14-day tour to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan with interesting and thoroughly planned itinerary. 2 week Central Asia tour can be adjusted into private or family trips that historical sightseeing in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent, ancient Mary and Merv, and culture exploration of Khujand and Penjikent, nature watching in Seven Lakes and Fann mountains in Tajikistan, and amazing Darwaza crater in Turkmenistan.
Choose your suitable date to discover Central Asia!
Flight to Tashkent.
Afternoon/evening arrival in Tashkent 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” .
Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport is not far from the city center, the transfer will take about 20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location.
Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide at the hotel 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.
Around the Square there are the Museums of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan hotel, Forum Palace, and famous chimes.
- Tashkent striking clock, one of the major symbols of Tashkent.
- Theater Square with the Opera House: The 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 – religious center of the Tashkent 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.
Transfer back to the hotel.
End of the tour.
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 Drive to the Uzbek-Tajik border (BP Oybek - Fotehobod). Border crossing.
Meeting with guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.
Transfer to Khujand city.
Start Khudjand city tour visiting:
- Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;
- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;
- Panjshanbe bazaar (Khujand’s central market that has many stores offering different kind of goods and services. The name Panjshanbe comes from Persian language meaning “Thursday”. Panjshanbe is considered as one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan. The Silk Road which passes Khujand city, had always made Panjshanbe to be crowded with traders and tourists).
Leisure / free time in the afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to Penjikent via Istaravshan town, 78 km southwest from Khujand.
Istaravshan is one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan (more than 2500 years). Ancient name Cyropolis founded by Cyrus the Great in 544 BC as a boarding fort of the Achaemenid Empire.
Overview sightseeing in Istaravshan:
- Mazori Sharif mausoleum;
- Kog Gumbaz madrasa (16th century);
- Kuhi Mug, the ruins of the ancient fortress.
Arrival in Penjikent, check-in the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 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, besides the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor, but each lake has its own name: Nezhigon, Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The difference in level between the upper and lower lake is 692 meters. Easy hike at the lakes.
Transfer to Penjikent. Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent visiting:
- The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled inter-city (2500-years ago) that was a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road.
-The Sarazm Important Bird Area (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay-vegetated floodplain of the river.
Afternoon transfer to border post Jartepa (ETA 16:00). Border crossing usually takes 30 min-1 hr. Meet the guide and driver at Uzbek part of the border. Meet the driver and transfer to the hotel in Samarkand.Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel in Samarkand.
Start Samarkand sightseeing tour visiting :
– 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 the 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;
– Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical center in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;
Transfer to the hotel. End of the tour.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Bukhara, en-route visiting famous Gijduvan pottery workshop where visitors are welcome for a tour around the workshop and observe the process of ceramic making and painting.
The owners demonstrate the stages of making ceramics from turning the potter’s wheel to making paints from natural ingredients, decorating the ceramics in a distinctive style, drying and firing. Take an overview tour around the museum-hall with a unique collection of the ceramic items of Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan.
Arrival in Bukhara in the evening, check in the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 Meet with our guide in your hotel and 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 stores offering you souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;
– Caravanserai Saifuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);
– There are three trading places or so called covered bazaars: Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century. 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;
– Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas standing in front of each other with a distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;
– Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impressing the imagination of every visitor;
– 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: a quick visit to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture with a local guide.
Back to the hotel.
End of the tour.
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 Meet the driver at the lobby.Transfer to Uzbek- Turkmen border post Alat.
Border passing formalities (passport and visa control usually takes about 2 -2,5 hrs depending on the customs formalities). Meet the guide and driver at Turkmen side of the border.
Transfer to Mary en route visit to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO).
Sightseeing in historical park visiting
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum,
- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum,
- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries);
- History museum of Merv region.
Transfer to the Mary airport.
Evening flight to Ashgabat.
Arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Start Ashgabat city tour with visiting
- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that consider the highest building in the country);
- Neutrality Arch - unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun;
- National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique exposition from Ancient Merv and Nissa;
- A trip to ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city ;
- Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum is considered as the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousands of people). There are beautiful garden and fountains.
- In the afternoon transfer to Darwaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track, continue 10 km deep inside. In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate - Darwaza. The views are impressive, especially in sunset and night when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible and ambiguous feelings.
BBQ dinner and overnight stay in yurt.
Camp-style breakfast.
09:00 Transfer to Kunya – Urgench.
Start sightseeing tour with visiting:
- Mausoleum of the founder of Sufi sects "Kubra" Nadzhimetdin Kubra (XII-XIII C);
- Mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym; minaret Mamun (X-XI);
- Minaret Kutlug -Timur (XII-XIV c, the highest minaret in Central Asia);
- Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II BC - III A.D.);
- Mausoleum Arslan II (the oldest building in the city - date of its bookmark is roughly estimated by XI century).
Transfer to Turkmen – Uzbek Border post Shavat/Dashoguz.
Pass the border. Border passing formalities (passport and visa control might take 1 to 2 hrs depending on the customs formalities). Meet the guide and driver at the Uzbekistan side of the border.
Transfer to Khiva. On arrival in the hotel, check-in.
Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 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:
- 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,
- Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,
- Minaret and Islam-Khoja Madrassah,
- Mosque and Jami Minaret.
21:00 Transfer to Urgench airport.
22:55 Flight Urgench – Tashkent by HY 58
00:15 Arrival in Tashkent.
Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day in Tashkent.
By request, sightseeing in Tashkent or Tashkent countryside can be added as extra.
Overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation:
| Tashkent |
|
Ramada Tashkent
,
International Hotel
,
Lotte City Hotel
,
Uzbekistan
|
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