Arrival in Tashkent

Tashkent - Meet outside of airport terminal building by driver and transfer to hotel (Travelers should go outside of airport terminal building and there is a metal fence and all people who come to meet passengers wait there. Our driver will be there with a name board)

Fly Tashkent-Urgench, transfer from Urgench to Khiva and sightseeing in Khiva

Tashkent - The driver picks you up from your hotel in Tashkent at 5 am (flight is at 7 am).

Urgench - Travelers should go outside of airport the terminal building and there is a metal fence and all people who come to meet passengers wait there. Our driver will be there with a name board and transfer to Khiva city which is 35 km.

Itchan Kala - Ichan Qala Fort— is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Present day Ichan Qala is open-air museum. It represents the old part of the city, surrounded with wall and turned into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. The area of Ichan Qala is 26 hectares. The feeling in Inner Fortress transfers people into the past in a city with narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs (Quran or Koran schools).
The sightseeing in Ichan Qala Fort:
Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa— (1855)
Kalta Minor. Zindon— city jail. Kunya Ark (“Kuhna Ark” in Uzbek).
Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassa— (1871)
Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum
Islam Khoja Madrassa
Islam Khoja Minaret— the tallest minaret in the city (Note: climbing the minaret 100.000 sum per person and it is not included to the tour price)
Juma Mosque— (1788)
Tash Hauli Palace (“Stone Palace” in Uzbek)(Note: separate entrance) to the reception court (ishrat hauli).

Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara with a private driver

Bukhara - Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara 7-hour drive. Crossing the river Amu Darya (in the antique called Oxus) and the desert Kizilkum. On the way lunch stop in a tea house—chayxana (optional)

The sightseeing in old town Bukhara

Bukhara - On this walking tour you learn about Art, history, old town, architectural monuments, food. The UNESCO listed city Bukhara has it all. Bukhara, one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, has a 2500-year-old history. Bumichkat “New Castle”, Al Madina as-sufriyya “Copper City”, Madinat at-tujjor “City of Traders”, Foxira “Honorable City” are some the names given to this unique city.

Moschea Bolo-khauz - Bolo Hauz mosque (XVIII century)— it is a functioning Friday mosque from XVIII century and consists of reservoir, mosque and minaret (Note: this mosque you can visit from outside, since it is functioning Friday mosque)

Ark of Bukhara - The Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries)— the construction of the citadel is dated to beginning of the 1st millennium BC. During the history the fortress has been destroyed several times but has been restored again. All buildings of the citadel have been reconstructed mainly during the XVIII-XX centuries

Great Minaret of the Kalon - Poi Kalon complex (“The foot of tall” in Uzbek) from XII-XVI centuries. Consisting of mosque, madrassah and minaret, one of the great centre of trade and scholarship along the Silk Road. The beauty of the minaret amazed Genghis Khan (Temuchin or Temujin)

Magoki Attori Mosque - Magoki-Attari Mosque— Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque. Prior to the Arab invasion there was a Buddhist monastery and then a Zoroastrian temple on the site. It now houses the dull Museum of the History of Carpet Weaving

Lyab-i-Hauz - Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, The Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620

Bukhara Synagogue - XVI century Synagogue— to the south of Labi Hauz Square spreads the Jewish Quarter of the old town. Jews have been an important minority in Bukhara since their forced migration from Merv and Shiraz in the 14th century (the majority having emigrated to Israel and the US since 1970s). (Note: most of the time it is closed if it is open travelers can visit inside and see old Torah)

Monument to Hodja Nasreddin - Statue of Hodja Nasruddin— the homespun philosopher and humorist on his donkey. Elsewhere in the world he is generally accepted as Turkish, but Uzbeks claim he was born in Bukhara and is one of their own

Free time in old town Bukhara or take optional sightseeing outside of old town. Afternoon catch a train to Samarkand

Bukhara - Discover city on your own or purchase optional half day tour of the top attractions outside of Bukhara on this day trip to Chor Minor— an unusual madrassah with four minarets, Naqshbandi Sufism complex— where the founder of a Sufi order which was later named Naqshbandi was buried, The summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs—where travelers can see a Soviet and Bukharian architecture and Chor Bakr Necropolis—resting place of Imam Sayid Abu Bakr and his three brothers Fazl, Ahmed and Hamed, all direct descendents of the Prophet.

