8 day Ethnic tour in Uzbekistan

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Bukhara – Uhum – Samarcanda – Tashkent.

Season: April – October

Days: 8 | Nights: 7

8-day Ethnic tour in Uzbekistan - discover some unknown off-road attractions of Uzbekistan, enjoy the warm hospitality of local people in Asraf, and enjoy sightseeing in the main cities of Uzbekistan - the itinerary goal is to visit interesting places and beautiful classics.

Rarely visited sights of Uzbekistan are, sometimes, more interesting than those which everyone knows about. Mostly because they weren't ruined by crowds of tourists or renovations, and in some cases, several generations of one family have kept an eye of them.

These sights of Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent, Asraf village, Fergana valley, etc. During this 8-day program, you will learn more about these places and receive priceless impressions.

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

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).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:30 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

07:28 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

11:19 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.
Transfer to the hotel. Meet the guide in the hotel's 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 3

Bukhara – Asraf

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Nurata town that was founded by Alexander the Great as known as fortified settlement Nur. The fortress played an important role in the region as one of the strategic points to visit :

- The ruins of the fort and kariz (the underground water pipeline from the spring) that was built to provide enough water supplies to the fort residents after Alexander the Great conquest. The ancient ruins and restored parts of now witness glory days of Nur.

- Chashma (translated as “spring”) complex consisting of Juma Mosque, over the holy spring became one of the significant pilgrimage site.

Arrival in Asraf village.

Warm welcome by local family and taste delicious lunch.

After lunch, short rest and then 1500-1900 warm-up walk around the valley enjoying the views of local life, old villages, and domestic cattle

By request: culinary master- class in the guesthouse cooking traditional Uzbek meals.

Resting time in the evening. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Day 4

Asraf

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Take a walk in the village surroundings enjoying fresh air and beautiful mountain views.

Lunch and dinner at the guesthouse.

Overnight in the guesthouse.

Day 5

Asraf – Samarkand

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Leisure time in the morning.

Transfer to Samarkand, en-route enjoying beautiful views and local life scenery.

Arrival in the late afternoon.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet your guide at the hotel's lobby.

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;

– 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 railway 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 7

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 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 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 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;

- 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 the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

The evening departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- Accommodation in shared rooms in the guesthouse;

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

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan (3 standard excursions);

- Meals: breakfast at hotels; home-made breakfasts, lunches and dinners (fixed menu, alcohol excluding) as per program;

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

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

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required);

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

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

- 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 guesthouses provide basic shower and toilet conditions;

- 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, changes in air/train schedule due to weather, technical conditions; repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads; government decrees for blocking some parts of the roads during national holidays and government acts and decrees in changing the train /air schedule/visa formalities and customs regulations.

Accommodation

Cities	Standard	Comfort	Nights
Tashkent	Arien Plaza / Uzbekistan / Shodlik / Grand Capital	Sharq / Praga/ Daniel Hill / Mirzo Buutique / Navruz / Rakat Plaza / Grand Mir / Navruz / Ichan Qala	2
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	1
Uhum	Guest house	Guest house	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