Welcome to Uzbekistan Tour

5
Days
Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand

Visitors to Uzbekistan, a country rich in culture and steeped in history, often remark on the distinct atmosphere of each of its major cities. Tashkent is a bustling metropolis known for its immaculate parks, central square and historic metro system; Samarkand stands majestic as the former capital of an expansive empire; and Bukhara’s Old City has retained the layout and ambience of an ancient caravan city.
Welcome to Uzbekistan Tour is the perfect package for anyone who may have time constraints or other travel plans yet still wants to see the best of Uzbekistan. This 5-day tour will walk you through the must-see sights of Uzbekistan’s three key cities, giving you an excellent feel for the country. The schedule has been carefully planned to maximize your time in-country while still allowing for independent exploration and free time.

Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. Transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon, and have a rest after your flight.
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to begin your Tashkent city tour. Your private tour will include:
  • Excursion to the Old City, including the Khazret-Imam Architectural Complex, which holds the oldest known Quran in the world. Also on site are the Madrasah of Barak-Khan (16th century), Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, Juma Mosque and Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi (all 15th century);
  • Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s most well-established bazaar that includes a large selection of traditional Uzbek ceramics, jewelry, handbags, garments and more;
  • Ride on the Tashkent Metro, an immaculate subway system with each station decorated in colored mosaics and ceramics to depict a specific theme;
  • Walk through Amir Timur Square, with a massive statue of none other than Tamerlane himself at the center;
  • Independence Square, including the touching Mourning Mother Monument and the Eternal Flame, burning continuously in memory of more than half a million Uzbek soldiers who died during World War II;
  • Drive to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, a 20th-century Roman Catholic Church with beautiful stained-glass windows and Gothic-style architecture;
  • Tour of the Applied Arts Museum, an informative collection of Uzbekistan’s finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa.
Overnight in Tashkent.
Tour duration: 4.5 - 5 hours
Breakfast at the hotel before taking the morning train to Bukhara (580 km). Arrive in Bukhara and transfer to your hotel in the Old City, an area resembling a scene from Arabian Nights.
With your private local guide, enjoy a walking tour of the most impressive sights of Bukhara’s Old City:
  • Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, holding the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara (14th-17th centuries). This ensemble includes some of the largest madrasahs in the city: the Khanaka Madrasah, Kukeldash Madrasah and Nadir Divan Beghi Madrasah (all 16th century);
  • Magoki-Attori Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century);
  • Four Trade Domes (15th-16th centuries), which still house local handicrafts for sale;
  • Poi Kalyan Ensemble (12th-16th centuries), consisting of the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Amir-Alimkhan Madrasah and Miri-Arab Madrasah;
  • Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century), relatively untouched yet impressive religious schools;
  • Ark Fortress (4th century), the ancient center of Bukharan statehood and currently home to a small museum;
  • Bolo-Khauz Complex, consisting of an artfully decorated 18th century mosque, a minaret and reservoirs that once provided water for the entire city;
  • Samanids Mausoleum (9th-10th centuries), believed to be the most ancient brick building in Central Asia, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours
Breakfast at the hotel before checkout. Free time in Bukhara before taking the afternoon train to Samarkand (280 km). Arrive in the historical town of Samarkand, seat of Tamerlane’s ancient empire and a crossroads of the world's cultures.
Transfer to the Samarkand hotel, followed by free time to rest or explore the city.
Overnight in Samarkand.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin your private tour of Samarkand with a local, experienced guide. Your tour will take you to the following places:
  • Gur Emir, the imposing burial site of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek;
  • Registan Square, the commercial center of Samarkand for centuries and Samarkand’s most celebrated site: the Square includes the Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasah (17th century) and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (17th century);
  • A boulevard lined with workshops, souvenir stores and ice cream stands;
  • Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane for his favorite wife;
  • Siab Bazaar, a multi-level complex where you can shop for souvenirs and sample sweets, fruits and Samarkand’s famous bread;
  • Shakhi-Zinda, a burial complex built between the 9th-14th centuries: Climb the blue-domed path and explore more than twenty small mausoleums that line the broad alleyway;
  • Ulugbek Observatory, where you can see the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum.
Transfer to the train station to take the late afternoon train to Tashkent (330 km). Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours
Free morning. Check out from the hotel by noon and transfer to the airport. End of the Welcome to Uzbekistan Tour.

Prices in US$

Travellers 1234
Transfers 235155175150
Hotels standard 340210210210
Hotels budget 270175175175
City tour 390225195160
Single supplement for Standard: US$ 125 | for Budget: US$ 90
  • Transfers:

    Airport and train station transfers (1-2 ppl in sedan; 3-8 in minivan);
    Economy class train tickets for the Tashkent to Bukhara, Bukhara to Samarkand and Samarkand to Tashkent routes (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace it with a reservation on the regular train).

  • Accommodation:

    Accommodation based on double/twin room at hotel (4 nights, with breakfast).

  • City tour

    Private, local English-speaking guide and entrance fees to the sights as per itinerary on days 1, 2 and 4;
    Transportation during the city tour on day 1 and 4 (1-2 ppl in sedan; 3-8 in minivan).

  • Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
  • Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa and Letter of invitation;
  • International flight tickets before and after the tour;
  • Tips are not included (driver, guide, porter);
  • Hotel charges for additional services;
  • Full board (lunches and dinners);
  • Travel insurance;
  • All other charges and services not mentioned under “Inclusion”.

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