C502, Solo Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Chimgan Mountains)

After breakfast you will be transferred to railway station of Tashkent for your train to Samarkand. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th -15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is at the hotel.

Today you will continue exploring Samarkand city. You will visit Ulughbek observatory, built in 15th century by Ulughbek, one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. Working in observatory, Ulughbek created in 1437 the “Zidji Guragoni” catalog, which had information about 1018 celestial bodies. Unfortunately, he was killed by order of his own son. After it you can walk along the local Broadway surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets and workshops. Then you can visit National bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. Also you will see carpet factory, a unique handmade carpet factory where over 400 women sew carpets without using traditional techniques. The tour will end with visiting Samarkand paper workshop where they produce silk papers. Night is in a hotel.

After breakfast, we will start our way to Bukhara. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit a famous private pottery workshop. The Gijduvan ceramics school has deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son, from generation to generation. Today, Gizhduvan is home to the sixth generation of potters from the Narzullayev family, which has glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. The Gijduvan School of ceramics is distinguished by a geometric pattern. Green and blue colors prevail in the decoration of products. Afterwards, we continued driving to Bukhara. Overnight is at the hotel.

Today you will have a full-day city tour of this fascinating city. At first, you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara, dating back to the 4th century, named Citadel Ark, which served as a palace for several dynasties of the Bukhara Empire. Then you will see the Samanids' mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of the 9th –10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well, and Bolo-Hauz mosque, also known as the mosque of forty columns, built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs in Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi, which is also a part of the Lyabi House Ensemble, the famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with a visit to the Poi Kalon complex, a unique example of the architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th–16th centuries: the Kalon minaret, the Kalon mosque, and the Mir Arab Madrasah. Overnight is at the hotel.

Today you will have a sightseeing tour in the surrounding area of Bukhara. First, you will visit the Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located a few kilometers from Bukhara. It is a memorial complex for a famous Sufi leader and philosopher and one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of the Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual masters of Amir Timur. Today, the complex consists of the mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, a courtyard with a pool, a madrasah, and the burial vaults of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma, upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. After excursions, we will transfer to Bukhara railway station to depart for Tashkent. Overnight is at the hotel.

In the morning, you will transfer to the Chimgan Mountains. Upon arrival, you will have a chair lift to reach the top to see Beldersay peak, 30 min one-way. You will have some free time here to walk around and enjoy nature. On the way back; you will stop over at Charvak lakeside beach for free time and your own water activities (as per season). Charvak is an artificial lake and a popular resort in the Tashkent region, and thousands of holidaymakers from all over Uzbekistan and neighboring countries visit the reservoir. At the end of the day, they return to Tashkent. Overnight is at the hotel.

A full day is dedicated to a sightseeing tour in Tashkent. Today you will visit Independence Square, which is the main square of the country and was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. Furthermore, you can take a ride on the famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. The first line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city, which includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah, and the Hast Imam complex, which consists of several madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleums. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran, which is the world’s oldest Quran copy, dating back to the 8th century. Evening is the transfer to airport and flight home.