Cultural tour 006 – The Orient is a riddle

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

Itinerary: Tashkent – Rishtan – Ferghana – Khiva – Bukhara – Shahrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent
Day 1: Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to hotel. Spare time.
Day 2. Tashkent
Tashkent is the only megalopolis in Uzbekistan with population of 2.5m and has been
an important meeting point on the trade routes of the Silk Road during the centuries.
Tashkent Attractions:
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.
The founder of a vast empire that stretched from the Caucasus to China, from Siberia to India.

Day 3. Tashkent – Rishtan – Ferghana.

Today we drive to Margilan and visit the most famous silk factory “Yodgorlik” where you will learn about all the stages of silk production. You will also visit a farmers’ market in Margilan. Then we will return to Ferghana and visit German Cultural Center. In the afternoon have some free time.

Day 4. Ferghana-Rishtan-Ferghana .

After breakfast we will drive to Fergana valley over the pass. On the way we will visit ceramic workshop in Rishtan. Transfer to Fergana afterwards.

Tag 5. Ferghana-Kokand-Tashkent

Early breakfast at hotel, then transfer to Kokand. In 1740 Kokhand became the capital of Kokhand khanate. In Kokand we will visit the famous Khudoyar Khan Palace, Juma Mosque and Dakhmai Shohon (Tomb of the Kings). After lunch we drive back to Tashkent via Kamchik pass.

Day 6. Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva.

Transfer to Urgench and transfer to Khiva.
Sightseeing in 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.
Kalta Minor and Madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan built in mid 19th century.

Day 7. Khiva

Other places of interest in Khiva.

Other places of interest in Khiva:
Tash-Khauli Palace, Allakuli Khan Madrassah and Caravanserai and Nurullabai Palace. Free time in the afternoon.

Day 8. 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”.

Day 9. Bukhara .
Sightseeing in Bukhara:
Today we walk all day and our tour begins with
Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (preserved since IX 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 10. 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 11. Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand.
Arrival and city tour in Shakhrisabz: Ak-Saray palace (14th c) – “white palace”, from summer palace of Temur only ruins of the portal remain. At one time the 22m high side of the portal contrasted with the 45m high arch. The Dor-ut-Tilovat Ensemble with the Kok-Gumbaz Mosque (1435). An inscription on the portal shows that it was built by Ulugh Beg on behalf of his father Shahrukh. The complex of Dar as-Saodat with the mausoleum of Jahangir (1379/80). Timur’s son Jahangir fell from his horse when he was 12 years old and sustained injuries incompatible with life. Timur was greatly affected by the loss of his son. Transfer to Samarkand. Arrival and overnight in hotel.

Day 12. 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. The three madrasahs – Ulugbek Madrasah (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 13. Samarkand .
Museum of Afrosiab and visit ancient settlement next to museum. The site of ancient Samarkand, which is mentioned in the Zoroastrian holy book “Avesta” as a 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 14. Samarkand-Tashkent .

Before departing to Tashkent we shall visit silk paper weaving workshop in Koni-Gil village and a carpet factory in Samarkand. Transfer to Tashkent and dinner in one of the national restaurants.

Day 15. Tashkent
Transfer to Tashkent international airport and take a flight home.