Uzbekistan train tour: 7 days

Tour itinerary: Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand – Termez – Tashkent

Season: all year round

Days: 7 | Nights: 6

A golden classic around Uzbekistan by train 'Afrosiyob' or 'Sharq' is a whole week itinerary crossing Uzbekistan in different directions, from South to West and back to green Tashkent for final excursion. You will see Uzbekistan from other side - as beautiful greenland, with ancient buildings and rich history.

Transferring time won't take too long to enjoy the trip even more discovering interesting excursions of multi century history, delicious Uzbek cuisine represented in many dishes, and ancient culture of the main cities in the Great Silk Road.

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

Day 1

Tashkent – Bukhara

06:30 Meet the driver and transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

07:28 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

11:19 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it. Transfer to the hotel.

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

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Bukhara – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

- Countryside trip to the last Bukhara's Emir’s summer residence "Sitorai-Mokhi-Khossa",

- 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.

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

15:00 Transfer to the railroad station in Bukhara.

15:50 Departure for Samarkand by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

17:20 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.

Day 3

Samarkand – Termez

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the hotel.

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;

– Continue to the 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 15th 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.

22:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

23:40 Departure for Termez by night train.

Overnight in the train.

Day 4

Termez

09:32 Arrival in Termez.

10:00 Meet a guide in the hotel’s lobby and start sightseeing program.

Termez, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, is located in the Surkhan Oasis, where ancient Buddihst monastery complexes coexisted along with monumental Islamic architectural masterpieces of the region. Tour around the city includes visiting:

- Kokildor-Ota Khanaka,

- Sultan Saodat Ensemble, a summer residence of Samani governours.

- Fortress Kyrk-Kyz; - the unique "Kirk Kiz" building ("forty girls”) which has attracted the attention of researchers for a long time, has been variously considered as a palace, an abbey, a caravansarai, Hanaqoh, or just simply a civil construction.

- Zurmala – Buddha’s stupa, Buddha complex Fayaz – Tepa – one of the museums in the open air under the protection of UNESCOl

- Mausoleum of Al – Hakim at – Termezi, the founder of the dervish order, an outstanding theologian who wrote numerous religious works and a leader of Islamic mysticism.

Transfer to hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Termez – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Continue excursion in Termez and its suburbs visiting:

- Kampyr – Tepe – Greco – Bactrian Kingdom fortress;

- Jarkurgan Minaret - The decoration of the minaret is not mosaic of colored tiles but masonry on ganch solution. The design is notable for that the tower consists of 16 half-columns in the shape of a flower or a star.

Drive back to Termez, of picturesque views of Surkhan oasis and Friendship Bridge, which connects Uzbekistan and Afghanistan;

- Archaeology Museum of Termez where one can see the unique exhibits found on the territory of Termez and its surroundings.

16:50 Transfer to railway station in Termez.

17:43 Departure for Tashkent by night train.

Night in the train.

Day 6

Tashkent

08:17 Arrival in Tashkent.

Transfer to hotel.

End of the tour.

Price per person:

Person	Standart	Comfort
1	$1075	$1145
2-3	$685	$740
4-5	$575	$635
6-12	$530	$585
Single supplement	$+110	$+120

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from train stations, and airports;

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides (4 standard excursions);

- Meals: breakfasts at the hotels;

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

- Train tickets

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

Samarkand – Termez, Termez – Tashkent by standard night train (4-bed compartment);

- Tourist tax per person, VAT.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

- Accommodation in Tashkent (can be added by request);

- Early check-in;

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- E-visa to Uzbekistan (if required);

- Meals: lunches and dinners, breakfast at the local café (days 5 and 7);

- Extra payment for 1 class train tickets (by request);

- 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;

- 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	Standart	Comfort
Samarkand	Zilol Baxt / Shaxzoda Elite / Sandhill / Khan	Asia Samarkand / Grand Samarkand Superior / Dilimah
Bukhara	Basilic / Amulet / An Nur Boutique/ Safiya Hotel	Paradise Plaza / Wyndham Bukhara / Sahid Zarafshon
Termez	Termez Plaza	Termez Plaza