8 day Ethnic tour in Uzbekistan

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Meet the driver at the hotel in Tashkent.

06:30 Transfer to the train station in Tashkent.

07:21 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

11:38  Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver who will wait for you with a tablet "ANUR TOUR".

Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags and meet the guide at the hotel.

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.

Transfer to Nurata town that was founded by Alexander the Great as known as fortified settlement Nur.  The fortress played an important role in the region as one of the strategic points to visit :

-  The ruins of the fort and kariz (the underground water pipeline from the spring) that was built to provide enough water supplies to the fort residents after Alexander the Great conquest. The ancient ruins and restored parts of now witness glory days of Nur.

-   Chashma (translated as “spring”) complex consisting of Juma Mosque, over the holy spring became one of the significant pilgrimage site.

Arrival in Asraf village. 

Warm welcome by local family and taste delicious lunch.

After lunch, short rest and then 1500-1900 warm-up walk around the valley enjoying the views of local life, old villages, and domestic cattle

By request: culinary master- class in the guesthouse cooking traditional Uzbek meals.

Resting time in the evening. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Day at leisure in the Asraf village.

Easy hiking in the picturesque surroundings along the mountain paths. Spending a day in the countryside is a great chance to relax and escape from the intensive urban lifestyle. 

Beautiful nature and hospitable local people make the tour enjoyable and memorable.

Culinary master class of cooking traditional Uzbek meals, the visitors are welcome to observe the process of cooking or take part in preparing the meals to get acquainted with the traditions and customs of locals.

Enjoy a home-made delicious dinner with the local family.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight in guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Leisure time in the morning.

Transfer to Samarkand, en-route enjoying beautiful views and local life scenery.

Arrival in the late afternoon.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing program in Samarkand visiting:

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

- Continue to the famous Registan Square – heart of Samarkand and real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor and Madrassa Tilla Kori; 

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

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

- Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab. 

16:30 Transfer to the train station in Samarkand.

17:28 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.

09:00 Meet with a guide.

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.
Around the Square, there is the Museum of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan hotel, Forum Palace, and famous Tashkent striking clock.

- Tashkent striking clock, one of the major symbols of Tashkent.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theater of the world 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 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 waters”, 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.

Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.