Experience Uzbekistan actively (15 Days)

You can devote your first day in Uzbekistan to the sights of the multifaceted 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. In the evening transfer to the airport. You're flying to Urgensch. Reception at the airport and drive to Khiva. Overnight in Khiva.

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 Chiwas-Dschuma Mosque, Medrese Muhammad Amin Khan, Citadel Kochna Ark, Pachlovon-Machmud-Mausoleum, Alakuli Chan-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.

Bukhara was one of the most important cities on the Silk Road. Traders flocked to sell their wares, carpets, and jewelry. It was also an important developing home for many religions such as Zoroastrianism and later Islam. The program includes the historical sights. You will visit the Samanid mausoleum, Friday mosque, Bolo House, Ark fortress, mosque and minaret Kalon, Madrasa Mir Arab, Madrasas Ulugbek and Abdul-Aziz-Khan, cupola bazaars, etc. Overnight in Bukhara.

Around Bukhara there are other attractions that you should not be hidden. 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. Finally, you will return to Bukhara again. The rest of the day is up to you. Overnight in Bukhara.

We leave the beautiful city of Bukhara in a south-easterly direction towards the Zarafshan Mountains. On the way we stop in the city of Gijduvan to visit a ceramic workshop owned by the family of the master potters. Arrive at the end of the day in Oqsoy village. Overnight stay with a host family for one night, then discovery of the village, an important pilgrimage site. The believers gather around the cave of Khazrati Dovud (David), where David would have sought refuge before fighting Goliath. Overnight in a simple guest house in the village of Oqsoy.

Today we hike in the mountain settlement of Oqsoy, where the prophet David was buried in a cave on the rock, is a place of pilgrimage for locals from near and far. Quiet ascent by an easy and well-marked path that follows the valley. It is very pleasant. You will soon arrive at an apartment dominated by a series of rocks created by erosion. The path meanders between these beautiful formations and it is the Oktog pass (1850 m), then wonderful lawns where the shepherds with their herds of goats and sheep settled for the beautiful season. Nice view of Sharshari-Pari (Waterfall of Angels) waterfall before picnic. Ascent to the pass through the paths of sheep and goats. From above is a very nice panorama of the mountain ranges. Descent into the valley. At first we go on the ridge, then further down the slope into the valley, before we will surely meet the men on their donkeys. Then it goes on to Tepakul.
Walking time: 5-6 hours, altitude 1630 m, distance 14 km, ascent 600 m, descent 600 m

In the morning we go for a hike in the area around the settlement in the mountain. We walk slowly in the mountain valley and then climb the pass. When we reach the pass, we continue on the ridge with a view of the Langar Pass (1900m) and see the wide plain of Samarkand with arable land and orchards. At the top of the plateau you can see the rock formations that were created by erosion. On the lawns we meet the shepherds with their flocks of goats and sheep. We slowly climb into the valley, where we walk along a small garden by the local people. We drive to Tersak with a view of the village. Overnight in the guest house.

Walking time: 3-4 hours (option 5-6 hours), altitude 1150 m, distance 9 km, ascent 320 m, descent 320 m

We walk gently through the clay houses in the Kizyl Touruk valley, a good encounter with locals. We slowly climb up the pass through the Bergbauer piste. We reach the plateau from where we have a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of Ghissar mountain range. We meet horses, sheep and goats running free upstairs. We walk on the ridge with a view of the plain of Samarkand and Schakhrisabs into the narrow valley, from where we climb to the Takhta Karacha pass. Then we reach the pass. Our driver is waiting for us on the pass. We continue our way in the direction of Schakhrisabs to a mountain settlement. We experience encounters with local villagers and entertain. Overnight in the guest house.

Walking time: 5-6 hours, altitude 1860 m, distance 16 km, ascent 600 m, descent 300 m

At dawn we say goodbye to our guests. The last houses in the village, surrounded by fields, are lined up along the river. Our hike continues between wide valleys and small valleys, but always in the line of the ridge, to the Alvastikul torrent. Picnic at the water's edge, then we go down to the village where we take our car to drive to Shakhrisabz (birthplace of Timur). We visit the city. Transfer to Samarkand.

Walking time: 4-5 hours, altitude 1300 m, distance 11 km, ascent 500 m, descent 500 m

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.

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.

Today you have free time and rediscover the city on your own. In the evening you will take the “Afrosiyob” express train to Tashkent. Transfer to dinner and hotel. Overnight at hotel.

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