9 Days (Full Board)

Tours will bring you and your family or
friends to Tashkent, Urgench, Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand.

Guide will be speaking in English.

Flight: Uzbekistan Airways
04 April 2018: SIN – TAS HY552 22:15hrs – 03:20hrs (+1)
13 April 2018: TAS – SIN HY553 21:00hrs – 07:50hrs (+1)

Day 1: Arrival – Tashkent (4th April 2018)
Upon early arrival at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport, our local representative will welcome you and assist in your transfer to Ichan Qala Hotel (5* hotel) for a rest and breakfast.

After well-rested, we will visit Khast Imam Complex - the major religious site in Tashkent (the whole complex consists of Barakhan Madrassah, Tilla Shaykh Mosque, Mui Mubarak Madrassah, tomb of Kaffal Shashi, Namozgah Mosque, as well as newly built Hazrat Imam Mosque and the new administrative building of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan. Inside Mui Mubarak Madrassah is kept the world's oldest Quran of Caliph Uthman. This Quran is the primary source of the sacred books, written on the skin of a deer in the middle of the VII century). Night in Tashkent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (5th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will take an early flight to Urgench (1.5 hours). Upon arrival, we will transfer to Khiva and check-in to Asia Khiva Hotel (4* hotel). Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan Qala Fortress (Since 1967, Khiva's status as a museum city has ensured it remains the most homogenous collection of architecture in the Islamic world, deep-frozen, immune to time and lost in romantic imagination. The historical centre of Khiva, in particular the Ichan-Kala fortress, is entered in the list of the world heritage sites of UNESCO. There are a significant number of architectural monuments: khan palaces, mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums and minarets. Defence walls of Ichan Qala protected Khiva until Nadir-shah's invasion in the middle of 18th century when Iranian troops took Khiva and partly destroyed the fortification system).

Within the complex, we will visit Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah with attached Kalta Minor, meaning a short minaret or an unfinished minaret. Proceed to Kunya-Ark, the old citadel of Khiva Khan with its watch tower, then to Salamkhana (greeting hall) – which housed the administrative offices.

We then visit the Jum'aa Mosque (a unique mosque in Central Asia with its 212 wooden pillars dating back to 1st and 19th centuries. The majority of them were carved from tree trunks in the 18th – 19th centuries. Moonlight through three holes in the ceiling and carved wooden columns create an exclusive atmosphere for prayer). Besides historical sites, you can also visit handicrafts workshops of wooden stuff and silk carpets. Dinner will be a popular meal in Khoresm region - Tuhum Barak. Night in Khiva.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara (6th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will transfer to Bukhara by road. On the way, we will do a stopover and enjoy the landscapes of Kyzyl-Kum Desert (named after its red sand, it is the 11th-largest desert in the world and spreads across northern Uzbekistan and up into neighbouring Kazakhstan). Upon arrival in Bukhara we will check-in at Omar Khayam Hotel (4* hotel).

Dinner will be at Madrasah Nadir Divanbegi with an amazing folklore performance (in many cultures, there is a perception that we should not mix trade and religious affairs, but the history of this madrassah indicates that some blending has its benefits. Madrasah of Nadir Divanbegi, was named in honour of Vizier Nadir, who had initiated the construction. According to the initial decision of Nadir, the builders were to build just a khanaka where Sufis could take a rest and be given to philosophical thinking, but eventually, opposite the khanaka there appeared a caravanserai. During the opening ceremony, the supreme ruler said it was wrong to have a caravanserai next to a sacred place. In view of this, he ordered to immediately transform the newly opened caravanserai into a madrasah). Night in Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner



Day 4: Bukhara (7th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will take a city tour of Bukhara (one of Central Asia's oldest cities, full of stunning mosques and madrassah. It is Central Asia's holiest city and has buildings spanning a thousand years of history, and a thoroughly lived-in and cohesive old centre that hasn't changed too much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan).

