singing folk songs. Overnight in the yurt.

The most exciting trip to Uzbekistan offers a morning visit to the desert Aidarkul Lake and Free time on the lake. Tourists can take a camel ride through the desert (8.5 km, 3 h) or a short ride to a nearby village (1.5km 30 min.), fishing and swimming here. In the afternoon depart the yurt camp and drive to Samarkand (270 km, 5 h.). Arrival in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Time for rest. Overnight at the hotel.

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start the city tour. Visit:

• Gur Emir Mausoleum (XV century)– authentic shrine of Tamerlane. This majestic complex consisted of a khanaka, the madrasah of Muhammad Sultan – grandson of Amir Timur, and, later, tombs of Amir Timur himself and his descendants. Gur Emir was a prototype for famous samples of architecture of the Great Mughal: Humayun Mausoleum in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Timur descendants, who ruled northern India.
• Registan Square (XV-XVII centuries) – during centuries it was the center of Samarkand. The word Registan means “sand place”. The ensemble consists of three Madrassah: Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Sher – Dor Madrassah (17th century), and Tilla-Kari Madrassah (gold-covered) (17th century).
• Bibi Khanum Mosque (1399-1404) – The majestic blue domes of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque are an unusual sight. It takes one’s breath even from understanding the scale of construction of this monument, impressing by its size and beauty. In antiquity, the dome of this mosque was compared with the dome of heaven and the arch of the portal – with the Milky Way.
• Siyob Bazaar (on Mondays it’s closed) – is the largest trading center of Samarkand. Mostly here you can find national bread, fruits, vegetables, sweets, and a lot more
• Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis (XIV-XV centuries) – consists of rows of refined sparkling blue colors tombs. Shakhi Zinda consists of eleven mausoleums, which were built one after another in the XIV-XV centuries. Shakhi Zinda is the burial place of royal persons and nobles. But the main mausoleum from which the necropolis starts seems to be the imaginary grave of Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, Kusama Ibn Abbas. The complex was called “Shakhi Zinda” which means in Persian “The Living King”.

We will continue the exciting trip to Uzbekistan by sightseeing:

• Ulugbek Observatory (1428-1429) – The astronomical miracle of medieval Uzbekistan. Observatory was unique construction for its time.The basis of the observatory was a giant goniometer vertical circle), the radius of the circle was equal to 40,212 meters, and the length of the arc was 63 meters
• Mausoleum of Saint Daniel (1900, but grave was long earlier) – There is hardly any place in the world where Muslims, Christians, and Jews come to pray. But this Tomb of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel, also known as Daniel or Doniyar.
• Afrosiyob museum

Then drive to Konigil village to explore the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry.
Overnight at the hotel.

Start the next part of the exciting trip to Uzbekistan with the morning drive to Shakhrisabz (90km 2h.). There you will visit:

• Dor-us Siodat memorial Complex
• Remains of Ak-Saray Palace
• Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble
• Kok Gumbaz mosque
• Burial vault of Tamerlane’s father.

In the afternoon come back to Samarkand. Check-out and transfer to the railway station of Samarkand at 16:30. The high-speed train “Afrosiyob” leaves for Tashkent at 17:00 and arrives at 19:10. Check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport.  Departure. End of the tour.