8 Day Private Family Friendly Tour of Uzbekistan

Taking night flight from Istanbul to Tashkent, departure at 00:55, arrival at 07:10, flight time 4H15M. TK368 MON ISTTAS 0055 0710 Upon arrival, meet up with English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel, for breakfast and rest.

After rest we will start with a visit of The State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, previously known as the National Museum of Turkestan, was founded in 1876 (formerly known as the Lenin Museum). The highlight of the museum is a very well preserved alabaster Buddha relief found from Fayaz Tepe in Termez. There are numerous fragmentary remains of Buddha heads and decorative motifs found from different sites around Termez. These depict Buddhist art of this region which shows remarkable improvement on the last periods of Gandharan Art undergoing changes with regional affinities. There are also a collection of stone age implements from the cave culture of Uzbekistan. The collection covers the archaeology, history, numismatics, and ethnography of Uzbekistan. This museum will be a good starting point to understand chronology of region’s most important historical events.

n of Tashkent Underground (Metro, Subway), with a visit of the most interesting metro stations: Kosmonavts, Alisher Navoi, Pakhtakor and so on.

After, visit State Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan. This museum was founded in 1937 for exhibiting seasonal handicrafts. The museum artifacts are comprised of over 4 000 pieces, which reveal the history of decorative art of Uzbekistan including wood carvings, ceramic pieces, coins, jewelry art, golden-sewing and embroidery pieces, currently mass produced by the local industry.

Visit of Rakhimov’s Ceramics Studio. The Rakhimov's Ceramic Studio is family run with 3 generations designing and producing most beautiful and unique ceramics. It is set around a beautiful courtyard garden of fruit trees. An impressive ceramics workshop that also functions as a museum and shop. Here you could also take masterclasses of pottery or ceramics decoration.

Then, exploring of the Old Part of the city with visits of Khast Imam Square, Friday Mosque and Kaffol Shoshi Mausoleum. Khast Imom Complex is the official religious center of the republic, located 2km north of the Circus, is also definitely one of the best places to see ‘old Tashkent’. A big renovation in recent years has left the complex looking better than ever. The Hazroti Imom Friday mosque, flanked by two 54m minarets, is a recent construction. Behind it is the sprawling Khast Imom Square, Barak Khan Madrassah, The Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and the primary attraction of the Khast Imom square, the library museum, which houses the 7th-century Osman Quran (Uthman Quran), said to be the world’s oldest.

Visit Chorsu – oriental bazaar where craftsmen selling traditional clothes and an assortment of oriental souvenirs. Then, visit Kukeldash Madrasah. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Transfer to the hotel, overnight.

Early breakfast or taking lunch box, then transfer to the railway station and taking high-speed train Afrosiab to Samarkand, departure at 08:00, arrival at: 10:10 (distance: 310 km, time: 2h10m). Samarkand is one of the most ancient cities in the world. The magnificent architectural monuments of Samarkand amaze by their beauty and harmony of forms and proportions and elegance of arches and domes. In the middle of the first century BC, Samarkand was known as Maracanda. Later, it was called Afrosiab after the first city’s site. In antiquity, Central Asia and Samarkand in particular had been the place of active interaction of the East and the West. The legendary Great Silk Road ran through Samarkand in which all of Asia’s travelers passed through.

The Samarkand sightseeing tour will start with visit of Gur-Emir Mausoleum (the tomb of Emir), that was one of the lust structures built in Samarkand by the order of Amir Timur (Tamerlan). The mausoleum was built for the beloved grandson of Timur. Later Timur himself was buried here in 1405. The building is splendid both inside and out with a majestic blue dome twined with plaits that especially astonishes the imagination.

Then, visit of magnificent Registan Square. In the 14th – 15th centuries, the Registan was not only a trade and crafts square, but was also cultural center of the city. In 1417-1420 Ulugbeg erected his madrassah on this square. In the 17th century, the ruler of Samarkand, Yalangtush Bakhadur, made up his mind to re-construct the square. He ordered to erect the Sher-Dor madrassah (1619-1636) and subsequently the Tilla-Kari Madrassah (1646-1660). Thus, the completed ensemble still astonishes with its harmony and uniqueness of any madrassah ever created.

