Silver ring of the East

Program’s name: Silver ring of the East

Quantity of days: 9

Day 1: Tashkent
Your guide upon arrival will meet you. Today you will discover the capital city. City tour will be full of attractive sightseeing in Tashkent. Independent Square, which was built for the honor of the victory over fascist Germany during World War II. Then you will take a walk on Braodway to Amir Timur square, famous in Uzbekistan. Later you will have an opportunity to travel on the lovely Tashkent subway. The first line started in 1977 and it is one of the most beautiful metros in the world. The old part of the city will charm you by colorful Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex. Hast Imam includes several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleums. The significant site will be Othman Quran, where the most ancient copy of the Quran, dating to 8^th century.  Othman Inb Affan, who was one of the four Caliphs, won prophet Muhammad. He was an owner of this book. His enemies murdered him in 8^th century. His blood spread over the book can be seen even today. Spend night in a hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand
The morning train will take you to mysterious Samarkand. It is situated in the Zarefshan river valley. Samarkand is the second largest city of the country and coeval witt Babylon and Rome. Enjoyable city tour will include Registan Square, Shakhi-Zindeh Complex and Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square is the main site of the city, located between magnificent Madrasah buildings, dating back to 15^th-17^th century. These splendid masterpieces of art are breathtaking. Next is Shakhi-Zindeh Complex, it has the largest assemble of mausoleums, dating back to 11^th-15^th century. It also listed on the heritage of UNESCO. The last sightseeing Bibi Khanum mosque, which was constructed for the memory Tamerlane’s wife, after his victorious Indian invasion. Rest in a hotel.

Day 3: Samarkand – Urgut – Samarkand
Today is dedicated to explore the city surrounding. First, travel to Urgut village for a tour. Here you wonder in fast moving, colorful bazaar. In the afternoon, you will drive to Samarkand and carry on to historical site in the outskirts of Samarkand. You will explore Al Bukhary memorial complex for the glory of famous Islam scholar Al Bukhary during your travel in Uzbekistan. He has very good collection of hadith called “Sahih al-Bukhari”. Among Sunni Muslim it is the most valuable Hadith collection. He was also author of Al-Adab al-Mufrad. Night in a hotel.

Day 4: Samarkand – Bukhara
After breakfast, you will take Samarkand-Bukhara morning train. Today you will see the attractive sites of the city. Citadel Ark will be the first stop to see, it is the most ancient citadel in the town going back to 4^th century. For centuries, Ark was home to many dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Following the citadel, you will visit mausoleum of Samanids, outstanding architectural monument of 9^th -10^th century. Later authentic atmosphere of the town will take you to the Chashma Ayub (Spring od Job) and Bolo-Hauz Mosque, also known as a mosque of forty columns constructed for the glory of the city’s governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Next, you will wonder on the street of shopping dome. Then visit the most outstanding madrasahs like Nodir Divan Begi under the Lyabi House Ensemble, popular site of Bukhara. In the end of the tour, you will have a glance to magical view of the Poi Kalon complex consist of three constructions: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. They are extraordinary examples of artwork dating back to 12^th-16^th centuries. You will spend night in a hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara
Today you will travel to the area around Bukhara during your sightseeing tour in Uzbekistan. Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex will be the first to visit. It is a memorial complex of outstanding Sufi leader and philosopher Bahauddin Naqshbandi, who also served as a spiritual advisor of the legendary ruler Amir Timur. Today, this complex is a popular place of worship for Islam World from different parts of the world. Complex includes Kushbegi and Muzafarohana mosques, inner garden with pool, madrasah, and Bukhara rulers’ burial vault of and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi.  Next destination is Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The name was given for the honor of the emir’s wife that died young. In translation Sitorai Mohi Hosa means “Star - like and moon- like Palace”. You will complete today’s tour with Chor Bakr memorial complex, which located in Sumiton village and known as a town of dead. This place reminds the four side of the world and that means all human beings are equal. Complex was started to be built during the time of Samanids reign before the 16^th century. Drive back to city and have a rest in a hotel.

Day 6: Bukhara – Khiva
After breakfast, drive to another magical city of Khiva. On the way from Bukhara to Khiva, you will see endless Kizil Kum desert and Amu Darya. It is the deepest river of Central Asia, which consist of Panj and Vakhsh from Tajikistan. It flows into the famous Aral Sea. Khiva city has deep history and rich culture to see. The history of the city goes back to famous Khorezmshah’s State. In the 10^th century manuscripts, Khiva was written as one of the major cities along the Great Silk Road. Thousands of caravans, experienced traders stopped over the city to take a rest of even sometimes to trade with other merchants. It is an important fact that city played important role on the major trade road of the world, connecting East to the West. Nowadays many efforts were done to save and preserved all heritage from generation to generation. Night will at the hotel.

Day 7: Khiva
Khiva has unusual sightseeing compare to other cities which you will see during your tour. The inner part of the city is called Ichan-Qala. Ichan-Qala is unique city museum that protected perfectly. It includes about 400 traditional houses and more than 60 architectural sites. It also boasts century’s old sand buildings, palaces, mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, minarets, caravanserais and bathhouses. Since 1969, the territory of Ichan-Qala was declared as historical and architectural conservation area. Kunya-Ark fortress is the most remarkable monument constructed during the 17^th century during travel. It was built by the Muhammad Arang Khan. The Minaret Kalta Minor and the Palace Tash Khouvli are amazing examples of Khorezm architecture during 1830s. Night in a hotel.

Day 8: Khiva – Ayaz Qala – Tuprak Qala – Khiva – Tashkent
In the morning, you will explore outstanding fortresses like Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala is an ancient fort. According to old folklore, it was named for the honor of brave slave warrior Ayaz. The foundation of the castle goes back to II century AD. Another castle Tuprak Qala was established in I or II century AD and used until 6^th century. The name Tuprak means clay fort, in ancient time Khorezmian leader Artav lived here.  Continues conquering and wars over centuries destroyed the forts. Later we will drive to Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan and overnight in a hotel.

Day 9: Flight
After breakfast, your guide and driver will accompany you to airport.