Uzbekistan classic tour

Travel route: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Rabati Malik – Samarkand – Tashkent

Country: Uzbekistan

Travel route: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Rabati Malik – Samarkand – Tashkent

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Transport facilities: aeroplane, fast train, coach

Hotels: 3-4* and Boutique Hotels

A magical journey to the legendary towns of the ancient Silk Road, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent. On this trip you will discover the impressive beauty of the Islamic architecture of the Orient. You immerse yourself in the velvet colours of Central Asia and enjoy the relaxed, enjoyable eating and drinking culture of the region. But modern life has also come to Uzbekistan, with Tashkent an example of a modern town – our starting point for your journey into magical Uzbekistan.

ROUTE

1st day. Arrival – Tashkent

You fly to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Flight time may vary. First day briefing at hotel lobby with your tour guide and other members of the group. Overnight in Tashkent.

2nd day. Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (breakfast/dinner)

Today we go to the old town and visit the historical complex Khasti Imam. On the large square you will see the Tillya-Shaikh-Mosque, the Barak-khan-Medressah, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library in which the oldest version of the Koran is kept. Then we go to the Chorsu Bazaar, which was already well-known in the Middle Ages and which stood at the crossroads of the caravansaries of the Great Silk Road. In the afternoon we will walk through the modern town and visit Independence Square and the Amir Timur Square. In the evening we fly to Urgench. Transfer to the hotel in Khiva, about 35km from Urgench. Enjoy typical local dishes for dinner. Two overnight stays in Khiva.

3rd day. Khiva (breakfast/dinner)

Visit to Ichan Kala («the inner town citadel» of Khiva). It looks back on a rich history and still today looks as it did centuries ago. It is one of the few preserved places in Central Asia where one can imagine life as it was in the time of Khan. The famous buildings of Central Asia which have long become landmarks are to be found in Ichan Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Walking around the historic centre, you will admire the Oriental ornaments and turquoise tiles of the richly decorated buildings, and will understand why the old town of Khiva, “Ichan Kala”, is called an “open-air museum”. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset over the oasis. Sumptuous dinner in the summer palace of the khans of Khiva Khanate “Toza-Bog”. Let the magical impressions of the day take effect.
 

4th day. Khiva – Bukhara (breakfast/dinner)

Impressive trip through the vegetated „Kizylkum“ («Red Sand») Desert and the vast steppe to Bukhara (approx. 450 km). On the way, we will have a lunch break in an Uzbek «Roadhouse». In the late evening we arrive in Bukhara and you then have time to explore Bukhara by yourself. Dinner in a local restaurant. Two overnight stays in Bukhara.

5th day. Bukhara (breakfast/dinner)

Excursion to the grave of Ismail Samani. Then we visit the Chashmai-Ayub Mausoleum. And then on foot through the old town. You will feel transported to the world of the stories from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’. It is hard to believe that, just like 100 years ago, teaching and learning still takes place in the mosques and medressahs, such as the Mir-Arab medressah. You will admire the «classic» architectural complexes Lyabi Khauz with its trading domes and several mosques, medressahs and the dervish monastery Khanaka in the old town, and will understand the honorary title «noble town».

Dinner at a local restaurant in the Lyabi-Khauz-Complex.

6th day. Bukhara – Rabati Malik – Samarkand (breakfast/dinner)

We drive on to Samarkand, the town of the stories in 1001 nights (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the Middle Ages, this was considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in the world and still today it has lost none of its charm. On the way, we will visit the Rabati Malik Caravanserai and a Sardoba (water cistern). Then we go to one of the visiting cards of Uzbekistan, the famous Registan Square with its three monumental medressahs Ulugbekh, Sherdor and Tillya Kori. We will also visit the palace-like mausoleum Guri-Emir of the ruler Timur. Dinner at Restaurant „Samarkand“, where you can experience up close the culture of the country and the people. One overnight stay in Samarkand.

7th day. Samarkand – Tashkent (breakfast/dinner)

Excursion to the paper-making factory of Samarkand, where silk paper has been being produced since AD 751. Then we visit the Ulugbekh Observatory, once the greatest research centre in Central Asia, and Shakhi Zinda, the grave complex «living king», where today Timur’s family members are buried. We go to the largest mosque in Central Asia: Bibi-Khanum. Then on to the Siyab Bazaar which is just next to the mosque. The selection of dry fruits alone is very impressive. At 18:00 we take the fast train "Afrosiyob" to Tashkent. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant. One overnight stay in Tashkent.

8^th day. Tashkent – Return flight (breakfast)

Early morning flight home.

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Notes: 

• The right is reserved to make programme changes.

• From two guests upwards, you can travel individually, at a date of your choice!

• Prices may vary according to your accommodation facilities and categories.

PLEASE NOTE!

SAMTOURS reserves the right to change the hotels if a chosen hotel is full or for similar reasons.

Payment for travel services must be made 45 days before starting the trip. Cancellation fees are as follows:

• 44 to 21 days before travel date: 35% of the travel price

• 20 to 11 days before travel date: 50% of the travel price

• 10 days before travel date: 75% of the travel price

• Up to 45 days before the travel date, a handling fee of 20 Euro will be charged

Your travel team SAMTOURS wishes you a pleasant trip!