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Two days tour to Samarkand
The two days tour to Samarkand is perfect for exploring the city, and then heading out to the lesser-known sights off the beaten path. Start with the famous places of this grand city: Registan Square, Shahi-Zinda, Gur-Emir, and Bibi-Khanum Mosque, all of which are sure to impress with their combination of grand scale and intricate details. The second day takes you farther from the traditional sights of Samarkand, and to the more uncommon places in this city. The Afriasiab Museum is a dip into ancient history, while the Tomb of Saint Daniel and the Mausoleum of Imam al-Bukhari are all about the spiritual life of Central Asia. You’ll leave Samarkand with vivid impressions of Uzbekistan and a greater knowledge of the culture, history, and traditions of this country.
Two days tour to Samarkand 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 | Ulugbek Observatory, the Tomb of Saint Daniel, Bibi-Khanum Mosque etc. |
| Offered | Any time |
| Deadline | Get confirmation 3 days before the departure date |
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| Accommodation | N/A |
Must visit on your Two days tour to Samarkand
Among historical monuments of Samarkand observatory takes particular place, constructed by Ulugbek in 1428-1429 on one of the hills on height, at the bottom of Chupanata altitude.
By Babur’s words, which saw the observatory, it was three-storied covered with beautiful glazed titles building of round form 46 meters in diameter, 30 meters in height. In the main hall huge instrument was placed for observations of Moon, Sun, and other stars of the vault of heaven.
Observatory was unique construction for its time.The basis of observatory was giant goniometer vertical circle), radius of circle was equal 40,212 meters, and the length of arc was 63 meters. The main instrument-sextant was oriented with amazing exactness by line of meridian from south to north.
Translated from Uzbek, “registan” means a sand place. In the ancient times, this central square was covered by sand. The territory was not initially surrounded by madrassah; those great erections appeared rather later. In that period, authorities of the city were gathering people on the square to announce khan’s orders, held celebrations and public executions, and collected the army leaving to war.
In the past, one could see many trade rows around the square, where artisans and farmers were selling their goods. All main roads of Samarkand led to Registan where it was always noisy and lively.
Various rulers during their reign would change the main significance of the square, but since those times and up to now, Registan has always been the center of the city social life.
There are three madrassahs on the square: Ulughbek, Sherdor and Tilla-Kori, that are the main sights of the city. They were erected by two rulers at different times.
One of the most significant architectural ensembles of medieval East – the Gur Emir was built in the southwestern part of Samarkand at the beginning of the XV century. This majestic complex consisted of a khanaka, the madrasah of Muhammad Sultan – grandson of Amir Timur, and, later, tombs of Amir Timur himself and his descendants.
The madrasah, a small building with a typical yard composition was meant to teach the children Samarkand nobility. Opposite to the madrasah there located a khanaka with a central hall and cells – hudjras. The both buildings were erected by Mukhammad Sultan’s order to be become a center of Islamic education. But Muhammad sudden death in 1403 led to a change in an intended use of the complex.
After the death of Muhammad Sultan, Amir Timur was inconsolable: he ordered to put temporarily the remains of his beloved grandson in a madrasah’s corner room – darskhana, and immediately started the construction of the mausoleum which closed the ensemble from the south.
Itinerary
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Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Samarkand. The tour begins with a visit to Ulugbek Observatory, where part of the XV c. sextant is preserved. Continue to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Walking on the alley with souvenir shops you will reach the spectacular Registan Square which has been the center of Samarkand for many centuries. During sightseeing you will have a chance to visit colorful Siab bazaar with stalls full of oriental sweets, local fruits and variety of freshly baked traditional breads. The last point of interest to be visited is Gur-Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane.
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. Continue to the Mausoleum of Muslim scholar Imam al-Bukhari, the author of the collection of Hadis, sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad. Being a pilgrimage place for Muslims, Al-Bukhari complex is also famous for the modern mosque built in 1998.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
