Country
Uzbekistan
Duration
11 Days/10 Nights
Travel Type
Private Tour
Book between April 1st and June 30th and GET A DISCOUNT OF $125 PER PERSON!
Sneak peek of a few highlights
Khiva
Wander through Khiva, an important and often overlooked historical site on what was once the Great Silk Road. Khiva with its 94 mosques and 63 madrassas was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990.
Bukhara
Travel back in time, through the mosques, madrassas & oriental bazaars of ancient Bukhara. “The city of Museums” contains more than 140 architectural monuments of the Middle Ages.
Samarkand
In spiritual Samarkand stand among the ornate portals, patterned minarets and glistening cupolas of Registan Square.
Inclusions
10-night accommodation
10 meals: 10 breakfasts
Flight tickets Tashkent-Urgench (economy class)
Economy class train tickets Tashkent-Kokand, Margilan-Tashkent, Bukhara-Samarkand, Samarkand-Tashkent (Subject to availability, we reserve the right to change the program and/or substitute trains by other transport.)
Private English-speaking guide services for city tours (subject to availability)
Ground transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicles
Drinking water during sightseeing
Wine degustation on Day 9
Multilingual 24-hour customer support hotline in all destinations
Exclusions
International airfare – Beverages – Gratuities to guides, drivers, and hotel staff – Optional excursions – City tax and visa fees when applicable – Travel insurances – All other items not mentioned in the inclusions
1
DAY 1 TASHKENT
Welcome to Uzbekistan!
A Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic, landlocked Uzbekistan is the proud home to spellbinding architecture and ancient cities that have been overlooked for many years.
Its centuries-long history under Persian rule and as a key stop on the Silk Road left a rich cultural and architectural legacy, made all the more fascinating by the country’s time as an enclave of the Soviet Union.
Upon clearing immigration and customs, the representative will be waiting at the airport meeting area for your transfer to the hotel.
A Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic, landlocked Uzbekistan is the proud home to spellbinding architecture and ancient cities that have been overlooked for many years.
Its centuries-long history under Persian rule and as a key stop on the Silk Road left a rich cultural and architectural legacy, made all the more fascinating by the country’s time as an enclave of the Soviet Union.
Upon clearing immigration and customs, the representative will be waiting at the airport meeting area for your transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation : Tashkent for 2 nights
2
DAY 2 TASHKENT
Tashkent, a charming mish mash of austere Soviet-style buildings and classical Russian architecture, has a long history of 2,200 years and has been the capital of Uzbekistan since 1930.
We’ll go on a half-day city tour, starting by exploring the narrow winding streets of the Old Town. This area is home to Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Library of Islamic Literature.
Under a giant dome, we’ll find a delightful slice of city life in the traditional Chor-Su Bazaar. It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs, watch Uzbek bread baking and taste many national dishes in between the numerous food rows.
In the modern part of the city we’ll visit Mustakillik Square. We’ll even take a ride on the vibrant, arty Tashkent Metro. The tour of Tashkent ends at Amir Temur Square, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads in the heart of the city.
We’ll go on a half-day city tour, starting by exploring the narrow winding streets of the Old Town. This area is home to Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Library of Islamic Literature.
Under a giant dome, we’ll find a delightful slice of city life in the traditional Chor-Su Bazaar. It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs, watch Uzbek bread baking and taste many national dishes in between the numerous food rows.
In the modern part of the city we’ll visit Mustakillik Square. We’ll even take a ride on the vibrant, arty Tashkent Metro. The tour of Tashkent ends at Amir Temur Square, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads in the heart of the city.
Meals : Breakfast
3
DAY 3 TASHKENT – KOKAND – FERGHANA
After an early breakfast, we’ll proceed to the main station and board the train for the four-hour ride to Kokand. We’ll visit the impressive Juma Mosque and the Khudoyar-Khan Palace with its seven courtyards, 114 rooms and dazzling tiled exterior.
We’ll continue to Rishtan town, famous for ceramic production. At the school of a well-known ceramic master we can learn all about the traditional blue and green pottery.
Continue to Ferghana city.
