Package Sixteen Detail
Package #16
13 Days / 12 Nights:
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Tour
Trip Details
Days
Itinerary
Program
Transport
Meals
Accommodation
The 1st day
ISTANBUL – TASHKENT
An early morning meet, tourist/s at the airport arrive by TK flight from Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel (early check-in is included)
Enjoy leisure time in the morning, after lunch a half-day excursion tour will be conducted visiting the Khast Imam Square, where relics of the Muslim world are collected and it is the religious center of Tashkent and a place of worship for Muslim pilgrims. Khast Imam is located in the old Tashkent city, within blocks of small mud houses. Barak-Khan (XVI century), Tilla-Sheikh Mosque (XIX century), Mausoleum of St. Kaffal Shashi (XV century) and Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari, where future preachers are taught. A rich library of oriental manuscripts is also located there- the world famous Koran of Caliph Osman has been preserved here. Ottoman Koran is known as the primary source of Islam holy book that was written in the middle of VII century period. After lunch, will visit Kukeldash Madrassah and Chorsu Bazaar, which is the oldest market in Tashkent. It was one of the busiest bazaars in Central Asia decades ago as it is located on the silk route. The location has not changed in years but the old buildings have been refurbished into modern buildings.
Comfortable AC transport
Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel- City Palace 4* or Gloria 4* or BEK 4*
The 2nd day
TASHKENT – URGENCH – KHIVA
Upon arrival at Tashkent international airport transfer to domestic airport for the flight to Urgench. On arrival transfer to Khiva by coach then check-in at hotel for a short rest. After lunch walking tour of Khiva. Khiva is the museum under the open sky.
We will also visit the inner town Ichan-Qala to see the Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhimkhon and Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud – the religious center of Ichan-Qala. It was formed around the tomb of Khiva’s patron Pakhlavan-Mahmud (1247 – 1326) who was a poet, philosopher and wrestler.
Then, will visit Islam Khodja minaret to enjoy the view of completely ancient Khiva. Overnight at hotel.
Comfortable AC transport
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant
Overnight at the hotel- Asia Khiva 3* or Malika Kheivak 3* or BEK 3*
The 3rd day
KHIVA- Border Shawat/Dashoguz
Border Dashoguz- Kone-urgench park- Darvaza
After breakfast, drive to Uzbek-Turkmen border – Shawat- Dashoguz. After the border formalities, we will meet with the local guide from Turkmenistan and proceed to Konya-Urgench
TIME IN TURKMENISTAN
Meet group at the Turkmen-Uzbek border. Drive to the North of Turkmenistan, to Kon-eUrgench an architectural monuments, Capital of Khorezm was between X-XII centuries. This historical park includes: the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, TyurabekKhanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the highest minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg Timur. After lunch we drive to the Gas Crater Darvaza, which is located to the North of Ashgabat, in the evening observe the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater.
Comfortable AC transport
Regular-Mini bus-Jeep
Breakfast –at the hotel.
Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner -barbeque style
Overnight at the tent.
The 4th day
Darvaza – Ashgabat –Nisa – Gypchak
After the breakfast, drive to Ashgabat, accommodation at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit “Nisa”, under UNESCO site heritage. Nisa was once the Capital of the Parthian Empire, explore the remnants of one of the most important cities and the capital of the Parthian Empire, a major power between the III millennium BC – III millennium AD.Continue to “Ruhy” Mosque and Turkmenistan’s first Presidents mausoleum in Kypchak village. Dinner.
Regular-Mini bus-Bus
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Ak Altin-4* or similar
The 5th day
ALTYN ASYR Bazaar – Horse Farm
Tour starts to visit Altyn Asyr bazaar of Turkmenistan “Tolkuchka”. Will feel real beauty of Turkmen carpets, national silver jewelers and souvenirs. In the afternoon, the group will drive to the horse-farm for exploring the pride of the Turkmen people – Akhal-Teke horses. In addition, Traditional Tea party, short Akhal-Teke horse show program and can see the racks of horses. Return to Ashgabat. Evening city tour. To see illumination of monuments of the city. Dinner.
Regular-Mini bus-Bus
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Ak Altin-4* or similar
The 6th day
Ashgabat – Mary – ancient Merv
After the breakfast hotel check out, drive to Mary city. On the way stop:
– at Annau, the ruins of the 15th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque.
– Abiward or Abi-ward,was an ancient Sassanid city in modern-day Turkmenistan.Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Abiwardhave been made in the last century to about 8 km west of the Kahka station in an area of 12,000 m2. The central tell is 60 feet high and 700 feet round. Lunch. Excursion to an Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site).One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2 000 years. The splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural décor.
Regular-Mini bus-Bus
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – on the way at road café.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel –Mary-4* or similar
The 7th day
Mary – Turkmenabat – Farap/Alat border
Alat BORDER – BUKHARA
After breakfast, check out. At 07:30 drive to the border through the Karakum desert and the city of Turkmenabad. Stop for lunch in Turkmenabad. Transfer to the Turkmen-Uzbek border Farab / Alat. Be at the border checkpoint at 14: 30/15: 00.
