Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Tour | 4

Tour itinerary: Uzbekistan – Tajikistan

Season: April - November

Days: 11 | Nights: 10

Combi tour Uzbekistan – Tajikistan is a Central Asia itinerary to enjoy sightseeing of medieval compexes, diverse culture and comfortable stay in modern Tashkent, beautiful Khiva, sacred Bukhara, legendary Samarkand, ancient Penjikent and Dushanbe.

The last part of the tour is a delight of exploring the stunning nature of Fann mountains, picturesque passes, Marguzor lakes and mystical Iskanderkul lake.

The tour is optimal for a private family trip.

Day 1

Tashkent

Flight to Tashkent.

Evening arrival in Tashkent International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, the driver meets with a sign “ANUR TOUR” .

Transfer to the hotel. Check in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide and start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs):

- 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".
- 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 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).

- 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.

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

Take away breakfast.

05:30 Transfer to the local airport

07:00 Flight Tashkent-Urgench HY 51.

08:30 Arrival in Urgench.

Come out of the terminal to meet the driver at the meeting zone. Transfer to Khiva.

Meet the guide and start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia:

- 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;

- 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 4

Khiva – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the driver at the lobby. Transfer by car Khiva –Bukhara (475 km, 7 hrs) via Kyzylkum desert with short stops en-route.

Arrival in Bukhara. Transfer to hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5 hrs):

- 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.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 6

Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time in Bukhara, morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to Samarkand, 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.

By request, a master-class of painting ceramics, suzani embroidery and traditional bread baking.

Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand in the afternoon, check in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hrs):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – 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 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.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Samarkand – Penjikent – 7 Lakes – Penjikent

Breakfast at the hotel.

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

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

Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent visiting:

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

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, besides the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor, but each lake has its own name: Nezhigon, Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The difference in level between the upper and lower lake is 692 meters. Easy hike at the lakes. Lunch at the guesthouse.

Return to Penjikent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Penjikent – Iskanderkul

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Iskanderkul lake, sightseeing en-route:

- Iskanderkul Lake, known as a lake of Alexander the Great The area of the lake is 30000 ha. According to the legend, the Iskanderkul Lake was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great’s path to Central Asia from India passed through this lake. Take easy hike in the lake area.

- water-fall that locals call "Niagara fall" of Tajikistan. On a vibrating viewing platform watch the waterfall 40 meters deep. Take a hike to the waterfall and Snake Lake.

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

Day 10

Iskanderkul – Dushanbe

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

Transfer to Dushanbe (140 km, 2 hrs.), north to the "Land of Mountains" en- route enjoying gorgeous views of green, sometimes barren rocks, rushing mountain streams and steep rocks.

Arrival in Dushanbe, light sightseeing in the afternoon.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Dushanbe

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Dushanbe sightseeing tour visiting:

- Tajik National Museum of Antiquities with the biggest Buddha in Nirvana.

- Tajik flagpole-one of the World tallest flagpoles (165-meter flagpole);

- The main square of Dushanbe. The Monument of Ismoili Somoni-the forefather of Tajik Nation located in the main square. A 40-meter high monument built to the memory of Ismaili Saman-Khuda, founder of the Samanid dynasty;

- Mehrgon Bazaar - one of the biggest markets of Dushanbe;

- Gissar Fortress- the remains of the Bukhara Emirate Beck’s palace. Its thick walls once guarded a pool, garden, and palace, while the fortress itself opposed a noisy market and caravanserai. The place was famous for its center of commerce during the Silk Road. You will also be able to visit the Old Medressa (Madrasai Kuhna) of the 16-17th century with a museum inside, the new Medressa of 17-18 century as well as Caravan Saray.

Transfer to the Dushanbe International Airport.

Evening departure flight from Dushanbe.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$3575	$3875
2-3	$2215	$2375
4-5	$1845	$1995
6-12	$1815	$1965
Single supplement	$325	$460

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard twin- shared rooms in hotels and guesthouse in Iskanderkul;

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

- Uzbekistan: English speaking professional licensed local guides (4 standard excursions), Tajikistan: English speaking escorting guide in Tajikistan ( D 8 - D 10);

- Meals: breakfasts in hotels; lunch in a guesthouse in 7 lakes, breakfast, lunch and dinner in guesthouse/ Iskanderkul (home-made meals fixed menu alcohol excluding);

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

- Internal flight Tashkent - Urgench (economy class);

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Tashkent, return flight from Dushanbe;

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- E-visa to Uzbekistan; Tajikistan e-visa;

- Meals: lunches and dinners, except those specified under “Tour Price Includes”;

- 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”.

The tour is published on November 20, 2024 and the rates as per program and conditions specified are actual for 180 days ( 6 month) from the date of publication.

All the rates will be subject to change if the request is after 180 days from date of publication because any changes in the seasonal tariffs for hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may cause the increase of rates.

- Any changes in the basic itinerary and service content may cause the change of the tour prices.

- If the hotels, noted in the program are fully booked or not available for the dates or in case of late / last-minute booking, the tour company reserves the right to book the other hotels of the same category and similar service as per room availability.

- Please note that during the national holidays, during the big summits, fairs, festivals, major sport and cultural events, some parts of the roads can be temporarily blocked for delegations and events as per government decrees.

- 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;

- Please note yurt camps, guesthouses, and homestays offer homemade/camp-style traditional meals; there are quite basic toilet and shower conditions.

- 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

CITY	STANDARD	COMFORT
TASHKENT	Milan/ Marwa/ Gabrielle	Ateca /Ichan Qala / Inspira-S
KHIVA	Minor Boutique / Malika Kheyvak/ Arqanchi / Muso Tora	Zarafshon Boutique/ Asia Khiva/ Erkin Palace
BUKHARA	An-Nur/ Malika Bukhara/ Devon Begi / Devon/ Safiya
SAMARKAND	Shaxzoda Elite /Shahdil/ Zilol Baxt/ Khan
PENJIKENT	Panjakent Plaza
ISKANDERKUL	Guesthouse
DUSHANBE	Rumi Hotel
Or other hotels of the same category depending on room availability