This journey will be a real adventure; You will discover the diversity of cultural, historical, and architectural wealth of Uzbekistan. In the cities of the Fergana Valley, you will learn the history of the Kokand Khanate, visit the workshops of craftsmen who create amazing carpets, knives, and ceramics. You will see how Margilan silk is made. The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, will amaze you with their unique architecture.
Day 1 : Arrival in Uzbekistan
Arrival in Tashkent. Meet your driver and guide and transfer to sightseeing tour in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex, where the world famous Quran, holy book that belonged to Caliph Uthman, has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit the Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end the Tashkent city tour.
Day 2 : Kokand – Ok Yer – Fergana
Transfer to the train station to take a train departing to Kokand. Arrive in Kokand and meet your guide and driver. Start the sightseeing tour in Ferghana Valley. Visit Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, Kamol-Kazy Madrasah, 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. Afterwards drive to Fergana City. Visit Akhmad Al-Fergani Park in Fergana.
Day 3 : Fergana – Margilan – Rishtan – Tashkent
In the morning, drive from Fergana to Margilan and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah. Today, the madrasah is 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. If it is Thursday or Sunday, visit Kumtepa Bazaar, the largest market, bazaar, in Fergana Valley. Drive to Rishtan to the house of a well-known ceramic master Rustam Usmanov whose works are exhibited on world exhibitions. Enjoy a pottery workshop and have a look at ceramic collection in a small museum. After Rishtan return to Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 4 : Tashkent – Samarkand
Morning transfer to the railway station for the high-speed Afrosiyob train ride to Samarkand. Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. 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.
Day 5 : Samarkand City
Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Drive to Konigil Village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. After lunch, visit Imam Al-Bukhari Hadith Center and Imam Al-Maturidi Complex.
Day 6 : Samarkand – Bukhara
In the morning depart to Bukhara by high-speed train. Spend your day in fascinating Old Bukhara which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Explore Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trade domes, Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Chor-Minor Madrasah. Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Samani dynasty and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Then visit 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.
Day 7 : Bukhara - Gijduvan
Visiting Ceramic workshop Abdullo Narzulaev in Gijduvan. In the ceramic workshop of the Narzulaev family, it is possible to get acquainted with the process of ceramics production; visit the museum of ceramics; buy ceramics of Gijduvan artisans; and pass a special training course under the guidance of Gijduvan masters.
Day 8 : Bukhara – Khiva
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva. Today we will have an overland transfer from Bukhara to Khiva through Kyzylkum desert. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon. Check-in to the hotel. Free evening in Khiva.
Day 9 : Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Today you will visit Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour features visits to Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum and Islam-Khoja Minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Free time in the afternoon. In the evening you will be transferred to Urgench airport for flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 10 : Tashkent – Departure
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.