Visit craftsman’s center, meet with local fashion designer - Mrs. Lena Ladik, visit her Happy Bird Gallery with collection of unique dresses from local textile: adras and natural silk.

Visit Bibi-Khanim Mosque: The principal city mosque of Bibi-Khanim is a distinguished architectural structure and the largest mosque in Central Asia. The construction of the mosque took place in 1399 after the Indian campaign of Timur, which lasted for five years. It was splendid and richly decorated structure. The height of the entrance portal reaches 40.85 meters and the portal arch aperture had a height of 18.2 m.

After visit of Bibi-Khonim Mosque, visit its “next door” oriental bazaar - Siab. From ancient times, an oriental bazaar simultaneously performed the functions of a modern day supermarket and shop. It was here, at the bazaar, that people communicated and exchanged the latest information. One could find here all possible entertainment, exchange currency and do many other things. Traditionally it is necessary to bargain at the oriental bazaar. Not so much the money, but the process of bargaining itself is culturally important. Bargaining may last for a long time until one of the sides gives up. Frequently it is a very interesting sight. One can purchase anything here: fruits, vegetables, meat of any kind, and all sorts of dried fruits and crafts, which are placed in their own separate rows. Together with eastern sweets one can buy traditional Samarkand bread that has made Samarkand famous throughout the world.

Then, visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, famous with its beauty of mausoleums, tiled with turquoise and blue mosaics. It was established with a single religious monument over 1,000 years ago. Various temples, mausoleums, and buildings were continually added throughout the ensuing centuries, from approximately the 11th century to the 19th. The result is a fascinating cross-reference of various architectural styles, methods, and decorative craftsmanship as they have changed throughout a millennium of work.

After dinner, evening visit of magnificent Registan Square, here you will have a chance to make pictures of evening Registan Square. Only outdoor visit. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Transfer to the hotel, overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast we will visit Afrosiab Museum. The Afrosiab Museum was built around one of Samarkand’s more important archaeological finds, a chipped 7th-century fresco of the Sogdian King Varkhouman receiving ranks of foreign dignitaries astride ranks of elephants, camels and horses. You’ll see reproductions of this iconic fresco throughout the country. It was only discovered in 1965 during the construction of Toshkent Street. The 2nd floor of the museum leads the visitor on a chronological tour of the 11 layers of civilisation that is Afrosiab.

After museum you will discover Urgut Village, the main center of local crafts of Samarkand Region. Here you will visit local bazaar, will discover how to make a famous Urgut carpets and suzane embroidery. Slightly more than 1 hour away from the ancient city of Samarkand is Urgut, a rustic town close to the Tajikistan border. On Sundays, Uzbek merchants as well as those from neighbouring Tajikistan make their way to Urgut’s bazaar for business. While some may operate stalls inside, others conduct transactions via their mobile stalls – cars and vans. Car boot sales are especially popular amongst suzani (Uzbek embroidery work) merchants. They can be found right at the back end of the bazaar; walk straight towards the back starting from the bazaar’s entrance facing the large common vehicle parking space. Inside the bazaar, a variety of goods are being sold, ranging from household items, food, stationary, clothing, suzanis and hardware, almost anything one could possibly need.

Here your guide will show you not only bazaar but all local points of interests - The Ancient Garden Chor-Chinor (four plane trees) and ruins of Nestorian Monastery, as well as visit of local craftsmen. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Transfer to the hotel, overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Samarkand Railway Station, taking high-speed train Afrosiab to Bukhara, departure at 09:50, arrival at 11:19 (distance: 280 km, time: 1h30m). UNESCO, in naming Bukhara a World Heritage site, states: “It is the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia, with an urban fabric that has remained largely intact.” In a bit of one-upmanship locals like to say, “Samarkand is the beauty of the earth, but Bukhara is the beauty of the spirit.” It exudes a beguiling, old-world atmosphere.

