The Pearl of the Orient

The Pearl of the Orient

Culture tour: 13 jours/12 nuits

Itinerary: Tashkent – Nukus – Muynak – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Tashkent

During this exciting tour you will learn the history and culture of Uzbekistan, to know world-famous fascinating monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

Day 1. Home – Tashkent

Welcome to Uzbekistan! When you arrive in Tashkent, you will be met by your English speaking tour line and put in a warm reception. Together with your private chauffeur will drive to the hotel, where you can arrive at peace once. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 2. Tashkent – Nukus

Your first day in Uzbekistan you can devote entirely to the attractions of the multi-faceted capital. Visit the Khasti-Imam square with the beautiful Barak-Khan Madrassah, the Tillya Sheikh Mosque and the Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum of plain brickwork. Here you can take a look at the Koran, of the third caliph Osman – was handwritten (644 656). Also, the interesting Museum of Applied Arts is on your agenda. In the afternoon, put your exploring in the modern part of the city fort and visit the Independence Square, the Tashkent subway with their artfully designed subway stations and the huge Chorsu bazaar, whose oriental scents and spices from the fairytale 1001 Nights will enable. Flight to Nukus in the evening. Overnight in Nukus.

Enfin de la journée vol pour Nukus. Installation à l’hôtel.

Day 3. Nukus – Muynaq – Nukus

From here, take the bus to Muynak and see the desert and the « ship graveyard ». Return to Nukus. Along the way you will visit the mining town Mizdachan whose tombs have various Zoroastrian, Nestorian and Islamic influences. Overnight in Nukus.

Day 4. Nukus – Khiva

After breakfast, visit the Museum of Savitskiy. It is home to numerous art treasures, including the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art, one of the largest and most interesting collections of applied art and archaeological finds of Central Asia. Visit the Bazaar in Nukus. Then continue to Khiva, where you can use the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Khiva.

Day 5. Khiva – « The Eighth Wonder of the World »

Explore one of the best preserved cities on the Silk Road. The former capital of Chiwa- khanates in the 17th century has preserved the magical atmosphere of an ancient, oriental city until today. You visit the old town Chiwas- Juma mosque, madrasa Muhammad Amin Khan, Citadel Kochna Ark, Pachlovon-Makhmud mausoleum, Allakuli Chan Madrassah and Others Overnight in Khiva.

Day 6. Khiva – Bukhara

While driving through the Kyzylkum desert, you will discover that the apparent wasteland has much to offer. You drive along the Amu Darya River, the life-giving power in Central Asia. In addition, your guide will take the time to tell you interesting things about the country and people. You can look forward to a varied journey, therefore. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 7. Bukhara – « The dome of faith »

Visit Samaniden- Mausoleum, Friday Mosque Bolo House, Ark Fortress, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, madrasa Mir Arab, madrasas Ulugbek and Abdul Aziz- Khan, among others domed bazaars The perfect finishing touch to a perfect day is the dance performance at a madrassah. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 8. The surroundings of Bukhara

Near Bukhara there are other attractions that should not remain hidden from them. Your guide will introduce you to the secrets of the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara – Storai-Mohi-Khosa – and shows you the mausoleum Chor Bakr and the Bakhauddin-Nakhshbandi ensemble. This tomb is visited by pilgrims and gives you an insight into the living Islam. Finally, you will return to Bukhara. The rest of the day, you can customize to your liking. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 9. Bukhara – Samarkand

We drive to Samarkand with stop in Gijduvan, which is famous for its artistic ceramics. In the afternoon arrival in Samarkand. Hotel accommodation. Free time. Fragrant bazaars, mosques and a huge mysterious atmosphere: That’s Samarkand. Samarkand is a city of countless legends. Every stone, every ravine and each water basin are witnesses of the past. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 10. Samarkand – « The Rome in the East »

Today your tour of the breathtaking Samarkand goes away. Visit Gur-e Amir, the final resting place of the famous ruler Tamerlane. After a short walk from the heart of Samarkand, the beautiful Registan Square with its three magnificent madrasahs: Ulugbek, Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari, observatory Ulugbek.

Day 11. Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand

Morning drive to Schahkrisabs. The city is the birthplace of Timur. Visit Ak Saray (White Palace) and Kuk Gumbaz (Blue Dome). In the afternoon arrival in Samarkand. Free time. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12. Samarkand – Tashkent

Continuation of the tour. You see Bibikhanum mosque, a famous Seidenpapiermanifaktur of Samarkand. They also have time on the oriental bazaar to stroll. In the evening, take the train back to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent

Day 13. Departure from Tashkent

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