NAVRUZ - New Year Festival of Spring

Navruz, the national holiday of Uzbekistan, is deeply rooted in the rich heritage of the country’s past. It falls on March 21st – vernal equinox. This day is known as the first day of spring, and is celebrated with much merriment and feasting. This holiday symbolizes the awakening of nature, and is meant to evoke the best of human’s soul - goodness, love, mercy. On this day people should forgive each other old umbrages, visit the elderly, sick and lonely warming them with a good word and a gift.

From ancient times celebration of Navruz was surrounded with mysterious rituals.

Under the cold spring sky lighted up with stars and bonfires women made special dish sumalyak

(wheat pudding cooked overnight) to let the magic forces of the sprouted wheat reach everybody.

On March 21st spectacular performances are held in all the cities and villages of Uzbekistan: public places are full of people watching kurash — national wrestling, and epic poetry recital by wandering bakshi minstrels. In rural areas the festival culminates in a ritual ploughing of the first furrow of the year by aksakal — the most respected elder in the village.

All through the Navruz celebrations music, songs, laughter is heard late into the night, and people savour lavish dishes.  

During this tour tourists can both see the architectural gems of Uzbekistan and take part in the celebration of the most cherished national and folk holiday of Uzbek people

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights

Destinations:

 Tashkent - Urgench (Khiva) - Bukhara - Samarkand - Tashkent

*Note:

1. The above itinerary can be arranged during the period of March 15th – March 28th

2. The venue of national horse race Ulak is subject to change due to the date the tour starts.