TIME IN Uzbekistan
After crossing the border formalities meet the Uzbek guide and drive to Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel.
Regular-Mini bus-Bus
Breakfast –at the hotel.
Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Omar Khayyam 4* or Asia Bukhara 4*
The 8th day
BUKHARA
After breakfast there will be a walking city tour. Bukhara, the formal capital and a center for Islamic learning, has over 300 mosques and was known as the holiest city in Asia with its 80 Madrassah. Following, a full-day sightseeing tour of Bukhara which includes visiting Lyab-iKhauz ensemble, the pool and chaykhana of which is the modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan. Madrassah Nadir Divan-Begi, Nadir Divan-BegiKhanaka, MagokiAttori Mosque.
Comfortable AC transport
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – Omar Khayyam 4* or Asia Bukhara 4*
The 9th day
BUKHARA – GIJDUVAN – NURATA – DESERT CAMP ( 210 KM DRIVE)
Morning we depart to Desert camps. Enroute visit Gijduvan town, which is distinguished by its unique, particularly recognizable all over Uzbekistan school of ceramics. Gijduvan ceramics school, has its deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son from generation to generation. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world.
Visit the workshop of famous potter usto Alisher Narzullaev to see all the processes from clay to pottery making. Lunch. Later proceed to desert camp via Nurata town. Continue to Nurata and on arrival visit Chashma complex, including pool with holy fishes and ruins of ancient citadel.
Proceed to the yurt camp.
All yurts are decorated with handmade carpets and sherdaks (felt rugs) of local craftsmen. Colored patterns and chandeliers create unusual and festive atmosphere in a yurt. Possible horse and camel riding.
Dinner at the camp with delicious food cooked on saksaul tree.
You will spend your evening near the hospitable campfire to the songs of local akyns (folk singers) in calm and quite atmosphere of desert, admiring bright stars in the night sky.
Comfortable AC transport
Breakfast –at the hotel.
Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at Yurt.
The 10th day
DESERT CAMP – SAMARKAND
After breakfast drive to Samarkand.
No name is so evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand. It is one of the oldest existing cities in the world and the oldest of Central Asia. Built on the site of Afrosiab, which dated from the 3rd or 4th millennium B.C., Samarkand was known to the ancient Greeks as Marakanda; ruins of the old settlement remain north of the present city.
You will have a half day tour of Samarkand to see the famous Registan Square which is considered to be the heart of Samarkand. Here you will see three beautiful madrassahs: the Ulug-Bek Madrasah built in the fifteenth century; the Tillya-Kori Madrasah built in the seventeenth century; the Sher-Dor Madrasah, also built in the seventeenth century. Also visit Gur Emir– mausoleum of Great Tamerlane.
Comfortable AC transport
Breakfast – at the camp. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant
Overnight at the hotel – Grand SKD 4* or BEK 4* or Emirhan 4*
The 11th day
SAMARKAND – TASHKENT “Afrosiyob” train 17:00-19:10
Morning drive to Konigil village (10 km from Samarkand) to visit the paper-making workshop. For a long time, Samarkand has been famous as a center of a high-quality paper manufacture. In the workshop of a talented master you will see how the rind of the mulberry tree turns into a paper. Return to Samarkand.
Later see the grandest structure of Amir Temur’s times – the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum, the Siab bazaar and ShahiZinda necropolis.
Also if time allows visit Ulugbek’s observatory located in the entrance to Samarkand. Among historical monuments of Samarkand observatory takes particular place, constructed by Ulugbek (Grandson of the Great Amir Temur) in 1428-1429.
16:20– transfer to the railway station to catch your train to Tashkent. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Comfortable AC transport, train
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – City Palace 4* or Gloria 4* or BEK 4*
The 12th day
TASHKENT – CHIMGAN MOUNTAINS – TASHKENT–
90 KM ONE WAY
Early-morning we are heading to Chimgan Mountains. Upon arrival transfer to hotel and check in. You will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Uzbekistan Mountains, and at the same time to stay in comfortable hotel facilities.
After short rest at hotel we will walk to the cableway starting point (H=1600m) and ride the cable car to the Kumbel Mountain.
Optional: You will have a short hiking tour (L= 1 km, t=40min) along good, but narrow path to the Kumbel Mountain peak (H=2290m), where meteorological station is located. There opens a wonderful view to the Chatkal Mountain ridge, Kyzylnura Mountain and Nurekata River Valley.
After descending from the peak (here you can have an optional horse riding), you will ride a cablecar down. After lunch we drive back to Tashkent. On the way you will see Charvak Water Reservoir – which is a huge artificial lake (reservoir) surrounded by green slopes of the mountains which are crowned with snow caps. We will make several photo stops in order you could capture a fascinating view of the lake.
Comfortable AC transport.
Breakfast –at the hotel. Lunch – at the local restaurant.
Dinner – at the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel – City Palace 4* or Gloria 4* or BEK 4*
The 13th day
TASHKENT – ISTANBUL
Early in the morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul.
Comfortable AC transport.
Breakfast –at the hotel.
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