The Bukhara sightseeing tour will start with visit of Summer Residence of last Emir of Bukhara – Sitora-i Mokhi Hosa. For a look at the kitsch lifestyle of the last emir, Alim Khan, we go out to his summer palace, Sitora-i Mokhi Hosa (Star-and-Moon Garden). The three-building compound was a joint effort for Alim Khan by Russian architects (outside) and local artisans (inside), and no punches were pulled in showing off both the finest and the gaudiest aspects of both styles. A 50-watt Russian generator provided the first electricity the emirate had ever seen.

Then visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum. This mausoleum in Samani Park, completed in 905, is the town’s oldest Muslim monument and probably its sturdiest architecturally. Built for Ismail Samani (the Samanid dynasty’s founder), his father and grandson, its intricate baked terracotta brickwork – which gradually changes ‘personality’ through the day as the shadows shift – disguises walls almost 2m thick, helping it survive without restoration (except of the spiked dome) for 11 centuries.

After, visit of The Ark Citadel. The Ark of Bukhara is a massive fortress located in the city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan that was initially built and occupied around the 5th century AD. In addition to being a military structure, the Ark encompassed what was essentially a town that, during much of the fortress' history, was inhabited by the various royal courts that held sway over the region surrounding Bukhara. The Ark was used as a fortress until it fell to Russia in 1920. Currently, the Ark is a tourist attraction and houses museums covering its history.

After, visit Bolo-Hovuz Mosque, served as a Friday mosque during the time when the emir of Bukhara was being subjugated under the Bolshevik Russian rule in 1920s. Thin columns made of painted woods were added to the frontal part of the iwan (entrance) in 1917, additionally supporting the bulged roof of summer prayer room. The columns are decorated with colored muqarnas. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Transfer to the hotel, overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast you will continue to explore of Bukhara gems with walk tour at Lyabi House Square, including visits of Nadir-Divan-Beghi Madrasah, Kukeldash Madrasah and Nadir-Divan-Beghi khanaka. Lyabi-Hauz, a plaza built around a pool in 1620, is the most peaceful and interesting spot in town – shaded by mulberry trees as old as the pool. The old tea-sipping, chessboard-clutching Uzbek men who once inhabited this corner of town have been moved on by local entrepreneurs bent on cashing in on the tourist trade. Still, the plaza maintains its old-world style and has managed to fend off the glitz to which Samarkand’s Registan has succumbed, although loud music of an evening is to be expected. It’s still a gorgeous place to sit throughout the day.

Then, we will pass by trade route and visit of Trade domes: Toki-Zargaron (Dome of the jewellers), Trade Dome Toki-Sarafon(Dome of the Moneychangers) and Toki-Tilpak Furushon (Dome of the headgear Sellers) and Tim Abdulla Khan, visit Magok-Attor Mosque. From Shaybanid times, the area west and north from Lyabi-Hauz was a vast warren of market lanes, arcades and crossroad minibazaars whose multidomed roofs were designed to draw in cool air. Three remaining domed bazaars, heavily renovated in Soviet times, were among dozens of specialised bazaars in the town – domes: Taki Sarrafon (moneychangers), Taki-Telpak Furushon (cap makers) and Taki-Zargaron (jewellers). Here you could find different good for sale, from hand made little crafts till silk carpets.

Here we will pay visit to one of the famous miniaturists in Bukhara – Mr. Davron Toshev, here, he will be happy to introduce his pieces of Muslim miniature works and, optionally, could provide a master class with explanation, how to create basic elements of this unique technique. Visit Silk Road Tea & Spices House, where you could have a rest during the walk tour and enjoy of variety of herbal teas and teas with selected spices, also try Turkish stile brewed coffee with cardamom.

And then, you will visit Poi Kalon complex, where you will meet the most iconical landmark of Bukhara - The minaret of Poi Kalon, one of the rare monuments that survived the destructive wrath of Ghengis Khan, who destroyed most of the monuments of Central Asia. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Back to the hotel, overnight.

