Gastronomic tour in Uzbekistan

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand – Tashkent

Season: all the year around

Days: 8 | Nights: 7

Uzbekistan gastronomic tour: 8 days/7 nights, one thousand dishes!

Any gourmets on this page? Uzbek cuisine is highly appreciated by gourmets from around the world. Fragrant hotcaked, golden pilaf, juicy and hearty samsa, delicious kebabs and tasty halva - and this is an incomplete list of what the Anur Tour company offers in a gastronomic tour of the main cities of Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara.

Pilaf (plov) spots are: Tashkent Plov Centre, Samarkand offroad choi-khonas and Bukhara's Chor restaurant.

Welcome to this tasty Uzbekistan tour, and bon appetit!

Day 1

Tashkent

Flight to Tashkent.

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov, first President of Uzbekistan.

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.

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport not far from the city center, the transfer will not take a long time (20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location).

Arrival in the hotel. Early check-in.

Time to rest after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5-6 hrs) 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 of the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.
Around the Square there is the Museum of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan hotel, Forum Palace, and famous Tashkent striking clock.

- 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 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;

Lunch - testing pilaf at the "Central Asian Plov Center".

Continue the sightseeing tour visiting:

- 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.

Dinner at the local restaurant (Soup, fried fish, types of salads, oriental sweets, tea, water, bread)

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

Early breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 Transfer to the local airport.

07:25 Flight to Urgench by HY51.

08:55 Arrival in Urgench Airport.

Come out of the terminal and meet with our driver.

Transfer to Khiva (30 км) hotel to drop off the bags. Standard hotel check-in at 14:00.

Meet the guide at the 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 - 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, is an early example of the architecture of the XIV century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

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.

Lunch on the way or in Bukhara - probably kebabs with spicy onion and national salads.

Have tea at the Tea House "Spices of the Silk Road".

By request, enjoy a visit to the oriental Bukhara baths of the XVI century (30-40min).

Dinner at the local restaurant (soup, dolma, types of salads, oriental sweets, tea, water, bread)

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

Day 4

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- 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 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;

~12:00 Lagman master class for cooking lagman at the National House.

Continue sightseeing tour program visiting:

- 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.

Folk show in Madrassah Nadir Divan Begi.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Samarkand (270 km), en-route visiting famous Gijduvan pottery workshop where visitors are welcome for a tour around the workshop and observe the process of ceramic making and painting.

The owners demonstrate the stages of making ceramics from turning the potter’s wheel to making paints from natural ingredients, decorating the ceramics in a distinctive style, drying, and firing. Take a tour around the museum-hall of ceramic masterpieces with a unique collection of the ceramic items of Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan.

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

Lunch at the local restaurant (main dish: nukhat shurak).

Visit Khovrenko winery, producing the finest wines of world level that took medals and prizes in international exhibitions, take a short excursion in the museum of winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting of the finest Samarkand wines.

Dinner in the restaurant “Samarkand” (main dish: Kozon Kabob)

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 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.

Master class for cooking Samarkand pilaf in the National House.

Continue sightseeing tour visiting:

– 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;

– 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.

Dinner in the local restaurant (main dish: delicious manti).

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Tashkent via picturesque mountainous road.

Lunch on the way at the local café - tasting the famous Jizzakh samsa.

Continue drive to Tashkent. Arrival, transfer to the hotel, check-in.

Transfer to the local restaurant (soup, Khonim, types of salads, oriental sweets, tea, water, bread)

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart
1	$1795
2-3	$1190
4-5	$980
Single supplement	$150

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, and airports;

- English-speaking local guides escorting in cities;

- Meals: breakfasts at the hotels; lunches and dinners (fixed menu, alcohol excluding);

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

- Culinary master classes cooking lagman and pilaf;

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

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

- Internal flight Tashkent – Urgench (economy class, price subject to change);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required);

- VAT 15%

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

- 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 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).

Accommodation:

Cities	Standard	Comfort	Nights
Tashkent	Arien Plaza / Uzbekistan / Shodlik / Grand Capital / Praga	Sharq / Daniel Hill / Mirzo Buutique / Navruz / Rakat Plaza / Grand Mir / Navruz / Ichan Qala	2
Khiva	Old khiva / Yoshlar / Shahrizada / Muso Tura / Arkanchi / Lokomotiv / Feruzxon	Arkonchi / Lokomotiv / Erkin Palace / Khiva Silk Road / Orient Star Khiva / Said Islam Khoja	1
Bukhara	Lyabi House / Basilic / Edem Plaza / Sasha&Son / Kukeldash / Amulet / AnNur / AsSalom / Safiya	Rangrez / Sultan / Devon Begi / Orient Star Varaxsha/ Asia Bukhara / Malika Bukhara / Omar Khayam	2
Samarkand	Ideal / Jahon Palace / Caravan Serail / Malika Prime / Diyora Classic / Zilol Baxt / City	Bek / Boulevard Palace / Arba / Platan / Asia Samarkand / Arhan Palace / Sultan / Grand Samarkand Superior	2