Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Tour | 1

9:00 AM: Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Begin your Tashkent tour (5-6 hours), exploring the city's ancient and modern parts:

Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square. On August 31, 1994, it was renamed Amir Timur Square in honor of the great conqueror's cultural and historical contributions. Surrounding the square are the Timurids Museum, the Uzbekistan Hotel, the Forum Palace, and the famous Chimes;

Tashkent Clock, one of the city's main symbols;

Theater Square and the Alisher Navoi Opera House, built in 1947 and considered one of the world's finest opera houses, featuring both classical and national repertoire;

Independence Square, Uzbekistan's main square, representing the country's past, present, and future. Here are fountains symbolizing the vital energy of the Uzbek people, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Senate, as well as the "Eternal Flame" in memory of the soldiers fallen during World War II;

Earthquake Memorial, dedicated to the tragic Tashkent earthquake of April 26, 1966, and located near the area considered the epicenter. Even today, citizens visit the monument to pay homage to those who participated in the reconstruction of the city;

Khast Imam Square, the religious center of Tashkent, which includes the Barakkhan Madrasa, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, and the Library of Islamic Literature, where the 7th-century Holy Quran (Osman Quran) is kept. Khast Imam is one of the most important spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world;

Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent's ancient bazaar. The name "Chorsu" means "four waters" and symbolizes the meeting of the four main areas of the old city. The distinctive blue dome, rebuilt in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, has become one of the city's symbols. Here you can find ceramics, handicrafts, carpets, jewelry, fruit, fabrics, and souvenirs;

Tashkent Metro, whose first line opened in 1977. The stations are characterized by splendid decorations, traditional ornaments, and unique lighting effects.

Transfer to the hotel.

Takeaway breakfast

06:30 Transfer to Tashkent Airport ( Terminal 3). 

08:00 Departure for Bukhara by morning flight.

09:10  Arrival at Bukhara Airport.

Come out of the terminal; the driver will meet you with a signboard "ANUR TOUR".

Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags; standard check-in is after 14:00.

Meet the guide at the hotel. Start the WALKING sightseeing in Bukhara (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 to survive 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);

-  Trading domes, or so-called covered bazaars, Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron were preserved from the 16th century, and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry, and money exchange. Today as well, there are shops in the domes selling a wide range of souvenirs, from small magnets, suzani, and ceramics to the famous Bukhara carpets.

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas 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 that impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel, dating back to the 1st century BC, where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand via Shahrisabz and the beautiful Takhta Karacha pass.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Excursion tour in Shahrisabz includes visiting (2,5 hrs):

- Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”), the ruins of the summer palace of Tamerlane. The palace was constructed and decorated by skilled builders, masters, and artisans who were deported from the conquered Khorezm. Some parts of the gate tower survived to the present day.

- Mausoleum of Dorus-Saodat ("The Place of Power", 14th century) contains the tomb of Eldest and favourite Tamerlane’s son, Jahangir.

- Kok Gumbaz, so-called “House of Meditation.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of the 16th century, where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried. 

Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

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

Meet the guide and driver at the 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 an indie color ripple. Most of them are cold to swim even in summer. These lakes belong to the Fann Mountains system.

On the western edge of the Fann Mountains in the valley of the river Shing, there are seven lakes, six of which are of 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 lakes is 692 meters. Easy hike at the lakes. Lunch at the guesthouse.

Transfer to Penjikent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent, visiting :

- Museum of Rudaki – As Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu-Abdallah Rudaki, the forefather of Persian poetry. Before lunch, visit the local bazaar and mosque.

- The Sarazm Museum (UNESCO World Heritage).

- The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled intercity (2500 years ago) - was once a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road. Today, only ruins are left owing to the fact that the main construction material was clay bricks.

14:00 Transfer to the Tajik - Uzbek border post Jartepa,

Migration formalities ( border crossing usually takes about 30 min-1,5 hr).

The driver will meet at the Uzbekistan side of the border. Transfer to Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing in Samarkand ( 5-6 hr)

- Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants, decorated with gold ornaments and considered one of the most significant sights in the world;

- Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori; 

- Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city; it was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in the 15th century. 

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – a unique complex of mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of the Muslim saint Abbas ibn Kussam; 

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

- Samarkand bazaar Siyab. 

16:40 Transfer to the train station in Samarkand.

18:15 Departure for Tashkent by train "Afrosiyob"/" Sharq".

20:30 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.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Departure on the morning flight.

End of the tour.