This individual tour to Uzbekistan includes the 'must-sees' Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. We have also included a visit to the Ferghana Valley. This tour includes all transfers by private car, private sightseeing in each location, as well as a free day in Samarkand and Khiva for you to explore at your own pace.
Price from: £1795 pp
Uzbekistan is endowed with some of the most magnificent buildings in the Islamic world, breathtaking monuments created by ancient rulers in an attempt to ensure their own immortality. It is a journey through oasis, river valley, desert and grassland to the foothills and mountains of the western Tien Shan and Gissaro-Alay Ranges. Uzbekistan, as a tourist destination, is in its infancy but for the adventurous and well-travelled, it holds the architectural gems of Central Asia such as Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva.
This popular itinerary is a great introduction to Uzbekistan for the first time visitor, as it includes the ‘must-sees’ of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. New for 2010 we include the Ferghana Valley.
We can also extend this itinerary to include some lesser known sights, including a visit to Nukus, capital of the Karakalpakstan Republic and Moynaq to see the ‘ships in the desert’.
Price Includes:
Return flights in economy class with Uzbekistan Airlines from London Heathrow, All airport taxes and security charges, Accommodation in three-star hotels and guesthouses with breakfast, All transfers and transportation throughout, One-way flight in economy class from Khiva (Urgench) to Tashkent, Sightseeing with English-speaking guide, Entrance fees on sightseeing tours
TASHKENT
Arrive Tashkent and transfer to hotel for overnight stay. After a brief rest you will start with a day tour of Tashkent, taking in the Old City, Brak-Khan Madrassah, Yunus-Khan mausoleum, Museum of Applied Art, Independence Square, Friendship People’s Square and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
DAY 3
TASHKENT TO KOKAND
Head east to Kokand, a city which played an important role in the Great Game and here visit the palace of Khudayar Khan, the Grave of Kings and the two Mausoleums built for Omar Khan’s family. Moving on visit Rishtan, known for its local pottery production, where you will visit the workshop of Rustam Usmanov before transferring to your hotel for 2 nights.
DAY 4
FERGANA VALLEY
This morning visit the folk museum of Fergana before driving to Kuva for a quick visit of the area. Drive to Shakhrihan, a town known for its blacksmiths. Also included is a stop in Andijan.
DAY 5
KOKAND TO TASHKENT
This morning drive to nearby Margilan and the Edgorlik Silk Factory. Also visit Namangan and the three mosques there. In the afternoon transfer back to Tashkent for overnight stay.
DAY 6
TASHKENT TO SAMARKAND
Early departure from Tashkent to Samarkand, a journey which will take around 5 hours. Transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the city, visiting the Guri-Emir Mausoleum, Rukhabad Necropolis and the Registan Complex.
DAY 7
SAMARKAND
Continue tour of Samarkand, visiting the Ulugbek Observatory, Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque, Shakhi Zinda Mausoleum and the bazaar. Rest of day free to explore at leisure.
DAY 8
SAMARKAND
Free day in Samarkand.
DAY 9
SAMARKAND TO BUKHARA
Depart from Samarkand to Bukhara (takes around 5 hours) with visits en route to Gizhduwan and Vobkent. Arrive Bukhara, transfer to hotel for 3 nights.
DAY 10
BUKHARA
Full day tour of Bukhara including the main highlights: Samanids Mausoleum; Chashma Ayub Mazar; Poi-Kalan complex; Ulugbek Madrassah; Lyabi-Hauz complex; Bolo Khauz Mosque and the Ark Citadel.
DAY 11
BUKHARA
Free day in Bukhara.
DAY 12
BUKHARA TO KHIVA
Drive through the Kyzyl-Kum desert to Khiva, which takes around 7 hours. En route you will stop on the banks of the Amu Darya River, which hugs the Uzbek-Turkmen border. Arrive Khiva, transfer to hotel for 2 nights.
DAY 13
KHIVA
Full day tour of Khiva including Ichan-Kala, Mohammed-Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya Ark, Paklavan Mahmud complex, Islam Khoja Madrassah and the Jumma Mosque.
DAY 14
KHIVA TO TASHKENT
Transfer to Urgench Airport for flight back to Tashkent. On arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 15
FLY TO UK
Transfer to airport for flight back to the UK.