8 day ceramic tour to Uzbekistan

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana – Margilan – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara

Season: April - October

Days: 8 | Nights: 7

Pottery and ceramics production were always a strong part of Uzbekistan - that's why we're offering a brand-new Ceramic tour in Uzbekistan - for exploring the marvels of handicraft in Central Asia.

This tour package will lead you through some less known cities of Uzbekistan - Margilan, Gijduvan and Fergana Valley. All those are famous of its craftsmanship and cuisine - Gijduvon kebabs are the most tasty!

On this note - we invite you to sunny Uzbekistan - safe travel and comfortable transfers are guaranteed!

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)

Meet the guide in 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 the 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 2

Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

08:07 Departure to Kokand by train.

12:13 Arrival in Kokand.

Meet with your guide and driver at the meeting zone.

Kokand (mentioned as Khavakand or Kokan derived from a tribal name) is an ancient city that due to favorable location was one of the convenient fortified points of caravan routes in the Great Silk Road.

Nowadays, Kokand is a modern town at the crossroads of Tashkent, Fergana valley to Andijan and the other route to Khujand (Tajikistan) and is considered as one of the most important pre-border points.

Start sightseeing tour around Kokand visiting:

- Khudoyar-Khan Palace of 19th century is listed in the world heritage of UNESCO, at present days houses Kokand Regional History Museum that exhibit a unique collection of more than 3000 artefacts from ancient, khanate and tsarist periods of the region. The large palace was built in several stages from 1822 to 1867 and the facade was decorated with exquisite ceramic patterns by Rishtan and Kashgar masters.

- Norbut-Biy Madrassah, the largest madrassa in Kokand. The madrassa was built in XVIII century by captured architects as well as the famous Bukharian architect Usto Muhammed Salih Kasim, so the design and construction is quite typical to some monuments of XVIII Century in Bukhara.

- Modari Khan Mausoleum ( Modari-khan means Mother of Khan”) was built in 1825 by order of the widow of Umarkhan, famous poetess Nodira to honor the tomb of her mother-in-law. Since then the mausoleum became the family mausoleum where most of the female members of khan family were buried.

- Rishton (50 km west of Fergana) famous all over the world for its pottery that is decorated according to ancient tradition that is more than 800 years. Masters hand down their trade secrets from father to son. The unique red clay ceramic masterpieces are decorated with naturally made ultramarine, turquoise and azure ornaments known as blue glaze "ishkor",

- Workshop of the famous potter Rustam Umarov where visitors are welcome to observe the finest Rishtan ceramics in wonderful handmade and painted tea sets and lagans and beautifully decorated jugs and vases.

Transfer to Fergana.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Fergana – Margilan – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

Continue sightseeing in Fergana valley:

- Ahmad Al-Fargoni monumental complex and Margilan visiting

- Said-Ahmad Hodji Madrassah where craftsmen produce original silk carpets,

- Silk factory Yodgorlik where visitors are welcome to observe the process of silk manufacture with traditional decoration “ikat”.

15:40 Transfer to the railway station in Margilan.

16:48 Departure for Tashkent by speed train.

21:38 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 4

Tashkent – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

08:00 Departure for Samarkand by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

10:08 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver and guide.

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.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to Bukhara (270 km) 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.

A festive gift from the company ANUR TOUR - a master class in painting ceramic items- your hand-painted ceramic item will be a souvenir from sunny Uzbekistan!

Arrival in Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel, check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in 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 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 7

Bukhara – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start countryside sightseeing program in Bukhara visiting:

– Chor-Minor Madrasah - Chor-Minor is known as madrasah Halif Niyazkul (in Persian “Four minarets”) was built by merchant in 1807 in Bukhara

– Bakhauddin Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order) Located near Bukhara the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi is considered as one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors;

– Sitora-i Mokhi-khosa Palace (19 – 20th cc.). Located 4 km away from Bukhara. Once this palace life was in full swing and sealed people's fates.

14:50 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

15:50 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 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;

- 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 (6 standard excursions);

- Meals: breakfast at hotels;

- 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); Tashkent – Kokand. Margilan – Tashkent by speed train (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;

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

- 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 / Praga	Sharq / Daniel Hill / Mirzo Buutique / Navruz / Rakat Plaza / Grand Mir / Navruz / Ichan Qala	3
Fergana	Club 777	Asia Fergana	1
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	1
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	2