Mysterious Uzbekistan

Today, together with your local German-speaking tour guide (approx. 5 hours), you will experience the contrasting capital of Uzbekistan, which presents itself with a mixture of post-Soviet charm and oriental flair. It is marvellous how well modernity and tradition merge in Tashkent. In the old city centre, you will visit the Chasti Imam complex, where the oldest version of the Koran is kept. On the large square, you will visit the Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Barak Khan Medrese and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum as well as the colourful hustle and bustle of the Chorsu Bazaar, which was already famous in the Middle Ages and was located at the crossroads of the caravan processions on the Great Silk Road.
You will have time for a lunch break (self-pay) in a nice restaurant in the city before heading to the Museum of Applied Arts in the afternoon. You will then visit Independence Square, Navoi Theatre Square and the monument to the victims of the earthquake and take the metro. The day ends with dinner at the hotel and an overnight stay in Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Private transfer to the airport. Your local German-speaking tour guide will accompany you throughout the entire trip and will also travel/flight with you today. You will then fly from Tashkent to Urgench.
On arrival, you will first visit the ruined fortress of Toprak-Kala in the middle of the desert. Toprak Kala is an important ancient settlement that serves as a monument to the culture of Khorezm in the 1st to 6th centuries AD. In the 3rd century AD, it served as the capital of Khorezm. This historical site was uncovered in 1938 by the Khorezm expedition led by S.P. Tolstov.
You will then visit Kyzyl-Kala, also known as Qyzyl Qala or "Red Fortress", an ancient fortress in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. Built between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, this fortress was part of the Khorasmia region. Kysyl-Kala is located about 1 km west of Toprak-Kala and was probably built as a fortified defence system for the nearby city of Toprak-Kala, which was the capital of Khorezm in the 3rd century AD. Then continue to Khiva (approx. 95 km, approx. 2 hours' drive).

2 nights in the 4★Zarafshon Boutique Hotel – Details about the hotel

The breathtaking fairytale city of Khiva reveals the fascination of the legendary Silk Road. The city can look back on more than 2,500 years of history, but today's cityscape only emerged between the 18th and 20th centuries, when the magnificent old town "Itschan Kala" took shape. The old town, a UNESCO cultural heritage site, was once the residence of idiosyncratic khans and today resembles a lively open-air museum.
Today you will visit the former residence of the Khan - Kuhna Ark, the unfinished Kalta Minor minaret, Juma Mosque, whose wooden beamed ceiling is supported by 212 wooden columns decorated with ornate carvings. There is still time for a lunch break in a Khorezm teahouse (self-pay). The tour then continues to the famous Tosch Hovli Palace from the 19th century and the Islam Hodja Minaret, the city's landmark. You will also visit the Pachlavon Machmud Mausoleum, whose interior rooms are considered masterpieces of Khiva's decorative art.
In the evening, enjoy the sunset over the oasis and your dinner.

Today you will travel along the Silk Road to the next oasis city of Bukhara (approx. 450 km, 6-7 hours travelling time). You follow in the footsteps of the caravans on the old legendary Silk Road, which takes you through the middle of the Kizilkum desert to the oriental desert city of Bukhara, which you reach in the late afternoon. The long journey is worth it! Along the way, you will see green oases irrigated by the Amudarja River. Have your cameras ready, because photo stops are planned at unusual, picturesque places.
After arriving in Bukhara, you can take a guided walk through the historic old town to gain your first impressions.

4 nights at the 3★Komil Boutique Bukhara Hotel – Details about the hotel

A highlight of your trip! Bukhara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) presents itself today as a unique, authentic museum. The mosques, madrasas and minarets are strung together like a string of pearls in narrow, winding alleyways, most of which are traffic-free.
The Poikalon complex is considered a showpiece of Islamic architecture. Built in the 12th century, the Kalon minaret, which rises like a lighthouse and was once used by caravans for orientation, is the landmark of Bukhara. Other highlights are the Ark Citadel (the former residence of the Emir) and the Samanid Mausoleum. The heart of Bukhara is the architectural ensemble of the Labi-Hauz, which consists of three large monumental buildings: the Kukeldash
Medrese in the north, the Nadir Devon Begi Medrese in the west and the Chanaqa in the east.
Dinner tonight will take place in a beautiful, select restaurant.

