Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Tour | 7

Flight to Tashkent.

Afternoon/evening arrival at Tashkent International Airport.

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” .

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport is not far from the city center, the transfer will take about 20 – 40 minutes, depending on the hotel location.

Arrival at the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

09:00 Meet with a guide.

Start a 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, the Uzbekistan Hotel, the Forum Palace, and the famous Tashkent striking clock.

- Tashkent striking clock, one of the major symbols of Tashkent.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: The State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi, built in 1947, is one of the best opera theaters in the world and 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, and 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 the 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 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 7th century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors from 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 trade. The bazaar's 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 the oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets, and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delicious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

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

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast lunchbox.

05:00 Transfer to the local airport.

07:00 Flight to Urgench by HY51.

08:20 Arrival at Urgench Airport.  

Come out of the terminal and meet with our driver.

Transfer to the Khiva (30 km) hotel to drop off the bags. Standard hotel check-in is at 14:00.

Meet the guide at the lobby.

Start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala (translated as “Inner Town”). Ichan-kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia—consists of :

- 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;

- Pahlavan Mahmud Gates, Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,

- Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum - one of the best works of Khivian architecture - mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud - done in the tradition of Khorezm architecture of the 18th-19th centuries  and Pahlavan Mahmud Gates,

- Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja, the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, and is an early example of the architecture of the 14th century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer Khiva to Bukhara by car (475 km, 7 hrs) via the Kyzylkum Desert, OR transfer by train (depending on train schedule).

07:15 Transfer to the railway station in Khiva.

08:23 Departure for Bukhara by train.

13:35 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at 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 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, preserved from the 16th century, and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry, and money exchange. Nowadays, visitors can purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets.

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas, or so-called Kosh (pair) 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 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.

Free day in Bukhara.

By request (extra payment)

Sightseeing program in the Bukhara countryside, visiting:

- Samanids mausoleum (9th century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

- Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order). Located near Bukhara, the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Naqshbandi is considered one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors as well as pilgrims.  The memorial was rebuilt several times in the 14th century - each Emir of Bukhara wanted to build something new near the mausoleum. This complex impresses with its incomparable style of oriental architecture, which reflects the spirit of the Sufi Order.

- Sitora-I – Mohi Khosa – last Emir's summer residence visit by request.

15:00 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

16:16 Departure for Samarkand by train "Afrosiyob"/ "Sharq".

18:05 Arrival in Samarkand.

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.

09:00 Continue sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – a 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;

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Marguzor lakes, also known as Haftkul ( Seven lakes). 

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 too cold to swim in, even in summer. These lakes belong to the Fann Mountains system.

Lakes are called Marguzor,  but each of the lakes has its own name: Nezhigon, Soybean,Gushor, Nofin, and Hurdak. Hiking part from Lake Marguzor to Lake Hazorchashma. 

The difference in level between the upper and lower lakes is 692 meters.

Easy hike at the lakes. Lunch in a guesthouse.

Afternoon border crossing BP "Jartepa" to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1 hr), meet the driver at the Uzbekistan side of the border ( 16:30).

Transfer to the Samarkand hotel.  

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Morning light sightseeing in Penjikent:

- 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 and the foundation of the houses.

Transfer to Dushanbe with a short photo stop near Iskanderkul.

- Iskanderkul Lake- a lake of Alexander the Great - is a beautiful lake of about 30000 ha. According to legends, 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.  

Continue to Dushanbe, passing Iskanderkul Lake, the Anzob Tunnel, and the Anzob Pass with amazing panoramic views.

Evening arrival in Dushanbe.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Kalai Khum village (337 km) with sightseeing en route:

- Norak water reservoir, which locals call the Tajik Sea.

The highest point of the day trip is Shurab pass (2 267 m), which lies along but does not cross the Afghanistan border. This part of Tajikistan is very beautiful, the mountain range is really impressive - these are the famous Pamir Mountains. 

One can compare the sights around to the ocean of white and blue mountains.

Transfer along the natural border - the Pyanj River.

Arrival in Kalai Khum. 

Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Transfer to Khorog, a small, beautiful town surrounded by rocky mountains.

Enjoy the gorgeous natural sights, and en route, you will meet the Pamir people.

One can notice the difference in the appearance of Tajik people and Pamir locals.

They have fair skin, blonde or light brown hair, and sky - blue eyes.

Isolation from other regions by mountain ranges made the traditions of the local people quite different from Tajik people. 

Easy hiking in the Pamir mountains. 

Resting time in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. 

Breakfast at the guesthouse. 

Morning at leisure.

Transfer back to Kalai Khum (~337 km) with light hiking, sightseeing, and photo stops en route.

Arrival in Kalai Khum.

Resting time in the evening.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse. 

Transfer to Dushanbe, the capital and the largest city in Tajikistan.

The road passes through mountain passes, opening gorgeous views.

Take photo stops en route to enjoy the magnificent nature and take an easy hike.

Arrival in the afternoon.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

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's tallest flagpoles (165-meter flagpole);

- Main square of Dushanbe. The Monument of Ismoili Somoni, the forefather of the Tajik Nation, is located on the main square. A 40-metre high monument built in 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 16th-17th century with a museum inside, the new Medressa of the 17th-18th century, as well as the Caravan Saray.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Transfer to the Dushanbe International Airport. 

Early morning departure flight from Dushanbe.

End of the tour.