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Relaxing tour in Uzbekistan

Relaxing tour in Uzbekistan
Starts: Tashkent
Ends: Tashkent
Best time to travel: March-April-May, Spetember-October-November


Day 1: Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva (morning flight)
Your guide will wait at the Tashkent airport, and then you will have flight to Urgench. After arrival drive to Khiva to begin your tour. Then you will go for sightseeing in the most ancient cities on the Great Silk Road. The highlight of Khiva is Ichan-Qala, it is the central part, defined by high walls. Due to unusual sand buildings, palaces, mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, minarets, caravanserais and bathhouses, Ichan-Qala looks like a small city-museum. There are more than 60 architectural monuments and about 400 traditional houses in Ichan-Qala. Its territory was declared as a historically and architecturally preserved area in 1969. The most important monument in its boundaries is Kunya-Ark fortress which many travellers know in Uzbekistan. Muhammad Arang Khan constructed it in 17^th century. The last sites are the perfect examples of Khorezm architecture: Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, built in 1830s. You will spend nigh in a hotel.

Day 2: Khiva - Bukhara
After early breakfast, drive to another mysterious city to have a tour. In Bukhara, there are over 140 historically important monuments of medieval ages in Uzbekistan. Despite the diversity in style of architecture, building of different epoch are located close to each other which can be noticed while you travel. On the way to Bukhara, you will drive through the famous Kizilkum deserts. You will have an opportunity to see the deepest River Amu Darya. It is the joint of Panj and Vakhsh river, started from Tajikistan. It flows further into Aral Sea. After our arrival, have free time to relax. Night in a hotel.

Day 3: Bukhara
After breakfast at the hotel, you will get lost in the narrow streets of Bukhara during your tours. You will start from the oldest citadel of Bukhara- Citadel ark. This historical monument dated back to 4^th century and served as a residence for many dynasties of Bukhara Emirate. Next is the admirable work of art of 9^th-10^th century during your travel in Uzbekistan- Samanids Mausoleum. Later Chashma Ayub, known as a Spring of Job and Bolo-Hauz mosque, famous as a mosque of 40 columns mosque built for the memory of the city's governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Next part is most exciting in Uzbekistan; colorful shopping domes and Lyabi House Ensemble. It is the remarkable site in Bukhara, here you will visit famous Nodir Divan Begi madrasah. The last site is amazing Poi Kalon complex consist of three buildings: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah, the unusual forms of architecture, dating back to 12th-16th centuries. You will spend time in a hotel.

Day 4: Bukhara
The outskirts of Bukhara also rich in historical sites during your tour in Uzbekistan. Today, we will drive about 20 minutes to reach the complex of Bahauddin Naqshbandi. Nowadays, it is one of the popular place of pilgrimage for Muslim community from all over the world. The reason is that it is the memorial complex of the outstanding Sufi Philosopher and Leader Bahauddin Naqshbandi. In addition, he was one of the spiritual supervisors of legendary Amir Timur. There are mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, garden with pool, madrasah, and burial places of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi in the complex. Next will be the residence of Bukhara Emirs-Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. Here you will come across the different styles of architecture. The name reminds the wife of the Emir who died young. It means "Star - like and moon- like Palace". Chor Bakr memorial, the remains of the old town at Sumiton village will be the last destination. The four sides of the complex means the earth and symbolize the equality of human beings. It was constructed during the governance of Samanids reign, before 16^th century. Rest in a hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara - Gijduvan - Samarkand
In the morning, we will continue travelling to Samarkand. En route, we will have a break at worldly known pottery workshop at Gijduvan village during tour in Uzbekistan. The story of the ceramic school of Gijduvan goes back to centuries; here this skill is passed from one generation to the next. Today Gijduvan ceramic school boasts with six generation of potters. It if from Narzullayevs family, which makesthe school popular worldwide. Design of geometrical ornaments is the most important part of the ceramics here. Artists work mostly with green and blue colors. Drive to Samarkand. Check in a hotel.

Day 6: Samarkand
In the morning start mysterious city Samarkand. It is located in the Zerafshan river valley. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities, coeval with Babylon and Rome and the second biggest city in the country. The city tour will includes Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan square, rounded by three glorious Madrasahs, which provides spectacular view. The beauty of the square surprises every visitor of Registan. Another incredible architectural complex is Shakhi-Zindeh, which is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It represents the largest number of mausoleums going back to 11-15^th centuries. The last is Bibi Khanum Mosque, which was constructed for the honor of Tamerlane's wife, following his victorious battle in India. You will spend night in a hotel.

Day 7: Samarkand
This day also devoted for travelling and exploring Samarkand. Today's first stop is Ulughbek observatory It was built by Samarkand's leader and scientist Ulughbek of 15^th century. In 1437, Ulughbek created a catalog called "Zidji Guragoni", where there were information about 1018 celestial bodies. Unfortunately, he was murdered by the arrangement of his son. Later, you will enjoy walking local Broadway, full of workshops, teahouses, souvenir shops and sweets in Uzbekistan. You will also visit to oriental bazaar Siab, where there are many beautiful Uzbek handicrafts. Moreover, you will have visit the handmade factory of traditional carpets, where 400 women make amazing carpets without using traditional techniques. You will also see local paper factory, where the silk paper is manufactured. Night at the hotel in Tashkent.

Day 8: Samarkand - Tashkent (transfer or train)
In the morning you will continue travelling by transferring or train to Tashkent. Upon arrival you will have a city tour in Tashkent. Today you will visit Independence square which is the main square of the country, erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Then you will visit the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum famous in Uzbekistan. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran which is the world's oldest Quran copy dating back to 8^th c. Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-muslims in 8^th century. His blood spred over Quran that you still can see on Quran's pages. Night is in a hotel.

Day 9: Flight
Today is the last day of your trip within Uzbekistan. Transfer to the airport.