History And Secrets Of Transoxania

History And Secrets Of Transoxania

A journey along the oldest trading route in the world, the Silk Road. Experience the lively oases in the middle of the Kisilkum and Karakum Deserts, where heavily-laden camel caravansaries once traveled. The formidable palaces, madrasas and mosques from the Middle Ages still make an overwhelming impression. You are also invited to a wine-tasting in the "Samarkand Wine-Factory". Spend a night in a traditional yurt in the middle of the desert and experience the starry sky from ‚One Thousand and One Nights‘ by the bright campfire with musical accompaniment by an Akyn (folklore singer). You will moreover be delighted by the lively Middle East bazaars, where you will discover traces from the dazzling era of the rulers along the Silk Road.

Itinerary

Day 1: 1st day: Arrival

Stop At: Tashkent International Airport, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Flight to Tashkent. Arrival in the evening or early the following day (depending on your flight connection). Your travel guide will meet you at the international airport and take you to your hotel for two nights in Tashkent.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at City Palace Hotel

Day 2: 2nd day: Tashkent

Stop At: Chorsu Bazaar, Navoi St. 48 Shayhan Taurski District, Tashkent Uzbekistan
After breakfast at the hotel, you will make a tour through Tashkent’s Old Town, first of all going to the Hasti Imam Complex. On the large square, the Barakkhan Madrese and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum are representative of Tashkent when the town was the centre of the great development of Islamic culture and religion. The oldest version of the Koran is kept in the madrasa's library, dating from the time of the third Khalif Osman. Then we go on to the «Сhorsu» Bazaar, which was already known in the Middle Ages and which stood at the crossing of the caravansaries of the Great Silk Road. In the bazaar, you will see many Uzbek specialities, and all kinds of exotic, spicy smells will tickle your tastebuds. In the Museum of Applied Art, which is housed in an impressive, historic community centre, there are over 7,000 exhibits of traditional popular art from a past era and a foreign culture. Then we will take the Underground (Subway) train with its countless decorated stations.
Duration: 5 hours

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

Day 3: 3rd day: Tashkent – Bukhara

Stop At: Ark of Bukhara, Afrosiab St, Bukhara Uzbekistan
In the morning, transfer to the station for the trip by fast train to Bukhara at 07:30-11:19. On arrival, transfer to the hotel in Bukhara Old Town. Today you will visit the most important sights in Bukhara Old Town: Samaniden-Mausoleum, the oldest architectural building in Central Asia, the Bolo Havuz mosque, the Ark-Citadel the residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, and the most famous complex and the emblem of Bukhara – the Poi Kalon Complex. On route from the Poikalon-Complex through the domed bazaars past medrasas to the Labi Havuz, gold-stickers, scissor-makers and shoe-menders will greet you. The Labi Havuz Complex is the centre of Old Bukhara with its impressive buildings. Fortify yourself with a cup of coffee in the “German Corner”. Then you can lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the craftsmen and discover the woodcarvers, the cutlers, potters and weavers working in their workshops. Folklore show in the Nadir Divan Begi Medrasa. Two overnight stays in Bukhara.
Duration: 5 hours

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

Day 4: 4th day: Bukhara

Stop At: Bukhara Synagogue, Khusainova St., Bukhara Uzbekistan
Today you will continue to explore the oasis town of Bukhara. You will go to the Chor Minor mosque, built in 1807 by the rich Turcoman Kalif Nijazkul. The four sky-blue minarets tower above a traditional residential zone. Thanks to its unusual style, this building has become one of Bukhara’s landmarks. We go on through the streets of the Old Town and you discover Jewish traces in Bukhara during a visit to a synagogue. In the house of the merchant Khodjaev, you will see how wealthy merchants and traders lived in Bukhara 100 years ago. The complex, consisting of several buildings, is a museum today, and your tour guide will show you the most interesting rooms. Then at the gates of Bukhara you will see the wonderful summer palace "Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa" (Palace of the Moon and Sky) of the last ruling Emir of Bukhara, Said Alim-Khan. The palace is a mixture of Russian, Oriental and European architecture, with an impressive park area. In the afternoon, we will visit the Jewish Quarter of Bukhara and then a synagogue which is more than 400 years old. Then go on to a dolls’ workshop
Duration: 5 hours

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

Day 5: 5th day: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Nurata – Yurt camp

