Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan Tour | 8

Tour itinerary: Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan

Season: all the year around

Days: 14 | Nights: 13

14-day trip to ancient cities of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is the best tour for travelers interested in the culture and history. Enjoy your visit to the pearls of Central Asia - magnificent Samarkand, sacred Bukhara, open-air museum Khiva, beautiful Kunya Urgench and white marble Ashgabat.

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the tour manager at the lobby .The tour manager presents the package and you will have time to discuss the tour details.

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 August 31, 1994 after of the Amir Temur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.
Monument of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) is a bronze figure sitting on a horse and famous motto of the commander, engraved in four languages: “Justice is force”. Around the Square there are the State Museum of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan hotel, Forum Palace and famous chimes.

- Tashkent chimes, one of major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenisberg in 1945 by Sergeant Eisenstein as a gift to the native city. The chimes were installed on 9 May 1947 as a sign of the great victory and eternal glory of patriots who fought and died 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, The theatre building survived undamaged after the strong earthquake in 1966 and impresses the visitors not only with monumental facade but also with exquisite decorative interior in national design of foyer. In front of the building there are fountains reminding the cotton bolls in shapes that colored lit at night.

- Independence Square , the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present and future of the country. There are fountains standing for life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, 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" (“Good way”) leading to Independence Monument and a monument to Happy Mother that symbolize the hope for a great future.
One can often see the newlyweds who start a family and independent life walking through the arch of “Good and noble aspirations”, laying flowers at the monument of Happy mother and “Eternal flame”.

- 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.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four waters”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of old city in bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in post cards 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 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 3

Tashkent – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:30 Transfer home to railway station.

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

09:48 Arrival in Samarkand.

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

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 (imaginary grave) of 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 4

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Samarkand countryside tour visiting

- Mausoleum of Khoji Doniyor known also as Saint Daniel.Khoja Donier is considered as a saint patron of Samarkand, people believe that a visit to the mausoleum can bring health and success; many visitors come here to make wishes near the almond tree. A holy spring is located at the foot of the hill of the mausoleum; people claim the water has healing and miraculous properties.

- Paper factory ”Meros” in Konigil village that produces unique paper that can be preserved for more than and is used in craftworks,

- Carpet factory “Hudjum” to observe the process of finest carpets weaving.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Day 5

Samarkand – Shahrisabz – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Bukhara via Shakhrisabz town via beautiful Takhta Karacha pass.

Photo stops en-route.

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 6

Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 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 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.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 7

Bukhara – Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leisure time at the morning.

11:20 Transfer to the train station

12:24 Train Bukhara – Khiva OR transfer by car Bukhara- Khiva

17:51 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet with our driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

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

Day 8

Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 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,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,

- Minaret and Islam-Khoja Madrassah, Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Day 9

Khiva – Ayaz Kala – Nukus

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the driver at the lobby.

Transfer to Nukus with light sightseeing en- route:

- 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 drown in sands.

- Arrival in Nukus. 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 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.

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

Day 10

Nukus – Muynak – Nukus

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the driver at the lobby.

- Drive to Muynak via beautiful Red Canions with beautiful and unusual Martian landscape. Arrival in Muynak city that used to be one of the richest city in the delta of Amu-darya,” the gates to Uzbekistan from the sea”. Nowadays there is only cemetery of Dead Sea.

- 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 fortresss (4-3 Century BC).

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

Arrival in Nukus.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 11

Nukus – Kunya Urgench – Ashgabat

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Meet the driver at the lobby .Transfer to Turkmen – Uzbek Border post Khojeyli.

Pass the border. Border passing formalities (passport and visa control might take 1 to 2 hrs depending on the customs formalities). Meet the guide and driver at Turkmen side of the border. Transfer to Kunya – Urgench.

Start sightseeing tour with visiting

- the founder mausoleum of Sufi sects "Kubra" Nadzhimetdin Kubra (XII-XIII C);

- mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym ; minaret Mamun (X-XI);

- minaret Kutlug-Timur (XII-XIV c, the highest minaret in Central Asia);

- Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II in BC - III A.D.);

- Mausoleum Arslan II (the oldest building in the city - date of its bookmark is roughly estimated by XI century).

Transfer to Dashoguz Airport

20:00 Departure for Ashgabat

20:40 Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Day 12

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Ashgabat city tour with visiting

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque with four minarets reminding the Blu Mosque of Istabul was built in honour Ertogrul the father of the Osman I , the founder of Ottoman Empire,

- Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that consider the highest building in the country);

- Neutrality Arch - unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun;

- National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique exposition from Ancient Merv and Nissa.

- Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It is considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousands of people). There are beautiful garden and fountains near the mosque.

- Ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 13

Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the Ashgabat airport.

06:40 Morning flight to Mary.

07:10 Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to Mary en route visit to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO).

Sightseeing in historical park visiting

- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum,

- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum,

- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries);

- History museum of Merv region.

17:20 Transfer to the Mary airport.

19:20 Evening flight to Ashgabat.

20:00 Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to hotel. Check in to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Day 14

Ashgabat

Transfer to the airport

Morning departure flight from Ashgabat.

Book it!

Price included
Not included

Turkmenistan Visa support(Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass)

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/SUV transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from train stations , to- from the borders;

English speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan ( 7 standard excursions) , escorting guide in Turkmenistan;

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

Train tickets Bukhara- Khiva by standard train ( economy class) OR transfer by car;

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

International flights; internal Dashoguz- Ashgabat, Ashgabat- Mary- Ashgabat (by request, price subject to change) ;

E-visa to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person(subject to change; nationality dependent), migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change);

Meals: lunches and dinners;

Turkmenistan: Tourist fee 2 USD per person per night (obligatory) charged in the hotels;

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

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