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Arrival at Urgench International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

Come out of the terminal and meet with the driver.

Transfer to Khiva (30 km) hotel. Early check-in.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide at the hotel lobby.

Start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-Kala (translated as “Inner town”). Ichan-Kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia consisting of:

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Pahlavan Mahmud Gates, Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,

Pahlavan Mahmud Gatesб

Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, it is a fine example of the architecture of the XIV century.

-  Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

08:00 Morning transfer from Khiva/ Urgench to Uzbek - Turkmen border pass "Shavat" (60 km). 

Arrival in the border pass office. Border formalities on both sides.

Meet by Turkmenistan guide and transfer to Kunya Urgench (100 km), the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once an important stronghold of the Achaemenid Empire, it once contained the city of Khorezm whose stunning ruins and amazing architecture draw visitors today.  

Excursion in Kunya Urgench with visits to Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum, Minaret of Kutlug Timur, Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, Mausoleum of Il-Arslan, Najamuddin Kubra Mausoleum and others.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

After lunch transfer to Karakum desert, directly to gas crater Darwaza (4 hrs). 

In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate to Hell, and the sight of the crater at night indeed gives a somewhat spooky feel. 

The views are most impressive in the dark. 

Barbecue dinner and overnight in yurt or tents. 

Camp - style breakfast.

10:00 Transfer from Gaz crater to Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan border post Shavat by car (5 hours). Border formalities on both sides. Meeting the driver at Uzbekistan part of the border

Transfer to Khiva /Urgench.

The end of the tour.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer Khiva to Bukhara by car (475 km, 7 hrs) via Kyzylkum desert OR transfer by train (depending on train schedule).

07:15 Transfer to the railway station in Khiva.

08:23 Departure for Bukhara by train.

13:35 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request:

Visit Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand via Shahrisabz and beautiful Takhta Karacha pass.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Excursion tour in Shahrisabz includes visiting (2,5 hrs):

- Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”), the ruins of the summer palace of Tamerlane. The palace was constructed and decorated by deported from conquered Khorezm skillful builders, masters and artisans. Some parts of the gate tower survived to the present day.

- Mausoleum of Dorus-Saodat ("The Place of Power", XIV century) contains the tomb of Eldest and favourite Tamerlane’s son Jahongir.

- Kok Gumbaz, so-called “House of Meditation.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried. 

Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing (it usually takes 30 min- 1 hr).

Meet the guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.

Start an excursion to Seven lakes.

Transfer to Marguzor, the famous seven lakes - seven wonderful water mirrors full of mountain riverside drops. Each lake looks different whenever the sun changes its position. Colors may vary from deep blue to indie color ripple. Most of them are cold to swim even in summer. These lakes belong to Fann Mountains system.

On the western edge of the Fan Mountains in the valley of the river Shing there are seven lakes, six of them are dammed origin, except the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor,  but each of the lakes has its own name: Nezhigon (other references  Mizhgon), Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak; Marguzor, Hazorchashma. 

The difference in level between the upper and lower lake - 692 meters.

Transfer to Penjikent - an ancient town in Sogdiana and now it is a city in the Sugd province of Tajikistan on Zeravshan River.

Lunch at the local café.

Afternoon border crossing BP Jartepa to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1 hr), meet the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border.

Transfer to Samarkand.  

Arrival in the hotel in Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel's lobby. 

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century;

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums  formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

16:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

17:30 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent. 

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel. 
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel's lobby. 

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5-6 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994, after the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theaters in the world that performs both classical and national repertoires. 

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country. There are fountains standing for the life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of the earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent.

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four water”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in postcards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
The evening departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.