8-Day Cultural and Historical Tour of Uzbekistan

Tour Overview:

Discover the rich cultural and historical heritage of Uzbekistan, a land where the Silk Road once flourished. This 8-day journey will take you through the ancient cities of Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, and Tashkent, exploring grand architecture, vibrant bazaars, and timeless traditions. With a mix of guided tours and leisure time, this trip provides a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation.

Arrive at Tashkent international airport, meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel . City tour of Tashkent depends on your time of arrival. If it is in the morning, city tour will be afternoon and if it is evening, on the last day in Tashkent. 

City tour in Tashkent includes: 

Visit to old city , Hasti Imam complex with original Koran of 8th century, Chorsu market, Tashkent Metro, Applied Arts museum, Earthquake monument, Check in and overnight. 

After an early breakfast arranged in the hotel you will be transferred to Tashkent railways station to catch a train to Samarkand at 0800-1010. Upon arrival in Samarkand. Your sightseeing will start with a visit to Gur Emir mausoleum, the burial place of Amir Temur, his spiritual teacher and his sons and grand sons. Later you will proceed to the famous place in Samarkand, Registan square with 3 madarsas built in 15-17 Centuries. Ulughbek Madrasa, Sherdor Madrasah and Tilla Sheikh mosque. Siab Bazar and Bibihanum mosque will end your sightseeing for today and evening you are free on your own to explore the city and enjoy local food at dinner time in one of the local Chayhanas in Samarkand. Overnight. 

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Begin the day with buffet breakfast and then continue city tour. Visit The observatory of Ulughbek, Afrosiab museum with Fresco and artifacts found at Afrosiab old settlement dating back to 6 BC up to 13 AD. Shahi Zinda is the holy place of all Central Asian muslims visited daily with many local people, where you will see the mausoleum of Temur’s sisters, Generals, Architect and the mausoleum of Kusam Ibn Abbas, the cousin of Muhammad prophet. Pm you will see the famous Samarkand Silk Paper producing workshop. Enjoy a night Sound and Light laser show at registan square (if available on this day) . Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast check out of the hotel and be transferred to railway station of Samarkand for your fast train to Bukhara. ( Another option is to drive via Shahrisabz by van and stop for city tour in the city, but it should be agreed by all group members if this option is preferred or can be arranged privately upon request for extra fee). Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for check in (if the rooms are available for early check in). Then you will start your walking tour in Bukhara. The most impressive site in Bukhara is Laby Hauz, the heart of Bukhara where you will see chayhana, cafe, restaurants, water pond, mosques, madrasa, Hanaka of Nadir Divan Bgei, gallery, workshop and Souvenir shops. Visit trade Domes of Bukhara: Taki Sarafan, Taki Telpakfurushon and Taki Zargaron and ancient Jewish quarter with a school and synagogue. Continue to Ark Citadel dating back to 1-19 Centuries, Kalyan Minaret and Kalyan Mosque. You will finish the tour at Ismail Samani mausoleum and Cashmai Ayub mausoleum. Dinner and overnight. 

After breakfast in the hotel, Begin the visit to Summer Palace – Sitorai Mohi Hosa – one of the most prominent sites in Bukhara where you will discover the mixture of local and russian-european architecture style. The Palace was built outside of the city with a big garden and harem. Continue to the mausoleum and necropolis of Bahauddin Naqshabandiy, the leader of Sufism in Bukhara. Since old time pilgrims used to come and pay a visit to the holy place before going to Haj and those who can not make a trip to Haj they come to this place as it is equal as you visit to Mekka. PM return to your hotel and enjoy your free time. You may want to try local Bukhara Hammam or enjoy evening Folk Music and Dance show at Nadir Divan Begi madrasah. 

• Local Dinner at a private family . • Folk Music and Dance show at Nadir Divan Begi (included)

Following an early breakfast this morning we drive to Khiva, the ancient town of Khorezm. Khwarazm is a large oasis region on the Amu Darya river delta in western Central Asia, bordered on the north by the Aral Sea, on the east by the Kyzylkum desert, on the south by the Karakum Desert, and on the west by the Ustyurt Plateau. It was the center of the Iranian Khwarazmian civilization, and a series of kingdoms such as the Persian Empire, whose capitals were (among others) Kath, Gurganj (the modern Konya Urgench) and – from the 16th century on – Khiva. Today Khwarazm belongs partly to Uzbekistan, partly to Kazakhstan and partly to Turkmenistan. Optional night can be arranged in Yurt or in hotel in Khiva if not requested in advance.
***Note, if the new high speed train is launched we will arrange ticket for the train ride 3 hrs. 

Begin the day at Ichan Kala, the museum town in open air. Your hotel is located inside of Ichan kala or just oppsoite to it and you will feel the atmosphere of living in the old town as the local people who is still living in the old town. You will discover the city with its mosques, minarets, museums, caravan Saray, workshops. Khorezm is famous for its wooden craft, wood carving and also Silk carpet weaving. The most exciting site is Juma mosque with wooden pillars and mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud. Evening you will be transferred to airport of Urgench for your flight to Tashkent at 2205-2325 HY18. Overnight in Tashkent. 

Transfer to airport for the return flight home. End of Services