Turkey – Uzbekistan Grand Excursional Tour |1

Tour itinerary: Istanbul – Tashkent – Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent – Istanbul

Season: All year round

Days: 9 | Nights: 8

Classic tour to Uzbekistan from the capital of Turkey - Istanbul!

Join the medieval oriental fairytale, walk through Samarkand and Bukhara, inhale the spirit and fresh mountain air of Uzbekistan! It all will be yours - you need to book a tour from us. We will organize everything else - guides, transfers, and even suggest your air tickets. You will be met at the airport and carefully transferred to the hotel.

Samarkand is a pearl of Central Asia and no one could disagree. It keeps the secrets of Tamerlane and his dynasty, the city shines in the afternoon sun rays with azure & blue mosaic and helps every curious traveler to find out more about it.

Bukhara is quite different. It's a warm sunny and charming city surrounded by Kyzylkum desert. It has many ancient monuments & minarets, which will be interesting to visit.

We hope you will spend your time in Uzbekistan with pleasure and fun. Welcome!

Day 1

Istanbul – Tashkent

01:30 Flight from Istanbul to Tashkent by Turkish Airlines flight TK 368.

08:05 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.

10:00 Meet the guide at the hotel lobby.

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 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.

- 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 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 the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station of Tashkent.
08:00 Departure for Samarkand by the high-speed train “Afrosiob”.

10:08 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver and guide.

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.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Continue sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

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

- Mausoleum of Khodja Doniyor as Muslims call him, or a biblical prophet Daniel (or Sain Daniel), or Daniel as one of the four great Judaic prophets is the place of pilgrimage not only local residents but also visitors from around the world as it is revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews;

- Paper factory "Meros” in Konigil village that produces unique paper that can be preserved for more than and is used in craftworks,

- Carpet factory “Hudjum” to observe the process of the finest carpets weaving.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Bukhara via Shakhrisabz.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Start sightseeing tour in Shakhrisabz visiting (2.5 hrs):

- 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 XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried;

Arrival in Bukhara in the afternoon. Hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

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;

- 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

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start Bukhara countryside tour visiting:

- The last Bukhara's Emir’s summer residence "Sitorai-Mokhi-Khossa". Located 4 km away from Bukhara. Once this palace life was in full swing and sealed people's fates. The palace witnessed the triumph and the last days of Bukhara emirs

- 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 attract many visitors.

- Chor-Minor Madrasah - Chor-Minor is known as madrasah Halif Niyazkul (in Persian “Four minarets”) was built by a merchant in 1807 in Bukhara.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Bukhara – Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

11:3o Transfer to the train station in Bukhara.

12:24 Departure for Khiva by train (as per train schedule) OR transfer by car (475 km, 7 hrs).

17:51 Arrival in Khiva.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

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

Day 8

Khiva – Tashkent

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.

20:00 Transfer to Urgench airport (30 km).

22:35 Departure for Tashkent by Uzbekistan Airways flight HY 58.
23:35 Arrival in Tashkent Airport.

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 – Istanbul

Early breakfast at the hotel.
06:30 Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
09:51 Departure for Istanbul by the flight TK369.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$1905	$2175
2-3	$1120	$1350
4-5	$970	$1200
6-12	$875	$1100
Single supplement	$225	$295

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- Early check-in on D 1;

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

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan (7 standard excursions);

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

- Train tickets Tashkent – Samarkand by speed train "Afrosiab"/Sharq" (economy class);

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

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

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required);

- Meals: lunches and dinners;

- Transport and guide service for free time/free days (can be added by request) and after the standard city tours; transport for walking tours in Khiva and Bukhara;

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

- Check-in 14.00, checkout 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	Milan / Marwa / The Elements / Gabrielle	Mirzo Buutique / Ichan Qala / Wyndham / Ateca Hotel Suites	2
Samarkand	Zilol Baxt / Shaxzoda Elite / Sandhill / Khan	Asia Samarkand / Grand Samarkand Superior / Dilimah / Zaraafshon Parkside	2
Bukhara	Basilic / Amulet / An Nur Boutique/ Safiya Hotel / Old Bukhara	Paradise Plaza / Wyndham Bukhara / Sahid Zarafshon	3
Khiva	Shaherezada / Minor Boutique / Grand Vizir	Farovon / Asia Khiva / Zarafshon Boutique	1