Uzbekistan

Breakfast is at the hotel. Today you will visit Independence Square, which is the main square in 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). Later afternoon transfer to Samarkand is by car. Overnight is at the 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 that, you can walk along the local Broadway, surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets, and workshops. Then you can visit the national bazaar, Siab, an oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. Overnight is at the hotel.

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

Today you will have a sightseeing tour in the surrounding area of Bukhara. First, you will visit the Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located a few kilometers from Bukhara. It is a memorial complex for a famous Sufi leader and philosopher and one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of the Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual masters of Amir Timur. Today, the complex consists of the mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, a courtyard with a pool, a madrasah, and the burial vaults of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma, upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. After excursions, we will transfer to Bukhara railway station to depart for Tashkent. Overnight is at the hotel.

In the morning, you will transfer to the Chimgan Mountains. Upon arrival, you will have a chair lift to reach the top to see Beldersay peak, 30 min one-way. You will have some free time here to walk around and enjoy nature. On the way back; you will stop over at Charvak lakeside beach for free time and your own water activities (as per season). Charvak is an artificial lake and a popular resort in the Tashkent region, and thousands of holidaymakers from all over Uzbekistan and neighboring countries visit the reservoir. At the end of the day, they return to Tashkent. Transfer to airport and flight home.