Main Info
Tour to Fergana Valley
Uzbekistan is famous around the world for its textiles and ceramics, but within Uzbekistan itself, Fergana is the most famous place for artisans. Between visits to the Fergana Valley’s most famous sights, stop in to meet artisans and master craftsmen in their workshops. Ok Yer is home to Kyrgyz craftsmen who make wool carpets, while Rishtan is world famous for its ceramics and the Yodgorlik Silk Factory produces silk fabrics with traditional ikat designs. If you have two extra days, this Fergana Valley Tour is the best tour for learning more about Uzbekistan’s famous handicrafts from the masters themselves.
Tour to Fergana Valley 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 | Kokand, Rishtan, Fergana, Margilan |
| Departure | Every day |
| Deadline | Get confirmation 3 days before the departure date |
| Included | All transfers by sedan type car; Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included; Sightseeing tour program with local guide; Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary; Full board (lunches and dinners); Ticket for train Tashkent-Kokand. |
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Excluded
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Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour; Hotel charges for additional services; Tips are not included, but would be appreciated; Travel insurance. |
| Accommodation | Not required |
| Fergana – 1 night | Min 4 stars hotel, Asia Fergana or similar |
Must visit on your Tour to Fergana Valley
The Fergana Valley stretches across central Asia forming a crucial part of the northern silk road which historically linked China to the west. With the Tien-Shan mountains to the north and the Gissar-Allai to the south, it is an area of stunning natural beauty and despite the relatively dry climate, the valley boasts green and fertile plains thanks to the Rivers Naryn and Kara Darya, which meet near Namangan to form the Syr Darya.
Throughout history, Fergana Valley has been the object of many territorial battles and its various areas have been occupied by the Achaemenid Empire, the Han Dynasty, the Bactrian Empire and the Samanids. Today it stretches across three former Soviet states, from eastern Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan. As such, it is an area of incomparable cultural and ethnic diversity as well as historical and environmental interest. From cities with stunning architecture to breathtaking scenery to fabulous handmade silks and ceramics, a visit to Fergana Valley is sure to intrigue the intrepid explorer.
In the city of Kokand stands the beautiful 19th century Juma Mosque. Its colorful minaret with arched portico stretches up more than twenty meters, supported by giant columns made from Indian redwood trees. Today, visitors can enjoy a tour of this mosque-museum, which includes historical artifacts from the city of Kokand and surrounding area.
Khudoyar Khan commissioned this elaborate and stunning architectural marvel in the 19th century to house himself and his family. They were able to enjoy its opulence for just two years before the Russians invaded Kokand and the Khanate fell. The palace boasts seven courtyards and 113 rooms, of which twelve are open to visitors today.
Owing to its position on the silk road, silk production has long been a crucial enterprise and source of economy in the Fergana Valley. A visit to the Yodgorlik silk workshop reveals every step of the painstaking process involved in producing the beautiful handmade material, from the filament, which is spun, dyed and finally woven or knotted into yards of gorgeous silk.
The small town of Rishtan is famous around the world for its ceramics due to the high quality clay upon which it is built. In workshops throughout the city, traditional techniques and machinery are used by master craftsmen to produce beautiful, elaborate patterns and the distinctive blue-green glazed pottery which can be bought in the town’s bazaars and markets.
Itinerary
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At 07:00 transfer to the Tashkent train station. Take the train departing to Kokand at 08:05 (Alternative transport is available, see below). Arrive in Kokand at 12:16. Meet your guide and driver and start sightseeing tour in Ferghana Valley. Visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Jami Mosque and Norbut-biy Madrasah. Drive to Ok Yer village to the house of craftsman Bakhrom-aka to visit a traditional Kyrgyz family manufacturing wool carpets. Continue to Rishtan to the house of a well-known ceramic master, Rustam Usmanov, whose works are exhibited on world exhibitions. At pottery master’s you will visit the workshop, see the process of pottery creation and see collection of local ceramics. Afterwards, we will continue to Fergana city. Arrival in Fergana, check in to the hotel for overnight.
Alternative transportation is a car with a driver; the road takes 4 hours and lies through Kamchik Mountain Pass.
In the morning visit Akhmad Al Fergani Park. If it is Thursday or Sunday, visit Kumtepa Bazaar, the largest market in Fergana Valley. Continue to Margilan and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah. Today, madrasah is a home to a number of craftsmen producing handmade carpets and silk. Have a walk on traditional market and continue to Yodgorlik Silk factory to see the production process of silk with traditional Ikat patterns (closed on Sundays). Drive back to Tashkent (320 km, 5 hours). Arrive in Tashkent, drop off at your hotel or residence. End of the tour.
