The Magic Topaz

Program’s name: The Magic Topaz

Quantity of the days: 6 days 

Day 1: Tashkent – Nukus
Your tour “The Magic Topaz” starts in Tashkent. Tashkent is one of the largest cities in Central Asia and the capital of the sovereign Republic of Uzbekistan. You will start your tour with Independence square the main square of Uzbekistan, which is located in the heart of Tashkent. After you will enjoy walking along the local Broadway. Broadway attracts everyone, without exception, whether visitors to the capital or native residents. Then you will take a ride in famous Tashkent metro. The metro in Tashkent is a very generous and priceless gift from the Soviet government to the Uzbek people after the earthquake of 1966 among the most beautiful subways in the world. During the tour you will explore the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum.  And the most important attraction of the tour will be the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8^th c. It was rewritten on the skin of a deer in the 7th century (644 -646). The Koran was rewritten according to the order of the third Caliph Othman Ibn Affan. This decision was also made in order to unify the Holy book and save the full text. Evening flight to Nukus. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Nukus – Kungrat – Sudochye – Aral Sea
The day starts with a long drive to Aral Sea. It will take 9 hours’ and you will drive through following route: Nukus - Kungrad - Plato Ustyurt - Sudochye Lake - Aral Sea. Aral Sea is located on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. During the heyday of the Aral Sea, the fishing industry flourished in the Aral Sea region. During the tour you will have a stop at Gaur-Kala Fortress ("fortress of the infidels"), the ancient fortress of Gaur-Kala, which received the additional name of Khodzheylin due to its location. The construction of this structure took place in pre-Muslim times, when Zoroastrianism prevailed in these lands. Hence the name of the fortress "gaur" and "Kala" means "fortress". Then you will arrive to Aral Sea is a little bit before the dusk. And your driver will make a camp while you will walk in the vicinities of lake. Take a pleasure your open air dinner. Night will be in tents.

Day 3: Aral Sea – Muinak – Nukus - Tashkent
Today you will have a chance to take vivid pictures in the morning.  Then you will transfer to discover outstanding canyons of Ustyurt and drive towards Muynak through the dried surface of the sea. In translation from the Turkic language, the name "Ustyurt" means "plateau". According to geologists, 20 million years have passed since the formation of the plateau. it is one of the most remote localities in Uzbekistan. Among tourists, Muynak is better known as the graveyard of ships. It is also called a Ghost town. Upon arrival in Muinak you will explore the graveyard of ship in ex-shore of the Aral Sea and town museum. Then you will head to Nukus. Arrival and flight to Tashkent. Overnight is at the local hotel.

Day 4: Nukus – Ayaz Qala – Tuprak Qala – Khiva
Destination of the day is Khiva, the most ancient city in Uzbekistan. Khiva has a very rich and interesting history of its development. For all the millennia of its existence, it has experienced wars, conquests and epochs of prosperity. Previously, it was the capital of ancient Khorezm, which was repeatedly conquered. Among the invaders can be attributed to the Achaemenid, Arabs, Mongols. Also, Khorezm was not just given to Amir Timur – only after the fifth campaign, the state was captured. On the way we will visit two famous fortresses: Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala is ruins of an ancient fortress from the time of the Kushan Kingdom, located in the Sands of Kyzylkum on the territory of Uzbekistan. The name of the settlement translates as"fortress in the wind". Tuprak Qala, the ruins of a fortified city during the reign of the Afrigids (I-VI century ad) is an example of urban planning and fortification art of the ancient world and attracts many scientists and tourists. Overnight is in a hotel in Khiva.

Day 5: Khiva – Tashkent
You will have today an amazing tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. You are going to explore Ichan-Qala, The ancient and powerful complex of Ichan-Kala ("inner defensive circle") is an entire medieval city inside Khiva, which was the first in Central Asia to be completely included in the UNESCO world heritage list. The city is a densely built-up ancient city, which over the history of its existence has repeatedly been destroyed and restored again. The beginning of construction of Ichan-Kala is considered to be 1598. One of the most important attractions is the Kunya-Ark fortress this is the citadel of the ruler, which was in every major city. Here, there was a well-developed infrastructure all that was needed for comfortable living, conducting public service, entertainment of the Khan, his family, troops and administrative apparatus. Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, a stunning example of Khorezm architectural masterpieces of 1830s. In the evening you will have a flight to Tashkent. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 6: Tashkent – Flight
Transfer to airport.