Culture and Nature in Uzbekistan - 15 Days

Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: -/-/-

After breakfast at hotel we start our Tour in Tashkent. Tashkent, the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan where the history of modern and old stands side by side is located in the northeast of Uzbekistan and with circa 3 million inhabitants the biggest city in Central Asia. Along with modern hotels, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, opera, disco, oriental bazaars, the city also offers a thousand years of history. Khazrati Imam Complex consisting of Barak Khan Madrasah (16^thc.), Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (15^thC.), Muyi-Mubarak Mosque – storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of Prophet Muhammad, Djuma Mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali. Dinner at local city Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast Transfer to the Airport and we fly to Urgench. Transfer to Khiva (35 km). In Khiva check-in to the hotel. We visit the historical City Ichan Kala. Dinner with live Music in the Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast, we continue our tour of the historical part of Khiva, Ichan Kala. Around midday, we drive to the Ayaz Kala yurt camp, where we hike to the impressive ruins of Ayaz Kala and visit them. The day ends with a traditional dinner at the yurt camp before we spend the night in the yurts. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast drive: Khiva → Buchara (480 km). During the drive through the Desert Kysyl-Kum (Red Sand). The Kysyl-Kum Desert is about 200 000 km² and belongs to the territories of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. There you can find the red Sand, from which the Desert gets its Name. On the way to Bukhara we make a stopover at the teahouse “Bukhoro-i-Sharif”. In Bukhara check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast we visit Poyi Kalon Ensemble consisting of Kalon Minaret (12^th c.), Kalon Mosque (12^th C.), Miri Arab Madrasah (16^th C.), domed bazaars Toqi Zargaron (15^th C.), Toqi Telpak-Furushon (16^th C.) and Toqi Zaroffon (16^th C.). Continue we visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex (14^th-17^th C.) and Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah. Dinner at a local restaurant and then live Folklore in the Medresse Nodir Devon Begi. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast we visit Citadel Ark (4^th c. BC), Bolo-Khauz Mosque (beginning of the 20^th c.), Samanides Mausoleum (9^th-10^th c.), Chashmai Ayub (14^th c.). Lunch at local city restaurant in Bukhara. Afternoon we visit: Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Complex, summer residence of the last Emir (ruler) of Bukhara, Bakhouddin Naqshbandiy Memorial Complex, Chor Bakr (19^th c.) and Chor Minor. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After Breakfast we will drive to Nurata, to the Yurt Camp on the desert Kyzylkum. Free time at the Yurt Camp. Afternoon we will be camel riding. Dinner at the live music of a Kazakh folk musician and Overnight in the Yurts. Meals: B/L/D

After breakfast, we drive to Aidarkul (Aidar Lake), which is located in the Kyzylkum desert. At Lake Aidarkul, you will be told the story of how Lake Aidarkul came into being, after which you will have half an hour at leisure. We then continue to the mountain village of Sentob. First impressions of Sentob (Sentyab), get to know the family where we will be staying. Hike in the mountains of Sentyab (2 hours there and 2 hours back. Ins.: approx. 15 km). In the evening dinner with the family. Overnight stay with the family in the mountain village. Meals: B/L/D

After breakfast, we go on a hike in the Nuratau mountains. For lunch we enjoy a picnic in the mountains. The hike takes 3 hours in the morning and another 3 hours in the afternoon, totalling around 15 km. Dinner together with the family. Overnight stay in the mountain village. Meals: B/L/D

After breakfast at the family we will drive to Samarkand. In Samarkand we visit in Samarkand the three Medressen of the Registan – the Ulugbek-Medresse (built 1417-1420), the Sher-Dor-Medresse (1619 – 1636) and the Tillo-Kori-Medresse (1646 – 1660). The legendary Timurid mausoleum Guri Amir (XIV-XV century) enchants the viewer with its golden interior decoration. You will enjoy hearing some legends while visiting the Bibi-Chanum Mosque and the Medresse (XIV century). We visit the traditional oriental “Siyab Bazaar“. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast we drive to Shakhrisabz, to the City of birth Amir Temur (known in the West as Tamerlan). The city was already known to Alexander the Great as Nautaca. We visit the summer palace “Ak Saray” (White Palace, 1380-1405). “Ak Saray” was added to the list of World Heritage by UNESCO. We also visit Kok Gumbaz Mosque, Darus Soadat Complex and the Jahongir Mausoleum. Afternoon we will drive back to Samarkand. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/-/D

After breakfast we drive to Mountain Tersak (Zeravshan mountain range) where we start our hike. The houses of the village, surrounded by fields, stretch along the river. We hike past herds of sheep, horses and goats through sometimes wide, sometimes narrow valleys to the Takhta Karacha Pass (1.900 m). From here we have a panoramic view of the snow-covered Pamir Altai mountain range. We continue into the “Valley of the Devil” and continue our hike in the Valley. The Valley has its name because of the unusual rock formations. According to legend, wizards and witches held their sacrificial ceremonies here. The inhabitants of the area believe that there is a soil energy here that makes the milk of all the cows that pass by here even better. In the evening we will drive back to Samarkand. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/-/D

Breakfast at hotel. Near the Siyab bazaar there is an ensemble of Shohi-Zinda (the living king, “IX.-XIV century), one of the world’s most famous group of mausoleums, which fasinate you with its beautiful architecture. Next we will visit the famous Ulugbek Observatory (1428-1429 which was built on one of the hills of Chupanata). The observatory was a unique design in his time. Afternoon Transfer to the Train Station. We drive to Tashkent (dep. 17.00 – arr. 19.20). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/-/D