Birdwatching tour in Uzbekistan

Tour itinerary: Samarkand – Zerafshan – Takhta Karacha – Bukhara – Kyzylkum – Tashkent – Chimgan –Tashkent

Season: May – June

Days: 9 | Nights: 8

A special 9-day bird and nature watching tour in Uzbekistan under careful guidance of professional ornithologist – naturalist is a fascinating tour for all nature lovers and birdwatchers. The program combines morning birdwatching of the key Central Asian birds like Pander Ground Jay in Kyzylkum Desert and lush mountain hills, natural Zeravshan reserve, Takhta Karacha pass, Chimgan Mountains and cultural sightseeing in the historical cities Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent.

Minimum group number: 4 persons.

Maximum group number: 12 persons.

Join the group for a birdwatching tour at special price!

Day 1

1 June, Samarkand

Flight to Samarkand.

Afternoon/evening arrival in Samarkand International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the guide holding a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

Transfer to the hotel.

Free day in Samarkand. The group joining time will be from afternoon June 1 to early morning June 2, the group participants may arrive by different flights to Samarkand/by train Tashkent – Samarkand and join the group.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

2 June, Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:50 Group gathering at the hotel lobby. Meet the guide.

11:00 Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century.

In the evening meet the ornithologist (appr. at 21:20), time to discuss the plans and timing for tomorrow BW session.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

3 June, Samarkand – Zerafshan Reserve – Samarkand

Early breakfast/take away breakfast.

05:00 Transfer to Zeravshan Natural Park a national reserve Reserve.

Bird and nature watching in the reserve. Tugai woods stretching along the Zeravshan river home variety of birds:

- Turkestan Tit,

- Night Heron,

- White-winged Woodpecker,

- Shikra, and others.

Transfer back to Samarkand.

In the afternoon continue sightseeing in Samarkand:

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

4 June, Samarkand – Takhta Karacha – Samarkand – Bukhara

Early breakfast/take away breakfast.
Early morning transfer to Aman – Kutan Gorge (50 km) and Takhta – Karacha mountain pass (2100 m above sea level). The pass is off beaten route. There are ideal natural conditions for various species of birds:

- Hume’s Short-toed Lark,

- White-throated Robin,

- Orphean Warbler,

- Red – rumped Swallow,

- Black Vulture.

Transfer back to Samarkand.

20:00 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

21:03 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

22:34 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

5 June, Bukhara

Take away breakfast at the hotel.

03:30/04:00 Transfer to Kyzylkum desert for birdwatching of Pander ground Jay (160-180 km north-west).

Pander Ground Jay is one of the key birds of Uzbekistan area with natural habitat in sandy desert, afar from human settlements and big roads.

Back to Bukhara.

Time to have rest in the hotel.

15:00 Meet the excursion guide. Start walking sightseeing program in Bukhara (3-4 hrs):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so-called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century;

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

*Note, both birdwatching and sightseeing can be combined for a day program and timing will be adjusted to the group requests.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

6 June, Bukhara – Kyzylkum desert – Bukhara – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel/ take away breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 Early morning trip to Jeyran Eco Centre famous for its gazelles (or jeyrans as they called by locals). The Eco Centre is a home for various species.

To allow the group more time for resting and leisure, the nature watching program in Jeyran Eco Centre or historical sightseeing of days 5- 6 can be adjusted and pre-agreed with group and ornithologist/guide.

Light walking tour in Bukhara visiting:

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

- Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

14:50 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

15:50 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

7 June, Tashkent – Chimgan – Tashkent

Take away breakfast at the hotel

Transfer to Chimgan Mountains, 120 km from Tashkent, about 2 hrs one way. Early morning bird watching in Chimgan area:

- Rufous-naped Tit and Yellow-breasted Tit,

- White-winged Woodpecker,

- Falcon,

- Black Vulture,

- Rugous Turtle Dove and others.

Have a walk in the mountain area, and enjoy the breath-taking nature sights of the mountain peak.

- Take a photo stop with a panoramic views to Charvak Lake surrounded by snow-peaked mounts. Leisure time to enjoy fresh air and stunning scenery of Chimgan Mountains.

After lunch in the local café, transfer to Tashkent.

Nature watching part of the tour is complete and the ornithologist guide has finished the birdwatching program.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

8 June, Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the excursion guide at the hotel lobby.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square was renamed in 1994 after Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Tashkent chimes, one of major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenisberg in 1945 as a sign of the great victory and eternal glory of patriots who fought in World War II.

- Theatre Square with the Opera House: State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi builit in 1947 is one of the best opera theatres of the world performs both classical and national repertoires.

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan. There are fountains, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers of World War, arch "Good and noble aspiration" crowned with birds of happiness and prosperity, road "Ok Yul" leading to Independence Monument and a monument to Happy Mother symbolizing the hope for a great future.

- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966 and is erected in the approximate place of earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts the pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

9 June, Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel,

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from train stations;

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides (5 standard excursions),

- Escorting English - speaking professional ornithologist for birdwatching tour (D 2 - D7);

- Meals: breakfast at hotels;

- Train tickets Samarkand – Bukhara, Bukhara – Tashkent by train "Afrosiab" or "Sharq"(economy class);

- Tourist tax per person;

- Bottled water.

- - International flights to Samarkand, from Tashkent;

- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Meals: lunches and dinners;

- VAT, personal travel/medical insurance, portage, tips, personal expenses and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

- Please note that the tour price does not include VAT 15 %, VAT can be added to the basic tour price.

- Tour price for a group less than 4 persons will be presented by request.

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increases, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).

Accommodation

CITIES	STANDARD
Samarkand	Gabrielle International Hotel / Milan/ Uzbekistan
Bukhara	AnNur / Malika Bukhara / Lyabi House / Basilic / Kukeldash / Devon / Devon Begi/ Safiya
Tashkent	Malika Prime / Zilol Baxt / City / Arba
	Or other hotels of the same category