Day-1 Arrival - Urgench – Khiva (35 KM, 40-45Minutes)
Khiva’s name, redolent of caravans of enslaved people, barbaric cruelty, terrible desert journeys and steppes infested with raiding Turkmen tribesmen, struck fear into all but the boldest 19th century hearts. Nowadays it’s a friendly and welcoming silk road old town that’s well setup for tourism. The historic heart of Khiva (Xiva) has been so well preserved that its’s sometimes criticized as lifeless a “museum city”. Walk through the city gates and wander the fabled Ichon-Qala (inner walled city) in all its monotone, mudwalled glory and its hard not to feel like you are steeping into another era.
- Reception at Urgench International Airport and transfer to hotel in Khiva (early check-in included).
- Brief rest and breakfast.
- Being Khiva city tour by visiting Ata Darvaza – One of the four gates of Ichon-Qala dating back to 1842
- Madrasah Allakuli Khan – Built in the middle of the 19th century with the richest decoration in Khiva.
- Madrasah Muhammad Amin Khan – Erected during 1851 – 1854 by the order of Khiva ruler Muhammad Amin-Khan.
- Kalta Minar –This turquoise tiled minaret was begun in 1851, who according to legend wanted to build a minaret so high that you would see all the way to Bukhara.
- Kunya Ark –“Old Fortress” was Khiva rulers’ residence and inner citadel founded in the17th century.
- Muhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah – Built in 1876 by the order of Seyid Muhammad Rahim II(1863-1910) known as the poet Feruzshah
- Juma Mosque –This large and atmospheric Mosque is interesting for its 218 elmwood columns supporting its roof, some of these column’s date back to the 10th century, when the mosque construction began.
Unique Experiences:
- Enjoy a bread baking masterclass.
- Sundowner in an elegant location with fresh ginger lemonade.
- Khoresmian Folk Show in Harem (Subject to availability)
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel – Farovon Hotel or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-2 Khiva
- After breakfast drive to Goybu village and see life in an ancient Khorezian house –Ulli Khovli. The guide will take you on a 1–2-hour excursion through the village where you get to experience the traditional lifestyle of Khorezmians.
- In the evening return to Khiva and continue to explore Ichon Qala.
- Tosh Hovli Palace – Built between 1830 – 1838, this palace means ‘Stone House’ and contains Khiva’s most sumptuous interior decoration.
- Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah – This ensemble of buildings date back to the beginning of the 20th century and is the highest structure in Khiva.
- Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum – This mausoleum is dedicated to the patron of Khorezm nation– Pakhlaavan Makhmud was a famous poet and wrestler of the 14th century.
Unique Experiences:
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel – Farovon Hotel or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Yurt), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-3 Khiva – Bukhara (460 KM, 7-8 Hours)
- Relaxed breakfast at hotel and then drive to Bukhara.
- Drive through the beautiful Kyzyl-Kum Desert, as the winding road takes you a stone throwaway from the Amu Darya.
- Stop at Amu Darya for some scenic pictures.
- Have lunch at a local teahouse serving Shashlik/Barbeque.
- Continue onto your journey to Bukhara
- Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
- Brief rest and then go for dinner.
Overnight: Local 4 Star Hotel – Minorai-Kalon or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Local Teahouse), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-4 Bukhara
Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara has buildings spanning a thousand year of history, and a thoroughly lived-in and cohesive old centre that hasn’t change too much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan. Most of the centre is an architectural preserve, full of madrassas and minarets, a massive royal fortress, and the remnants of a once-vast market complex.
- Full day excursion of Bukhara ‘Second Bagdad’ of the Islamic world. It is a city of contrast, where modern life exists in an ancient city. You will be visiting the following sites:
- Labi Hauz Complex – A plaza bult around a pool in 1620, is the most peaceful and interesting spot in town – shaded by mulberry trees as old as the pool.
- Jewish Synagogue – Bukhara’s main synagogue holds regular services, look for ancient torahs.
- Magoki Attori Mosque – Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque, a lovely mishmash of 9thcentury façade and 16th century reconstruction.
- Trade Domes, Bozori Kord Khammam (Sauna Bathroom) – Dating back to the 15 the century.
