Caravan cities on the great silk road (15 Days)

Your first day in Uzbekistan you can devote all the attractions of the multi-faceted capital. You will visit the Khasti Imam Square with the beautiful Barak Khan Medrese, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the Kaffal Shashi mausoleum made of simple brickwork. Here you can take a look at the Koran handwritten by the third Caliph Osman (644-656). Continue with a visit to the huge Chorsu bazaar, whose oriental smells and spices will transport you into the fairy tales of 1001 nights. In the afternoon you will continue your exploration tour in the modern part of the city and visit the Independence Square, Amir Timur Square. Overnight in hotel

In the morning drive to Kokand over the picturesque mountain pass. Visit in Kokand the palace of the Khudoyar-Khan Palace from the 19th century, Jami Mosque, Norbuta-Biy Medrese, Modari Khan Mausoleum, which is a mausoleum for all female relatives of the Khan family. Continue to Rishtan.
Rishtan is a town (50 km west of Fergana) famous all over the world for its pottery - every third family in Rishtan is a potter. Rishtan ceramics are decorated according to an ancient tradition that is more than 800 years old. Masters pass on their trade secrets from father to son. The unique ceramic masterpieces made of red clay are adorned with classic, naturally produced ultramarine, turquoise and azure ornaments known as the blue glaze "Ishkor". All visitors are greeted with a wide range of beautiful dishes, often found in many international exhibitions, museums, world and private collections. Visit to the workshops of the famous potter and master of the silk carpet weaver. Transfer to Fergana. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to Margilan. The excursion begins with a visit to Said-Ahmad Hodji Medrese, where artisans make original silk carpets. Walk through the local bazaar and visit the Yodgorlik silk factory, where visitors can watch the process of silk making with traditional “Ikat” decoration. If the tour is on Thursday or Sunday, you can take a stroll through the largest bazaar in the Fergana Valley, Kumtepa. Kuwa is covered with gardens and vineyards. It is famous for its delicious pomegranates. On the way there is a stop in Shahristan City and a visit to the knife workshop. Transfer to Andijon. A tour of the city includes visiting the central bazaar, crafts street, art and literature museum, craft center. Drive to Tashkent. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning transfer to the airport. You're going to Nukus. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. City tour through Nukus. The city is located in a remote desert region. Here is the unique Savitskiy Museum, which houses the second largest and world's most important collection of Soviet avant-garde artists from the beginning of the XX century. Visit to the Savitskiy Art Museum. Overnight in the Nukus.

In the late morning drive to Khiva through the Kyzylkum desert and visit the Khorezm remains. You will visit the Toprak-alter-Kala settlement, which was the capital of Khorezm in the III century AD. It is the only fully excavated monument in Khorezm. Its size and ingenuity of architectural design make Toprak-Kala one of the unique monuments of Khorezm. Ayaz-Kala was neither a city nor a settlement, it was a fortress complex in which groups of the Kushan dynasty settled. Continue to Khiva. Overnight at hotel.

As early as the 6th century, the city emerged on the most important route between east and west. You will explore one of the best preserved cities on the Silk Road. The former capital of the Khiva Khanates from the 17th century has retained the fairytale atmosphere of an ancient, oriental city to this day. The numerous sights of the historic fortress are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit the old town of Khiva-Juma Mosque, Medrese Muhammad Amin Khan, Citadel Kukhna Ark, Pakhlovon-Mahmud-Mausoleum, Alakuli Khan-Medrese etc. During the tour you will visit the important craft workshops. Overnight in Khiva.

As you drive through the Kyzylkum Desert, you will discover that the seemingly wasteland also has a lot to offer. You will drive along the Amu Darya River, the life-giving stream of Central Asia. In addition, your guide will use the time to tell you interesting facts about the country and its people. So you can look forward to a varied journey. Overnight in Bukhara.

You will discover this city as "the pearl of the desert". It is a city along the Silk Road. The city is a true home of Islam in Central Asia that flourished for many centuries. The city is home to hundreds of Islamic schools and crafts of carpets and decorations. You will visit the Samanid mausoleum, Friday mosque Bolo House, Ark fortress, mosque and minaret Kalon, Madrasa Mir Arab, Madrasa Ulugbek and Abdul-Aziz-Khan, dome bazaars, etc. The perfect end to a perfect day is the dance performance in a madrasa. Overnight in Bukhara.

In the vicinity of Bukhara there are other sights that should not be hidden from you. Your guide will let you in on the secrets of the summer palace of the last emir of Bukhara - Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa - and show you the Chor Bakr mausoleum and the Bakhauddin-Nakhshbandi ensemble. This tomb is visited daily by pilgrims and gives you an insight into the living Islam. Eventually you will return to Bukhara. The rest of the day is up to you. Overnight in Bukhara.

Drive to Samarkand, the city of fairy tales from 1001 nights (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the Middle Ages it was considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. On the way you will visit the family of the master potters and their handicraft workshop in the town of Gijduvan. You will then visit the old caravanserai Rabati Malik and Sardoba  (water storage facility). Arrival in Samarkand. Overnight at hotel.

Capital of Tamerlane, the great city of the ancient Sogdiana, lies at the crossroads of the main trade routes from China, Siberia, Persia and the west. This step alone is an essential point on the journey to understanding the power of the Khan dynasty at that time. Be amazed by these amazing shades of blue over sights such as the famous mosque of Bibi Khanum, the Gur-Emir (tomb of ruler Timur and his descendants) or the famous Registan Square (XV century XVII) that are never indifferent to any traveler. Overnight at hotel.

Today we drive to Shakhrisabz (former Kesch), the hometown of Tamerlane. We visit the “White Palace” (Ak-Saray XIV century), including the impressive remains of the portal offering a unique mosaic decor. Kok Gumbaz Mosque in the fifteenth century, the Gumbazi Seidan mausoleum and especially the Khazrati Imam Mosque are reminiscent of the splendor of this city. In the late afternoon transfer through the Zarafshan Mountains to Samarkand (100 km). Overnight in Samarkand.

Continuation of the sightseeing program through Samarkand. Today you will visit the Afrosiab Museum, once the heart of ancient Samarkand and now a unique archaeological city; the Ulugbek observatory (XV century), which tells the fascinating story of the little son Tamerlane; the tomb of St. Daniel and Konigil village, where you will learn about the traditional production process of paper from mulberries. You also have the opportunity to stroll through the oriental bazaar. In the evening you will take the train back to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer to the airport in Tashkent. Here we say goodbye to the group. We are left with unforgettable memories. Flight home.