Navruz tours in Uzbekistan.
The unforgettable celebration of Navruz - The Spring Feast and beginning of the New Year in Central Asia
Navruz (New Day) is the most cherished public holiday, the Central Asian New Year that falls on March 21 in Uzbekistan. During this two-day festival of spring renewal, singing, dancing, the making of special dishes, wrestling by burly "Palvans" and the reciting of epic poetry by wandering "Bakshi" minstrels are highlights.
While Islam has had a strong influence on The Uzbek people so do a number of older religious traditions including Zoroastrianism. Navruz has its origins in a festival celebrating the spring equinox, which Zoroaster rededicated to Asha Vahistra and fire.
The Great Silk Road oases of Uzbekistan are more accessible now than ever before in their histories.
You journey will begin in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
A bus will take you along the Golden Road to Samarkand where you will celebrate Navruz. Here at the junction of ancient caravan routes, the colossal blue domes of Tamerlane's imperial capital dwarf the modern Uzbek city.
The drive from Samarkand to Bukhara will be broken by a visit to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. This is a wonderfully picturesque journey through steppe country dotted with small villages. Bukhara, reputed to be the holiest place in Central Asia, provides a gentle contrast to glittering Samarkand with the muted khakis of its mud walled, old city and its compact layout.
Then it is onward to Khiva, the most complete, and most heavily restored of all the Great Silk Road cities.
Taking a short flight from Urgench to Tashkent, we will return to the capital's lesser-known gems.
For your second itinerary we offer an additional 2-day trip by plane to the Ferghana Valley - known as the Pearl of Uzbekistan. Spring in the Ferghana Valley is the most beautiful season, and on the way you can see the blossoming apricot fields. City tour will include visits to Margilan and Kokand and the pottery shops and work shops of the famous Rishtan factory.
More about the Navruz Celebration >>>
Itinerary 1: Tashkent - Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent
8 days, 7 nights (March 20-27, 2008) Reserve tour now >>>
Day 1 (Th., March 20): Early arrival in Tashkent. Accommodation in hotel. Excursion. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2 (Fr., March 21):
Morning transfer Tashkent - Samarkand. Accommodation in hotel. Sightseeing program. Participation in the Navruz celebration (Oriental New Year, which is celebrated on 21st of March) in Mahallya (local community) including preparation of the traditional foods "Sumalyak"" and "Khalisa", feast, experience local customs, traditions and celebration of Navruz with local people. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 3 (Sa., March 22): Continuation of sightseeing program. Afternoon transfer Samarkand - Shakhrisabz. Accommodation in the hotel. Overnight in Shakhrisabz.
Day 4 (Su., March 23): Sightseeing program in Shakhrisabz. Afternoon transfer Shakhrisabz - Bukhara. Accommodation in the hotel. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 5 (Mo., March 24): Sightseeing program in Bukhara. Dinner with folklore concert. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 6 (Tu., March 25): Continuation of sightseeing program. Afternoon transfer Bukhara - Khiva. Overnight in Khiva.
Day 7 (We., March 26): Sightseeing program in Khiva. Evening flight Urgench - Tashkent. Night in Tashkent.
Day 8 (Th., March 27): Sightseeing program in Tashkent. Transfer to Tashkent Airport for flight to next destination, good bye to the wonderful land, back to monotony with the intention of returing.
| Group |
14 pax |
12 pax |
10 pax |
8 pax |
6 pax |
4 pax |
2 pax |
Single supplement |
| Prices in US$ |
500 |
518 |
543 |
552 |
581 |
672 |
786 |
115 |
| Price includes |
Price does NOT include |
- Double accommodation as per the list provided;
- Airfare Khiva-Tashkent;
- All transfers by private air-conditioned car or minibus;
- Breakfast in the hotels, dinner with folklore concert in Bukhara;
- "Celebration of Navruz" party in Samarkand ;
- English-, Spanish-, German-, Russian-speaking tour guide;
- Entrance fees for the museums, monuments and handicrafts workshops during the tour;
- Uzbek visa support;
- Porter charges at airports;
- Mineral water during the transfers.
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- International airfare;
- Consular fees for Uzbek visa;
- Additional food, alcohol and soft drinks;
- Additional services in the hotels;
- Camera/Video fees;
- Any additional trips.
|
Itinerary 2: Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent - Ferghana Valley - Tashkent
10 days, 9 nights (March 20-29, 2008) Reserve tour now >>>
Day 1 (Tue, March 20): Arrival in Tashkent. Accommodation in hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2 (Wed, March 21): Morning transfer Tashkent - Samarkand. Accommodation in hotel. Sightseeing program. Participation in Navruz celebration (Oriental New Year, which is celebrated on 21st of March) in Mahallya (local community) including preparation of traditional food "Sumalyak" and "Khalisa", feast, experience local customs, traditions and celebration of Navruz with local people. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 3 (Thi, March 22): Continuation of sightseeing program. Afternoon transfer Samarkand - Bukhara. Accommodation in the hotel. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 4 (Fri, March 23): Sightseeing program in Bukhara. Dinner with folklore concert. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 5 (Sat, March 24): Continuation of sightseeing program. Afternoon transfer Bukhara - Khiva. Accommodation in the hotel. Overnight in Khiva.
