Marvellous Orient (14 days / 13 nights)

Tour itinerary

• Day 1. Arrival in Tashkent.

  Meeting at the international airport; Transfer to the hotel, check in and leisure.
  During the city tour we'll visit the old part of Tashkent including Khast Imam Square, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrasah, Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the library, which houses one of the oldest copies of Othman's Koran, dated to the VII century. Our further destination is the oldest Tashkent Bazaar – Chorsu. You will see several stations of the Tashkent Metro, walk through the Independence Square- Mustakillik; admire the Prince Romanov’s Palace (outside) and visit the Applied arts Museum. Overnight in Tashkent.

• Day 2. Tashkent – Kokand – Rishtan – Fergana.

  After breakfast, we will go to the fertile region of the Ferghana valley. Our journey takes us through the mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m above sea level). Upon arrival in Kokand, we will visit Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Friday Mosque and the Tomb of the khans Dakhma-i Shakhon.
  Then we will visit the city of artisans - Rishtan, where we will visit the ceramics workshop. Transfer to Fergana. Overnight in Fergana.

• Day 3. Fergana – Margilan - Tashkent.

  Departure to Margilan – the city of silk. In Margilan, we will visit the silk factory Yodgorlik, where we can see the whole manufacture process from getting the silk thread to the product. We will certainly visit the local bazaar to appreciate the full flavour and richness of the Uzbek land. Transfer to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.

• Day 4. Tashkent – Nukus (flight). Nukus – Muynak – Nukus.

  Transfer to the airport and flight to Nukus.
  Upon arrival, we will visit the ancient Necropolis of Mizdakhan, including the Mausoleums of Shamun-Nabi, Mazlumkhan Sulu, Caliph Ereyep and Dzhumart-Kassab hill. Then we will visit the city of Muynak, a former port on the banks of the disappearing Aral Sea. Return to Nukus. Leisure time. Overnight in Nukus.

• Day 5. Nukus – Khiva (250 km, 5 hours).

  Visit the state Museum of art named after I. V. Savitsky, which stores one of the best collections of Russian avant-garde art. Transfer to Khiva. On the way, you can visit the ruins of ancient fortresses of Toprak Kala and Ayaz-Kala. Overnight in Khiva.

• Day 6. Khiva. City Tour.

  Visit of the walled city of Khiva – Ichan Kala includes: Kalta Minor Minaret, Mohammed-Amin-Khan madrasah, Kunya Ark Citadel, Mohammed Rakim Khan madrasah, Said Alauddin mausoleum, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islam Khodja madrasah and minaret, Juma Mosque, Kutluq-Murad Inaq madrasah, Allakulikhan madrasah and Tash-Hovli architectural complex with harem.
  In the evening we can climb the Aksheikh Bobo tower, offering panoramic views of the old town of Khiva and take amazing photos of the sunset over the ancient city of Khiva. Overnight in Khiva.

• Day 7. Khiva - Bukhara (470 km, 7-8 hours)

  Transfer to Bukhara. Crossing the desert Kizil-Kum (Red Sands), will have a break at biggest river of Central Asia – Amu Darya. Overnight in Bukhara.

• Day 8. Bukhara. Sightseeing in Bukhara

  A full sightseeing day in Bukhara, an open air city-museum, includes Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Fortress, Poi Kalon ensemble, consisting of Kalon Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasah and Kalon Minaret; Ulugbek’s Madrasah and the Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah; trading domes, Magoki Attori Mosque and architectural ensemble Lyabi-Khauz, composed by three monuments: Kukeldash Madrasah, Nodir Divan Begi Madrasah and Khanaka. Bukhara is supposed to be a birthplace of the legendary Nasreddin Khodja, known for his sharp word and wisdom. Overnight in Bukhara.

• Day 9. Bukhara. Sightseeing outside Bukhara.

  Bukhara is considered as a holy city. There are monuments associated with prominent Islamic saints around it. We will visit the architectural ensemble Bahauddin Naqshbandi formed around the burial of one of the most influential founders of Sufism in Central Asia, and then visit the Summer residence of the last emirs of Bukhara Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa Palace. Also visit Chor-Minor Madrasah, which is essentially, differs from other buildings with its architectural shapes. Overnight in Bukhara.

• Day 10. Bukhara – Gijduvan - Nurata – Yurt camp.

  Transfer to Gijduvan, where we visit the ceramics workshop and familiarise with special aspects of the local ceramics manufacture.
  Transfer to Nurata and visit Chashma complex, consisting of two mosques, the sacred spring Chashma and the ruins of the fortress of the Alexander the Great times.
  Transfer to the Yurt camp. Upon arrival, we can enjoy the camel ride. And in the evening we have dinner and akin’s (nomadic singer) soulful songs around the campfire.

• Day 11. Yurt camp - Samarkand.

  Transfer to Aydarkul Lake, which is called a wonder of the Nature, the lake, lying among the sands of the Kizilkum desert. Picnic. Departure to Samarkand. Overnight in Samarkand.

• Day 12. Samarkand. Sightseeing in Samarkand

  This day, we will visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum (tomb of the Timurid dynasty), the famous Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Shakhi-Zinda necropolis. Overnight in Samarkand.

• Day 13. Tour in Samarkand. Samarkand – Tashkent (300 km, 5 hours).

  Today we will visit the silk paper Mill, which still applies the ancient technology. Then we will visit the Ulugbek’s Observatory, as well as one of the most Holy sites of Samarkand – the St. Daniel Mausoleum, revered by representatives of three religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Then we will move into the ancient time visiting the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of the ancient settlement of Samarkand.
  After lunch, transfer to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.

• Day 14. Departure from Tashkent.

  Transfer to the international airport for departure flight. End of the program.