Central Asia Tour - 3

Arrival in Tashkent.

Your driver will meet you holding a sign 'YOUR NAME'. Transfer to the hotel.

Meeting with a company representative who will provide a tour package, and you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the program.

Resting time.

Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square - is the radial-circular park, crossed by eight lanes the center of which is Amir Timur monument. In 2009 the square was reconstructed, there were planted new trees instead of old ones, as well as was built a new administrative building.

- Theater Square with the Opera House;

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present and future of the country;

- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah;

- Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century;

- Chorsu bazaar;

- Tashkent Metro - the first line was launched in 1977 with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and  special lightning.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. 

07:00 Transfer to the railway station.

08:00 Start to Samarkand by high-speed train «Afrosiab».

10:08 Arrival in Samarkand. You will be met by our staff. Transfer to the hotel.

14:00 Standard check-in. 

Meet with your guide & driver at the hotel's lobby and start excursion in Samarkand:

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori;

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century;

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums  formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

09:00 Meet your guide in the hotel's lobby. Head over to the old part of Bukhara and start your walking excursion:

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so-called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination of every visitor;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request :

- Visit to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Overnight in the hotel

Breakfast in the hotel.

Transfer to Uzbek - Turkmen Boarder pass "OLOT-FARAB". Border formalities on both sides, meeting with the representative of Turkmenistan travel company.

Transfer to Mary.