We will visit the most visited sightseeing places in Bukhara including Ismail Samani Mausoleum (the mausoleum is considered to be one of the most highly esteemed work of Central Asian architecture, and was built between 892 and 943 CE as the resting-place of Ismail Samani - a powerful and influential amir of the Samanid dynasty, one of the last native Persian dynasties that ruled in Central Asia in the 9th and 10th centuries, after the Samanids established virtual independence from the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad), The Ark Fortress (it was initially built and occupied around the 5th century AD. The Ark encompassed what was essentially a town that, during much of the fortress' history, was inhabited by the various royal courts that held sway over the region surrounding Bukhara. The Ark was used as a fortress until it fell to Russia in 1920), Bolo Hauz Mosque (it is the only surviving monument in Registan Square, which includes a mosque, minaret and a pool. It was a place of prayer for the Emirs and their entourage), Poi Kalon Ensemble of Kalyan Minaret (which means "The Foot of the Great" is an Islamic religious complex. In addition to its main purpose as a minaret, the Kalon Minaret served as a watchtower and a guide to approaching caravans on the Silk Route. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it had more grim use: men condemned by the emir were hurled to their deaths from the top), the Kalyan Mosque (one of the outstanding monuments of Bukhara, dating back to the fifteenth century. The congregational Mosque can house 10,000 worshippers. Its roof looks flat but actually consists of 288 domes), and the Mir Arab Madrassah (This madrasah is considered one of the most interesting monuments of Bukhara, and is still an acting institution, where future imams and religious mentors receive their education. Miri-Arab madrasah was the only spiritual educational establishment in the USSR that had begun to function after the WWII).

Shop for local handicrafts at the Trade domes and Lyabi House. Night in Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 5: Bukhara (8th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will transfer to the memorial complex of the great Sufi, Sheikh Bahauddin Naqshbandi (he was one of the most important Muslim theologians of the XIV century and founder of the Naqshbandia Sufi Order. His Mausoleum is considered as the most important in Central Asia).

After that, we will drive to the Summer Palace of the last rulers of Bukhara, the 15-hectare land that consists of the reception hall, residential buildings of the wives and concubines. Then, we drive back to Bukhara and lunch in a local restaurant. Free time for shopping until dinner. Night In Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 6: Bukhara – Samarkand (9th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will transfer to Samarkand by road. Upon arrival, we will check in to Emirhan Hotel (4* hotel) and proceed to lunch at a famous restaurant in Samarkand, where you will taste the traditional Bosnian Plov (at its most basic, plov is rice with onion and carrots with various meats cooked slowly in layers. Atop the lightly oiled rice and matchsticks of soft yellow carrots, are 12 roasted quail (whole), horsemeat sausages (sliced), quince (quartered), a scattering of glossy white quails' eggs and countless slivers of thinly shaved beef) served with salad and Samarkand bread. This meal will be accompanied with green tea). We then rest in the hotel.

After lunch we will go for a City Tour of Bukhara: we will first the visit Mausoleum of Amir Temur (also known as the famous Tamerlane, this complex was a prototype for famous samples of architecture of the Great Mughal: Humayun Mausoleum in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Timur descendants, who ruled northern India. This majestic complex consisted of a khanaka, the madrasah of Muhammad Sultan - grandson of Amir Temur, and later, tombs of Amir Temur himself and his descendants. After the death of Muhammad Sultan, Amir Timur was inconsolable: he ordered to put temporarily the remains of his beloved grandson in a madrasah's corner room – darskhana, and immediately started the construction of the mausoleum. However, Tamerlane did not live to see the mausoleum finished, he died in winter 1405) and Bibikhanum Mosque (it is one of the most important monuments of Samarkand. In the 15th century, it was one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world. By the mid-20th century only a grandiose ruin of it still survived, but now major parts of the mosque have been restored).

