Nomadic experience

Day 1

Urgench – Khiva

Arrival at Urgench airport. Transfer to Khiva hotel to leave luggage and take additional breakfast. (Accommodation at the hotel from 14:00). Start of guided tour of the ancient complex of Ichan Kala: Kunya Ark, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Ichan Kala Minaret and Madrasah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Tash Khovli Palace, Ak Mosque, Anusha Khan Public Baths, Muhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Friday Mosque. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2

Khiva – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Long transfer to Bukhara along Kyzylkum desert (red sands). (450 km, 7-8 hours). Arrival and accommodation in the hotel. Free time. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 3

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Start of Bukhara sightseeing: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, built in the X century, a masterpiece of Arab geometry, including a mosque (XVIII century). Chashmayyah Ayub Mausoleum. Bolo House complex, Visit to the majestic Arq Citadel, which was the residence of the Emir until 1920. Visit to the magnificent architectural complex Poi Kalon (XII-XVI centuries.), including the mosque Masjidi Kalon, Miri Arab Madrasah and the highest minaret of its time in the East. Visit to Ulugbek Madrasah, built by Tamerlane’s grandson in 1417, Abdul-Aziz Khan Madrasah (XVII century), Abdullah Khan Tim Madrasah (XVI century), built in 1577 and used by Afghan silk and wool traders, Visit to the 16th century covered market known as “merchant domes”. Gold embroidery, copper, blacksmith and weaving workshops are discovered during the visit. Walk around the old city of Bukhara: tour of Lyabi Hauz complex of XVI-XVII centuries with Nodir Divan-Begi Madrasah, Kukeldash Madrasah and Nodir Devon-Begi Khanaka. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Bukhara

Breakfast. Departure for country excursion: Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace is a country residence of Bukhara Emir, built in the late XIX – early XX century. Nowadays it houses a museum of decorative-applied art. Visit to the Bahauddin Naqshband Memorial Complex is a cult ensemble located in the vicinity of Bukhara. It is located at the burial place of the head of the Naqshbandi dervish order. It consists of a madrasa, two mosques and a minaret.Lunch – not included. Visit to Romitan Varnet greenhouse. Visit to the house-museum of Faizulla Khodjaev. Visit to Chor Bakr necropolis. Dinner – not included. Overnight in hotel.

Day 5

Bukhara – Nurata – Yurt Camp

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Nurata (180 km). On the way visit Gijduvan and ceramists’ workshop. Continuation of the trip to Nurata. Tour of Nurata: well, pond with sacred fish – its magical and religious origin. Historians connect the formation of the city with the fortress Nur (translated as “ray”, “ray of light”), built here by Alexander the Great in the IV century BC. The fortress served as a border between the wild steppes and agricultural areas. The ruins of the fortification have survived to this day and are one of the sights of Nurata. Lunch at the house of one of the locals in Nurata. Nurata was the northern gate to the Zerafshan valley.

After lunch transfer to the yurt camp (approx. 70 km). First acquaintance with the life of nomads.

Dinner in the restaurant of the camp accompanied by traditional songs. Overnight in yurts (traditional tents of nomads).

Day 6

Yurt Camp – Samarkand

Breakfast. Camel ride (10-15 min). Transfer to Aydarkoul lake, swimming (depending on weather). Lunch in yurt camp. Departure to Samarkand (240 km, about 3-4 hours drive). Arrival and accommodation. Dinner is not included. Overnight in hotel.

Day 7

Samarkand

Breakfast. The Great Silk Road has long passed through this city, and the famous conqueror Tamerlane, a descendant of Genghis Khan, in the XIV century made it the capital of his vast empire and built here many architectural masterpieces, many of which have survived to this day. The tour starts at the famous Registan Square, where Ulugbek, Tilla Kori and Sherdor madrassahs are located. Visit to the Gur-Emir Mausoleum. We resume our tour of Samarkand with a visit to the necropolis of Shahi-Zinda. Visit to Ulugbek Observatory, Bibi Khanim Mosque and Siab Market, the busiest in the city. Visit to Konigil Meros paper factory. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand

Breakfast. Departure by bus to Shakhrisabz (150 + 150 km), the birthplace of Tamerlane. Then city tour (about 2-3 hours), including Tamerlane’s palace Ak-Saray, which means “white palace”, the construction of which was left unfinished after his death. Visit to the complex: Friday mosque Kok-Gumbaz, built by Ulugbek in 1432 in honor of his father. Imam Hazrati Mosque with a shady summer terrace; Darus Siadat – the tomb of Timur’s eldest son Jahangir. Dorut Tilovat – memorial complex of the era of Amir Temur and his successors (XIV-XV cc.), tomb of the House of Temurid. Return to Samarkand. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast. We continue our journey to the capital of Uzbekistan – Tashkent (300 km/5 hours drive). It is a very dynamic and modern city with its own history. Visit to Hast Imam Square, where Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya-Sheikh Mosque and Kaffal Ash-Shashi Mausoleum (XVI century) are located. A walk through the largest and most dynamic market of Uzbekistan – Chorsu. Visit to Tashkent City amusement park. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Tashkent

Breakfast. Continuation of the visit to religious sites: Catholic and Orthodox churches, visit to the Minor Mosque. A visit to the most beautiful subway stations. A visit to the Museum of Applied Arts. Panoramic tour of Tashkent: Independence Square, Opera and Ballet Theater Square, Amir Temur Square. Visit to Magic City amusement park. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11

Tashkent

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.