DURATION: 12 DAYS/11 NIGHTS
ITINERARY: Tashkent-Nukus – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand – Tashkent
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT: Turkish Airways and Uzbekistan Airways (domestic flight)
DAY 1. PARIS /Tashkent
Departure by Turkish Airways to Tashkent. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 2. TASHKENT.
Arrival in Tashkent early in the morning at 07:20.
Lunch.
In the afternoon, discovery of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Today it is a large cultural and scientific center. Walk in the old part of the city, visit the large Khast-Imam square, the spiritual home of Central Asian Islam believers with its 18C library. housing the oldest Quran in the Islamic world, Quran of Osman 7s. Meeting in the craft school in the Barak-Khan madrassah with renowned artists: miniaturists, sculptors and painters… Getaway to the largest market in the capital, Chorsu.
Dinner in the city. Night at the hotel.
DAY 3. TASHKENT-NOUKUS-MOUINAK 200км.
Early transfer to the airport for the Tashkent-Nukus flight. Arrival at 07:00 in Nukus. Arrival at the airport and welcome by the guide. Road to the town of Mouinak to discover the boat cemetery, visit the Aral Sea museum. Meeting with the Karakalpak population and discussions on the era of the splendor of the Aral Sea. Lunch en route. Return to Nukus. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4. NOUKOUS -AYAZ KALA – TOPRAK KALA – KHIVA
(220 km)
Visit the famous Savitsky museum housing the rich collection of avant-garde paintings. This museum is considered
like the Louvre of Central Asia.
Departure for the visit of the fortresses: the citadel of the pre-Islamic era Ayaz-Kala, IVs. BC It is the first city of the fire worshipers, hidden in the heart of Red Sand. Discovery of the rest of the first capital of Khorezm-Toprak Kala (2-1 ss. BC). We cross the second largest river in Central Asia – Amoudarya.
Late lunch under the Ayaz-Kala yurt. Departure for Khiva.
Arrival and installation at the hotel.
Dinner. Night at the hotel.
DAY 5. KHIVA.
Mysterious city in blue earthenware, hidden in the Kyzylkoum desert (red sands), on the banks of the Amu-Darya River (indomitable river), which retains its unique architectural beauty until today.
Discovery of the inner city of Khiva – Itchan Kala.
Lunch.
Discovery of the Mausoleum of the never-defeated fighter, healer, furrier and the spiritual master of the inhabitants of the Khârezm region, Pakhlavan Mahmoud.
Meeting with very curious and warm pilgrims…
Candlelight dinner in a sumptuous setting.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 6. KHIVA – BOUKHARA (450 km)
Departure for Bukhara: we cross the Khizilkoum desert (The Red Sands) and the Amoudarya River, the second largest river in Uzbekistan.
Picnic lunch on the road. We stop to meet the breeders of small Central Asian “Astrakan” sheep.
Arrival in Bukhara and installation at the hotel.
Walk in the Lyabi Khauz district, first meeting with the Persian-speaking and Tajik population of Bukhara.
Dinner. Night at the hotel.
DAY 7. BOUKHARA
Discovery of the monastery city – Bukhara, place of study and pilgrimage.
Among today’s visits are: Liabi-Khaouz Square, one of the most popular squares in the ancient city; Poi – Kalian ensemble with its Kalian minaret, the symbol of the famous Silk Road which once served as a lighthouse for caravanners.
Lunch .
Stroll in a theater setting… a few caravan seraglios in multicolored mosaic will open the door to the past for your dreams and your desire for history…
In the evening, dine in the caravanserai restaurant with a traditional show.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 8. BOUKHARA
Continuation of the visits: mausoleum of Ismaïl Samani, it is the pearl of world architecture; The source of Tchachma Ayoub IX-Xth C.; The Bolo Khaouz royal mosque; Lunch.the Ark citadel (the residence of the rulers of Bukhara)
Dinner. Night at the hotel.
DAY 9. BOUKHARA -SAMARKAND (300 кm)
Breakfast and road to Samarkand. Arrival after noon and start of the visit, Afrossiab Museum with its wall paintings from the pre-Islamic era; the remains of the Oulougbek Observatory (15th century).
Walk through the legendary capital of Tamerlane, the city of Samarkand.
Dinner. Night at the hotel.
DAY 10. SAMARKAND
Visit the largest mosque in Central Asia Bibi-Khanym, the light blue dome of the mosque rivals the firmament. Visit the bazaar next door.
Through the necklace of masterpieces appears the dazzling and picturesque ensemble of Chakhi-Zinda.
Lunch.
Continuation of the visits: Visit the Gour-Emir mausoleum 15th century. Khodja-Akhrar ensemble (17th century), including the Khodja Akhrar mosque and the Nadir Divan Beghi medersa.
Lunch in the city.
Visit to an art gallery, meeting with painters from Samarkand…
Meeting with the French-speaking Uzbek family, preparation of the national dish and dinner together.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 11. SAMARKAND / TASHKENT
Visit to the Samarkand papermaking workshop using the 4th century method, tissue paper; the Khodja Doniyor complex (St.Daniel) meeting place for believers of three religions: Jewish, Christian, Muslim;
Free time…
Transfer to the station to take the Samarkand-Tashkent train.
Arrival in Tashkent. Installation at the hotel.
Dinner. Night at the hotel.
DAY 12. TASHKENT
Transfer to the airport for the international flight.
