Uzbekistan in 8 days
Uitgebreid dagprogramma
Day 1
Arrival and meeting at the airport of Tashkent by English speaking guide. Transfer to hotel, check in and rest after the flight. You can choose between different hotels, ranging from 3-5 stars: hotel Orzu (***), hotel Asia Tashkent (****) and hotel Intercontinental (*****). Breakfast at hotel.
Full day city tour in Tashkent, including visits to: Khastimam Complex, Kukeldash Madrasah, and Abdulaziz Madrasah.
Lunch.
After lunch visits to the new part of the city; Independence square, Amir Temur Museum, Alisher Navoi theatre, Amir Temur square etc.
Dinner.
Nghtlife (optional): Going around city visiting modern bars and, night clubs and getting to know how local youth spend their leisure time.
Day 2
Today an early breakfast in the hotel because we have to catch flight HY-1051 to Urgench, arriving at 08:40. We are transfered to nearby Khiva, accommodated in a hotel and can enjoy a full day city tour.
Visit to the oldest part of the city - Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17th Century); Mohammed-Amin-Khan(19C) Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex(18C), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19C), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum
Lunch in a local house, while we get acquainted with the Uzbek family and taste Uzbek dishes.
After lunch we continue the city tour, visiting: Mazary Sharif Madrassah, Kheivak well (10C), Uch Avlioli («three saints») Mausoleum, Jami Mosque(18C), Kutluq-Murad Inaq (19C) Madrassah, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum.
Dinner!
Day 3
Today we'll cross the Karakum desert (by minibus), on the way to Bukhara. We'll occasionally stop to take pictures (if desired), for example near the biggest river in Central Asia, the Amudarya (Oxus).
We'll enjoy lunch in one of oasis in the middle of Karakum desert, and arrive in Bukhara at approx. 16:00 hours. You can choose between the following hotels: hotel Nodirbek (***), hotel Asia Bukhara (****) or hotel Bukhara Palace (****). After checking in you'll have leisure time and may explore the nostalgic city center by yourself, or with a guide.
Dinner tales place at the Lyabi Hauz, a cozy pond in the center of the ancient part where people come together for having a drink and dinner. This is one of theses places where you can see the real Uzbek life.
Day 4
A full day of exploring and enjoying Bukhara!
In the morning you will visit: Ismael Samani mausoleum (9-10C)-vault of Bukhara rulers' dynasty, Chor-Minor, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14C), Bukhara local bazaar.
Visit to Old Bukhara: Poli-Kalon ensemble including Minaret (12C) , Mosque (15C), functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16C), Amir- Alim-Khan Madrassah (14C), Taqi (trading domes), Kukeldash Madrassah (16C).
After enjoying lunch in a local restaurant we continue our tour and visit: Lyab-i-Hauz (17th Century), Nadir Divanbegi (17C), Magoki Attari (16C), Ulug Beg (15C), Abdul Aziz (17C) Madrassahs. Followed by visits to Registan Ensemble, Ark Fortress (16C) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18 C).
We have dinner while attendinga a national Folklore show, and a show of national clothes at the Nodir Devonbegi madrassah.
Day 5
After breakfast we'll start our transfer to Yangi kazgan. On the way we visit last Emir’s Summer Palace. We'll have additional photo stops at cotton fields, at a cotton factory (if possible) and at the ancient Karavansarai (motel for traders) Rabat Malik, along the famous Silk Road.
Lunch we'll enjoy at the legendary Nur Ata mystery Complex. Here one finds an old, holy mosque and the ruins of a fortress built by the army of Alexander the Great!
After arriving at our destination at approx. 15:00 hours we'll have leisure time. Today we'll be accommodated in Kazakh yurts in the middle of the Kyzil-Kum desert. Here we can ride a camel and in the evening we'll explore the fauna and flora of the desert. The dayprogram is finished witha music show by local musicians, singing famous Kazakh and Kyrgyz songs.
Day 6
We drive to the Aydar Kul lake, to have a swim (if desired), followed by a picnic lunch.
On we move to to Samarkand (3 hours), arriving in late afternoon. In Samarkand we can choose for a stay in the following hotels: hotel Malika (***), hotel Asia Samarkand (****) or hotel President Palace (****).
After checking in we have leisure time and may explore the city ourselves.
For a change we'll have dinner in a restaurant of European cuisine!
Nightlife: night view of Tamerlanes mausoleum (optional).
Day 7
After breakfast we have a full day of sightseeing in Samarkand. We will visit:
Guri Emir- Legendary mausoleum where Amir Temur and all his family are buried;
Registan square- World famous complex of 3 Madrasahs and golden dome mosque;
Mosque Bibi Khanum – The biggest Mosque ever built in Central Asia as gift from wife of Temerlame to her husband; Siyab local bazzar-unique place where you can get acquainted with the life of Samarkand people; Shahi - Zinda necropolises, a holy place and cemetery with graves of Temured’s dynasty and a grave of cousin of Prophet Muhamed; Observatory of Ulugbek – incredible construction of 15 century for studying astronomy.
Followed by a lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch - free time at Registan square and the local bazar.
Dinner. Nightlife: Light show in Registan square, night view of Tamerlanes mausoleum etc.
Day 8
Today we drive to Tashkent (4 hours), arriving in the early afternoon. On the way we'll have a small picnic to enjoy the view of the mountain pass that used to be the legendary gate of Tamerlanes state.
Photo stops near the second largest river of Central Asia, the Sirdarya, at a local fish market and a famous market where the best melons are sold in the whole region. Quick shopping of water melons and melons.
Arriving Tashkent.
Lunch at restaurant
Free time for shopping.
Dinner with farewell show and a transfer to Taskent Airport for your return flight to Almaty (depending on your plans).







