Uzbekistan Journey – Tales from 1001 Nights - 8 Days

Arrival in Urgench on Friday at 07:40 (via Istanbul with TK262), transfer to hotel in Khiva (drive: 33 km). After breakfast at the hotel, visit fabulous Khiva, one of the oldest cities in all of Central Asia. Khiva, with a population of about 60 000, is located in the northwest of Uzbekistan west of the Amudarya River on the ancient Silk Road. Since 1967 Khiva has been a museum city and in 1997 Uzbekistan celebrated the 2500th anniversary of the city. We visit the old town Ichan-Kala (Itschan-Kala), which has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1990 and thus belongs to the World Heritage of Humanity. The old town is walled on all sides, giving it a unique medieval atmosphere. You will be fascinated by its sights: the Madrasa Muhammad Amin Khan (built 1852-1855), the Kalta Minor (1852), the Kuna Ark (residence of the Khans of Khiva), the Pakhlavon Mahmud Complex (1247-1325), the Islam Khodja Minaret and its madrasa (1908), the Juma Masjid (Friday Mosque, 1788). Afterwards dinner at the live music restaurant. Overnight in a 3-star hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing of fabulous Khiva. Dinner at a local restaurant in the old town “Ichan Kala” Overnight at 3-star hotel.

After breakfast drive: Khiva → Bukhara (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. 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 Saroffon (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.

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.

After breakfast we drive to Samarkand. In Samarkand we will visit 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.

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.

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^th C.), 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 and overnight at the hotel.