Muslim Tour in Uzbekistan - 10 Days

Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

After breakfast, explore Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, where ancient traditions blend harmoniously with modern architecture. Visit the Hazrati Imam Complex including the Barak-Khan Madrasa, the Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum, and the Chodja-Akhror Mosque. A highlight is the library of oriental manuscripts, which houses a unique Koran from the time of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (644–656), consisting of 353 parchment pages. This sacred book was previously kept in Medina, Damascus, and Baghdad before Timur brought it to Samarkand. We then participate in the communal Dhuhr prayer.

Next, visit the Kukeldash Madrasa (16th century) and perform the Asr prayer together. The lively Chorsu Bazaar is also explored, followed by the Maghrib/Isha prayers in the mosque. Afterward, enjoy a delicious Halal dinner in a local restaurant. Return to the hotel and free time. Overnight at a 4-star hotel with prayer rugs provided in all rooms. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Urgench. From Urgench, we drive 35 km to Chiwa. In Chiwa, we explore Ichan Kala, the walled old town of Chiwa. This impressive UNESCO World Heritage site resembles an open-air museum and preserves its authentic medieval atmosphere. Between narrow streets, intricately decorated madrasas, mosques, and minarets, we feel the centuries-old history of this oasis city.

During the day, we visit some of the most beautiful mosques in Chiwa and perform the communal Dhuhr prayer and Asr prayer. In the evening, we join the Maghrib prayer in a mosque and conclude the day with a festive dinner with live music in a traditional restaurant. Overnight at a 3-star hotel with prayer rugs provided in all rooms. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast, drive from Chiwa to Bukhara (480 km). The route passes through the vast Kyzylkum Desert (“Red Sand”), one of Central Asia’s largest deserts, stretching across Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Along the way, we enjoy the impressive expanse and tranquility of this landscape. Stop for communal Dhuhr prayer in the desert. Then continue to Bukhara, where we perform the Asr prayer together in a mosque.

In the late afternoon, arrival in Bukhara, one of Uzbekistan’s oldest cities, whose historic old town is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the evening, we join the Maghrib/Isha prayer in a mosque, followed by a Halal dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at a 3-star hotel with prayer rugs provided in all rooms. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we begin exploring Bukhara, the city of great scholars such as Avicenna (Ibn Sino) and Imam al-Bukhari. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, is an open-air museum of Islamic architecture.

We start with the impressive Poi-Kalon Ensemble (12th century) and the famous Kalon Minaret, a symbol of Islamic culture in Central Asia. Then we perform the communal Dhuhr prayer in the mosque of the complex.

Next, we visit the three historical domed bazaars: Toqi Sargaron (Jeweler’s Bazaar), Toqi Telpak-Furushon (Hat Sellers’ Bazaar) and Toqi Sarrofon (Money Changers’ Bazaar). Afterward, we perform the communal Asr prayer in a mosque.

In the late afternoon we explore the scenic Labi-Hauz Complex (16th–17th century) including the Nodir Devon Begi Madrasa. In the evening, we perform the Maghrib/Isha prayers together followed by a Halal dinner in a traditional restaurant. The guide offers an optional night prayer.

Overnight at a 3-star hotel with prayer rugs provided in all rooms. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we visit the Ark Citadel, the Emir’s residence, the Zindan (Emir’s prison), the Tschashma Ayub Mausoleum, the Bolo Howuz Mosque, the Abdullakhan Madrasa, the Modarikhan Madrasa, and the Chodscha Zaynuddin Complex. At the Samanid Mausoleum we see the oldest surviving example of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Joint Dhuhr prayer in the mosque.

In the afternoon we visit the Setora-i-Mohi-Khossa Palace, the Mausoleum of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, the Tchor Bakr Necropolis, and the Tchor Minor Madrasa. Joint Asr prayer in the mosque. In the evening joint Maghrib/Isha prayer in the mosque, followed by Halal dinner at a local restaurant. The guide accompanies volunteers to the night prayer. Overnight in a 3-star hotel with prayer rugs provided. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast, the spiritual exploration of Bukhara begins with the renowned “Seven Pirs” pilgrimage tour. These sacred sites honor seven masters of the Naqshbandi tradition whose teachings shaped the spiritual heritage of the region.

We start with the mausoleum of Khwaja Abdulkhaliq Ghijduvani, founder of the Naqshbandi principles, followed by the resting place of Khwaja Muhammad Arif ar-Revghari, known for his deep spiritual guidance. Next, we visit Khwaja Mahmud Anjir Faghnawi, one of the earliest Sufi masters to introduce loud dhikr. The tour continues to the complex of Khwaja Ali Romitani, revered as “Azizkhan,” and to Khwaja Muhammad Bobo Samosi, who foretold the birth of Bahauddin Naqshband. We then visit the mausoleum of Khwaja Sayyid Amir Kulal, the spiritual mentor of Naqshband, and conclude mit the resting place of Bahauddin Naqshband himself, one of the greatest Sufi masters of Central Asia.

During the tour, we perform the Midday Prayer (Dhuhr) and the Afternoon Prayer (Asr) together in the mosques of the Pirs, deepening the spiritual experience of the journey.

At 15:30, transfer to the train station and departure on the high-speed “Afrosiyob” train to Samarkand. In the evening, we gather for the Evening Prayers (Maghrib/Isha) in a mosque in Samarkand, followed by a Halal dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in a 3-star hotel with prayer rugs available in all rooms. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we begin our tour at the famous Registan with its three madrasas: Ulugbek Madrasa (1417–1420), Sher-Dor Madrasa (1619–1636) and Tillo-Kori Madrasa (1646–1660). Joint Dhuhr prayer in a mosque.

Next, we visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Madrasa (14th century) and the traditional Siyab Bazaar. In the afternoon we explore the legendary Timurid Mausoleum Guri Amir (14th–15th century) and attend the Asr prayer in a mosque. Then we visit the Mausoleum of Abu Mansur al Moturidiy (870–945). In the evening we perform the Maghrib prayer together in a mosque, followed by a Halal dinner with an Uzbek family. Overnight at a 3-star hotel with prayer rugs provided. Meals: B/–/D

After breakfast we visit the architectural ensemble of the Imam Ismael al-Bukhari Mausoleum, one of the most important sites for Muslims, where Imam al-Bukhari (810–870) collected the Hadith and compiled the work Al-Sahih. The mausoleum is located 30 km north of Samarkand. We perform the Dhuhr prayer together in the mosque of the complex.

Then we return to Samarkand to visit the impressive Shah-i-Zinda ensemble (9th–14th century), famous for its exquisite mausoleums, followed by a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory (1428–1429), a unique astronomical site. We perform the Asr prayer in the mosque.

Optional: In the evening, there is the possibility to fly to Turkestan to visit the Mausoleum of Ahmad Yassavi, or the tour ends in Samarkand with a return flight the next morning.

At 16:00 transfer to the station and take the high-speed train Afrosiyob to Tashkent. Joint Halal dinner at a restaurant in Tashkent. Overnight at a 4-star hotel with prayer rugs provided. Meals: B/–/D

Early Morning Transfer to the Airport and Departure. Meals: B/–/-