- Abdullakhan Tim – A huge, roofed shopping passage from the 16th century.
- Ulugbek Madrassah – Built in 1417, this is Central Asia’s oldest madrassah and became a model for many others.
- Abdulazizkhan Madrassah – Part of the architectural ensemble of Ulugbek Madrassah.
- Poi Kalyan Complex – Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri Arab Madrassah complete this complex, dating back to 1127.
- Ark Fortress– The most ancient architectural and archaeological monument in Bukhara, it was occupied from the 5th century right up until 1920.
- Bolo Hauz Mosque – Built in 1712 is a functioning mosque that was the Emirs’ official place of worship.
- Chashmai Ayub– The name of this building is related to the biblical Job (Ayub) and translate to Job’s well. According to legend Job (Ayub) visited this place and made a well by striking the ground with his staff.
- Ismail Samani Mausoleum – Completed in 905, is the oldest Muslim monument and one of its most architecturally interesting. The intricate baked terracotta brickwork changes personality through the day as the shadows shift, it has survived for 11 centuries.
- Chor Minor –A remarkable building with 4 minarets constructed in 1807, it was a gatehouse to a long-gone Madrassah.
- After city tour dinner with a local family.
Unique Experiences:
- FayzullaKhodjaev Museum – Bukharian architectural style of the late 16th century.
- Splendid herbal teas at Retro Saloon Timur.
- Plov cooking with a local family.
Overnight:Local 4 Star Hotel – Minorai-Kalon or Similar.
Meals:Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner – Plov making masterclass (Local Family).
Day-5 Bukhara – Shakhrisabz (260 KM, 5 Hours)
A small, traditional Uzbek town south of Samarkand, Shakhrisabz lies across the hills in the kashkadarya province with some spectacular views. This is Timur’s hometown, and once upon a time it probably put Samarkand itself in the shade.
- Breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Shakhrisabz.
- Upon arrival, leave baggage in the hotel and proceed with local city tour.
- You will begin with Aksarai Palace – Timur’s most ambitious project, work began in 1380and took some 24 years to complete.
- Dorus Saodat Complex – Timur finished this 3500-Square Meter mausoleum in 1392 for his favourite son Jehangir who died aged just 22.
- Dorut Tilovat Complex – This complex includes Kuk Gumbaz Mosque, Gumbazi Sayidon, Mausoleum of Jehangir. It is the original burial complex of Timur’s forebears and was completed by Timur in 1374.
- Hazrati Imom Mosque – A 19th century building which according to legend is linked to Abu Abdulla Muhammad ibn Nasr Al Keshi. A local holy man in the 9th century whose corpse Amir Timur the Great brought back from Baghdad.
Unique Experiences:
- Visit to Yulduz Opa’s textile workshop – Here you will see the process of producing carpets and national clothes.
- Dinner with local artist family.
Overnight: Local 4 Star Hotel – Kesh Palace or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Artist Family).
Day-6 Shakhrisabz – Samarkand (90 KM, 1 Hour 30 Minutes)
- After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Samarkand via Takhtakarachi pass.
- Upon arrival, leave baggage in the hotel and proceed with local city tour.
- Explore Samarkand, The Eden of the East, by visiting:
- Registan Square – An ensemble of majestic, tilting madrassah’s, is the centre piece of the city and arguable the most awesome single sight in Central Asia. The name Registan Square translates to ‘Sandy Place.
- Bibi Khanym Mosque – Once the largest and most magnificent mosque in the world, this enormous congregational mosque was financed from the spoils of Timur’s invasion of India.
- Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum – The beautiful portal and trade fluted azure dome of the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum marks the final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), along with two sons and two grandsons.
- Happy Bird Craft Center – A place where you will interact with local artists.
- Famous Siyob Bazaar – The largest bazaar in Samarkand, with all daily necessities available. A fantastic place to get a feel for the local culture and of course try the famous ‘Samarkand Naan.
- After your city tour stop at the hotel for a short rest (time permitting)
- Dinner in the evening at a local restaurant.
Unique Experiences:
- Enjoy a miniconcert and lecture about national music instruments at Sherdor Madrassah.
- Illuminated city tour of Registan Square and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum.