We’ll continue to Rishtan town, famous for ceramic production. At the school of a well-known ceramic master we can learn all about the traditional blue and green pottery.
Continue to Ferghana city.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Ferghana for 1 night
4
DAY 4 FERGHANA – MARGILAN – TASHKENT
As far back as the 10th century, Margilan – the largest city in the Ferghana Valley – was known for its craftsmen of silk fabrics. We’ll drive to the town and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrassah. These days it houses artisan shops where we can see the famous silk along with handmade carpets. In Yodgorlik Silk factory we can witness how silk is woven with traditional Ikat patterns.
We then board the early evening train for the four-hour ride back to Tashkent.
We then board the early evening train for the four-hour ride back to Tashkent.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Tashkent for 1 night
5
DAY 5 TASHKENT – URGENCH – KHIVA
A morning flight will take us to Urgench, followed by a 40-minute drive to Khiva.
A visit to this 6th century walled city is like travelling back in time. It is a city of colour thanks to the navy, indigo and cerulean ceramic tiles embedded in the ochre walls of many of the buildings.
We’ll walk the labyrinth of sand-laden alleyways to find the Juma Mosque whose roof is supported by 213 unique columns of 10th century elm; Tash Hauli, the main palace of Khiva rulers and Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, an open-air mausoleum. We’ll also visit Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret and Shirgazi Khan Madrassah.
A visit to this 6th century walled city is like travelling back in time. It is a city of colour thanks to the navy, indigo and cerulean ceramic tiles embedded in the ochre walls of many of the buildings.
We’ll walk the labyrinth of sand-laden alleyways to find the Juma Mosque whose roof is supported by 213 unique columns of 10th century elm; Tash Hauli, the main palace of Khiva rulers and Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, an open-air mausoleum. We’ll also visit Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret and Shirgazi Khan Madrassah.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Khiva for 1 night
6
DAY 6 KHIVA – BUKHARA
After breakfast we’ll set off on a road trip of six to seven hours to Bukhara. The drive takes us through the red sands of Kyzylkum Desert, the 15th-largest desert in the world. It’s a dry and desolate, yet beautiful area, populated by nomadic tribes. We’ll have stops to stretch our legs on the bank of the Amudarya River.
Upon arrival in Bukhara, time at leisure. We recommend relaxing at local ancient hammam Bozori Kord (XVII C) with some spa procedures.
Upon arrival in Bukhara, time at leisure. We recommend relaxing at local ancient hammam Bozori Kord (XVII C) with some spa procedures.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Bukhara for 2 nights
7
DAY 7 BUKHARA
Today we’ll explore Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city. It is home to buildings spanning a thousand years of history and a thoroughly lived-in and cohesive old centre that hasn’t changed too much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan.
We’ll visit the Ark Fortress – the residence of Bukhara khans, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and some beautiful madrassahs.
At the Poi-Kalyan complex we can see the Kalyan Minaret, also known as the ‘Tower of Death’. We’ll also visit the Lyabi Hauz complex, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city containing several impressive Islamic monuments.
Dinner with a family of local artisan – master of oriental miniature, where you can eat main Uzbek dish – plov (pilaf).
We’ll visit the Ark Fortress – the residence of Bukhara khans, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and some beautiful madrassahs.
At the Poi-Kalyan complex we can see the Kalyan Minaret, also known as the ‘Tower of Death’. We’ll also visit the Lyabi Hauz complex, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city containing several impressive Islamic monuments.
Dinner with a family of local artisan – master of oriental miniature, where you can eat main Uzbek dish – plov (pilaf).
Meals : Breakfast
8
DAY 8 BUKHARA – SAMARKAND
The City of the Dead – this is one of the sights we will see today. Located just outside Bukhara, Chor Bakr Necropolis, as it is officially known, is an unusual and mysterious burial place for the Dzhuibar sheikhs.
We’ll also visit the Chor Minor Mosque; Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara; and the Baghautdin Nakhshbandi Mausoleum – an important Muslim shrine and pilgrimage site.
In the afternoon, we’ll board the train for the 1.5 hour ride to Samarkand.
