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Tour Uzbekistan in Depth
If you come to Uzbekistan only once and wish to see the maximum, this “Tour Uzbekistan in Depth” covering Uzbekistan in full is for you. Discover the “Golden Ring” of Silk Road cities, including Khiva with Itchan-Kala fortress, Bukhara with unforgettable blue domes of Kalyan Ensemble, and Samarkand with spectacular Registan Square. Explore off the beaten track places: Savitsky Art Museum in Nukus, cemetery of ships in Muynak, handicrafts workshops in Fergana Valley, and monuments of Buddhism legacy in Termez. Stay an overnight at yurt camp in Kyzyl Kum desert where you can experience traditional life style of nomads. This tour is a good opportunity to see wonderful cities, diverse landscapes, culture and traditions of Uzbek people and it will surely remain in your memory for a long time.
Tour Uzbekistan in Depth 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 | Tashkent, Kokand, Rishtan, Fergana, Margilan, Nukus, Muynak, Khiva, Bukhara, Nurata, Shakhrisabz, Samarkand, Termez |
| Departure | Every day |
| Deadline | Get confirmation 7 days before the departure date |
| Included | All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3-7 pax by minivan type car; 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14 pax and more by 40-50 seat bus; Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included; Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides (except for city tour in Nukus and trip to fortresses of Ancient Khorezm); Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary; Economy class tickets for flights Tashkent-Nukus and Termez-Tashkent; Full board (lunches and dinners); Business/Economy class ticket for train Tashkent-Kokand as per option. |
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Excluded
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Tour leader to accompany the travelers for the whole period of the tour; Hotel charges for additional services; Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa; Tips are not included, but would be appreciated; Travel insurance. |
| Accommodation | |
| Tashkent – 3 nights | Bek, Grand Capital, Navruz, Praga or similar |
| Fergana – 1 night | Min 3 stars hotel , Asia Fergana or similar |
| Nukus – 1 night | Min 3 stars hotel, Jipek Joli or similar |
| Khiva – 2 night | Malika Kheivak , Malika Khiva , Muso To’ra , Orient Star , Polvon Qori , Qosha Darvoza or similar |
| Bukhara – 3 nights | Amulet , As-Salom , Basilic , Fatima , Minzifa Boutique or similar |
| Aydarkul – 1 night | Safari Yurt Camp, Aidar Yurt Camp (in a shared yurt) |
| Samarkand – 3 nights | City , Malika Prime , Meros, Orient Star , Platan or similar |
| Termez – 2 nights | Min 4 stars hotel, Meridian or similar |
Must visit on your Tour Uzbekistan in Depth
Kokand is 228 km southeast of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, 115 km west of Andijan, and 88 km west of the city of Fergana. Kokand is located on the crossroads of the ancient trade routes, at the junction of two main routes into the Fergana Valley, one leading northwest over the mountains to Tashkent, and the other west through Khujand. As a result, Kokand is the main transportation junction in the Fergana Valley. Kokand is a center for the production of textiles, food, and chemicals.
Kokand has existed since at least the 10th century, when it was known as Khavakend and was located on a caravan route between India and China. Kokand was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century.
There is a legend about the appearance of the city name, connected with the invasion of Alexander the Great. Local residents, having known about the intention of Alexander to visit their city, prepared a red carpet for him. One of the elders of the city offered to welcome the guest with chicken and bread. Alexander the Great asked after the feast what was the name of the dish. He was replied: “Murginon”, that means “chicken and bread”. On the way back, he tasted this dish again, and after called this area as “Murginon”. Since that time, the city carries the name Margilan.
Itinerary
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Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
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 driving to Fergana city. Upon arrival, 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 to Margilan and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah. Today, madrasah is a home to a number of craftsmen producing handmade carpets and silk. Explore a local 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 h). Arrive in Tashkent, transfer to your hotel.
Morning flight to Nukus (1255 km, 2 h 45 min). Arrive in Nukus and drive to former fishermen’s town Muynak (220 km, 3 h), which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea. On the way stop at archaeological complex Mizdakhan. In Muynak have a look at a former port with abandoned ships in the sand also known as the "Cemetery of Ships”. Then visit Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history. In the afternoon return to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel.
Visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around center of Nukus: see statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. In the afternoon depart to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 h). On the way visit archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: Chilpyk, a Zoroastrian dakhma (funerary tower), and Toprak-Kala, the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. Arrive in Khiva, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Spend a day in Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walking sightseeing tour in Khiva with a guide, visit Kunya-Ark Citadel, Tash-Khovli Palace, Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Khiva to Bukhara through Kyzylkum desert**. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*Since there is only one cafe on the way, you might want to consider preparing a packed lunch before this trip.
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.
Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to yurt camp located in Kyzylkum desert (230 km, 4 h*). On the way we will have a few stops: Gijduvan pottery masters workshop, Nurata local mosque with a holy spring water, and Nurata pass to see petroglyphs. Arrive in Safari Yurt Camp, accommodation in yurt. Camel riding and free time. After dinner sit around the camp fire and enjoy Kazakh akin singing folk songs. Overnight in the yurt.
Meals: dinner**
*The drive on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
**Though meals are included, based on the experience and tips of our guests, we advise to take some food in advance, as there are no shops around yurts.
In the morning visit desert Aydarkul Lake. Free time on the lake.
Extras to do in the area:
Option 1. Camel ride to Aydarkul Lake through the desert (8.5 km, 3 h). Enjoy your time on the lake and have lunch. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand.
Cost: $30 per person for a camel and cameleer service.
Option 2. Take a short camel ride to a nearby village Dungalak (1.5 km, 30 min). Participate in baking traditional bread “non”. Take a short walk in the village to see life of locals and return to the camp.
Cost: $20 per person for a camel and cameleer service.
In the afternoon depart the yurt camp and drive to Samarkand (270 km, 5 h). Arrival in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch or picnic
Meet your guide and driver at hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Shakhrisabz (90 km, 2 h). Have a short city tour in Shakhrisabz. Visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Siodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. In the afternoon continue driving to Termez (290 km, 5 h). Arrive in Termez, check in to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Start sightseeing tour in Termez, ancient Buddhist center and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Drive out of the city to explore Zurmala Tower – Buddha's stupa, Mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termezi, Buddhist archaeological site of Fayaz-Tepe, Kampyr-Tepe – Greco-Bactrian Kingdom fortress. Return to Termez for a city tour in Old Termez: visit Kyrk-Kyz Fortress, Kokildor-Ota Khanaka, and Sultan Saodat Ensemble – a summer residence of Samani rulers. Visit Archaeology Museum to explore exhibits discovered on the territory of Termez and its surroundings. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival start city sightseeing. Visit the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with the Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Qoran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to walk through Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and visit Applied Arts Museum. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.