You will continue your sightseeing today around Bukhara. It is well known that Bukhara is one of the seven holy cities of the Islamic world. Sufism has a large number of branches and representatives of all orders have lived in the territory of present-day Uzbekistan at different times. You will visit the tomb of the founder of the Sufi order "Naqshbandiya".
Outside the city, the marvellous summer residence of the last ruling emir, Sitorai Mohi Chossa, awaits you. You can see how wealthy merchants and traders lived in Bukhara 100 years ago in the house of the merchant F. Khodjajev, which now serves as a museum. A visit to the marvellous little building Chor Minor concludes your sightseeing tour. You will take a lunch break (self-pay) in the Old Town. The afternoon is at leisure. You can stroll through the old town, visit open caravanserais or the market. If you wish, you can also relax in an old hammam. Dinner is served in a selected local restaurant.

The day is at leisure. Your hotel is in a prime location in the centre of the old town, in the Jewish quarter. You can walk through the Jewish quarter or Uzbek quarter and discover many old houses and authentic doors. Small paradises are usually hidden behind the windowless walls. In the evening, you will meet up again with your local German-speaking tour guide and have dinner together.

Today your journey (approx. 300 km, approx. 5 hours travelling time) takes you to Samarkand, the city of fairy tales from 1001 Nights (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the Middle Ages, it was considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has lost none of its charm to this day. On the way, you will visit the Rabbati Malik caravanserai and a sardoba (water reservoir).

3 nights at the 3★L'Argamak Hotel – Details about the hotel
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3 nights at the 3★Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel – Details about the hotel

In Samarkand, the fairy tale of 1001 nights begins anew for us... At over 2,750 years old, it is one of the oldest cities in the world and at the same time the centre of the famous Silk Road. In the Afrosiyob Museum you will get a better idea of ancient Samarkand. Then you will visit one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the Islamic world - the tomb complex of Saint Daniel and Ulugbek's observatory, once the largest research centre in Central Asia. After a rest, you will visit a tissue paper factory founded by the Mukhtarov brothers. Thanks to their efforts, the old tradition of paper production using Samarkand technology has been revived here. It is interesting that the entire production is carried out manually and each guest can observe the manufacturing process. The lunch break (self-paying) takes place in a teahouse. Afterwards, you will visit the Shahi-Sinda complex, a marvellous ensemble of various mausoleums clad in majolica and mosaic tiles in the Timurid style. In the evening, visit an Uzbek family in a village near the city of Samarkand. Plov, the king of national dishes in Uzbekistan, is cooked there.

Samarkand is the hub of the Silk Road and one of the oldest cities and cultural centres in the world. The city's architecture makes it appear majestic and extremely inviting. During your city tour today, you will be impressed by the palatial mausoleum of the ruler Amir Timur, the Gur-Emir mausoleum and certainly another highlight of your trip: Registan Square with its three impressively huge and ornately decorated madrasahs. After a lunch break (self-pay), you will visit what was once the largest mosque in Central Asia - the Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Timur wanted to demonstrate his unlimited technical and financial possibilities by having the most beautiful mosque in the eastern world built. Afterwards, stroll through the Siab Bazaar, where the colourful hustle and bustle and oriental scents will transport you to a world from 1001 Nights.
Samarkand is not only famous for its historical monuments, but also for its wine production: wine and cognac run down your throat like balm. After visiting the wine museum in Samarkand at the "Khovrenko" winery, you will taste the best varieties of Uzbek wines and cognacs. After the tasting, you will enjoy typical Uzbek dishes in a select Uzbek restaurant in the evening.

Today you will go on an excursion to Shakhrisabz - the birthplace of the great Timur. Drive over the mountain pass. Time for photo stops on the way. You will visit the remains of Timur's summer palace Ak Saray, which took around 20 years to build; the Jahongir mausoleum for Timur's eldest son, who died in a riding accident. You will also visit the Kuk Gumbas Mosque, which is visible from afar with its blue dome and has incredible acoustics. In the afternoon, you will drive back to Samarkand (approx. 190 km, approx. 2.5 hours journey time) and have some free time.

Today you will enjoy the morning in Samarkand. In the evening, take the express train "Afrosiyob" in business class back to Tashkent (approx. 300 km, approx. 2 hours journey time). Private transfer to the hotel.

2 nights at the 4★Oscar Boutique Hotel – Details about the hotel

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Zangi Ata complex with its impressive buildings. Metro ride in the Tashkent metro, the only metro in Central Asia.
Lunch takes place in a lovely restaurant. You can use the afternoon for a walk or relax in the hotel and enjoy the view. Finally, you will have a farewell dinner together in a local restaurant. After a successful farewell evening, you will return to the hotel.

Check out and private transfer from the hotel to the airport for your return flight to Germany.