Uzbekistan Tajikistan round trip

Itinerary

Day 1. Tashkent
00:40 arrival, meet and greet service, transfer to the hotel, check-in. Overnight at the hotel.  Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 City tour in Tashkent:
Old part of the city: the religious complex Khasti Imam: consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (XV centure), Barak Khan Madrassah (XVI centure), Muy-Mubarak Mosque – storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad; Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali, Kukeldash Madrassah (XVI), Abdulkasim Madrassah (XIX).
After lunch visiting modern part of Tashkent: The State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan, visiting Independence Square, after continue to Navoi Theater square and Amir Timur Square.
Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.

Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. The city probably dates from the 2nd or the 1st century BC and was variously known as Dzhadzh, Chachkent, Shashkent, and Binkent; the name Tashkent, which means “Stone Village” in Uzbek, was first mentioned in the 11th century. An important centre of trade and handicrafts on the caravan routes to Europe and East Asia, the city was conquered by the Arabs at the beginning of the 8th century and later became part of the possessions of various Muslim ruling lines before falling to the Mongols in the early 13th century.

Day 2. Tashkent – Khiva via Urgench 
Breakfast at the hotel.
05:15 am transfer to the airport, 07:15 am flight to Urgench, 08:55 am arrival and transfer to Khiva. Hotel accommodation.
City tour in Khiva:
Ichan-Kala architectural complex (XII-XIX), the Residence of the last Khiva Khan including Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya-Ark Castle (XVI-XVI), Kalta Minor Tower, Tash-Hovli Palace (XIX), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum(XIV-XVIII), Juma Mosque (X) and other Khiva tourist sights. Narrow streets, carved “ayvans” veranda and doors, majestic minarets and mausoleums, heritage and arts –all kept with care in this city as great treasure.
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Khiva city on south-central Uzbekistan. A notorious slave market was centered there from the 17th to the 19th century. The city is also known for the Islamic architecture within its 590-acre (240-hectare) historic center. According to archaeological evidence, the city existed as early as the 6th century AD, but it was first recorded in the 10th century by two Arabian travelers. In the 16th century it became the capital of the khanate of Khiva. By the 17th century the city began to develop as a slave market. During the first half of the 19th century alone, some one million Persians, as well as an unknown number of Russians, were enslaved and transported there before being sold. Many of them were set to work on the construction of buildings in the walled Ichan-Kala (Royal Court), which is the most striking feature of the historic city.

Day 3. Khiva – Bukhara (440 km)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 interesting Road trip to Bukhara via desert Kyzyl-Kum along Caravan road with picnic on the road (6-7 hrs).
Arrival Bukhara. Hotel accommodation. Free time.
After dinner walking to the hotel with guide along the narrow streets of Bukhara
Overnight at the hotel

Day 4. Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel.
City tour in Bukhara: Ismael Samani Mausoleum – the tomb of representatives of Samanids’ jeweler at the end of IX – beginning of X), Chashma Ayub Mausoleum (Spring of Job – XIV), Bolo-Hauz Mosque (beginning of XX), Citadel Ark (IV) – city in a city, Poi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great), religious heart of Sacred Bukhara, consists of Minaret Kalon (XII), Kalyan Mosque (XII), Miri Arab Madrassah (XVI), Ulugbek’s Madrassah (1417), Magoki-Attori Mosque (dated XII-XVI centuries), Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble (dated XIV-XVII centuries), Chor-Minor (four minarets).
Free time: we advise you to visit Bukhara Dome Bazaars (dated 15-16 centuries): Toki Saraffon (the Dome of Moneychangers), Toki-Telpak Furushon (the Dome of Cap makers), Toki Zargaron (the Dome of Jewelers) and Tim Abdullakhan (the Center of silk). Dinner in the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Bukhara or Buxoro city, south-central Uzbekistan, located about 140 miles (225 km) west of Samarkand. The city lies on the Shakhrud Canal in the delta of the Zeravshan River, at the centre of Bukhara oasis. Founded not later than the 1st century CE (and possibly as early as the 3rd or 4th century BCE), Bukhara was already a major trade and crafts centre along the famous Silk Road when it was captured by Arab forces in 709. It was the capital of the Samanid dynasty in the 9th and 10th centuries. Later it was seized by the Qarakhanids and Karakitais before falling to Genghis Khan in 1220 and to Timur (Tamerlane) in 1370. In 1506 Bukhara was conquered by the Uzbek Shaybanids, who from the mid-16th century made it the capital of their state, which became known as the khanate of Bukhara.

