Dusk till Down

Tour 2: Dusk till Down
Duration: 9 days
In short: Tashkent – Nukus – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand –Tashkent

Day 1: Tashkent
You will arrive to Tashkent international airport and meet by driver with signboard at meeting area. He will transfer to city tour in Tashkent. Visit Independence square, it is the main symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Afterwards you will walk along the local Broadway and see the famous Amir Timur square. Then you can visit Tashkent metro. It is important to note that the first line was opened in 1977. Afterwards you can visit the old part of the city as Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex which has numerous madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. There is no tour without visiting the Othman Quran. It is considered to be the world’s oldest Quran found in the 8th c. Overnight is in the hotel.   

Day 2: Tashkent – Nukus (domestic flight)
In the morning you will fly to Nukus. You will have a city tour where you can visit visit the Museum of Savitsky and see art. The museum amasses 20th century Russian avant-garde paintings, works of Sokolov, Komarovskiy and Amaravella group. The representative of the Karakalpakstan state museum of art collected the artworks in 1960s and got barred works from oppressed soviet artists and some of them were free. He preserved and exhibited them in this remote central Asian art-house. After that we will visit Nukus to see Mizdakhan necropolis. This area was captured from the 4th century BC till about 14th century AD. In addition you can visit a 2200 years-old Zoroastrian ancient monument known as Chilpyk. Today you will spend the night is in a hotel. 

Day 3: Nukus – Khiva
Today you will travel to Khiva. You will have a city tour and visit the oldest city of Uzbekistan. Start from inside of Ichan-Qala, the inner city in Khiva and see strong walls. There are old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses transformed Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. Ichan-Qala consists of 400 traditional dwelling houses and 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 Ichan-Qala made a historical and architectural conservation area. We recommend visiting the Kunya-Ark fortress found in the 17th century by Muhammad Arang Khan, also Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace. They are really incredible shape of Khorezm architectural mastership of 1830s. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara (440 km, 7 hours)
The day will start by travelling to Bukhara.  You will find there more than 140 architectural monuments dating to the middle Ages. There are wonderful narrow streets, green parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments belong to different epochs, but locate very close to each other. You will pass by the famous Kizilkum desert and see stunning view to Amu Darya River which is considered to be the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan and flowing into Aral Sea. On arrival, night is in a hotel. 

Day 5: Bukhara
Today you will have a full day of city tour. Visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara found in the 4th century – Citadel Ark, belonged to Bukhara Empire. Afterwards you can visit Samanids mausoleum dating to the 9th -10th century. Then you will move to Chashma Ayub (Job's well) as well as Bolo-Hauz mosque. It is the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Also you can visit souvenir shops. The tour will continue visiting madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi. It is a part of Lyabi House Ensemble. Visit theKalon complex which is considered to be an architectural art of Bukhara. There are three structures built in the 12th – 16th centuries as Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel. 

Day 6: Bukhara – Samarkand (Evening train)
You will have a city tour of Bukhara. Start visiting Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex. It is located few kilometers from Bukhara. A very famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher is one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the mystical masters of Amir Timur.  There are mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, courtyard with pool, madrasah, and burial vault of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. Afterwards you can drive to residence of Bukhara Emirs named Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The palace is very beautiful and stylish. It is impornat to note that Emir named the palace on behalf of his wife who died young “Star - like and moon- like Palace”. Later on we will drive to Sumiton village to find Chor Bakr memorial complex or so called "the town of the dead". Complex symbolizes equality.  The building began building during the Samanids reign until the 16th century. Transfer to Samarkand. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 7: Samarkand
The day will start of having a city tour in Samarkand. This city is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan as well as the second largest city of Uzbekistan. Today you will visit outstanding Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square was found in the 15-17th centuries and became the main highlight of Samarkand. Shakhi-Zindeh is another site must be visited by all travelers. It has collection of mausoleums found in the 11th-15th centuries and later became the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque is wonderful site which is dedicated to beloved Tamerlane’s wife. Today you will spend night is in a hotel. 