We’ll also visit the Chor Minor Mosque; Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara; and the Baghautdin Nakhshbandi Mausoleum – an important Muslim shrine and pilgrimage site.
In the afternoon, we’ll board the train for the 1.5 hour ride to Samarkand.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Samarkand for 2 nights
9
DAY 9 SAMARKAND
No name is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand, which lies at the crossroads of the silk trading route through Europe and Asia.
We’ll visit the awe-inspiring restored madrassas standing on three sides of the iconic Registan Square: Ulughbek Madrassah, Sher-Dor Madrassah and the gold-covered Tillya-Kari Madrassah.
Other highlights include the Bibi Khanym Mosque with its ocean-blue domes and exquisite carvings and the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, which contains monuments dating back between 500 to 1000 years. We’ll also visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum and the Ulughbek Observatory with its interesting underground passages.
In the evening, we’ll visit Khovrenko Winery and have degustation of wine produced there.
We’ll visit the awe-inspiring restored madrassas standing on three sides of the iconic Registan Square: Ulughbek Madrassah, Sher-Dor Madrassah and the gold-covered Tillya-Kari Madrassah.
Other highlights include the Bibi Khanym Mosque with its ocean-blue domes and exquisite carvings and the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, which contains monuments dating back between 500 to 1000 years. We’ll also visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum and the Ulughbek Observatory with its interesting underground passages.
In the evening, we’ll visit Khovrenko Winery and have degustation of wine produced there.
Meals : Breakfast
10
DAY 10 SAMARKAND – TASHKENT
We’ll continue seeing the sights of Samarkand today. There’s the ancient settlement and museum of Afrosiab, and the Tombstone of Saint Daniyar – the restored tomb of the Old Testament prophet Daniyar (Daniel).
At Konigil village there’s time to visit the local paper mill which offers a fantastic insight into how traditional paper is still made using old-fashioned techniques.
We’ll then catch the evening train to Tashkent.
At Konigil village there’s time to visit the local paper mill which offers a fantastic insight into how traditional paper is still made using old-fashioned techniques.
We’ll then catch the evening train to Tashkent.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Tashkent for 1 night
11
DAY 11 DEPARTURE FROM TASHKENT
Sadly it’s our last day and time to say goodbye. Enjoy a final breakfast before the transfer back to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals : Breakfast
HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR
Price based on the following accommodations. The names of the hotels will be communicated to you upon confirmation.
OPTION A, 3*
TASHKENT
Gabrielle International 3*
Art Deluxe 3*
Sharq 3*
Gloria 3*
Standard Room
FERGHANA
Emin 3*
Standard Room
KHIVA
Arkanchi 3*
Minor 3*
Malika Kheivak 3*
Standard Room
BUKHARA
Devon Begi 3*
Sasha & Son 3*
Kabir 3*
Minzifa Boutique 3*
Standard Room
SAMARKAND
Rabat Boutique 3*
Malika Prime 3*
Zilol Baxt 3*
City 3*
Standard Room
OPTION B, 4*
TASHKENT
Hampton by Hilton 4*
Mercure 4*
Wyndham 4*
Ichan Qala 4*
Standard Room
FERGHANA
Asia Ferghana 4*
Standard Room
KHIVA
Asia Khiva 4*
Erkin Palace 4*
Khiva Palace 4*
Standard Room
BUKHARA
Wyndham Bukhara 4*
Sahid Zarafshon 4*
Asia Bukhara 4*
Zargaron Plaza 4*
Standard Room
SAMARKAND
Hilton Garden Inn 4*
Continental 4*
Zarafshon Parkside 4*
Grand Samarkand Superior 4*
Standard Room
|
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy |
Land Package | |
| Departures until December 31, 2024 | Option A | Option B |
| Book between April 1st and June 30th and get a DISCOUNT OF $125 PER PERSON |
||
| Solo traveler | 4890 | 6469 |
| 2 persons | 3770 | 4030 |
| 3-4 persons | 3135 | 3979 |
| 5-6 persons | 3065 | 3925 |
| Single supplement | +360 | +625 |
**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.
Highlights of Uzbekistan – Promotional flyer
Highlights of Uzbekistan – Promotional flyer
