Main Info
Day Tour to Samarkand from Tashkent
By choosing the Cultural Day Tour to Samarkand from Tashkent by “Afrosiyob” Train, you will see the whole architectural grandeur of one of the most ancient cities in the world. The Samarkand monuments like shabby pages of history, by “skimming” of which, you can learn the history of the great city. Structures, built mainly under Amir Timur, his grandson Ulugbek and other rulers from the Temurid dynasty have survived in Samarkand up to date. For one sightseeing day you will see the best-known sights of Samarkand: Registan Square, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shakhi-Zinda complex, Ulugbek Observatory and Bibi-Khanum Mosque.
Day Tour to Samarkand from Tashkent descriptions
| Price Discount | 1 person – no discount 2 persons – 10% discount 3 persons – 20% discount 4 persons and up – 30% discount |
| Price Currency | USD |
| Destinations | Samarkand |
| Departure | Morning at Tashkent Train Station |
| Deadline | Get confirmation 3 days before the departure date |
| Included | Economy-class ticket for train Tashkent-Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace it with the most-comfortable class of regular train); Guided sightseeing tour in Samarkand; Entrance fees to the museums, mausoleums and other sights; Full board meal; Transport to/from the train station and throughout the Samarkand tour. |
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Excluded
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Tips are not included, but would be appreciated; Travel insurance |
| Accommodation | Not required |
Must visit on your Day Tour to Samarkand from Tashkent
One of the oldest cities in Central Asia, Samarkand was given the recognition it deserved in 2001 when UNESCO assigned it World Heritage Site status, acknowledging its importance as a crossroads of ancient cultures. This unique city has played a seminal role in the development of Islamic architecture and the arts. Empire after empire blew through, each leaving its mark. Alexander the Great conquered the city in 329 BC when it was already the flourishing capital of Sogdia, known to Greeks as Marakanda. It’s generally held that Alexander was so impressed that he said: “Everything I have heard about Marakanda is true, except that it is more beautiful than I ever imagined.”
There’s not much left of Afrosiab, but when Samarkand was founded around the 7th century BC, this hilly mound and its fertile hinterland were easy to defend and equally capable of supporting its population. Excavations have shown that the city was surrounded by ten meter thick walls. They enclosed a palace and citadel as well as separate areas for different crafts. One of the most important finds are remnants of murals depicting the giving of gifts to the city’s ruler. There is, amongst others, a Chinese princess on the boat with her musicians, a Korean ambassador and members of the Persian and Turkic elite. One can see patterns, design and clothing style of the ancient silk trade. From this, we glean a little of the importance of the Silk Road, a tantalizing glimpse of society before Islam, when depictions of living creatures was forbidden.
Shah-i-Zinda translates as living king, and this necropolis site is a fitting memorial place for the nobility of Samarkand. The site was used for burials from the 12th to the 19th centuries with most of its mausoleums built between the 14th and 15th centuries. The Living King to which the name refers was the cousin of the Prophet of Islam named Kusam ibn Abbas. He got his nickname as according to the legend after the beheading, he took his head and fell into well and kept on living. To this day, it’s a wondrous place dominated by blue tiles richly decorated by geometric and calligraphic designs.
Gur Emir literally translates as the “Tomb of the King” and was built between 1403 and 1404, dedicated to Tamerlane’s favorite grandson, who had recently died. This became the Emperor’s own mausoleum.
Itinerary
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Morning transfer to the railway station for the high-speed train, Afrosiyob, ride to Samarkand (journey time 2 h 10 min). A guide and driver will meet you at the station, which is a starting point of the Samarkand tour. The tour program includes visits to Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Shahi-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory and the central Samarkand Bazaar. You will be transferred to the railway station for train ride back to Tashkent. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. End of the tour.