Samarkand - Late afternoon transfer to Bukhara train Station 15 km and catch the train to Samarkand (subject to availability) upon arrival outside of train station of Samarkand met by driver and transfer to hotel

The sightseeing in Samarkand

Samarkand - Samarkand— a fairy tale city along the ancient Silk Road. “The Mirror of the World”, “The Garden of the Soul”, “The Jewel of Islam”, “The Precious Pearl of the Moslem World” are some the names given to this unique city. In ancient Greece, this city was known as Marakanda

Shah-i-Zinda - The complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries. Burial place of royal persons and nobles. One of the most spiritual place in Uzbekistan

Bibi Khanym Mosque - Bibi Hanim mosque XV century. The mosque was built in honour of Temur’s chief wife, Saray Mulk Khanum

Gur Emir Mausoleum - Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) from XV century

Registan - Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVII centuries. A spectacular architectural ensembles, with fantastic Islamic designs and calligraphy etched into the facades of its mosques and madrassahs

Siab Bazaar - Local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek)

Free time or take optional sightseeing. Afternoon catch a train to Tashkent

Samarkand - Discover city on your own or purchase optional tour in Samarkand city which includes: the Ulugbek Observatory, built by Amir Temur’s grandson astronomer-king Ulugbek in XV century, Samarkand Handmade Paper Centre— for centuries Samarkand was famous for its mulberry paper and famed for its durability and resistance to insects, The museum of Afrasiab (the history museum of Samarkand and the highlight of this place is the original frescos of Turk Khanate “Turk kingdom” from VII century) and Mausoleum of Daniyar— everyone has heard of Daniel and the lion’s den, but few could tell that his final resting place.

Tashkent - Late afternoon transfer to Samarkand train station and catch the train to Tashkent (subject to availability) upon arrival outside of train station of Tashkent met by driver and transfer to hotel

Tashkent

Tashkent - Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you would like to spend some more time in Tashkent, extra accommodation can be arranged in advance (subject to availability) or you can purchase day trip in Tashkent.

• English speaking local tour guide for sightseeing in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
• Entrance tickets to the monuments
• Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara in a private vehicle
• Domestic air ticket from Tashkent to Urgench
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Train ticket from Samarkand to Tashkent
• Train ticket from Bukhara to Samarkand
• Breakfast
• Accommodations (double or twin shared) in high rated Hotel 3* or central located boutique hotel

• Lunch and Dinner
• Photo and video charges 5 usd (for photography cameras. It is free if travelers use phone cameras)
• Single room supplement 30 usd per night/single room
• Personal travel insurance
• Hotel extra services
• Gratuity/Tips for guide/drivers

Discover Uzbekistan, a gem along the Great Silk Road. This eight-day tour is perfect for travelers who want to avoid the hassle of planning. Explore the open-air museum of Khiva, the enchanting city of Samarkand, and the bustling trade hub of Bukhara. Each city offers guided sightseeing at your own pace on this private tour. Enjoy internet access in all hotels, with breakfast, train and domestic flight tickets, and entrance fees included.
Accommodation with breakfast is provided.
The itinerary can be tailored to your interests.
Explore each city at your own pace with a local guide.
Border pick-up is available upon request.

• Check in to the hotels is after 14:00
• Note: In a high tourist season when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train
• The itinerary might be changed according domestic air ticket availability
• After booking send copy of passport for booking train tickets and hotels, please
• It is recommended to have some extra cash in US dollars to buy the souvenirs, food, tipping and for other expenses. There are many ATMs but you can’t withdraw US dollars they always give you cash in local currency and there is a limit
• On this tour you visit architectural marvels which have a rich history and important religious sites. It’s recommended to follow a specific dress code when visiting these iconic landmarks. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing tight, revealing, or transparent clothing. Women should cover their hair with a headscarf or shawl when they enter to holy places

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.