Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

Day 1: Tashkent
Arrival to Tashkent international airport, meet and transfer to your hotel. Check in and overnight is at the hotel.

You will have a morning train to Bukhara. Today you will have a full day city tour in this fascinating city. At first you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job’s well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th – 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.

Today you will have a sightseeing tour in the surrounding area of Bukhara. First you will visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located few kilometers from Bukhara. It is a memorial complex of famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher, one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual masters of Amir Timur. Today complex consists of mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, courtyard with pool, madrasah, and burial vault of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. Then you will drive to see the countryside residence of Bukhara Emirs named Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The palace is the sample of combination of various architectural styles. Emir named the palace on behalf of his wife who died young “Star – like and moon- like Palace”. At last you will drive to Sumiton village to find Chor Bakr memorial complex, the town of the dead. Complex symbolizes the four sides of the earth and interprets that all people are equal. Construction of the complex began during the Samanids reign until the 16th century. After excursions you will return to city. Night is in a hotel.

After breakfast we will start our way to Samarkand. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop. Gijduvan ceramics school has its deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son from generation to generation. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. Gijduvan School of ceramics is distinguished by a geometric pattern. Green and blue colors prevail in decoration of products. Afterwards we continue driving to Samarkand. Night is in a hotel.

Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the cities of Babylon and Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights, such as Registan Square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum of Guri Emir and national bazaar. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand and no one can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. The architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a large collection of mausoleums dating back to the 11th–15th centuries, being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After it you can walk along the local Broadway surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets and workshops. Then you can visit National bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. The tour will end with visiting Samarkand paper workshop where they produce silk papers.

Transfer to Jartepo border check point, cross the border. Meet the group at the border and drive to Panjakent. On the way you will visit the excavations of Sarazm (5500 years) and the old city with ruins V- VI B.C. This is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia (V – VIII centuries). The area had an agricultural economy centered around farming (irrigated and non-irrigated) cattle-breeding and craftwork. At the end of the 4th millenium B.C. Sarazm became one of largest centers for metallurgy in Central Asia. This came from the riches found near the top of Zarafshon’s mountains such as gold, silver, copper, lead and tin. Sarazm had a strong ecomony and a well-developed industrial culture by Central Asian standards of that period. After that we will visit the Museum and the ruins of Old Panjakent. You will visit the local bazar as well. Night is in hotel.

Our trip today is to high Mountain Lake – Iskanderkul (2 255 m. a. s. l.). It is situated in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is one of the best places of Central Asia. After arrival to the lake, you will walk for 20 min to see the Snake Lake. Then you follow a path that leads along the left bank of the river that flows out of Iskanderkul. Follow the path for about 1 km to get to a 50m-high waterfall known as the Niagara of Fann Mountains. Iskanderkul is a scenic lake that takes its name from Alexander the Great’s time in Tajikistan.

In the morning we will drive to Khujand via pass Shahriston (3 378 m). It is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. is also the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. You will visit in the afternoon a Cultural Palace of Khujant. At this place the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Also we will go to see Central Mosque that is situated in the middle of the city. Night is in a hotel.

Transfer to Oybek border, crossing the border and continue the drive to Tashkent (60 km). Arrival and city tour in Tashkent. Today you will visit Independence Square, which is the main square of the country and was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. Furthermore, you can take a ride on the famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. The first line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city, which includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah, and the Hast Imam complex, which consists of several madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleums. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran, which is the world’s oldest Quran copy, dating back to the 8th century. The Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Night is in a hotel.