Adventure journey 001 – Without ruffle through oriental Uzbekistan

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Itinerary: Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva-Bukhara-Nurata-Yurt Camp-Aidarkul Lake
Sentob-Samarkand-Tashkent
Day 1. Tashkent.
Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to hotel. Spare time.
Day 2. Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva
Tashkent is the only megalopolis in Uzbekistan with 2.5 million inhabitants and used to be
An important meeting point on the trade routes of the Silk Road during the centuries.
Tashkent sights:
Hast-Imam Complex: this is a cult-architectural complex of Tashkent, consisting of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya-Sheikh Mosque and Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum.
Museum of Applied Arts: The museum has over 7000 best examples of applied arts made by masters from different regions of Uzbekistan.
Chorsu Bazaar: Chorsu Bazaar was and still is considered one of the oldest bazaars in Central Asia.
It has been one of the most important stops along the Silk Road for centuries. The bazaar is expanding.
Today it has more than two floors of the central domed building and the surrounding area.
Metro in Tashkent: Tashkent is the only city in Central Asia with a metro.
There are a total of 43 stations, some of which are decorated with ceramics, mosaic and glass.
Amir Temur Square: Temur Square is named after a Central Asian military leader, politician and statesman.
founder of a vast empire that stretched from the Caucasus to China, from Siberia to
to India.
Transfer to Urgench and transfer to hotel in Khiva.
Day 3. Khiva.
Sights of Khiva:
Juma Mosque (1788/89) A huge mosque with a high minaret, the body of which bears a beautiful turquoise majolica belt. Originally the ceiling of the mosque was supported by 212 columns.
Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum. Pahlavon Mahmud (1247-1325) was a skinner by profession. A domed mausoleum was built over his grave.
The Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah, built in the early 20th century. The ensemble was the last major architectural project to be implemented in the Central Asian Khanate.
The Kalta Minor and Madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan, built in the mid-19th century.

And other sights.
Day 4. Khiva-Bukhara.
Today we will drive 450 km, in some places along Amudarya river (Oxus in ancient times) and through Kyzylkum desert.
to Bukhara. During the trip you will be able to see one of the largest desert landscapes in Central Asia.
There will be enough time for “photo breaks” en route.
Day 5. Bukhara .
Sightseeing in Bukhara:
Today we walk all day and our tour begins with
Ismail Samani Mausoleum (preserved since the 9th century) We will also visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. “Chashma” means “spring” and when you visit this attraction you will be able to see it inside the building.
According to a legend, the mausoleum stands on the spot where the Biblical prophet Job (Ayub) is believed to have struck the ground with his staff and thus a spring was born. Bolo House Mosque, rather a complex consisting of an 18th century mosque with an aivan with columns, a minaret and a pond. Because of the height of the columns, they were made of two fragments. Then we will visit the Arc Citadel, the Poi-Kalon ensemble and the trading domes,
Madrasah and Lyabi-Hauz ensemble.
Day 6. Bukhara .
Today’s attractions are not far from Bukhara. We visit summer residence of the last Emirs of Bukhara Sitor and Mokhi-Khosa, mausoleum of Naqshbandi and house-museum of Faizulla Khodjaev. Free time after lunch.
Day 7. Bukhara – Nurata / Yurt Camp.
On the western outskirts of the city starts the so called “khan’s road”, an ancient route connecting Bukhara and Samarkand.
Bukhara and Samarkand. At the height of the Great Silk Road, caravans travelled between the cities; this route could be traveled in 6-7 days to reach Samarkand. About half way across, in the middle of the desert, one can see a monumental gate that seems to lead to nowhere. These are the ruins of the ancient caravanserai of Rabat-e-Malik and from here the ancient Silk Road ran. Further transfer to Nurata. After lunch at local family, visit 4th / 3rd century BC fortress, 11th century mosque and Chashma spring. Transfer to the yurt camp. After dinner you can listen to folklore with Kazakh songs around the fire performed by local folk singer.
Day 8. Yurt Camp – Lake Aidarkul – mountain village Sentob.
After breakfast transfer to Aidarkul Lake. Free time near the lake. Lunch.
After lunch transfer to Sentob mountain village. Arrival and accommodation in guest house.
Day 9. Sentob mountain village.
Walking tour
We set off early in order to be back in the house before the heat sets in. The walk (2-3 hours, easy) through a wide valley, past secluded houses, ruins and a mosque near an old fortress.
mosque by the old castle. On weekdays you may see children on their way to school or local farmers with their saddled donkeys.
Day 10. Sentob – Samarkand mountain village

After breakfast transfer to Samarkand (approx. 220 km). Arrival in Samarkand and free time.

Day 11. Samarkand
Sightseeing in Samarkand
Gur Emir Mausoleum (15th century) translates as ‘Tomb of the Ruler’ and was built from late 14th to mid 15th century as burial place for the Timurids.
Registan Square is the most famous symbol of Uzbekistan. Three madrassahs – Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Tilla Kori (17th century) and Sher Dor (17th century) – still create the image of the famous Registan.
Bibi Khanum Mosque was built by Tamerlane in early 15th century as the biggest Friday mosque in Central Asia for his beloved wife.
Day 12. Samarkand
Afrosiab museum and visit old settlement next to museum. The site of ancient Samarkand, which is mentioned in the Zoroastrian holy book ‘Avesta’ as legendary capital of Sogdians.
Ulugbek Observatory. From 1424 to 1428, the famous scientist and grandson of Timur Ulugbek ordered the construction of a scientific centre, whose ruins were discovered in 1908.
Shahi Zinda Necropolis, a necropolis whose mausoleums are decorated with majolica and mosaic tiles,
Day 13. Samarkand-Tashkent
Travel by road to Tashkent and visit silk paper weaving workshop in Koni-Gil village and a carpet factory in Samarkand. Transfer to Tashkent and dinner in national restaurant.
Day 14. Tashkent
Transfer to Tashkent international airport and take a flight home.