Tour Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva-Toprak-Kala-Ayaz-Kala-Nukus-Kungrat-Sudochye-Aral Sea-Muynak-Nukus 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 have a flight to Urgench, then transfer to Khiva. Today you will have a wonderful sightseeing tour in the oldest city in Uzbekistan. It will be inside of Ichan-Qala, the inner city of Khiva rounded with strong walls. Centuries old, sound buildings, palaces, mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, minarets, caravan-sarais, and bathhouses transformed Ichan-Qala into a unique city-monument. Ichan-Qala consists of over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969, Ichan-Qala was designated a historical and architectural conservation area. The most remarkable sites in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress, dating back to the 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, the Kalta Minor minaret and the Tash Khouvli palace, an incredible sample of Khorezm architectural mastership of the 1830s. Nigjht is in a hotel.

Today we will drive to visit two famous fortresses: Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala is an ancient castle in Khorezm, named in honor of the legendary warrior-slave Ayaz, a Turkic folklore hero. The fortress was built in the second century AD. Tuprak Qala, which means "clay fort" in Khorezmian, was the royal city of Khorezmian ruler Artav. Archeologists claim that the fortress was built in the 1st or 2nd century AD. It was occupied until the 6th century AD. Continued wars and invasions exhausted the city and it remained without any sign of life. Your settlement will be at a yurt camp near Ayaz Kul Lake. Dinner is by fire. A camel ride is offered as an option.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Nukus City. It is located in the north of Uzbekistan near the Aral Sea, surrounded by three deserts: the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum, and Ustyurt. Upon arrival, you will have a city tour of Nukus. First, you will visit the Museum of Savitsky, which exhibits the masterpieces of forbidden art. The Museum collects 20th century Russian avant-garde paintings, including works by Sokolov, Komarovskiy, and the Amaravella group. The curator of the Karakalpakstan state museum of art collected the artworks in the 1960s. He purchased banned works by persecuted Soviet artists, sometimes free. He carefully preserved and finally exhibited them in this remote central Asian art house. After that, we drive outside of Nukus to see Mizdakhan necropolis, which used to be an ancient city centuries ago. Archaeological findings confirm that the area was continuously captured from the 4th century BC until about the 14th century AD. At the end we return to Nukus. Night is in a hotel.

Today you will have a long drive to the Aral Sea. Nine hours’ drive will take you through the following routes: Nukus-Kungrad-Plato Ustyurt-Sudochye Lake-Aral Sea. On the way, we will stop at Gaur-Kala Fortress ("fortress of the infidels"), built around the fourth century B.C. The fortress's walls, which exceed ten meters in height, are surrounded by strongholds that have been preserved to this day. Today, it is impossible to say for sure what kind of buildings they were. You will arrive at the Aral Sea a little bit before dusk. The driver will pitch a camp until you explore the surroundings. Enjoy your open-air dinner. Overnight is in tents.

You can shoot some great photos early in the morning at dawn. After breakfast, you will visit the picturesque canyons of Ustyurt and drive towards Muinak through the dried bottom of the sea. The town of Muynak is one of the striking examples of the ecological disaster in the region. It was once the largest Karakalpakstan port and the Aral Sea center for fishing. On arrival in Muinak, visit the graveyard of a ship on the ex-shore of the Aral Sea and the town museum. After visiting, drive to Nukus. Overnight is at the hotel.

Morning flight to Tashkent. which is a memorial complex erected in honor of the elimination of the consequences of the Tashkent earthquake. Then the tour continues to the Zangi Ota memorial complex. According to legend, Zangi-Oota was a shepherd and was distinguished for his wisdom and good deeds. Today, you can also visit the State Museum of Timurid History, which houses 3,000 different items from the Timurid period, such as jewelry, musical instruments, weapons, various coins, paintings, documents, historical manuscripts, and clothing. The city tour will be completed by visiting the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan, consisting of fine examples of glasses and national clothing, hand and machine embroidery, skullcaps, national fabrics, carpets, and woodcarving. Night is in a hotel.

Transfer to airport and flight.