Day 5. Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 tour around Holy places in Bukhara visit to Bahouddin Nakshbandi mausoleum (16-19th c.), to the sepulchres of his mother and his preceptor (14th c.), mausoleum Chor-Bakr (10th c.). Summer residence of last Emir of Bukhara.
Afternoon free time for leisure and own explore Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6. Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand (260 km/110 km)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Shakhrisabz city (motherland of Great Amir Timur).
City tour: Ruins of Ak-Saray Palace (XIV-XV), Dor-ut Saodat Complex: Khazratiy Imam Mosque (XIV), Jahongir Mausoleum (XIV), Dor-ut Tillavat Complex: Gumbazi-Seiidan, Kok Gumbaz Mosque (XV).
Continue to Samarkand. Arrival and Samarkand hotel accommodation.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7. Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 city tour in Samarkand:
Visit Gur Emir Mausoleum – Tamerlane’s Tomb (14-15th c.) – Guri Amir is Persian for “Tomb of the King” Continue to Registan square – Registan square heart of Samarkand. Registan Square is ornate portals, patterned minarets and glistening cupolas. Registan Square consist with three madrasahs: The Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420), the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1646–1660) and the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636). All three madrasahs rife with glazed mosaics in liquid shades gold.
Visit Bibi-Khanum Mosque and Siyab Bazaar– The Bibi Khanym complex in Samarkand was built in 1399–1405 with the spoils of Timur’s (Tamerlane’s) campaign in India. Bibi Khanym was named in homage to Timur’s senior wife, Sarai Mulk Khanym.

Visit Islam Karimov memorial complex and continue to Architectural complex Shakhi-Zindeh (11-15th c.) – The necropolis of Shah-I Zindah (Persian for “living king”) is revered as a memorial to Kusam-ibn-Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Mohammad.
Overnight at the hotel.

Samarkand city in east-central Uzbekistan that is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia. Known as Maracanda in the 4th century BCE, it was the capital of Sogdiana and was captured by Alexander the Great in 329 BCE. The city was later ruled by Central Asian Turks (6th century CE), the Arabs (8th century), the Samanids of Iran (9th–10th century), and various Turkic peoples (11th–13th century) before it was annexed by the Khwarezm-Shah dynasty (early 13th century) and destroyed by the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan (1220). After it revolted against its Mongol rulers (1365), Samarkand became the capital of the empire of Timur (Tamerlane), who made the city the most important economic and cultural centre in Central Asia.

Day 8. Samarkand – Panjakent (80 km) TAJIKISTAN
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the Tajikistan border, formalities and cross the border. Meeting with guide at Jarteppa border and drive to Panjakent.
Sightseeing in Panjakent: Rudaki Museum,
local Bazaar and mosque. Visit ancient Panjakent located within 5 minutes’ drive from modern Panjakent.
Panjakent was a major Sogdian city dating back to the 5th century and was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Dinner. Overnight at Hotel Sugd 3* or Umariyon 3*.

Day 9. Panjakent – Seven Lakes – Dushanbe (390 km) 7-8 hrs
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Seven Lakes.

The Seven Lakes are located in the west of Fann mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerising purple. At the last lake of Khoazorchashma you will enjoy a picnic. See 1. Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin lakes (2139m.a. l), Khurdak, 6. Marguzor, 7. Hazorchashma lakes (2400m a.s.l.). Continue to Dushanbe, overnight in «Hilton Dushanbe».

Day 10. Dushanbe
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit Tajikistan United Museum includes the exhibits on history, natural history and art, Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of museum. (closed on Mondays).
Botanical garden-very beautiful garden with many old trees is the favorite place of Tajiks.
Bazaar- an oriental market is the most crowded place in the city Hissar fortress the remains of an 18th-century fortress occupied until 1924 is located in 30 km west of Dushanbe. Beside the fortress are two plain Madrassah, one dating from the 18th century and the other 19th, and beyond them is the mausoleum of 16th century. Overnight at the hotel

Day 11. Dushanbe – Istaravshan – Khujand (260 km)
In the morning, depart to Khujand via Israravshan (260 km, 5-6 h.). In Istaravshan visit a local bazaar, Hazrat Shah architectural complex, which consists of Hazrat Shah Mausoleum, the grave of the brother of Kusam ibn Abbas, Khudayar Valami Mausoleum, and Namazgah Mosque dating back to 19 C. Continue to Mug Teppe, one of the ancient settlements located in Istaravshan. The city is believed to be founded by King Cyrus in the North-East boundary of his empire. Arrival in Khujand. Sightseeing: Shaikh Muslihiddin Mosque, and the Payshanba Bazaar, the biggest bazaar in Tajikistan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12. Khujand – Oybek border – Tashkent (165 km) UZBEKISTAN
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to border point Oybek, pass the border and transfer to Tashkent
Arrival. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13. Departure Tashkent 
06:30 transfer to the airport for flight to your next destination.