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Tour itinerary: Urgench - Khiva - Darvaza - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Marguzor - Samarkand - Tashkent

Season: Spring – Summer – Fall

Days: 9 | Nights: 8

Arrival at Urgench 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 staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

Come out of the terminal and meet with the driver.

Transfer to Khiva (30 km) hotel. Early check-in.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide at the hotel lobby.

Start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-Kala (translated as “Inner town”). Ichan-Kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia consisting of:

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Pahlavan Mahmud Gates, Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,

- Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum - one of the best works of Khivian architecture - the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud - done in the tradition of Khorezm architecture of XVIII-XIX centuries and Pahlavan Mahmud Gates,

- Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, it is a fine example of the architecture of the XIV century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Khiva – Darvaza

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 Transfer from Khiva to Uzbek - Turkmen border pass.

Pass the border.

Meet by guide and car and transfer to Kunya Urgench, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the morning transfer to Kunya-Urgench.

Start sightseeing tour with visiting: the founder mausoleum of Sufi sects:

- Najmudd n-e Kubr (Persian:) or Najm al-Din Kubra, (Shaykh Ab al-Jann b Ahmad ibn 'Umar) was a 13th-century Persian Sufi from Khwarezmia, the founder of the Kubrawiyya or Kibruyeh Sufi order, influential in the Ilkhanid and Timurid. His method, exemplary of a "golden age" of sufi metaphysics, was related to the Illuminism of Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi as well as to Rumi's Shams Tabrizi;

- The mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym (XII-XIV centuries);

- Minaret Mamun (X-XI centuries);

- Minaret Kutlug-Timur (XII-XIV c, the highest minaret in Central Asia - 67m height);

- Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II in BC - III A.D.) - The sacred hill Kyrk Molla, “40 mullahs” in Turkic, is found in Kunya-Urgench. According to a local legend, during the Mongol invasion 40 scholars who lived in the library began to pray for the salvation of the priceless manuscripts, stored there. When the enemy approached, the library tipped over and went underground;

Transfer to gas crater Darwaza (3 hrs).

In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate to Hell, and the sight of the crater at night indeed gives a somewhat spooky feel.

The views are most impressive in the dark.

Barbeque dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 3

Darvaza – Khiva

Camp - style breakfast.

Transfer from Gaz crater to Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan border post by car.

Border formalities on both sides, the passing to Uzbekistan usually takes shorter.

Meet the driver in the Uzbek side of the border.

Transfer to Khiva.

Leisure sightseeing in the afternoon.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Khiva – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:15 Transfer to the railway station in Khiva.

08:23 Departure for Bukhara by train (as per train schedule) OR transfer by car (475 km, 7 hrs).

13:35 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Light sightseeing in the afternoon.

Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara:

- 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 and these bazaars were the centers for the trade of silk, jewelry, and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit 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.

Optionally can be added by request:

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Bukhara – Shahrisabz – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand via Shahrisabz.

Start sightseeing program in Shahrisabz visiting:

- Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”), the ruins of the summer palace of Tamerlane. The palace was constructed and decorated by deported from conquered Khorezm skillful builders, masters, and artisans. Some parts of the gate tower survived to the present day.

- Mausoleum of Dorus-Saodat ("The Place of Power", XIV century) contains the tomb of Eldest and favorite Tamerlane’s son Jahongir.

- Visit Kok Gumbaz, so-called “House of Meditation".

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of the XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried.

Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Samarkand – Marguzor – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing (it usually takes 30 min- 1 hr).

Meet the guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.

Start an excursion to Seven lakes.

Transfer to Marguzor, the famous seven lakes - seven wonderful water mirrors full of mountain riverside drops. Each lake looks different whenever the sun changes its position. Colors may vary from deep blue to indie color ripple. Most of them are cold to swim even in summer. These lakes belong to Fann Mountains system.

On the western edge of the Fan Mountains in the valley of the river Shing there are seven lakes, six of them are dammed origin, except the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor, but each of the lakes has its own name: Nezhigon (other references Mizhgon), Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak; Marguzor, Hazorchashma.

The difference in level between the upper and lower lake - 692 meters.

Transfer to Penjikent - an ancient town in Sogdiana and now it is a city in the Sugd province of Tajikistan on Zeravshan River.

-The Sarazm Important Bird Area (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay-vegetated floodplain of the river.

-The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled inter-city (2500-years ago) that was a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road.

Lunch at the local café.

Afternoon border crossing BP Jartepa to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1 hr), meet the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border.

Transfer to Samarkand.

Arrival in the hotel in Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing program in Samarkand visiting:

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

- Continue to the famous Registan Square – heart of Samarkand and real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor and Madrassa Tilla Kori;

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

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of the Muslim 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.

16:30 Transfer to the train station in Samarkand.

17:28 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 9

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the hotel lobby.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994 after the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Tashkent striking clock, one of the major symbols of Tashkent.

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

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country. There are fountains standing for the life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of the earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the 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 pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four waters”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in postcards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Evening departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$3525	$3585
2-3	$2155	$2185
4-5	$1745	$1780
Single supplement	$370	$395

Book it!

- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- Accommodation in a private tent or shared yurt in Darvaza yurt camp; lunch in Penjikent ( fixed menu);

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

- English-speaking professional licensed escorting guides in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan;

- Meals: breakfast at hotels; BBQ dinner in Darvaza yurt camp;

- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;

- Train tickets Khiva – Bukhara by standard train (business class) OR transfer by car;

- Train tickets Samarkand – Tashkent by tourist train “Afrosiab”/”Sharq” (business class);

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Urgench, from Tashkent;

- E-visa to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan e-visa (if required); Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent) and migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Meals: lunches and dinners except those specified in the included section;

- VAT 15 %, personal travel/medical insurance, portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

- By request, the program can be adjusted with the arrival/departure flights to/from Tashkent (depending on actual flight schedule);

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

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

- 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 increase, 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).