Golden Ring of Uzbekistan

Cities: Tashkent – Khiva – Bukhara – “Aydar” yurt camp – Samarkand – Tashkent

Duration: 9 nights/10 days

Tour program:

Fascinating travel to Uzbekistan will introduce you to the ancient cities of the Orient – Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. You will encounter an unusual combination of modern and comfortable hotels surrounded by world famous monuments of ancient architecture which memorialize Alexander the Great, Chenghiz-Khan and Tamerlane and experience a stay in yurts - the traditional dwellings of the nomadic people living around the immense and imposing sands of the Kyzyl-kum desert. In the encampment near Aydarkul lake there will be the chance to take a short camel safari. For those who have never been on a camel before it is a very strange but rather interesting experience.
The tour-package consists of a combination of historical, architectural, cultural and natural components. We also advise you to look through a variety of additions that you can add to the main tour program on your free time based upon your wishes and preferences.

Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent, meeting in airport, transfer to the hotel and check in.

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.

Day 2: Tashkent – Khiva

Flight to Urgench. Transfer to Khiva. Check in to the hotel.

Sightseeing in Khiva: Ichan-Kala  –  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.) - Bazaar.

Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara (450 km = 7-8 h)

Transfer to Bukhara via Kyzyl-Kum desert. Arrival in Bukhara. Check in to the hotel.

Day 4: Bukhara

Sightseeing in Bukhara : Ark - ancient fortress (VI-VII cc.)  -  Chashma Ayub Mazar (graveyard) (XIV-XIX cc.) -  Poi- Kalan complex (XII-XVI cc.), that includes famous Minaret Kalan (built in 1127, height is 49 meters)  -  Samanid’s Mausoleum (IX-X cc.) -  Lyabi-Hauz complex (XVI-XVII cc.) which includes: Kukeldash madrassah (1568) and Nadir Divanbegi madrassah (1622).

Day 5: Bukhara

Sightseeing in Bukhara: Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – “Palace of Moon and Stars” – summer residence of the last Bukhara Emir (XIX c)  - Bolo Khauz mosque  - Complex Bakhoutdin Nakshbandy (so-called Central Asian Mecca).
After lunch free time.

Day 6: Bukhara - “Aydar” yurt camp in Kyzylkum desert (240 km = 4 h)

Transfer to yurt camp via Nurata. Arrival in Nurata.

Sightseeing in Nurata: Half day sightseeing in Nurata including Brothers Khasan and Khusan Mosque  - "Chashma" holy spring  - Namozgokh Mosque (10 c)  - Sheykh Khasan Nuri madrassah (16-17 cc)  -  Ruins of Alexander the Great citadel.

Arrival in yurt camp. Accommodation in traditional Kazakh yurts with all the necessary equipment: showers, kitchen etc. Experience sandy landscapes, the flora and fauna of the Kyzyl-kum desert. Camel riding. Dinner around the fire with Kazakh akin singing. Overnight in yurts.

Day 7: “Aydar” yurt camp – Samarkand (220 km = 3,5 h)

Transfer to Aydarkul Lake. Fishing, picnicking, swimming. Eat fried fish for lunch caught from the lake. Return to the yurts.
Transfer to Samarkand. Check in to the hotel.

Day 8: Samarkand

Sightseeing in Samarkand: Registan Square (XVII c,  Registan 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) -  Architectural ensemble Shakhi-Zinda (XII – XV cc).

Day 9: Samarkand – Tashkent (300 km = 5 h)

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

Day 10: Tashkent – departure

Transfer to the airport. Departure.

The cost of the tour:

Pax	1	2	3-4	5-6	7-9	10-14+1	15-19+1	Single supplement
$/pax 2-3*	1365	865	765	745	630	565	545	85
$/pax 3-4*	1465	965	845	765	745	695	665	175

Hotels 2-3*:
Tashkent – Grand Raddus or similar
Khiva – Malika Khiva or similar
Bukhara – Old City or similar
Samarkand – Karavan Serail or similar
In the desert - yurts

Hotels 3-4*:
Tashkent – Tashkent Palace or similar
Khiva – Asia Khiva or similar
Bukhara – Asia Bukhara or similar
Samarkand – Asia Samarkand or similar
In the desert - yurts

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;
- Meals – full board in the desert, camel riding;
- 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:

- Domestic flight Tashkent - Urgench = 65$/pax (subject to change);
- Escort guide from our agency during the whole tour = 400$/group;
- Meals – Half board = 75$/pax;
- Meals – Full board = 115$/pax.