Uzbekistan 14-day tour

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Nukus – Muynak – Khiva – Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana – Margilan – Tashkent

Season: all the year round

Days: 14 | Nights: 13

Uzbekistan 14-day tour

2-weeks Uzbekistan tour on the route of Silk Road. You will see probably all the pearls of Uzbekistan, including Muynak, visits to Fergana Valley and the kingdom of handicraft - Rishtan.

Day 1

Tashkent

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

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport named by 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 on from the hotel). Arrival in hotel. Check in. Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Nukus – Muynak – Nukus

Breakfast at the hotel.

05:30 Transfer to the local airport

07:00 Flight Tashkent-Nukus HY 11

08:40 Arrival in Nukus.

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

Transfer to Muynak via beautiful Red Canyons with the beautiful and unusual Martian landscape. Arrival in Muynak city that used to be one of the richest cities in the delta of Amu-darya,” the gates to Uzbekistan from the sea”. Nowadays there is only ship cemetery of Aral Sea 200 kilometers from the present seashore.

- Visit Mizdakhan necropolis on the way back to Nukus (about 20 km from Nukus), an ancient cemetery, and located next to the remains of the Gyaur-Kala fortress (4-3 Century BC).

- Gaur Kala (translated as the fortress of pagans) was a Zoroastrian town with the citadel, the fire altar, and a large cemetery nearby. Even after the Arab invasion and Islam expansion, the town was inhabited until 14th Century and people continued to bury their relatives in Mizdakhan as they believed the place was a sacred place.

Drive back to Nukus

Resting time in the afternoon.

Overnight.

Day 3

Nukus – Ayazkala – Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 Meet the driver at the lobby.

- Visit to Savitsky Museum exhibiting a unique collection of antiques of Khorezm and Karakalpak, Uzbek fine arts and second largest collection of Russion avant- garde works after Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg.

The founder of the museum, Igor Savitsky devoted his life to piece-by-piece collecting of the finest works of modern artists of Uzbekistan and Russian avant-gardists. In 70 s it was quite risky to become anti-Soviet propagandist. During perestroika and first years since Uzbekistan independence, the museum earned the world recognition and deserved rightfully the must-see sight status in Central Asia.

Transfer to Khiva. The road will take ~ 4 hours (202 km) en- route photo stops at the ruins of fortresses of ancient Khorezm.

- Ayaz-kala and Toprak-kala, the fortresses of Kushan period of Ancient Khorezm that used to be mighty border forts protecting the residents from raids of nomadic tribes. The forts were built in ~4-7th century BCE, during the ages when Khorezm achieved its independence. The fortresses are located on the hills quite close to each other and visitors are welcome to have a short overview tour in the monumental forts that currently are drowning in sands.

Arrival in Khiva. Check-in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 4

Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

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 consisting from the next monuments:

- Ata-Darvaza,

- Dishan-Kala -Dishan-Kala is the name of historical “outside” city of Khiva. As opposed to Ichan-Kala, Dishan-Kala is kept only ruins of gates of exterior defensive walls.

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan,

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

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

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Leisure time in the evening.

Overnight

Day 5

Khiva – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer by car Khiva - Bukhara (475 km, ~7hrs) via Kyzylkum desert with short stops en-route Or by TRAIN (depending on train schedule /Dep.: 08:57/ Arr.: 14:50 / Tue, Fri, Sun)

Kyzylkum desert - Kyzylkum (from Turkic means «red sand») – is a sandy desert between the rivers Amudarya and Syrdarya in Central Asia. Its area is 300 thousand sq. km. On the north-west the desert is limited by hollow of Aral Sea, on the north-east by Syrdarya and on the south-west is limited by Amudarya. In ancient time, Great Silk Road passed through the Kyzylkum desert. Thanks to it, such famous cities as Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva prospered. People of different professions worked here: sellers, interpreters, guarder of caravans, tax collectors. It is very strange but there was hectic life in the desert.

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

Resting time.

Overnight.

Day 6

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet your guide in the hotel's lobby. Head over to the old part of Bukhara and start your walking excursion:

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 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 :

- Visit to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Free time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Bukhara.

By request, we can organize countryside tour(duration tour is 4-5 hours). You will be acquainted oneself with:

- Sitorai-Mohi Hosa Palace;

- Memorial complex Bahouddin Naqshbandi;

- Chor-Minor madrasah;

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – 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.

Day 9

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet with your guide & driver at the hotel's lobby and start excursion in Samarkand:

– 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.

Free time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Samarkand.

12:00 Standard check out.

16:30 Transfer from hotel to the train station.

17:28 Departure for Tashkent by speed train Afrosiab or Sharq.

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 11

Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station.

07:55 Departure to Kokand by train.

12:06Arrival 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.

Day 12

Fergana – Margilan – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 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”.

15:50 Transfer to the train station.

16:48 Train Margilan – Tashkent.

21:40 Arrival in Tashkent.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight.

Day 13

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

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

- Amir Timur Square - is the radial-circular park, crossed by eight lanes the center of which is Amir Timur monument. In 2009 the square was reconstructed, there were planted new trees instead of old ones, as well as was built a new administrative building.

- Theater Square with the Opera House;

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

- 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;

- Chorsu bazaar;

- Tashkent Metro - the first line was launched in 1977 with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14

Tashkent

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free day. (By request we can organize day tour to Chimgan) duration of the Chimgan tour 4-5 hours.

Transfer to the airport.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$2570	$2990
2-3	$1535	$1835
4-5	$1370	$1670
6-12	$1220	$1520
Single supplement	$345	$470

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard twin- shared rooms;

- Tourist tax in the hotels per person;

- Meals: breakfast at hotels;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport including transfers to-from airport and train stations ;

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides (8 standard excursions);

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

- Train tickets

1. Khiva- Bukhara by standard train (economy class) OR transfer by car;

2. Samarkand – Tashkent (economy class) by tourist train “Afrosiab”/” Sharq”;

3. Tashkent – Kokand, (economy class) by standard trains.

4. Margilan- Tashkent, (economy class) by standard trains.

- Tourist tax per person, VAT.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

- Internal flight Tashkent - Nukus;

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Transport for walking city tours in Khiva and Bukhara, guide and transport service for free days and free time after the standard city tours;

- Entrance fees for the sightseeing during free days and guideless trips;

- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required);

- Meals: lunches and dinners;

- 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 tour price does not include VAT 15 %, VAT can be added to the basic tour price.

- 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;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- 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, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).

Accommodation:

Cities	Standard	Comfort	Nights
Tashkent	Milan / Marwa / The Elements / Gabrielle	Mirzo Boutique / Ichan Qala / Wyndham	4
Nukus	Jipek Joli	Jipek Joli	1
Khiva	Shaherezada / Minor Boutique / Grand Vizir	Farovon / Asia Khiva / Zarafshon Boutique	2
Bukhara	Basilic / Amulet / An Nur Boutique/ Safiya Hotel	Paradise Plaza / Wyndham Bukhara	3
Samarkand	Zilol Baxt / Shaxzoda Elite / Sandhill / Khan	Asia Samarkand / Grand Samarkand Superior / Dilimah	2
Fergana	Tantana	Asia Fergana	1