Ancient Silk Road by Rail

Arrive in Tashkent in the morning. You will be met inside the airport, then at the exit our guide and driver will be waiting for you. Transfer to the hotel, time for rest.

After lunch start of the sightseeing tour along the old part of Tashkent: Khast Imam Complex, Kukaldosh Madrassah, then smoothly move to the city center to Amir Temur museum and square.

Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to Tashkent local airport for the flight to Bukhara (HY037, 09:15-10:25)*.

You will be met by our guide and driver and transferred to the hotel, time for rest.

In the afternoon begin your sightseeing in the old town of Bukhara. You’ll visit:

• The architectural ensemble Poi-Kalyan XII – XVI centuries – “Foot of the Great”. Complex consists of three monuments: madrasah Miri-Arab, mosque Kalyan and minaret Kalyan – “Great minaret” is the main decoration of the complex.
• Samanid Mausoleum (IX – X c.). According to legends, the founder of the dynasty Ismail Samani built it for the burial of his father, but later it became a family tomb mausoleum for the whole dynasty. It is a masterpiece of world architecture for the perfection of geometric forms, considered during its construction.
• Chashma – Ayub Mausoleum – “the Source of St. Job”. According to the legend, the source located in that area appeared owing to St. Job (Ayub). Locals, dying of thirst, asked him for help, and Ayub struck his magic stick on the ground. From that place the healing spring with crystal clear and cool water flowed. This water is also considered to be healing.

Overnight at the hotel.

*Note: the light time can change depending on the date. Or we can put Afrosiab train here (07:30-11:25).

This day will begin with the sightseeing along the Ark Citadel. Ark fortress – the city inside the city. It is a citadel for last emirs of Bukhara, the oldest architectural and archeological monument in Bukhara. According to the legend, the founder of the citadel is the epic hero Siyavush, who was a handsome young man. He wanted to marry the daughter of the local governor Afrasiab, but crafty father of this girl set a condition to Siyavush. He needed to build a palace on the ground that could be placed on the skin of a bull. But Siyavush turned out to be smarter, he cut the skin into small patches, joined them, and built a palace within this boundary. In ancient times, a whip hang on the wall of this fortress, which belonged to the legendary hero Rustam and considered as a symbol of power in the Emirate.

Continue to Chor Minor Madrassah.

After lunch transfer to the railway station for Afrosiab train to Samarkand (15:55-17:25).

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Your day in Samarkand will begin from the visit of  the spectacular Registan Complex. It is situated at the very center of Samarkand city. In ancient times, such name was granted to the front area of Central Asian towns, but the Samarkand Registan is the most famous of all. It consists of Ulugbek Madrasah, Sherdor Madrasah and Tilla-Kari Madrasah.  Those three madrasahs compose a unique ensemble and appear to be the one of the brightest construction of great Persian Architecture. Next you can walk to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque through various small souvenir shops. It was built by the order of Amir Temur in 1404 y. It became the main mosque for Friday Namaz in Samarkand and the biggest one in Eastern countries. You’ll also have a chance to visit the nearby Siab bazaar – the greatest and oldest bazaar in Samarkand. The huge dome is full with various pavilions, where one can buy almost everything.

Overnight at the hotel.

On the second day of your stay in Samarkand you’ll visit:

• Afrosiab museum and settlement. The museum complex is located in the northern part of Samarkand, not far from the central market. Historical evidence suggests that in the vicinity of the museum there are the hills of Afrosiab settlement, which was destroyed by the militant Mongols in the 13th century. Each element of the richest museum fund tells the whole story of Samarkand, since the conquest of this municipality by famous Alexander the Great. Despite the abundance of different historical and cultural evidence, a special place in the overall exposure occupies the exhibits obtained as a result of numerous researches on the remains of ancient Afrosiab.

Lunch.

• Ulugbek Observatory (1424-1428 y.), built by the grandson of Tamerlane – Ulugbek, at the times of his reign. During these times, Samarkand became one of the science centers, as Ulugbek was a very talented and educated scientist.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning will begin from the visit of the Timurids Tomb – Gur-Emir Mausoleum (XIV-XV c.). It is one of the best and most beautiful architectural monuments in Central Asia.

After lunch you will find yourself at the Shakhi-Zinda Ensemble (XII – XV c.). This ensemble began to form at the middle times of XIX century. 25 Building of it – mausoleums, mosques, madrasahs – give us the representation not only about the development of architectural forms, but also about the evolution of covering ceramics.

16:00 or 17:00 transfer to the railway station in Samarkand for Afrosiab train to Tashkent. (18:00-20:10).

Transfer to the hotel upon arrival.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Optionally, you can visit the museum of Fine Arts and Chorsu  or Oloy Bazaars , in order to buy souvenirs or oriental sweets.

In the afternoon transfer to the airport. End of services.

• Similar standard hotels will be provided if in case mentioned hotels are not available at the time of reservation
• Vegetarian cuisine is not widely spread in Uzbekistan, but restaurants can offer some vegetarian meals
• Tour cost is subject to change, factoring increase in airline fare, timing, peak periods surcharges etc.
• Visa in Uzbekistan: for more information about Uzbek visa you can visit our web site: www.eastroute.com; www.elitetours.uz;
• Payment: 100 % prepayment should be made not less than 10 days before the group’s arrival. Prices are confidential and non commissionable
• Cancellation policy: 1 week before arrival 100%, 3 week before arrival 50%,  1 month before arrival 30%,  45 days before arrival  20%,  50 days before the arrival 0%.