Day 8: Samarkand c (Evening train)
Today you will explore Samarkand city. Start visiting Ulughbek observatory which was built in 15th century by Ulughbek. It is considered to be one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. When he worked in observatory, he created the “Zidji Guragoni” catalog in 1437. The catalog had information about 1018 celestial bodies, but later he was killed by order of his own son. Then you can visit the local Broadway. You will find there souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets, workshops and other interesting goods. There is no tour without visiting the National bazaar – Siab.  You will find there Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets as well as see carpet factory where over 400 women sew carpets without using traditional techniques. Evening transfer to Tashkent by train. The night will be spent is in a hotel.

Day 9: Tashkent – Departure
Breakfast, transfer to the airport. 

Hotels 3*,
Price per person:
02 pax – 745 $
04 pax – 645 $
06 pax – 555 $
08 pax – 590 $
10 pax – 545 $
Single – 105 $

Early check-in – 40 $
Single early check-in – 45 $
 

Hotels 4*,
Price per person:
02 pax – 930 $
04 pax – 830 $
06 pax – 740 $
08 pax – 770 $
10 pax – 725 $
Single – 210 $

Early check-in – 65 $
Single early check-in – 95 $9 

English speaking local guides in Tashkent, Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara – 270 $ per group
English speaking escort guide – 550 $ per group 

All dinners – 70 $
All lunches and dinners – 120 $
Entrance fees – 70 $ (*with escort guide only) 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
      Tashkent – “Samir” Hotel 3*/ “Ramada” Hotel 4*
      Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*/ “Diyora” Hotel 4*
      Bukhara – “Porso” Hotel 3*/ “Omar Khayyam” Hotel 4*
      Nukus – “Jipek Jo’li” Hotel 3*
      Khiva – “Old Khiva” Hotel 3* / “Bek Khiva” 4*
- Train tickets
- Mineral water during the tour

               
Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums

If you want to find out more about places included in this tour – please read below.
For more details – click on the NAME of the place. 

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan located in the north-east of the country.
Independence Square is one of the key sightseeing during your tour to Tashkent.
Broadway is one of the best places to have a walk located in the center of Tashkent.
Amir Timur square was first created in 1870, by the architects from the Russian Empire.
Chorsu Bazaar is the center of Uzbek atmosphere where you can try various traditional food.
Kukaldash Madrasah is the educational center created for boys and girls to study religion.
Hast Imam complex is the spiritual place for the people to come and pray.
Museum of Savitsky is one of the largest art museums, located in Uzbekistan.
Mizdakhan necropolis is one of the most ancient places for pilgrimage in Karakalpakstan.
Chilpyk is Zoroastrian dahma, located 43 km from Nukus, Karakalpakstan.
Khiva is a city of legends and mythical characters of ancient times.
Ichan-Qala is an ancient and stunning fortress with a rich Uzbek inheritance.
Kunya-Ark fortress is the wonderful stronghold of the eastern world and high culture.
Kalta Minor minaret is a golden symbol of turquoise color, found by Mohammed Amin Khan.
Bukhara is the city with the largest number of mosques and sacred places.
Citadel Ark is an ancient monument of Bukhara which was actually created in 4-3 centuries.
Samanids mausoleum is considered to be the site of greatest ancient history of Samanids dynasty.
Chashma Ayub is located near the ruins previously being at the territory of the Samanids.
Bolo-Hauz mosque of 18^th c. has an interesting design with about 20 columns surrounding it.
Nodir Divan Begi madrasah used to be caravanserai previously, but then became madrasah.
Lyabi House Ensemble was created in the times of Sheybanids and has several madrasah around.
Poi Kalon complex is the greatest building of Bukhara and means “the foot of the minaret”.
Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex is famous for Naqshbandi brotherhood spreading Sufism.
Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex is the great assessment of the Bukhara emir and national heritage.
Chor Bakr memorial complex is the ancient necropolis of Juybar sheikhs and old city.
Samarkand has experienced many declines throughout the history of the Great Silk Road.
Registan square was created by the grandson of Amir Timur and situated in Samarkand.
Shakhi-Zindeh has more than 11 mausoleums based here in 14-15^th centuries.
Mausoleum Guri Emir is the place where Amir Timur, his sons and grandchildren were buried.
Bibi Khanum Mosque is said to be created in 1399, on the order of Amir Timur for his wife.
Ulughbek observatory was created by the Muslim prince to show respect to science.
National bazaar Siab is a place to communicate with the native dwellers of the Gala Osio village.