Tour Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva-Ayaz-Kala-Toprak-Kala-Khiva-Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent for 10 days

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. In the evening, you will have a flight to Tashkent. 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 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. On the way, we will 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.

Early in the morning, we will transfer to the fascinating city of Bukhara. With more than 140 architectural monuments, Bukhara is a "town museum" dating back to the middle Ages. The city consists of narrow streets, green parks and gardens, and historical and architectural monuments that belong to different epochs but are located very close to each other. The road from Khiva to Bukhara goes through the famous Kizilkum desert. On the way, we will enjoy the view of the Amu Darya River, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan and flowing into the Aral Sea. Upon arrival in Bukhara, you will have free time. Night is 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, you will return to the city. Night is in a hotel.

Morning transfer to Samarkand by train. 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. Night 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. The tour will end with a visit to the Samarkand paper workshop, where they produce silk papers. Night is in a hotel.

Morning transfer to Tashkent is by train. A full day is dedicated to a sightseeing tour in Tashkent. First, you will visit Courage Monument, 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.