Fascinating Tour For Gourmets

Fascinating Tour For Gourmets

In this culinary trip through Uzbekistan you will get to know the wonderful world of Uzbek cuisine and is secrets. Uzbek cuisine is one of the most prolific in the Middle East, just like the culture of the country. The cuisine and culture of Uzbekistan are intrinsically connected – and this is what we want to show you during our culinary expedition. Be inspired by the cuisine, nature and the people of Uzbekistan. You will have many opportunities to try making Uzbek dishes yourself. Your culinary trip will not only be an unforgettable travel experience, it will also be mouth-watering!

Itinerary

Day 1: 1st day. Arrival – Tashkent

Stop At: Tashkent TV tower, 109, Amir Temur Str., Tashkent Uzbekistan
You fly with Uzbekistan Airways to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Flight time about 6 hours. Your travel guide will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. Light dinner in a local restaurant. Two overnight stays in Tashkent.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: OVERNIGHT at City Palace Hotel

Day 2: 2nd day. Tashkent

Stop At: Tashkent TV tower, 109, Amir Temur Str., Tashkent Uzbekistan
After breakfast in the hotel you will go sightseeing in Tashkent. In the old town, you will see the historic complex Khasti Imam. On the large square you visit the Tilla-Shaykh-Mosque, the Barakkhan-Medrasa, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library in which the oldest version of the Koran is kept. Then we go to the Chorsu Bazaar, which was already well-known in the Middle Ages and which stood at the crossroads of the caravansaries of the Great Silk Road. You can wander through the pedestrian area with ist many street traders and cafés and travel with the only Underground Railway of Central Asia, which has impressive original stations.
Lunch with Lagman (bread, salad, tea, water) in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you go to the Museum of Applied Art, which is in a fine historic mansion, where there are over 7000 exhibits of traditional folklore from past times and foreign culture. You take the evening flight to Urgench, then by coach to the oasis town of Khiva (35 km).
Dinner with Mastava-Soup and Qiyma Zerafshan (bread, salad, tea, water). During the meal, your guide will tell you about Uzbek hospitality and tea traditions. Tea is very important in Uzbek cuisine and it is always offered first to a guest. The preparation and serving of tea also follow certain traditions.

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at City Palace Hotel

Day 3: 3rd day. Tashkent – Urgench (flight) – Khiva

Stop At: Khiva Silk Worshop, Ichan Qala, Khiva Uzbekistan
The 2500-year-old oasis town of Khiva is a turquoise jewel. Oriental ornamentation, shady inner courtyards, the warm glow of the old town clay walls, as well as mosques, madrasas, mausoleums and minarets – all decorated with thousands of turquoise-coloured tiles are part of what was once a metropolis of the Silk Road. We will visit the Kuhna Ark–the residence of the Khans of Khiva of the 17th century, Kalta Minor (short minaret) and the madrasa of Muhammad Amin Khan, the Juma Mosque, from the 10th century, plus the Tash-Hauli-Palace–the new residence of the Khans from the 19th century.
Lunch with Shivit Oshi (green noodles with chopped dill) (bread, salad, tea, water). In the afternoon you visit the Islam Khodja Minaret with madrasa and the mausoleum of Pakhlavon Makhmud, a famous wrestler and popular saint of the people from the Middle Ages. In the late afternoon, you have time to explore for yourselves, relaxing in a typical tea-room or visiting the Oriental market. Culinary Master Class: Today we will together make pumpkin soup and Tukhum barak (cooked dumplings stuffed with eggs, milk and a touch of sesame oil, covered with yogurt or, if desired, with oil), (bread, salad, tea, water). During dinner our travel guide will talk about different types of Uzbek bread. One overnight stay in Khiva.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Shaherezada Hotel

Day 4: 4th day. Khiva – Bukhara (ca. 420km)

Stop At: Bukhara Synagogue, Khusainova St., Bukhara Uzbekistan
We make the most of the cool morning hours and make the long journey through the Kyzilkum Desert to Bukhara. We cross the famous „Amudarya“ River and make photo stops on the river bank and in the desert. Lunch break in a local tea-room. When we continue, our travel guide will tell us about the country and the people. We reach the next Silk Road metropolis – Bukhara – in the late afternoon. Three overnight stays in Bukhara.
For dinner, there is vegetable soup and Manti (bread, salad, tea, water) in a local restaurant. Manti is one of the most popular Uzbek specialities. These are steamed dumplings filled with meat and onions or with different vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, etc.


Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Komil Boutique Hotel

Day 5: 5th day. Bukhara

Stop At: Ark of Bukhara, Afrosiab St, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Today you will experience the magic of the old town of Bukhara. We will visit the most important historic sites: the Samanids-Mausoleum–the oldest architectural building complex in Central Asia, the Bolo Hauz Mosque, the Ark-Citadel – residence of the Emirs of Bukhara and the largest complex and emblem of Bukhara – Poyi kalon. On the way from the Poyikalon-Complex through the domed bazaars past madrasas to Labi Hauz, you will be greeted by gold embroiderers, scissor makers and cobblers.
Today you can enjoy Uzbek Dolma for lunch (bread, salad, tea, water). In the afternoon you continue sightseeing: The Labi Hauz Complex is the centre of old Bukhara with magnificent buildings. Then you dive into the hustle and bustle of craftsmen and discover wood-carvers, cutlers, potters, weavers and other artisans at work in their workshops. Culinary Master Class: Today you visit a Bukhara family and learn how to prepare the Bukhara speciality «Navruz» (New Day). Dinner with Pelmeni-Soup, Navruz and cake as dessert (bread, salad, tea, water).

