The Heart of Tamerlane's Empire

Cities: Tashkent – Samarkand - Bukhara – Khiva - Tashkent
Duration: 7 nights/8 days
Tour program: Our coach tour will immerse you deeply in the history of the most ancient towns of the world - Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. World famous monuments of ancient architecture remember Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. Once Samarkand was the centre of vast medieval Tamerlane‘s Empire. Tall and elegant minarets, grandiose madrasahs and mosques, medieval palaces and mausoleums decorated with incredibly rich ceramic ornaments, bustle and colours of oriental bazaars, thrilling legends, warm hospitality and hoary traditions of local people will leave indelible imprints in the memory of tourists.

Program

Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent. Check in to the hotel. Free time

Day 2: Tashkent - Samarkand (300 km = 5 h)

Half day sightseeing in Tashkent: The old city  -   Barak-Khan madrassa (XVI c.)  -  Kaffal-al-Shashi Mazar – Kukeldash madrassah (XVIII)   - Museum of Applied Art   -    Square of Independence   - the building of National Theatre of opera and ballet.

Afternoon transfer to Samarkand.

Arrival in Samarkand and check in to the hotel.

Day 3: Samarkand

Sightseeing in Samarkand: Square  Registan (XVII c, that is  circled with 3 main buildings: Ulugbek Madrasah, Sherdor Madrasah and Tillya Kari Mosque)  -  Guri-Emir mausoleum  -   Ulugbek Observatory (XV c)   -   Bibi – Khanum Mosque (XV c)    -   Bazzar “Siab”   -   Architectural ensemble Shakhi-Zinda (XII – XV cc).

Day 4: Samarkand - Bukhara (280 km = 4,5 h)

Morning transfer to Bukhara. Check in to the hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing in Bukhara:   Lyabi-Hauz complex (XVI-XVII cc. which includes: Kukeldash madrassah (1568) and Nadir Divanbegi madrassah (1622))  -   Trade domes  -  Poi- Kalan complex (XII-XVI cc., that includes famous Minaret Kalan (built in 1127, height is 49 meters)).

Day 5: Bukhara

Sightseeing in Bukhara: Samanid’s Mausoleum (IX-X cc.)  -  Chashma Ayub Mazar (graveyard) (XIV-XIX cc.)  -   Bolo Khauz mosque  -   Ark - ancient fortress (VI-VII cc.) - Complex Bakhoutdin Nakshbandy (so-called Central Asian Mecca)  -  Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – “Palace of Moon and Stars” – summer residence of the last Bukhara Emir (XIX c)  -  Chor-Minor madrassah.

Day 6: Bukhara - Khiva (450 km = 7-8 h)

Morning transfer to Khiva via Kyzylkum desert with picnic lunch.

Arrival in Khiva, check in to the hotel. Evening walk.

Day 7: Khiva -Tashkent

Sightseeing in Khiva:   Ichan-Kala – inner cite of ancient settlement  -  Mohammed-Amin Khan madrassah and minaret (XIX c.)  -   Kunya Ark – Old fortress (XVII c.)  -   Pakhlavan Mahmud complex (XIV-XIX cc.)  -  Islam Khodja madrassah & Minaret (1908)  -   Jumma mosque (X–XVIII cc.)  -   Tash Hauli Allakuli-Khan Palace (XVIII-XIX cc.)  -  Kalta Minar minaret  -   Tash Khauli or “stone palace” built in the 1830’s and home of the ruling khans  -  Bazaar.

Evening flight from Urgench to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent. Check in to the hotel.

Day 8: Tashkent - departure

Shopping (if time permits). Transfer to the airport. Departure.

The cost of the tour:

Hotels 2-3*:

Tashkent – Grand Raddus or similar
Samarkand – Karavan Serail or similar
Bukhara – Old City or similar
Khiva – Malika Khiva or similar

Hotels 3-4*:

Tashkent – Tashkent Palace or similar
Samarkand – Asia Samarkand or similar
Bukhara – Asia Bukhara or similar
Khiva – Asia Khiva or similar

The price includes:

- Uzbek visa support letter;
- Transport for the whole program;
- Twin/double accommodation with breakfasts;
- Guided tours in the cities;
- Free tour leader for groups more than 10 pax;
- Entrance fees to the main monuments;
- Porterage and mineral water during intercity transfers.

The price doesn’t include:

- Uzbek visa;
- International flight;
- Personal expenses;
- Folk shows, wine tasting;
- Photo and video shooting

Extra charge:

- Escort guide from our agency during the whole tour = 350$/group;
- Meals – Half board = 70$/pax;
- Meals – Full board = 110$/pax.