Tour Tashkent-Chimgan Mountains-Tashkent-Samarkand-Shakhrisabs-Bukhara-Tashkent
for 8 days

A full day is dedicated to a sightseeing 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). Othman was killed by non-Muslims in the 8th century. His blood spread over the Quran that you can still see on its pages. Night is in a 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 free time and your own water activities (as per season). In Tashkent, you will have a half-day tour that includes Independence Square (Red Square in the former USSR, the main square of the country). The square was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. The Territory of Independence includes several main administrative buildings. Then you have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. The street is a so-called "show room" for local artists and a cozy place for tasting European and Uzbek cuisine. Then we will visit Amir Timur Square, one of the central squares of Tashkent, erected on behalf of the national hero, Amir Timur. Night is in a hotel.

After breakfast you will be transferred to railway station of Tashkent for your train to Samarkand. 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 Bibi Khanum Mosque. 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 his successful campaign in India, Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of her favorite, Tamerlane’s wife. Overnight is at the hotel.

Today you will continue exploring Samarkand, the city. You will visit the Ulughbek observatory, built in the 15th century by Ulughbek, one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. Working in an observatory, Ulughbek created in 1437 the "Zidji Guragoni" catalog, which had information about 1018 celestial bodies. Unfortunately, he was killed by the order of his own son. 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. In addition, you will see a carpet factory, a unique handmade carpet factory where over 400 women sew carpets without using traditional techniques. Night is in a hotel.

After breakfast, we will start our drive towards the birthplace of Amir Timur, the town of Shahrisabs. Upon arrival, you will have a sightseeing tour. First, you will visit a palace that had no equal in its grandeur and beauty, called Ak Saray Palace, built by Amir Timur. On the main portal of the palace was written: "If you want to know about our power, look at our buildings." Then you will see Jahongir Mausoleum, dedicated to the eldest son of Amir Timur, who died in battle when he was twenty years old. When his son died, the ruler mourned for a long time (many say that his grief lasted for 30 years). The final sites to see in Shahrisabs are the Dorus Siadat and Dorus Tillavat memorial complexes, where all descendants and relatives of Amir Timur were buried. After the excursion, you will continue the drive to Bukhara. Upon arrival, check-in and overnight in a hotel.

Today you will have a full day of sightseeing in the fascinating city of Bukhara. 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 the Bukhara Empire. Then you will see the Samanids' mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of the 9th–10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well, and Bolo-Hauz mosque, also known 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 in Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi, which is also a part of the Lyabi House Ensemble, the famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with a visit to the Poi Kalon complex, a unique example of the architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th–16th centuries: the Kalon minaret, the Kalon mosque, and the 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 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. Then you will drive to see the country residence of the Bukhara Emirs, named the Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The palace is a sample of the combination of various architectural styles. The Emir named the palace on behalf of his wife, who died young, "Star-like and Moon-like Palace". Finally, you will drive to Sumiton village to find the Chor Bakr memorial complex, the town of the dead. The complex symbolizes the four sides of the earth and implies that all people are equal. Construction of the complex began during the Samanids' reign until the 16th century. After excursions flight to Tashkent. Night is in a hotel.

Transfer to airport and flight.