Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2. City tour of Tashkent - the capital of Uzbekistan. The present Tashkent in fact is divided into two parts: the ancient city with its narrow streets, one-storied buildings and ancient monuments, and the modern well developed city with modern architecture which includes universities, theatres and metro. Lunch in the city. Evening flight to Urgench. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 3. Full day sightseeing of Khiva (28 km away from Urgench), the last great oasis on the northern caravan route to Russia and one of the most impressive and colorful ancient towns of Central Asia. Ichan-Kala, the so-called inner city, displays the simplicity and monumentality of medieval architectural forms, the delicacy of wood carvings and the skilled interweaving of ornamentation. A maze of narrow streets leads to courtyards whose cloisters and verandas are supported by elegant wooden columns on carved marble bases. Lunch in a private house in the old town. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 4. Drive (about 8 hours) to Bukhara via Kyzylkum desert. Picnic lunch on the way. Hotel in Bukhara. Accommodation. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 5. Full day sightseeing of the old town of Bukhara. with an opportunity to see many old madrasah, mosques, minarets and trading domes, including the Lyab-i-Khauz and the famous Kalyan minaret. First mentioned in Chinese chronicles of the 5th century, Bukhara is one of the oldest trade and cultural centers in Central Asia. Once boasting more than 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges, the city is still a constant feast of old and beautiful buildings. The narrow, twisting alleys of the old quarter are fascinating to explore. Lunch in a restaurant in the old town. Dinner and folk performance in Gaukushon Madrasah in the old town.

Day 6. Half day sightseeing tour of Bukhara: Ark Fortress, Samanid Mausoleum, National House of Narzullo Hodjaev with demonstration of old dresses. Lunch in the old town. Afternoon free. Dinner in a private house.

Day 7. Drive from Bukhara to Samarkand. On the way visit Shakhrisabz - the home town of Tamerlane, where he had prepared a Tomb for himself but was never buried there. Sightseeing tour (1,5 hours) and lunch in Sahkhrisabz. Hotel in Samarkand. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 8. Full day sightseeing of Samarkand: Registan Square, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, which overlooks the colorful bazaar. Lunch in the city. Afrosiyob Museum and Ulugbek’s Observatory. Dinner in a private house.

Day 9. Half day sightseeing tour of Samarkand: Shokhi-Zinda Mausoleum complex and Gur-Emir Tomb, where Tamerlane was buried. Afternoon free. Farewell dinner.

Day 10. Drive to Tashkent. Transfer to the airport. Departure