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Komil Boutique Hotel

Day 6: 6th day. Bukhara

Stop At: Ark of Bukhara, Afrosiab St, Bukhara Uzbekistan
In the house of the merchant Khodjaev, which is today a museum, you will see how wealthy merchants and traders lived in Bukhara 100 years ago. Then you visit the Bahauddin-Naqshbandi-Complex, which is one of the most holy sites for muslims, and the wonderful summer residence of the last reigning Emir. Peacocks will strut around in the garden, and countless works of art and guest presents from all over the world transform the inside of the palace into a place of splendour.
Lunch with Kazan Kebab (bread, salad, tea, water) in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you can wander around the bazaars or relax in a hamman (optional), or enjoy a cool drink at the gushing Labi-Havuz.
Dinner in a local restaurant with the Russian soup Borsh and Shashlik (bread, salad, tea, water).

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Komil Boutique Hotel

Day 7: 7th day: Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand

Stop At: SHAXRISABZ DEHQON BOZORI, Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan
The trip today is to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Timur (Tamerlan). Timur was a ruler who in the 14th century conquered Iran and the Caucasians and defeated the Golden Horde in Southern Russia. Then we go to Samarkand with all the unforgettable impressions from seeing the ruins of the AkSarai Castle, the Kuk-Gumbaz-Mosque and the “Dorut-Tilovat” Complex with the Shamseddin Kulal and Gumbas Zaineddin Mausoleums.
For lunch today there is Dimlama (bread, salad, tea, water) with a local family in Shakhrisabz. Towards evening we reach what is certainly the most famous town along the Silk Road - Samarkand. If we are lucky, we can experience a photogenic sunset behind the world-famous Registan Square.
Tasting wine means enjoyment with all the senses. Whether with ears, eyes, nose, tongue or pallet – real pleasure-seekers can not do without wine. We will do wine-tasting in the „Khovrenko“ wine-shop. Dinner in the restaurant „Samarkand“ with Umakai Dshis (braised beef or lamb) with potatoes, three different salads, tea, water, bread. Two overnight stays in Samarkand.


Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Largamak Hotel

Day 8: 8th day. Samarkand

Stop At: Samarkand Textile Workship, Griboedova St. 20, Samarkand 140103 Uzbekistan
In Samarkand the fairytale of One Thousand and One Nights begins again for you… today you will see sites in this 2700 year-old town (UNESCO World Heritage): You will get a first impression of Samarkand in the “Afrosiyob” Museum. On a hill you will visit the historic observatory of Ulugbek with the enormous sextant built into the earth. The research station of the famous astronomer was already a modern observatory in the 14th century. Here you will reach for the stars and be amazed at how they could already determine the celestial bodies in those ancient days. Later you will visit a paper manufacturer where the fine, traditional paper of Samarkand is produced from mulberry tree fibres. This art has been practised here for far longer than we have known it. Samarkand was once known all along the Silk Road for ist exclusive silk paper. For lunch you will today try Samsa, dumplings filled with meat and onions and baked in a Tandoor (clay) oven. For vegetarians there ais Samsa filled with pumpkin or potato. Then you will visit the Shakhi Sinda Complex, a wonderful collection of different mausoleums coated in different majolica and mosaic tiles in Timur style.
Highlight of the culinary Master Class: Preparation of the traditional Uzbek dish: Plov. This is the king of Uzbek national dishes. Uzbek Plov is traditionally made in a deep cast-iron cauldron, with thick walls so that it heats up evenly and the food does not burn. To prepare the Plov you use vegetable oil, mutton or beef, yellow and red carrots, onions and rice, or sometimes raisins, barberries and chickpeas. You can also add garlic, pumpkin or quince to the basic ingredients, depending on the cook's imagination. (bread, salad, tea, water – and Chakchak for dessert).

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Largamak Hotel

Day 9: 9th day. Samarkand – Tashkent

Stop At: Tashkent TV tower, 109, Amir Temur Str., Tashkent Uzbekistan
Ancient Samarkand still has the splendour of past times! In the Middle Ages, the town was considered to be one of the most beautiful and important towns in the world. You will be impressed by the palace-like mausoleum of the ruler Amir Timur, the Gur-Emir-Mausoleum. Today we will enjoy the highlight of your trip - Registan-Square with the three impressive, enormous, artistically decorated madrasas. And then we will visit what was once the largest mosque of Central Asia – the Bibi-Khanum-Mosque. On the way there is a colourful bazaar. Here the museum-like gives way to Oriental reality. Pyramids of nuts, almonds, pistachios, dried apricots, raisins and all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables are piled up on the market stands. All kinds of exotic aromas of spices and herbs will tickle your nose. Hat makers and cobblers call out and offer their services. A market is as colourful and fascinating as life itself. For lunch today we have Uzbek Dolma (peppers or vine-leaves or cabbage filled with mince meat, onions and rice) (bread, salad,tea, water).
In the late afternoon, we leave Samarkand and at 18:00 take the fast train “Afrosiyob” to Tashkent. Arrival at 20:08. Transfer to the hotel.
For dinner we will enjoy for the last time different types of Uzbek Shashlik (bread, salad, tea, water).
One overnight stay in Tashkent.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at City Palace Hotel

Day 10: 10th day. Tashkent – Return

Stop At: Tashkent TV tower, 109, Amir Temur Str., Tashkent Uzbekistan
Flight home early in the morning
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.