15 day tour Uzbekistan - Tajikistan

Breakfast.

09:00 Meet your guide at the hotel's lobby and start WALKING excursion around Bukhara (4-5 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 stores offering you souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets; 

– Caravanserai Saifuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

– There are three trading places or so-called covered bazaars: Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century. 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 Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas standing in front of each other with a distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

– Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impressing the imagination of every visitor;

- 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: a quick visit to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture with a local guide.

Finish your excursion. Back to the hotel.

Overnight.

Breakfast. 

Transfer to Samarkand (280 km). On the way, near town Gijduvan, you may visit to famous Uzbek pottery master Abdulla’s workshop. There you may see process of making ceramics and buy some of them.

Arrival in Samarkand.

Hotel check-in.

Overnight.

• – 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 15 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.
• Finish your excursion. Transfer to the hotel.
• Overnight.

Breakfast.
08:00 Transfer to the border pass with Tajikistan "Sarazm". Pass the border.

Please, be aware that this procedure might take longer, than you expect. Meet with a driver on the Tajik side and transfer to Penjikent. Meet with a guide and start sightseeing tour visiting:

• • - The Seven Lakes, six of them dammed origin, except the lake Hazorchashma. Lake called Marguzor, but each of the lakes has its own name:  Nezhigon (other references Mizhgon), Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. They are often referred to simplify by the numbers, starting from the bottom of the lake: the first - Nezhigon second - Soy third Gushor, etc. 

  • The difference in level between the upper and lower lake - 692 meters.

  Transfer to the hotel. Resting time.

  Overnight.

Lunch in Choikhona-tea house in Dushanbe where you can enjoy the Tajik traditional food and feel the atmosphere of the East.

Finish your excursion. Back to the hotel. 

Overnight.

Breakfast.
Drive to the Tajik-Uzbek border ‘Tursunzade”. On the way to the border, visit Hissar 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. What remains today is the peace of wall and gate towers which represent the 18th and 19th-century styles.

The place is 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. Continue to the border.

Passing the border. Moving to Termez.

Arrival, hotel check-in. 

Overnight.

Sights of Termez: Architectural complex of Khakim at-Termezi, tekke Kyrk-kyz, the Memorial complex of the Sultan-saodat, Buddhist cult center Koratepa and, the ancient settlement of Termez.

Transfer to the airport.

Departure to Tashkent by the closest flight. (~ 2 hours)

Arrival. Meet with a driver and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight.

– 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 - the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country; 

– 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. 

– Visiting the Chorsu market and drive back to the new city by metro. 

Continue excursion with visiting Independence Square. There are fountains standing for life energy of Uzbek people, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the World War II,  the arch " Good and noble aspiration" crowned with birds of happiness and prosperity, a road "Ok Yul" (“Good way”) leading to Independence Monument and monument to Happy Mother that symbolize the hope for a great future.

One can often see the newly-weds who start a family and independent life walking through the arch of “Good and noble aspirations,” laying flowers at the monument of Happy Mother and Eternal flame.

– Theatre Square with the Opera House.

– Amir Temur Square

Finish your excursion. Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight.