Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Tour | 2

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand – 7 Lakes – Penjikent – Khujand – Tashkent

Season: all the year around

Days: 8 | Nights: 7

A short 8-day tour to historical cities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in well - planned itinerary and attractive prices for those who are interested in the cultural sights of the main cities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Day 1

Tashkent

Flight to Tashkent, the biggest city in Central Asia with 2.5 million population.

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, transfer will not take long time (20 – 40 minutes depend from the hotel).

Arrival in hotel. Check in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:30 Transfer to railway station.

07:30 Departure for Bukhara by tourist train “Afrosiab”/” Sharq”.

11:19 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver at the meeting zone.

Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags. Meet the guide at 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 Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with 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 to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 3

Bukhara – Shahrisabz – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz town.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Excursion tour in Shakhrisabz 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 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 favourite 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.

Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check in.

Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried.

Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check in.

Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried.

Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check in.

Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Samarkand

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

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

- famous Registan Square – heart of Samarkand and 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 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) of the Muslim saint Abbas ibn- Kussam;

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

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Samarkand – Seven Lakes – Penjikent

Breakfast at the hotel.

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

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

Start excursion to Seven lakes.

- 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, beside the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor, but each of the lakes has its own name: Nezhigon (other references Mizhgon), Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The difference in level between the upper and lower lake - 692 meters.

Transfer to Penjikent to visit:

- Ancient Penjikent - the ruins of the old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. The ruins were once a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, foundation of the houses.

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

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight in guesthouse near lakes.

Day 6

Penjikent – Khujand – Tashkent

Breakfast in the guesthouse.

Transfer to Khujand via Istaravshan town.

- Located in the northern foothills of the Turkistan mountain range, 78 km southwest from Khudjand , Istaravshan is one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan (more than 2500 years) ancient name Cyropolis founded by Cyrus the Great in 544 BC as a boarding fort of Achaemenid Empire.

During the Soviet era, the city was known as Ura-Tyube.

Overview sightseeing in Istaravshan visiting:

- Mazori Sharif mausoleum;

- Kog Gumbaz madrasa (16 century);

- Kuhi Mug, the ruins of ancient fortress.

- Continue to Khujand, the second largest city and one of the oldest cities in Tajikistan, the furthest point Alexander the Great reached in Central Asia, so the city was named Alexandria Eschate (Alexandria the Furthest). Sightseeing tour on arrival:

- Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;

- Muslihiddin memorial complex;

- Panjshanbe bazaar (the name Panjshanbe comes from Persian language meaning “Thursday”). Panjshanbe is one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan.

- Arbob palace.

Afternoon border crossing BP Oybek to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1 hr), meet the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border. Transfer to Tashkent (appr. 2 hrs drive).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Tashkent

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square was renamed in 1994 after of the Amir Temur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Tashkent chimes, one of major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenisberg in 1945 as a sign of the great victory and eternal glory of patriots who fought in World War II.

- Theatre Square with the Opera House: State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi builit in 1947 is one of the best opera theatre 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, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War, arch " Good and noble aspiration" crowned with birds of happiness and prosperity, road "Ok Yul" leading to Independence Monument and monument to Happy Mother that symbolize the hope for a great future.

- 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 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.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel,

Transfer to the airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$1780	$1970
2-3	$1130	$1235
4-5	$920	$1025
Single supplement	$185	$270

Book it!

Price included
Not included

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from airports /borders;

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

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

- Train tickets Tashkent - Bukhara by tourist train “Afrosiab”/”Sharq” (economy class).

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Tashkent, return flight from Dushanbe;

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

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

- Meals: lunches and dinners”;

- Uzbekistan: 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 Bukhara;

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

Accommodation:

City	Standard	Comfort
Tashkent	Uzbekistan / Grand Capital / Arien Plaza	Praga/Navruz/Mirzo Boutique/
Samarkand	Malika Prime / Zilol Baxt / City Hotel	Bek Samarkand/Arba/Platan/Asia Samarkand / Sultan/Diyora/Grand Samarkand /Alexander
Bukhara	Basilic /As-Salom /Kabir/ Kavsar/Zargaron	Malika Bukhara / Safiya/ Asia Bukhara / Nodir Devon Begi
Penjikent	Sugd
	OR OTHER HOTELS OF THE SAME CATEGORY