MAVERANNAHR, GREAT EMPIRE OF TAMERLANE

Duration: 8 days, 7 nights

Customizable? Yes   Brief Itinerary Day 1 Sightseeing Tashkent Day 2 Drive to Samarkand and half day excursion Day 3 Full day of Samarkand Day 4 Drive to Bukhara via Shakhrisabz Day 5 Full day in Bukhara Day 6 Drive to Khiva Day 7 Full day in Khiva and flight to Tashkent Day 8 Full day in Tashkent

Tour Summary: A journey in which you explore what is left of the powerful kingdom once built by the Great Tamerlane, as well as original cultures that flourished in Central Asia for centuries. You visit Tashkent, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, and Khiva.

Budget Package Standard Package Luxury Package 01. Accommodation in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (2-3* hotels); 02. Meals on bed and breakfast arrangement; 03. All excursions/transfers; 04. Entrance fees; 05. Transport (a/c sedan or minivan); 06. Uzbek visa support; 01. Accommodation in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (2-3* hotels); 02. Meals on bed and breakfast arrangement; 03. All excursions/transfers; 04. Entrance fees; 05. Transport (a/c sedan); 06. Uzbek visa support; 07. Accompanying English speaking guide; 01. Accommodation in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (4-5* hotels); 02. Meals on bed and breakfast arrangement; 03. All excursions/transfers; 04. Portages at airport/hotels; 05. Accompanying English speaking guide; 06. Entrance fees; 07. Transport (a/c sedan or minivan); 09. Uzbek visa support; 10. 50 digital photos of the tour; 11. Free mineral water on the tour; Accommodation/Hotels: Malika Tashkent Mukhandis, Samarkand Murod-Zarina, Bukhara Arkonchi, Khiva Malika Tashkent Malika Samarkand Siyavush, Bukhara Arkonchi, Khiva Le Meridien Tashkent Afrosiyob Palace, Samarkand Bukhara Palace, Bukhara Khorezm Palace, Urgench

Tour price, US$*: Persons 1 2 3 4 5 6 Budget package 756 472 377 355 321 299 Standard package 1031 622 485 445 399 368 Luxury package 1528 932 777 718 668 634 (*)Note: The prices shown above are calculated per person. They are valid for special departure dates and subject to availability of tours and rooms in hotels. Please contact us for details.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1
You are met and greeted at Tashkent Airport, and after Customs and Immigration clearance, transferred to one of modern hotels in the downtown. After a short fresh-up in the hotel, you have a city tour of Tashkent. You see the monuments and religious centers at the Hasti Imam Square (Barak-khan Madrassah, Mausoleum of Kafal Shashi), the ancient heart of Tashkent. Also, you visit the beautiful Amir Timur Square and the buildings around it, built in different periods over the last three centuries, the gorgeous Theater of Alisher Navoi, built by the Japanese in the midst of 20th century, Museum of Applied Arts with refined samples of Uzbek handicrafts. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 2
You head to Samarkand (289 km, 4-5 hours); along the road you enjoy the typical Uzbek agricultural landscape. In Samarkand, accommodation is arranged in one of the city hotels just next to the ancient monuments. After lunch, you have a half day tour of Samarkand, visiting the mausoleum of Tamerlane, Guri Amir and the famous Registan Square. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 3
You have a full day tour of Samarkand and observe Ulugbek's Observatory, Tomb of Saint Daniel (Khodja Daniar), Afrosiab Museum, Bibi Khanum Mosque and Oriental Bazaar, Shahi Zindah (Huge Complex of Mausoleums). Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 4
You drive westward to Bukhara via Shakhrisabz (360 km, 5-6 hours driving). During the stop in Shakhrisabz, you explore the remnants of the great White Palace built by Tamerlane, as well as Kok Gumbaz and Doru Saodat, where relatives and close friends of the Emperor were buried. After lunch, you head to Bukhara. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 5
Full day tour of Bukhara, the city of 1001 Nights. You attend the Ark fortress, Bolo Hauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samani, Chashma Ayub, Kalyan minaret and mosque, Lyabi Hauz square with the spectacular Nadir Divan Begi Madrassahs. Also, you will see the Sitoran Mokhi-Khosa Palace situated a little north of Bukhara, a fanciful blend of oriental and modern architecture. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 6
You take a long drive (480 km, 6-8 hours) through the desert along the course of the Amudarya River to the capital of ancient Khorezm, Urgench (Khiva). The rest of the day is devoted to checking in the hotel and leisure. Overnight in Khiva.

Day 7
You enjoy a full day tour of Khiva, the city of a thousand and one domes. Ichan Kala, the inner fortress, is a museum in the open. You will visit Muhammad Aminkhan Madrassah and its minaret, Kunya Ark and Juma Mosque with 218 wooden pillars, the Harem of Khiva Khans, mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, a famous ancient wrestler and poet who patronized Khiva. Islam Khodja complex will provide you with a breathtaking view of Khiva from the top of its minaret. Upon completion of the excursion, you fly back to Tashkent by Uzbekistan Airways (1.5 hours).

Day 8
You have a free time in Tashkent. When the time of your flight arrives, you are seen off to the airport for departure with a traditional Uzbek "Salomat Buling".

Note: Air fare Urgench - Tashkent (about US$75) is not included.