Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Direction: Tashkent – Bukhara – Navoi – Dungalak – Nurata – Samarkand – Tashkent
Day 1 (Tashkent): Arrive to Tashkent. Meet the guests with guide and transfer to the hotel for accommodation. Overnight at the hotel
Day 2 (Tashkent-Bukhara by flight): After early breakfast at hotel transfer to airport for flight to Bukhara. Arrive to Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel. Rest. City sightseeing tour of Saint Bukhara (2500 year old): Mausoleum of the Samanids – the most ancient of Central Asia brick building, a masterpiece of world architecture , Mausoleum Chashma Ayub that belongs to esteemed “places of trace” left by saint persons. The legend says that once the bible prophet Job (Ayub) visited this place. “Bolo-House Mosque” – the only monument of medieval Bukhara Ark – the center of Bukhara statehood silk carpet shops, Complex “Poi Kalon” (“Beneath the Great”): “Kalian Minaret” – the main symbol of sacred Bukhara that symbolized authority and power of spiritual governors , “Kalian Mosque”- its area of 130×80 m surpasses Bibi-Khanym mosque in Samarkand, “Miri Arab Madrassah” – active madrassah is one of the most esteemed spiritual Islamic universities , “Taki Zargaron” – the dome of jewelers , “Ulugbek Madrassah” – one of the 3 madrassah constructed by grandson of Tamerlan – Ulugbek , “Abdulaziz-khan Madrassah” – traditional madrassah with 2 floors of hujras and mosque on the central axis , “Magoki-Attori Mosque” – the most ancient mosque of Bukhara is considered a masterpiece of Bukhara architecture, “Khanaka and Madrassah of Nadir Divan-Beghi” – a massive rectangular structure that was a place for staying and meditation of Sufis, “Lyabi-Haus” ensemble – the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara – is very popular among tourists (14-17th cc) Dinner with Folk Show at Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 (Bukhara – Navoi – Dungalak ): After breakfast continue city tour of old Bukhara. Visit Sitorai-Mokshi-Khosa complex (the summer residence of last emir of Bukhara).Drive to yurt camp via Navoi. In Navoi visiting the Museum of history. Continue drive to village Dungalak. Arrive to Dungalak. The “Dungalakr” yurt camp is situated in the area of Navoi region in the center of Kyzyl-Kum desert, just in 4km from the lake Aydar-kul. Accommodation at traditional Kazakh yurts. Experience of sandy landscapes, flora and fauna of Kyzyl-Kum desert. Dinner around the fire with akin singing. Overnight in the yurts under the starry desert sky.
Day 4 (Dungalak – Nurata – Samarkand): After breakfast camel riding or relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the desert. Drive to Aydar-kul lake. Rest. Drive to Samarkand via Nurata (in direct translation from Persian “Nur-ota” means “Father of Rays”). In Nurata town you will visit: “Brothers Khasan and Khusan Mosque” – a place of Muslim pilgrimage, “Chashma” holly spring with plenty of fish “marinkas” ensuring the purity of the spring. It is a great pleasure to feed and observe the fish. A special interest is taken in “Namozgoh Mosque» which was reconstructed by Emir Abdullah in 1582. The roof of the mosque is adorned by 25 domes. Ruins of Alexander The Great citadel. Lunch in the national Uzbek house of crafts master of Suzanne production in Nurata The name derived from the Tadjik word meaning “needle”. Suzanne is a wall decorative embroidered piece of cloth. The biggest Suzanne is 2-3 meters long and up to 2 meters wide. Suzanne is embroidered in an original way of filling the most of the area by patterns leaving little of the background. Continue drive to Samarkand. Arrive to Samarkand. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner in the national restaurant” Karimbek” or “Saer” where visitors will taste the well-known Uzbek shashlyks (shish-kebab). Overnight in the hotel.
Day 5 (Samarkand): After breakfast City tour of Samarkand. Visit: “Guri Emir Mausoleum” – Tamerlan’s tomb that was build for Timur’s grandson Muhammad-Sultan and tombs of three other Temurids – sons of Temur – Miranshah and Shahrukh and his grandson Ulugbek “Registan Square” (“A sandy place”) – the major square of Samarkand: “Ulugbek Madrassah” – Sheikh Khodja Akhrar and poet Djami were among outstanding graduates of the madrassah “Sher-Dor Madrassah” (“Having tigers”) “Tillya-Kari Madrassah” (“Coated by gold”) – the richest gilding on the dome, walls and mihrab surpassed all famous buildings in Central Asia Cathedral mosque “Bibi-Khanym” that was named after the oldest wife of Tamerlan An architectural complex “Shahi-Zinda” (“Alive king”) Siab bazaar, taste the best Samarkand bread and fruits Free time leisure. Light up Show on Registan Square. Dinner at local restaurant or hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 (Samarkand – Tashkent): After breakfast proceed for visiting a craft center”Meros” that is found a unique by UNESCO and watching the process of hand making Samarkand paper (VII c.) Visit the Observatory of Ulugbek (built by the great astronomer Mirzo Ulugbek, the grandson of Timur). Afrosiab Museum & hills. Mausoleum of Khodja Daniyar – the legend associates him with Koran’ and Biblical prophet Daniyar (Daniel) whose remains were brought here by Tamerlan. Drive to Tashkent. Arrive to Tashkent. Accommodation in the hotel. Dinner in the national restaurant-museum “Uchkuduk” (restaurant has an original design and a lay-out like medieval a caravan-saray), here visitors can taste Uzbek plow (pilav), prepared on the ancient recipe. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 (Tashkent): After breakfast сity tour of Tashkent: An architectural complex “Khazret-Imam” including necropolis of imam Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Kaffal Shashi who was one of the first Muslim imams and famous divine and poet , “Barak-khan Madrassah” – built by Suyunidj-khan – the first ruler of Uzbek dynasty of Sheibanid’s , “Tillya Sheikh Madrassah” also called “Khasti Imam Mosque” where Osman Quran – the world’s oldest is kept , “Kukeldash Madrassah” (“Foster brother”) – was built by Kukeldash – the vizier of Tashkent khans , “Abul-Kasim Madrassah” now is the centre for traditional arts with attractive souvenirs by local artisans (19th c). Departure to airport. End the tour!
