Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan Tour | 5

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.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

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

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

- Tashkent chimes, one of the major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenigsberg in 1945 as a sign of the great victory and eternal glory of patriots who fought in World War II.

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

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan. There are fountains, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers of World War, arch "Good and noble aspiration" crowned with birds of happiness and prosperity, road "Ok Yul" leading to Independence Monument and a monument to Happy Mother symbolizing the hope for a great future.

- 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.

18:00 Transfer to the railway station.

18:50 Departure for Samarkand by speed train "Afrosiab"/"Sharq".

20:58 Arrival in Samarkand.

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 the guide in the lobby.

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

- 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 – the heart of Samarkand and a 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. 

18:00Transfer to the railway station.

18:50 Departure for Samarkand by speed train "Afrosiab"/"Sharq".

20:58 Arrival in Bukhara.

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 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.

08:30 Start driving to the Uzbek-Turkmen border (BP Alat - Farab).

Border formalities on both sides, meeting with a representative of Turkmenistan travel company. Transfer to Mary.

En-route visit to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO). Sightseeing in the historical park:

- Visit Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum;

- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries) and others.

Return to Mary. Visit the History Museum of Merv region.

19:20 evening flight to Ashgabat.

20:00 arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to the hotel. Check in to the hotel.

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,

- Pahlavan Mahmud Gates,

- 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.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Return flight from Tashkent tomorrow.

End of the tour