Chain of caravan routes

Program’s name: Chain of caravan routes

Quantity of days: 9

Day 1: Tashkent
After your arrival, our local guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to Tashkent. Whole day of city tour will be full of old and recent history of Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan.  First will be the Independent Square, which was constructed for the honor of the victory over fascism during World War II. Then take a walk on the main Broadway to the Square of Amir Timur. It will show you real life of the city. Later you will have a chance to travel on the Tashkent subway, which is one of the beautiful metros in the world. It has been serving since 1977. Next remarkable places are Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex, which includes many madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The most important site of the day is Othman Quran, the oldest copy of the holy Quran dating back to 8^th century. The owner of the book was Othman Ibn Affan, one of the four Caliphs succeeded prophed Muhammad. He was murdered by non-muslim community. Nowaday, you can see his blood stains spread on the paper of the book. Night in a hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand
In the morning, take a train to travel in another ancient city of Uzbekistan. Amazing city Samarkand located in the Zerafshan river valley. Samarkand is the second biggest city after Tashkent and believed to be coeval with Babylon and Rome. The sightseeing tour will include Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan has unique atmosphere, surrounded by three glorious madrasah buildings. Registan never stops charm its visitors with its harmonious atmosphere. Theses architectural masterpieces were built during the 15^th-17^th century.  Next site will be one of the Heritages of UNESCO, Complex of Shakhi-Zindeh. It was constructed during the 11^th-15^th century. Bibi Khanum Mosque - Tamerlane’s wife mosque is another beautiful site. He built it after his victorious fight in India. Rest in  a hotel.

Day 3: Samarkand – Urgut – Samarkand
After having breakfast, drive to Urgut village, which is in the countryside of Samarkand. Here you will immerse unique atmosphere of fast moving traditional bazaar. In the afternoon, you will return to Samarkand and continue to historical site in the outskirts of Samarkand. It will be Al Bukhary memorial complex for the honor of famous Islam scholar Al Bukhary. He has excelent collection of hadith called “Sahih al-Bukhari”. Sunni Muslim consider it as the most authentic Hadith collection. He also wrote other books such as Al-Adab al-Mufrad. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 4: Samarkand – Bukhara
In the morning, you will take a train Bukhara. Today another fascinating city Bukhara will open its door to you during your tour. You will explore city starting from the oldest citadel of Bukhara. It is called Citadel Ark, constructed during 4th century. It was a residential place for many dynasties of famous Bukhara Emirate.  Next point to travel is Samanids mausoleum, it is the most extraordinary monument of 9^th-10^th century’s architecture. Then, we will go to Chashma Ayub, known as Job's well and mosque of Bolo-Hauz. Another name Bolo-Hauz is the mosque of forty columns. It was built for the honor of Abu-Fayud Khan, the governor of Bukhara. By the wave of magic stick you will find yourself in a street of colorful shopping domes and visit outstanding Lyabi House Ensemble, characteristic to Uzbekistan. It is the must be sightseeing of Bukhara. Here you will visit marvelous madrasahs like Nodir Divan. Begi. In the end of the day, you will enjoy the unique view of the Poi Kalon complex consist of three constructions: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah, the unusual examples of artwork dating back to 12^th-16^th centuries. Night in a hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara
Today will be devoted to discover the outskirts of Bukhara city. You will drive few kilometers to get Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex. It is a memorial complex of famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. That’s why, nowadays, this place serves as a pilgrim place for Muslim community from Islam world. Moreover, Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual advisors of Amir Timur. Nowadays, this complex represents many sites: mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, garden with pool, madrasah, and burial places of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. Next, you will visit a royal house of Bukhara Emirs - Sitora Mohi Hosa complex. Here you come across wide range of different architectural styles. The name of the place is symbolizing the early death of Emir’s young wife, it means “Star - like and moon- like Palace”. Then, we will visit Chor Bakr memorial complex at the Sumiton village. Design of the complex reminds the four sides of the globe and addresses the equality of human beings. Stay in a hotel.

Day 6: Bukhara – Khiva
After breakfast, travel to Khiva, it is one of the oldest cities of Uzbekistan. The story of the city closely related to Khorezmshah’s State, whose capital was Urgench before. On the way to Khiva, you will enjoy the beautiful landscape of the deepest river in Central Asia- Amu Darya. It starts in Tajikistan with the joint of Panj and Vakhsh Rivers. It is one of the tributaries of Aral Sea. While you drive, you will also have an opportunity to see endless Kyzyl Kum desert. After arrival, you have free time to relax in Khiva. According to the 10^th century sources, Khiva was most developed city along the Silk Road. Long caravans, exhausted traders from China had a break in the boundaries of welcoming city. Nowadays, many efforts have made to preserve the ancient history of the city and pass to next generation. Overnight in a hotel in Khiva.

Day 7: Khiva
In the morning, you will start you entertaining sightseeing in Khiva. Most significant part of the city is the center of the town - Ichan Qala, it is surrounded by thick walls during your tour. Ichan –Qala is famous for including more than 400 traditional houses and over 60 masterpieces of architecture in its boundaries. It makes Ichan-Qala special city-museum. There are centuries old palaces, sound buildings, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouse. The most important monuments are Kunya –Ark fort constructed by Muhammad Arang Khan from17^th century.  Others are Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, the stunning examples of old Khorezm architectural art of 1830s.  After enjoying the excursion, rest in a hotel.

Day 8: Khiva – Tashkent
Return to Tashkent by morning flight. Today you will carry on your sightseeing in capital city. Courage Monument will be the first site to visit. It is a memorial complex, constructed as a symbol of the elimination of the consequences of the Tashkent earthquake. Later Zangi Ota memorial complex, in accordance to the local legend, Zangi-Oota was a herder and was popular by his wisdom and good deeds. Further you will enjoy the excusion in the State Museum of Timurid’s history. It is the storage house of archealogical findings like jewelry, musical instruments, weapons, various coins, paintings, documents, historical manuscripts and clothing of Timurid’s period. There more than 3000 artefacts exhibited in this museum. Today’s tour will be concluded by the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan. This museum is one of the cultural wealth of Uzbek people. You can see old national clothing, hand and machine embroidery, skullcaps and national fabrics, carpets, woodcarving and many other cultural items. All will enlarge your knowledge about Uzbekistan. Night will be at a hotel.

Day 9: Flight
After having breakfast, do not forget to take all good memories and transfer to the airport.