Aral Sea Tour – biggest ecological disaster in the World - 13 Days

Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in a 4-star Hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast, you will explore Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, where ancient traditions blend harmoniously with modern life. Your sightseeing tour includes the Hazrati Imam Complex with the Barak Khan Madrasah, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, and the Khodja Ahrar Mosque. A special highlight is the library of oriental manuscripts, which houses a rare Qur’an from the time of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (644–656), consisting of 353 parchment pages. The sacred book was once kept in Medina, Damascus, and Baghdad before being brought to Samarkand by Timur. Afterwards, visit the Kukeldash Madrasah, the colorful Chorsu Bazaar, and the Independence Square. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at a 4-star hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast transfer to the Airport and flight Tashkent – Nukus. On arrival visit of Nukus. Karakalpakistan is one of the regions which is strongly affected by the drying up of the Aral Sea. We visit the State Museum “Sawitsky”. In the afternoon we will drive to Moynaq, once a fishing village and ship harbour of the Aral Sea. Dinner and overnight stay in a guest house. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast visit of Moynaq>/strong>, former fishing village on the shore of Aral Sea>/strong>. From there we can have a look at the drying Aral Sea. Once the Aral Sea was one of the largest lakes on the planet – which was not called “sea” for nothing. It has gone down in history with a number of names like “the Choresmian Sea” and “the Blue Sea”. Today, however, the water level of the Aral Sea has fallen by more than 22 metres. In the middle of the Aral Sea there was the island of “rebirth”, which has become a peninsula in the meantime. The drying up of the Aral Sea is regarded as a catastrophe of mankind, a tragedy on a world scale. In the afternoon we drive to Khiva. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast, we explore Ichan Kala, the historic inner city of Khiva, completely surrounded by ancient walls that create a unique medieval atmosphere. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it fascinates visitors with its countless masterpieces of Islamic architecture and authentic oriental charm. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner with live folk music in a traditional restaurant. Overnight at a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we visit the historical City Ichan Kala. Dinner at the local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel.

After breakfast drive: Khiva → Buchara (480 km). During the drive through the Desert Kysyl-Kum (Red Sand). The Kysyl-Kum Desert is about 200 000 km² and belongs to the territories of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. There you can find the red Sand, from which the Desert gets its Name. On the way to Bukhara we make a stopover at the teahouse “Bukhoro-i-Sharif”. In Bukhara check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we visit Poyi Kalon Ensemble consisting of Kalon Minaret (12^th c.), Kalon Mosque (12^th C.), Miri Arab Madrasah (16^th C.), domed bazaars Toqi Zargaron (15^th C.), Toqi Telpak-Furushon (16^th C.) and Toqi Zaroffon (16^th C.). Continue we visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex (14^th-17^th C.) and Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah. Dinner at a local restaurant and then live Folklore in the Medresse Nodir Devon Begi. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we visit Citadel Ark (4^th c. BC), Bolo-Khauz Mosque (beginning of the 20^th c.), Samanides Mausoleum (9^th-10^th c.), Chashmai Ayub (14^th c.). Lunch at local city restaurant in Bukhara. Afternoon we visit: Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Complex, summer residence of the last Emir (ruler) of Bukhara, Bakhouddin Naqshbandiy Memorial Complex, Chor Bakr (19^th c.) and Chor Minor. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel.

After breakfast we drive to Shakhrisabz, to the City of birth Amir Temur (known in the West as Tamerlan). The city was already known to Alexander the Great as Nautaca. We visit the summer palace “Ak Saray” (White Palace, 1380-1405). “Ak Saray” was added to the list of World Heritage by UNESCO. We also visit Kok Gumbaz Mosque, Darus Soadat Complex and the Jahongir Mausoleum. Afternoon we will drive to Samarkand. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we visit in Samarkand the three Medressen of the Registan – the Ulugbek-Medresse (built 1417-1420), the Sher-Dor-Medresse (1619 – 1636) and the Tillo-Kori-Medresse (1646 – 1660). The legendary Timurid mausoleum Guri Amir (XIV-XV century) enchants the viewer with its golden interior decoration. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel. Meals: B/–/D

Breakfast at hotel. You will enjoy hearing some legends while visiting the Bibi-Chanum Mosque and the Medresse (XIV century). We visit the traditional oriental Siyab Bazaar. Near the Siyab bazaar there is an ensemble of Shohi-Zinda (the living king, “IX.-XIV century), one of the world’s most famous group of mausoleums, which fasinate you with its beautiful architecture. Next we will visit the famous Ulugbek Observatory (1428-1429 which was built on one of the hills of Chupanata). The observatory was a unique design in his time. Afternoon Transfer to the train station. We will drive by Train to Tashkent (dep. 17.00 – arr. 19.20). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel. Meals: B/–/D