Uzbekistan – the Heartland of the Great Silk Road
The Great Silk Road, which is said to be the first real link between the East and the West in the 2nd century B.C., has a very special status for tourists from different countries of the world. Until the 15th century when newly discovered sea routes to Asia opened up new trade opportunities, caravans loaded with silk, porcelain, spices, incense, ceramics,ivory and other exotic products used to head from Asia westwards, while caravans loaded with woolen clothes, furs, silver, gold, amber, and glass made their way from Europe, Arabia and Africa to the east, through Caucasus and Central Asia to China and India.
Uzbekistan as a hub of trade and cultural exchange, gave shelter to numerous merchants, pilgrims, explorers and great thinkers traveling along the Great Silk Road. Uzbekistan boasts an invaluable heritage of historical centers dating back to the significant periods in the history of the Silk Road. Such cities as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva managed to survive through the centuries and are ready to share their legends and magic of their beauty.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Destinations:
Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Urgench (Khiva) - Tashkent
DAY 1
Arrival at Tashkent airport. Meet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel
Overnight in Tashkent
Tashkent
DAY 2
Breakfast.
Morning sightseeing in Tashkent: Barak-Khan and Kaffal-Shashi mausoleums (16th century), Friday Mosque
Transfer to Samarkand
Lunch en route
Afternoon sightseeing in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15th century) – the burial – vault of the Timurids, Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs 17th century))
Dinner
Overnight in Samarkand
Tashkent - Samarkand
DAY 3
Breakfast
Morning sightseeing in Samarkand: Ulugbek observatory (15th century), Shah-i-Zinda necropolis (14-15th centuries), Bibi Khanum Mosque (15th century), Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs 17th century))
Lunch
Transfer to Bukhara. Arrival in Bukhara. Accommodation at the hotel.
Dinner
Overnight in Bukhara
Samarkand - Bukhara
DAY 4
Breakfast
Morning sightseeing in Tashkent: Barak-Khan and Kaffal-Shashi mausoleums (16th century), Friday Mosque
Transfer to Samarkand
Lunch en route
Afternoon sightseeing in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15th century) – the burial – vault of the Timurids, Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs 17th century))
Dinner
Overnight in Samarkand
Bukhara
DAY 5
Breakfast
Transfer to Urgench (Khiva)
Lunch en route
Arrival in Urgench (Khiva). Accommodation at the hotel
Dinner
Overnight in Urgench
Bukhara - Urgench
DAY 6
Breakfast
Morning sightseeing in Khiva: Visit to the oldest part of the city: Kunya-Ark fortress including Kurinish Khana (17th century); Mohammed-Amin-Khan Madrassah (19th century), Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18th century), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19th century), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum
Lunch
Afternoon sightseeing in Khiva: Uch Avlioli («three saints») Mausoleum, Jami Mosque (18th century), Kutluq-Murad Inaq Madrassah (19th century), Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Tash Hauli Palace, Alla-Kuli-Khan (18th century), Arab Mohammed Khan (18th century) Madrassah
Flight to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent. Accommodation at the hotel
Dinner
Urgench - Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent
DAY 7
Early breakfast
Transfer to the airport.
Tashkent