We then proceed to visit Registan Square which fascinates with its beauty and majesty (The Registan Square is a real gem located in the very heart of the ancient city of Samarkand. It has gained its worldwide fame thanks to the great architectural ensemble that has become a monument of the oriental architecture. From three sides, the square is surrounded with grand madrassah, portals of which are facing the center of the space. All three erections have their own unique décor. It is by virtue of these buildings, preserved on the territory of the city, Samarkand was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001). At night, illuminated by floodlights, Registan becomes the embodiment of oriental tale. Overnight in Samarkand.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 7: Samarkand – Tashkent (10th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will transfer to Imam Al-Bukhari Complex (Imam al-Bukhari was the great theologian of the East who collected and recorded the Sahih Bukhari. The Mausoleum of Imam Bukhari presents in all of its magnificence. In the complex that occupies a vast territory, there are mausoleums, mosques, hotel for tourists and pilgrims, souvenir shops and religious literature). We will then proceed to visit Shakhi Zinda (it is the burial place of royal persons and nobles. But the main mausoleum from which the necropolis starts seems to be the imaginary grave of Prophet Muhammad's cousin, Kusam ibn Abbas. The complex was called "Shakhi Zinda" meaning "The Living King" in Persian. He was one of those who preached Islam in that region. According to legend, Kusam ibn Abbas came to preach in Samarkand in 640, spent 13 years there and was beheaded by the Zoroastrians during his prayer. Later the Complex became an important pilgrimage centre that was revered by the people as sacred) and shop at the famous Siab Bazaar (this oriental market is a special place where you can feel a live atmosphere of the ancient city. Many years ago, bazaars served as the main strategic points on the Great Silk Road trade development. The area of the market impresses with its 5 ha of trade rows. The main entrance is done in the form of a lofty three-fold arch adorned with blue mosaic. After visiting this bazaar, you will dive into the atmosphere of Samarkand festivity, mystery and will be able to understand the historical city on the Great Silk road. Along with ripen fruits and hot bread; you will take with yourself a piece of oriental atmosphere that will stay with you forever).

At 1600hrs, we will transfer to train station and take a high speed bullet train Afrosiab to Tashkent. Upon arrival, we will transfer to Ichan Qala Hotel (5* hotel). Overnight in Tashkent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 8: Tashkent (11th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will do a Sightseeing City Tour in Tashkent including Independence Square (it is located in the center of Tashkent city - a favorite resting place for the Tashkent residents. The fact that the most beautiful fountains of the city are located in the square contributed considerably to it. During the Soviet era, this used to be called the Lenin Square. Today, it is a place to hold solemn events on festive days, such as Uzbekistan Independence Day), the Amir Temur Square (right in the center of the square, there is a monument to the outstanding commander and statesman of the XIV century Amir Temur, who managed to found a centralized united state composing of 27 countries in the vast territory from the Mediterranean Sea to India. The monument is represented as a bronze figure of Amir Temur with imperial regalia on a reared horse. The monument plinth is engraved with an Amir Temur's famous motto in four languages “Power is in Justice”) and passing through the Prince Romanov Residence (this is a one-storey private residence of Nikolay Konstantinovich Romanov, who was a grandson of Emperor Nicholay I, and who was exiled by his royal parents to Tashkent in 1877 to live there until his death in 1918) and Alisher Navoi Theatre (the national opera theater in Tashkent).

We will then visit the Juma Mosque of Tashkent (this is the third largest Friday mosque in Uzbekistan, after two buildings of its kind – Bibi Khanum in Samarkand and Kalyan in Samarkand – both of which we have visited earlier), then to Kukeldash Madrassah (in the XIX century, the madrassah served as a fortress of Kokand khans. Until 1865 madrasah Kukeldash served as a place of public execution: from the top parapet of the central portal on the ground lined with stones thrown in the bags found to be unfaithful wives in order to strengthen people's morality. Today the restored madrasas is the current madrasah and fulfills its direct functions: living and training students. Also, Muslims come here to perform the Friday prayers), the Tashkent Metro (it is one of only two subway systems currently operating in Central Asia. It was the seventh metro to be built in the former USSR, opening in 1977. Its stations are among the most ornate in the world. Unlike most of the ex-Soviet metros, the system is shallow (similar to the Minsk Metro). Overnight in Tashkent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 9: Tashkent – Departure (12th April 2018)
After breakfast, we will have free time to shop at at Chorsu Bazaar and Samarkand Darvaza Mall. In the afternoon, we will check out and transfer to the airport for our departure to Singapore.

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