Early breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast we will start our journey from Bukhara to Khiva (480 km, 7h00m). By reaching Khorezm region we will have chance to visit abandoned fortresses Ayaz Kalaand Toprak Kala. The towering mud-brick walls of the three fortresses at Ayaz Kala, rise dramatically from the surrounding plains. They were built on the edge of the Kizilkum Desert at different points between the 4 century B.C. and the 7 century A.D. as a means of protection from nomad raids. The Royal Residence of Toprak Kala are extremely significant historical and architectural structures created during the 2nd and 12th centuries A.D., respectively. Seemingly formed straight from the earth, the façades of the castles and fortifications have softened through centuries of exposure to wind and other natural elements.

Upon arrival to Khiva we will visit Itchan-Qala inner city and city walls, evening promenade. Khiva’s name, redolent of slave caravans, barbaric cruelty, terrible desert journeys and steppes infested with wild tribesmen, struck fear into all but the boldest 19th-century hearts. Nowadays it’s a friendly and welcoming Silk Road old town that’s very well set up for tourism, and a mere 35km southwest of the major transport hub of Urgench. The historic heart of Khiva has been so well preserved that it’s often criticized as lifeless – a “museum city”. To walk through the walls and catch that first glimpse of the fabled Ichon-Qala (inner walled city) in all its monotoned, mud-walled glory is like stepping into another era. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Transfer to the hotel, overnight.

After breakfast, we will start our exploration of Khiva, with visits of Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrassah and Kalta Minor Minaret. Just south of the Kuhna Ark stands the fat, turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret. This unfinished minaret was begun in 1851 by Mohammed Amin Khan, who according to legend wanted to build a minaret so high he could see all the way to Bukhara. Unfortunately, the khan dropped dead in 1855 and it was never finished, leaving the beautifully tiled structure looking distinctly unusual and rather stumpy. It’s currently not possible to climb the structure.

Then, visit of Islom-Hoja Medressa & Minaret. Islom-Hoja Medressa and minaret – Khiva’s newest Islamic monuments, both built in 1910. You can climb the minaret. With bands of turquoise and red tiling, it looks rather like an uncommonly lovely lighthouse. At 57m tall, it’s Uzbekistan’s highest minaret.

After, Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum. This revered mausoleum, with its sublime courtyard and stately tilework, is one of the town’s most beautiful spots. Pahlavon Mahmud was a poet, philosopher and legendary wrestler who became Khiva’s patron saint. His 1326 tomb was rebuilt in the 19th century and then requisitioned in 1913 by the khan of the day as the family mausoleum.

Will continue with visit of unique Juma Mosque. The large Juma Mosque is interesting for the 218 wooden columns supporting its roof – a concept thought to be derived from ancient Arabian mosques. Six or seven of the columns date from the original 10th-century mosque, though the present building dates from the 18th century. From inside, you can climb the very dark stairway up to the 47m Juma Minaret.

And finally, will visit Tosh-Hovli Palace. This palace, which means ‘Stone House’, contains Khiva’s most sumptuous interior decoration, including ceramic tiles, carved stone and wood, and ghanch. Built by Allakuli Khan between 1832 and 1841 as a more splendid alternative to the Kuhna Ark, it’s said to have more than 150 rooms off nine courtyards, with high ceilings designed to catch any breeze. Khiva is famous with its craftsmen, today we also will visit wood carver’s and minеr’s workshops. Also, will discover hot to cook traditional Khoresmian bread. After all visits you will be transferred to Urgench Airport and take flight to Tashkent, departure at 20:05, arrival at 21:25, flight time 1H20M. HY054 SUN30MAY UGCTAS 2005 2125 Upon arrival to Tashkent, transfer to hotel for rest. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants.

Taking lunch box and early morning transfer to Tashkent International Airport for taking flight to Istanbul, departure at 08:50, arrival to Istanbul Airport at 12:05, flight time 5H15M. TK369 MON31MAY TASIST 0850 1205