Overnight: Local 4 Star Hotel – Arhan Palace or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-7 Samarkand
No name is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand. For most people it has the mythical resonance of Zanzibar or Timbuktu, fixed in the Western popular imagination by poets and playwrights, few of whom saw the city in the flesh. Sublime, larger than life monuments of Timur (Tamerlane) and the city’s long, rich history still work some kind of magic.
- After breakfast at the hotel, continue with your city tour of Samarkand.
- Begin with Shah-i-Zinda – ‘Tomb of the Living King’, Samarkand’s most moving and beloved site is this stunning avenue of mausoleums, which contains some of the richest tilework in the Muslim world.
- Afrosiab Museum – Built around one of Samarkand’s most important archaeological finds, a chipped 7th century fresco of the Sogdian King Varkhuman (r 650-670) receiving ranks of foreign dignitaries, while sitting astride elephants, camels, and horses.
- Ulugbek Observatory – The remains of Ulugbek’s 15th century observatory is one of the great archaeological finds of the 20th century. His 30-meter quadrant, designed to observe star positions, was part of a three-story observatory built in the1420s.
- Kalantarov’s House Museum – An old mansion, once owned by a rich merchant Kalantarov Ahram. Built in the early 20th century by the architect E.O Nelle in the eclectic style now hoses the Museum of local lore.
Unique Experiences
- Khudjum Carpet Factory – Witness all stages of silk carpet making, from unwinding the silkworm cocoon to drawing carpet ornaments. The entire process till this day is done by hand.
Overnight:Local 4 Star Hotel – Arhan Palace or Similar.
Meals:Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-8 Samarkand – Tashkent (By Train)
- After breakfast at the hotel, continue with a half day city tour of Samarkand.
- Hodja Doniyor Mausoleum – The restored tomb of the Old Testament prophet Doniyor (Daniel). His remains, which date from at least the 5th century BC, were brought here by Timur from Susa, Iran.
- Hazrat-Hizr Mosque – The 8th century mosque that once stood here was burnt to the ground by Genghis Khan in the 13th century and was rebuilt in 1854. Today it’s Samarkand most beautiful mosque with views of Bibi Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda.
- In the evening take a train to Tashkent and transfer to hotel
- After a short rest (if time permitting) go for dinner at a local restaurant.
Unique Experiences:
- Koni GhilVillage – Get an opportunity to meet with local masters of the art of producing silk paper and ceramics.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – Hilton or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-9 Tashkent
Sprawling Tashkent is Central Asia’s hub and the place where everything in Uzbekistan happens. It’s one part newly built national capital, thick with the institutions of power, one-part leafy Soviet city, and yet another part quiet Uzbek Town, where traditionally clad farmers cart their wares through a maze of mud-walled houses to the bustling local bazaar’s.
- After breakfast at the hotel, being with a city tour of Tashkent.
- Hastimon Complex – An ensemble of buildings that include:
- Barak Khan Madrassah – The origins of this Madrassah date back to the death of Barak Khan’s father, Suyunidzh-Khan (1394 – 1339)
- Moyie Mubarek Library – This is the primary attraction of the Hastimon Complex, which houses the 7th century Osman Quran (Uthman Quran), said to be the world’s oldest.
- Tillya Sheikh Mosque – Originally built in 1890, this is one of the largest mosques of Tashkent.
- Kaffal Shashiy Mausoleum – The mausoleum commemorates the life of Abu Bakr Mohammed Kaffal Shashi, a native poet, linguist, polymath, and scholar who lived in the10th century and travelled widely throughout the Islamic World.
- Chorsu Bazaar– Tashkent’s most famous farmer market, topped by a giant dome. It is the most authentic historical markets of Uzbekistan.
- Kukeldash Madrassah – This functional madrassah from the 16th century has an unusual garden courtyard and sits beside Tashkent’s silver-domed Jume (Friday) mosque on a hill overlooking Chorsu Bazaar.
- Applied Art Museum – The museum built in 1930, occupies an exquisite house full of bright 'ghanch' (carved and painted plaster) and carved wood.
- Tashkent Metro – The underground network in Tashkent is known for its cleanness and unique architectural designs of each metro station.
