Uzbekistan – Mountains, Nature and Culture - 15 Days

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

After breakfast at hotel we start our Tour in Tashkent. Tashkent, the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan where the history of modern and old stands side by side is located in the northeast of Uzbekistan and with circa 3 million inhabitants the biggest city in Central Asia. Along with modern hotels, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, opera, disco, oriental bazaars, the city also offers a thousand years of history. Khazrati Imam Complex consisting of Barak Khan Madrasah (16^thc.), Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (15^thC.), Muyi-Mubarak Mosque – storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of Prophet Muhammad, Djuma Mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali. Dinner at local city Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star Hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel we drive to Ugam Chatkal National Park (125 km – 2 hours). Trekking in the National Park (1800 m). For lunch we have a picnic in the Mountains. Then we get back and we drive back to Tashkent. Dinner at local city Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star Hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel we drive to the Mountain Village Uhum. Afternoon we prepare our traditional Uzbek dinner with the local Family. Dinner together with the Family. Overnight at the Family.

Breakfast at the Family. Hike and picnic in the Mountains. In the Afternoon we will hike back to our Family. Dinner together with the Family. Overnight at the Family.

After breakfast at the Family we drive to the next Village, Sentyab. Hiking and trekking in the mountains Sentyab. For lunch we have a Picnic in Nature. Afternoon hiking back. Dinner together with the Family. Overnight at the Family.

After breakfast with the Family we drive to the Yurt Camp in the Desert Kyzylkum. On the way we visit the Aydarkul Lake. We have a Picnic on the Lake and then we drive to the Yurt Camp. Afternoon camel rides in the Kyzylkum Desert. In the evening we eat by the fire at the live music of a Kazakh folk musician and overnight in the Yurts.

After breakfast we drive to Bukhara. In Bukhara we will 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 (14-17^th c.) and Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah. Dinner at Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah along with traditional folklore program. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel.

After breakfast at hotel we visit Citadel Ark (4^th c. BC), Bolo-Khauz Mosque (beginning of the 20^th c.), Samanides Mausoleum (9-10^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 city Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel we drive to the Mountain Village Katta Langar (245 km – 3,5 hour). Lunch with the Family in the Village. Afternoon hike in Katta Langar. Dinner with the Family. Overnight at the Family.

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.

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to the Mountain Village Aksay. On the Mountain is the Cave of King David. We walk to King David. For Lunch we eat in the Mountains and we climb through the 2200 steps to the Cave of King David. Dinner at the local Restaurant in Samarkand. Overnight stay in a 3-star Hotel.

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. You will enjoy hearing some legends while visiting the Bibi-Chanum Mosque and the Medresse (XIV century). We visit the traditional oriental “Siyab Bazaar“. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. 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 drive to Tashkent (dep. 17.00 – arr. 19.20). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.