Stop At: Nuratau Mountains, near lake Aydakul, Jizzakh Uzbekistan
After breakfast in the hotel, we go to Gijduvan (apx. 40km) where we will visit the grave complex of Abdukhalik Gijduvani (1103-1179) – one of the Sufi saints. We will also visit a ceramics factory and the appendant museum. Gijduvan is well known all over Uzbekistan amongst other things for its ceramics in particularly warm colours. We continue on to the ancient town of Nurata (170km) where we will visit the Mausoleum Nurata and the Ruins of the Fort of Alexander the Great. A source of fresh water which was here, called Chashma, was the reason for the settlement. The holy source of Chashma is a place of pilgrimage and one of the most important religious centres of Islam in the region. After lunch in Nurata, you will go to the yurt camp in the Kisil-Kum-Desert, where you will be shown to your yurt. You will be pleasantly surprised to see that everything is provided for a comfortable stay in the midst of the desert. On the way to the yurt you will have visited the Petroglyphs of the Sarmysh Gorge where there are more than 3500 drawings from the Bronze Age. This gorge is a real museum and one of the largest galleries of petroglyphs in the world. Your beautifully situated yurt camp is near Aydarkul Lake. After dinner, you will enjoy typical Kasakh songs by local Akyns (folklore singers). Dinner and overnight stay in the yurt.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Yurt camp

Day 6: 6th day: Aydarkul – mountain village Sentob

Stop At: Aydar Lake, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, you can try riding a camel. Camel-riding or a hike along a part of the route to the Aydarkul Lake (4.5 km), and a walk along the lake (5 km). The water is refreshing, and you should take a swim if possible (depending on the season). Then you will enjoy a picnic by the lake or in the camp (depending on the weather). On to the mountain village Sentob (apx. 60km). Lodgings with a local family (guesthouse). In the afternoon, you can learn about the traditions of the typical village family. Visit a silkworm breeding factory (only possible in May), participation in bread-baking. Chatting to your hosts, their neighbors, and a short walk through the village before dinner to hear about the everyday life of Uzbeks. Dinner and overnight stay in Sentob with the host family.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Guest House

Day 7: 7th day: Sentob village – Samarkand

Stop At: Aydar Lake, Uzbekistan
During a short walk in the area (if so desired), you can see the ladies out milking on their farms. Today is an adventure day for the hikers with a climb to the pass next to the „Gaukum“ (1615). From here, you have a panoramic view of Sentob, the River Sentobsoy and the Aydarkul Lake. After the short walk, you will have lunch with your host family before going on to world-famous Samarkand (apx. 220km trip). Arrival towards evening.
Samarkand is one of the oldest and most famous towns in the world and at the same time the center-point of the Great Silk road. The town owes its heyday to Amir Timur (Tamerlan), who brought back the best craftsmen and artists from his military campaigns from India to Europe. In the 14th century, these created the architecture which made Samarkand famous at home and abroad. Registan Square, the emblem of Samarkand, is evidence of this heyday of Oriental architecture. Samarkand is not just well known for its historic monuments, but also for its wine. Here, wine and brandy are balsam for the throat! After visiting the Wine Museum in Samarkand, you can try 10 types of Uzbek wine and brandy. Dinner in the restaurant “Samarkand”. Two overnight stays in Samarkand.

Duration: 6 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, you will again feel transported to ‚One Thousand and One Nights‘… today you will visit the sights in this town which is over 2700 years old (UNESCO-World Heritage): In the “Afrosiyob” Museum you can get a feeling for ancient Samarkand. We will also visit the grave of Daniel – the prophet of three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is not the most imposing, but perhaps the most interesting of Samarkand’s mausoleums. Then we go to the Shahi Sinda Complex, a wonderful group of mausoleums cased in majolica and mosaic tiles in Timuridic style. You will see that centuries-old traditions still continue in Samarkand when you see the paper manufacturing factory. You will experience a traditional, natural paper-making process which uses the fibers of the mulberry tree. Our last trip today will be to the observatory in Ulugbek.
Duration: 5 hours

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

Day 9: 9th day: Samarkand – Tashkent

Stop At: Samarkand Textile Workship, Griboedova St. 20, Samarkand 140103 Uzbekistan
Ancient Samarkand still shows the splendour of old times! In the Middle Ages, it was considered to be one of the most beautiful and most important towns in the world. The palace-like mausoleum of the ruler Amir Timur, the Gur-Emir-Mausoleum, will not fail to impress you. Today, you will enjoy the highlight of your trip, Registan-Square, with its three enormous, artistically adorned madrasas. Then you will go to what was once the greatest mosque of Central Asia – the Bibi-Khanum-Mosque. After the visit, you will go to a colourful bazaar, passing from the museum-like to Oriental reality. Pyramids of nuts, almonds, pistachios, dried apricots, raisins as well as all sorts of fresh fruit and vegetables are piled up on the market stands. All sorts of exotic aromas from spices and herbs will assail your noses. A market which is as colourful and fascinating as life itself. In the late afternoon, you leave Samarkand on the “Afrosiyob” fast train at 17:00 to Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Tashkent
Duration: 5 hours

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

Day 10: 10th day. Tashkent – flight home

Stop At: Tashkent International Airport, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
After an early breakfast you will be driven to Tashkent International Airport for your flight home.


Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.