- Amir Timur Square – The main town square of Uzbekistan, get the opportunity to walkthrough the famous Sailgokh street, where local artists sell their works.
- Alisher Navoi Theatre Square – Tashkent’s main opera and ballet theatre, with its impressive interior and its fine opera and ballet performances.
- Earthquake Monument – The Soviet men and women who rebuilt Tashkent after the 1966earthquake are remembered in stone at the earthquake memorial.
Unique Experiences:
- Visit Rakhimov’s Workshop – A famous Uzbek ceramist workshop, experience the process of making ceramics from start to finish. Also have the opportunity to enjoy traditional tea drinking.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – Hilton or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Rakhimov Workshop), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-10 Tashkent – Kokand (By Train) – Fergana (65 KM,1 Hour 30 Minutes)
The town of Kokand is one of the oldest towns in Uzbekistan, it has existed since at least the 10th century under the name Khavakand. It has been frequently mentioned in traveler accounts of the caravan route between South Asia and East Asia. The present city began as a fort in 1732 on the site of another older fortress called Eski-Kurgan.
- After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the train station and catch the O’zbekiston Train 60 (08:07 – 12:07) to Kokand.
- Upon arrival in Kokand visit Khudoyar Khan’s Palace – Built in the 19th century, it is also known by the name of Kokand Urda. It was the last residence of the last Khan of Kokand Khanate.
- JamiArchitectural Complex – Completed in 1890, it consists of a madrassah and afunctioning mosque.
- Modari KhanMausoleum – The history of Modari Khan is connected with Nodira, the famous Uzbek poetess.
- Norbutabey Madrassah – Built during the 1788 – 1796 it represents the excellent craftsmanship of Kokand architects; it was known as the largest educational centre of Kokand.
- Dakhma-I-Shokhon– The 1830 tomb of Umar Khan and other family members, which has an elegant wooden portal carved with the poetry of Umar’s wife, Nodira.
- After the city tour, transfer to the hotel in Fergana.
Unique Experiences:
- Angora Workshop by Vinera – This is a fourth-generation family knitwear workshop. The whole family knits Shawl Cobwebs that are for sale. They have been working with wool for more than 40 years and in 2012 Mrs. Vinera Kallimulina received the UNESCO quality mark. During the visit to the workshop bear witness to how high-quality wool is washed, sorted, and then turned into yarn. The entire process of yarn making, and knitting is still done by hand.
Overnight: Local 4 Star Hotel – Grand Fergana or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-11 Fergana Valley
Drained by the upper Syr-Darya, the Fergana valley has the finest soil and climate in Central Asia. It is Uzbekistan most populous and its most industrial region, as well as the country’s fruit and cotton basket. The main attraction are the exceptional crafts, the kaleidoscopic bazaars and the chance to see the SilkRoad in action – for centuries the valley has been the centre of Central Asian silk production.
- After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Rishtan – Locals of this area have been producing unique ceramics for over 800 years, passing the secrets of their craft generation to generation.
- Attend a masterclass in the art of creating ceramics. The special red clay extracted is only available in Rishtan. Rishtan ceramics enchant the viewer with its ultramarine and turquoise color and its ‘Ishkor’ patterns.
- After drive to Margilan and began your city tour of the city.
- Visit the Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrassah – This charming madrassah has been converted into a crafts centre more than a decade ago, with the former ‘hujras’ (cell-like iving quarters) now housing a ‘suzani’ embroiderer, metal worker, copperchaser and cloth block print stamper.
- Kumtepa Bazaar – This fantastic bazaar is a time capsule full of weather Uzbek men in traditional clothing exchanging solemn greetings and rows of handmade ‘khanatlas’ and ‘adras’ silk. It is a visual and shopping highlight and probably the most interesting bazaar in Uzbekistan.
- Yodgorlik Silk Factory – Margilon’s main attraction is this fascinating factor, your guide will walk you through traditional methods of silk production from steaming and unravelling the cocoons to the tie-dying and weaving of the dazzling ‘khanatlas’ (hand-woven silk) fabrics for which the city is famous for.
- Afterwards drive back to Fergana for your farewell Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: Local 4 Star Hotel – Grand Fergana or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Farewell Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day-12 Departure - Fergana Valley
- After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for return flight.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel).
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