Day 6 (Sun, March 25): Sightseeing program in Khiva. Evening flight Urgench - Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 7 (Mon, March 26): Morning flight Tashkent - Ferghana. Accommodation in the hotel. Tour around Ferghana Valley. Visit to Margilan. City tour. Overnight in Ferghana.
Day 8 (Tue, March 27): Transfer to Kokand. Sightseeiing program in Kokand. Transfer Kokand - Ferghana. Overnight in Ferghana.
Day 9 (Wed, March 28): Morning flight Ferghana - Tashkent. Accommodation in the hotel. City tour. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 10 (Thi, March 29): Transfer to Tashkent Airport for flight to next destination, good bye to the wonderful land, back to monotony with the intention of returing.
| Group |
14 pax |
12 pax |
10 pax |
8 pax |
6 pax |
4 pax |
2 pax |
Single supplement |
| Prices in US$ |
655 |
676 |
705 |
722 |
741 |
846 |
968 |
119 |
| Price includes |
Price does NOT include |
- Double accommodation as per the list provided;
- Airfare Urgench - Tashkent;
- All transfers by private air-conditioned car or minibus;
- Breakfast in the hotels, dinner with folklore concert in Bukhara;
- "Celebration of Navruz" party in Samarkand;
- English-, Spanish-, German-, Russian-speaking tour guide;
- Entrance fees for the museums, monuments and handicrafts workshops during the tour;
- Uzbek visa support;
- Porter charges at airports;
- Mineral water during the transfers.
|
- International airfare;
- onsular fees for Uzbek visa;
- Additional food, alcohol and soft drinks;
- Additional services in the hotels;
- Camera/Video fees;
- Any additional trips.
|
Important notes!!!
Please note that the first and the last days of the above itineraries are made-up in accordance with the flight schedule of Uzbekistan Airways (arrival - evening & departure - morning times) from the following cities: Istanbul, London and Moscow. In case of inconvenience resulting from the flight schedule please contact us;
We do recommend purchasing a lunch box in one of the Khiva cafes to feel comfortable on the way from Khiva to Bukhara;
Vegetarian cuisine is not widespread in Uzbekistan. If you require vegetarian we can recommend the most appropriate places.
Recommended additional options upon your discretion during leisure time (for an extra fee):
Our additional offers are designed in order to provide more choice to our customers and achieve their total satisfaction. We guarantee that after choosing our different additional services you would feel that your wonderful experience had been enhanced. Contact our representative or your tour guide so that we may be able to plan a great experience in advance.
Khiva:
Evening visit Eshon Rabat Yurt Camp near Khiva to visit national yurts, camel back riding, fishing, folklore concert, enjoying of the sunset in a Yurt Camp, located near the village of Chinabad, 11 km from Khiva (US$ 17 p/person);
Bulhara:
Wine tasting in the charming Caravansarai Nughai (US$ 8 p/person);
Beer tasting in the beer production factory "AZIA" (US$ 10 p/person);
A visit to an old Bozori Kord Hammam - Oriental spa for men and women (from US$ 3 to 15 p/person);
We offer a few options where you can have a dinner:
1) Dinner in Madarihon Medressa with violin concert (US$ 10 p/person).
2) Dinner in Nodir Divan Begim Medressa with folklore show (US$ 17 p/person).
3) Traditional Uzbek dinner in Doston House (US$ 8 p/person)
Splendid herbal teas in the "Silk Road Spices" tea house (US$ 3 p/person);
The Fayzulla Hodjaev house-museum where you can see the daily life of a Bukhara merchant at the beginning of the 20th c. (US$ 2 p/person).
Samarkand:
An unforgettable performance in The Theatre of Historical Clothes (we need to check in advance if this performance is available on the date of your visit) (US$ 20 p/person);
There is an option to see the magical light show on "Registan" square (order should be completed beforehand) (US$ 40 for the show, up to 40 persons);
Interesting options to see the production of souvenirs and purchase them:
1) A famous Silk carpet factory (visit free).
2) A small Silk Processing factory Aiesha (visit free).
Tashkent:
Visit to the famous Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre (US$ 5 p/person);
1 hour tour "Tashkent Metro" - one of most beautiful in the world (US$ 3 p/person);
Dinner in Uzbek national house (US$ 8 p/person).
We hope you like the programs and assure you that we are absolutely open to any suggestions to increase the range of our services for the complete satisfaction of our clients and are happy to meet your special requirements.
Contact our tour operator for details and to book a tour.
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