Uzbekistan is becoming one of the interesting tourist destinations.
Many centuries ago, the civilization that existed here gave life to many famous scientists, philosophers, poets and doctors, many of whose output is still used by many intellectuals around the world. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of this newly independent country with its renovated monuments of history, culture and architecture, a high level of interest is made available to the international tourist market.
One can travel to Uzbekistan using many different airlines but we recommend you use Uzbekistan Airways, where you can feel the spirit of the East once you board the airplane. Equipped by modern long-distance liners produced by well-known aircraft production companies such as Boeing and Airbus Industry, Uzbekistan Airways provides passengers with the world class service on international flights from Europe, North America, Asia, and Middle East.
Domestic flights to the tourist centers of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are provided on board of the middle-distance British-French RJ-85. In anticipation to meet with past centuries, tourists need just a short time to pass through the procedures of the modern airports, the gateway to the country of turquoise domes.
Tashkent International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
4 star hotel
The group flights arrive early. Land only passengers can arrive any time this morning.
This afternoon we head out on a sightseeing tour of Tashkent, including visits to Independence Square, flanked by public buildings and fountains, and the old town with its mausoleums and bazaar. Much of the city was destroyed by earthquakes in the 1960s and was rebuilt in true Soviet style with pleasant leafy boulevards and numerous fountains to keep the heat down in summer.
In contrast to some of the country’s better known Silk Road cities, architecture in Tashkent is influenced by the brutalist movement and Ladas are still very common adding to the city’s ‘back in the USSR’ feel..
We catch the early fast train to Samarkand arriving midmorning and spend the rest of today and part of tomorrow exploring the Silk Road city. Samarkand is steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who made it the capital of his empire in the 14th Century.
Its central position on the Silk Road meant that it was an important stop on the route from Istanbul to Peking (now Beijing). At its heart is the grand Registan Square flanked by the three grand madrasahs of Ulughbeg (15th C), Sherdor (17th C) and Tilya Qori (17th C).
We visit the grand square as well as the Gur Emir Mausoleum, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer.
We move on to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda – the ‘Living King’ necropolis – with its series of mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Our final visit is to the exotic Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce. The leader may shift the order the sites are visited.
After exploring Samarkand further, we head into the countryside and experience what life would have been like during the days of the Silk Road and what it’s still like for numerous nomads across Central Asia. After this at the night time you will go to the Havirenko. Havirenko it is the place where you can taste a Samarkand vine and also guide translator will tell you a history of this place and vine.
Today we go for a walk and have the opportunity to ride camels on the way to Aidarkul Lake. The lake stretches through the desert towards the Nuratin Mountains and, once by the lake, we have time to explore the shoreline and go for a swim. Later, we drive on to 2,000-year old city of Bukhara.
We have two days sightseeing in Bukhara, the next of our great Central Asian cities. Bukhara boasts over 900 historical monuments, here we will spend time visiting many sites and wandering at leisure amongst the old city streets.
Unlike Samarkand the district of the old town has remained separate from the rest of Bukhara and has undergone lots of restoration and preservation in recent years. In addition to its importance as a trading centre, it is the perfect setting to just sit and watch the world go by much as it has been for hundreds of years.
Of particular interest is the Fortress Ark where, in the 19th century, the Emir of Bukhara had the English officers Stoddart and Connolly imprisoned and killed and the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a beautiful example of early Islamic architecture dating back to the 10th century.
We will also visit the Emir’s rather kitsch Summer Palace, the old town with its domed bazaars and khauz (stone pools which used to be the city’s only water supply), and the attractive 12th century Char Minar. One of the great landmarks of Bukhara is the Kalyan minaret, known as the death tower, where many an unfaithful wife has met a sticky end.
Second day exploring the sites of Bukhara. This day you will go to the Lyabi Hauz, Kalta Mino, Samani mosque, Rabot Malik, Sitora-I Mohi Xosa. This evening we head to the train station to board the overnight sleeper train back to Tashkent. Train travel has long been a common mode of transport in the ex-Soviet Union and Central Asia and a great experience. The 1st class carriage, which we use, is divided into 2-berth cabins.
Our train arrives in Tashkent early this morning. We will transfer to the hotel where we have access to day-use rooms. There is free time to relax or explore a bit more of Tashkent before those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in the afternoon arriving back in London this evening. Land only passengers are free to leave the trip any time today or make use of the day-use rooms.
