Travel to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan - 18 Days

Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Time at leisure. Overnight stay in 4-star hotel.

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 4-star Hotel.

After Breakfast Transfer to the Railway Station and we will drive by train to Kokand. The city of Kokand, with 251 700 (2019) inhabitants, is the junction of the Great Silk Road. Kokand was once the capital of the eponymous Khanate in the 19th century. In Kokand we will visit the Palace of Khudayar Khan, built between 1833 and 1873, with it’s about seventy-meter-wide and infinitely colorful facades. We visit Juma Mosque (1809-1812) and the Madrasah Amin Beg. In the afternoon we drive to Rishtan. We visit a ceramic craftsmen family in Rishtan. We will learn how to produce Ceramics in the traditional way. After visiting we will drive to Margilan. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel.

After breakfast we will visit Margilan, one of the oldest and industrial cities of Uzbekistan. Margilan has always played an important role in the history of the Silk Road. In Margilan we will visit historical-traditional silk factory called “Yodgorlik”, which continues centuries of tradition. We will also visit the bazaar in Margilan. After that we drive to Khujand. We will visit the Archaeological Museum, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and Paishanba Market – the largest market in Tajikistan. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight stay in 3-star hotel.

After breakfast drive to Istaravshan and visit a local bazaar, Hazrat Shah architectural complex, the tomb of Kusam ibn Abbas’s brother, Khudayar Valami mausoleum and Namazgah Mosque from the 19th century. It is believed that the city was founded by King Cyrus on the northeastern border of his empire. We will continue to Dushanbe. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in 3-star hotel (drive: 300 km, 5-6 h).

After breakfast we will visit National Museum, Rudaki Park, Mehrgon Bazaar. We drive to the remains of Hissar Fortress from the 18th century (30 km from Dushanbe). We visit Hissar Fortress, a local Madrasah and a Mausoleum. We will drive back to Dushanbe. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight stay in 3-star hotel.

After breakfast we will drive to Iskanderkul Lake. According to legend, Iskanderkul Lake was named after Alexander the Great, who was known as Iskander in the East. It is said that the way of Alexander the Great to India passed by this lake. Accommodation in the guest house. Hiking at the Iskanderkul lake. Dinner and overnight at the guest house (drive: 160 km, 3-4 h).

After breakfast we will drive to Panjakent. The city was once the capital of the Sogdian Empire, a Zoroastrian Civilization that far preceded Islam in the region. We will visit the ruins of Sarazm, which are protected by UNESCO. More than 5,000 years old, the ruins are the remains of the first agricultural society in Central Asia. A remarkably large human skeleton called the “Princess of Sarazm” was found here along with some of her ornaments. Archaeologists also found artifacts that indicate ancient trade routes reaching as far as present-day Iran and Pakistan. We will visit the oriental bazaar of Panjakent. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in 3-star hotel (drive: 165 km, 3-4 h).

After breakfast, we will drive to the Seven Lakes (Haftkul). Seven small lakes form the Haft Kul, “lakes”, in northwestern Tajikistan. According to legend, they are the tears of the daughters of a missing man. Science says they were formed after earthquakes changed the course of the Shing River. We hike along the Seven Lakes. The seven lakes are Mijgon Lake, Soya Lake, Hushor Lake, Nofin Lake (2139 m above sea level), Khurdak Lake, Marguzor Lake and Hazor Chashma Lake (2400 m above sea level). Dinner in a local restaurant in Punjakent. Overnight stay in 3-star hotel. (Drive: 120 km, 3 h).

After breakfast we drive to Samarkand, check-in to hotel. Samarkand (353 347 inhabitants, as of January 1, 2008) has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The history of the city goes back over 2500 years. Visitors are fascinated by the walls of the legendary Afrasiyab, the capital of the ancient empire Sogd (9th century B.C.), which can still be found in the north of Samarkand today. Not for nothing Samarkand is called a jewel of the earth. Our journey in Samarkand begins at the famous Registan (sand place), whose construction was already started during the Timurid period and completed in the following three hundred years. Sightseeing of three Medressen of the Registan – the Ulugbek-Medresse (built 1417-1420), the Sher-Dor-Medresse (1619 – 1636) and the Tillo-Kori-Medresse (1646 – 1660). For lunch you will be offered traditional Uzbek dish Pilav (we guarantee halal food). Depending on your wishes you can also order something else (our recommendation: try at least once the traditional dish Pilav in Samarkand, it is only prepared for lunch). In the afternoon we visit the legendary Timurid mausoleum Guri Amir (XIV-XV century). Dinner with an Uzbek family. Overnight stay in 3-star hotel.

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. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will drive to Bukhara (270 km). In Bukhara we will 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 will visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex (14-17^th c.) and Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah. Dinner at Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah along with traditional folklore Program. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at hotel we will visit Citadel Ark (4^th c. BC), Bolo-Khauz Mosque (beginning of the 20^th c.), Samanides Mausoleum (9-10^th c.), Chashmai Ayub (14^th c.), 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 a local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will drive to Bukhara (480 km). While driving through the Desert Kysyl-Kum (Red Sand) you experience the unique expanse of desert landscape in Central Asia. The Kysyl-Kum Desert is about 200 000 square kilometres and it partly lies in the territories of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It is covered with red sand from which the Name of the Desert derives. On the way to Bukhara we make a short stop at the teahouse “Bukhoro-i-Sharif”, where you can have lunch or just relax and drink tea. Dinner at a local Restaurant in Khiva. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will visit the historical city “Ichan Qala”. Dinner with live folklore Music in the old city Ichan Kala. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will visit the historical city “Ichan Qala”. Dinner at the local restaurant. Transfer to the Airport in Urgench (35 km). Flight: Urgench → Tashkent. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

After breakfast city tour in Tashkent. Tashkent, the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is located in the northeast of Uzbekistan and is the largest metropolis in Central Asia with over two million inhabitants. We will visit the modern Tasheknt City and then the Chorsu Bazaar. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

Early morning transfer to Tashkent International Airport and Departure.