New year tour to Uzbekistan!

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.

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.

- 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;

- 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.

- 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 hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Meet the driver in the hotel in Tashkent.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

08:00 Departure for Samarkand by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

10:08 Arrival in Samarkand.

Meet the driver and guide, who will wait for you with a signboard "ANUR TOUR".

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;

- 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;

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel. 

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:50 Transfer to Samarkand railway station.

09:50 Departure for Bukhara via the "Afrosiyob" high-speed train.

11:23 Arrival in Bukhara.

Upon exiting the station, a driver with an "Anur Tour" sign will be waiting for you. Transfer to the hotel. Meet your guide and begin a walking tour of Old Bukhara:

- Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble (16th c.): An architectural ensemble that served as a trading square in the Middle Ages, including the Nodir Divan-Begi Madrasah (17th c.)—part of the architectural complex located around Lyabi-Hauz and the Khanaka (a place of rest and seclusion for Sufis)—and the Kukeldash Madrasah, the largest 16th-century madrasah in Bukhara, along with the famous monument to Khoja Nasreddin.

- Magoki-Attori Mosque (9th c.): One of the first mosques from the pre-Islamic era.

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (19th c.): Currently the center of Bukhara craftsmanship.

- Tim Abdullakhan (16th c.): A traditional covered bazaar built under the Shaybanid dynasty.

- Abdulaziz-khan Madrasah (17th c.): A grandiose architectural ensemble built by order of the Ashtarkhanid ruler Abdulaziz-khan.

- Ulugbek Madrasah (15th c.): The oldest madrasah in the architectural ensemble of Registan Square.

- Visit to the famous trading domes of Bukhara: Toqi Sarrofon (16th c.), Toqi Telpakfurushon (16th c.), and Toqi Zargaron (16th c.). In the 16th century, the trading domes were centers for the silk trade, jewelry, and money exchange. Today, visitors to Bukhara can purchase a wide range of souvenirs, from magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets.

- Poi-Kalyan Ensemble (12th c.): The central architectural complex of Bukhara, consisting of the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.

- Ark Fortress (1st c. BC): An ancient citadel.

Free time. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Bukhara.

Optionally (can be added as extra) a countryside tour in Bukhara visiting:

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

– Bakhauddin Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order) Located near Bukhara the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi is considered as one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors.

– Sitora-i Mokhi-khosa Palace - the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara.

14:30 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

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

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.

* If the train tickets Bukhara - Tashkent are not available, the train transfer can be replaced for an evening flight Bukhara - Tashkent.

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Take-away breakfast/ Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour