Orient Fairytale

Tour title: Orient Fairytale

Places to visit: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgut, Shahrisabs.

Day 1: Tashkent
You will arrive to the International airport of Uzbekistan and will be transferred to the Capital city Tashkent. In Tashkent you will start a city tour and will start from the main square called Independence square which was built as a symbol of victory over the fascism in World War II. Then we will walk towards Amir Timur square and we will walk through the local Broadway. Then we will go to see a local metro and even take a ride. Tashkent subway is one of the beautiful ones in the world. The first line was built in 1977. In the afternoon we will visit the old part of the city with Chorsu bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex. The main exhibit of Hast Imam complex is Othman Quran copy from the 8^th century, this Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan who was a follower of the Prophet Muhammed. Muhammed had four Caliphs and Othman was third one. Othman was killed in 8^th century by the people who didn't believe in Islam. We still can see his blood on the pages of the book. The night is in the hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent - Samarkand city tour
This day we will take a train to Samarkand and will have city tour in this old city. Samarkand is situated in valley of Zeravshan river and it's the second largest city of Uzbekistan. Samarkand is very old city that has the same age with Babylon and Rome. During the city tour we will visit Registan square which has three madrasahs from 15^th -17^th centuries. Then we will visit Shakhi-Zindeh complex which is a collection of the mausoleums from 11th ^- 15^th  centuries. This complex is also a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we will see a Guri Emir mausoleum and Bibi Khanim mosque which was built in honor of Tamerlane's wife. Tamerlane was inspired after his visit to India. The night is in the hotel.   

Day 3: Samarkand - Urgut - Samarkand
Today we will continue to explore the area of Samarkand. We will drive to outside of Samarkand and will visit the village called Urgut. This village is famous for the noisy bazaar. After lunch we will drive back to Samarkand and will drive to another village where we will see a memorial complex of Al Bukhary, he was an Islamic scholar. He wrote a hadith collection Sahih al-Bukhary, which is the most authentic Hadith collection by Sunni Muslims. Al Bukhary wrote also another book like Al-Adab al-Mufrad. The night is in the hotel. 

Day 4: Samarkand - Shahrisabs - Bukhara
This day we will start from the visit of the birthplace of Amir Timur which is Shahrisabs. In Shahrisabs we will have a city tour visiting a palace called AK Saray which was built by Amir Timur. On them main entrance of the palace was written " If you want to know about our power, look at our buildings". Then we will visit Johangir mausoleum which was dedicated to the first son of Amir Timur who died in the battle very young. After the death of his son Amir Timur has mourned for a very long time. The last sites of SHahrisabs are the Dorus Siadat and Dorus Tillavat memorial complexes. Then we will drive to Bukhara city where we will have an overnight in the hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara city tour
Today we will have a city tour in Bukhara which will include the places like Citadel Ark. This citadel is the oldest one dating back to the 4^th century and it was a palace for the few generations of Bukhara Empire. Then we will visit a Samanids mausoleum which is a real masterpiece of architecture of 9^th -10^th centuries. The next place to visit will be Chashma Ayub well and Bolo House which is a mosque also known as the mosque of the forty columns. This mosque was built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then we will walk through the local Broadway and see the favorite shopping area of Bukhara. We will walk until Nodir Divan Begi madrasah which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central site of Bukhara. This complex consists of three structures built in the 12^th -16^th centuries. Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah are the main site of this complex. The night is in the hotel.

Day 6: Bukhara
Today we will explore surrounding area of Bukhara and will visit Gujdivan village which is famous due to the private pottery workshop. Gujdivan ceramics school has very deep roots. The knowledge of this school was passing from generation to generation. Today Gujdivan is a place where Gujdivan school of ceramics which is created by the family of Narzullayevs and they are well-known in all over the world. This school is famous due to the geometric pattern. They use a lot of green and blue color in the decorations. Then we will drive to Varahsha village which was a capital of Bukhara region. We will see Vabkent which is a famous minaret from 119601198 under the reign of Ala ad-Din Tekish. Then we will return to Bukhara. The night is in the hotel.  

Day 7: Bukhara - Tashkent
This day we will explore surrounding area of Bukhara. We will start from Bahauddin Complex which is few kilometers from the city and it's a memorial complex of well-known Sufi Leader and Philosopher. This complex is one of the pilgrimage places for the Muslim people. Amir Timur had many spiritual masters and one of them was Sheikh Bahauddin Nakshbandi. Nowadays this complex has a mosque of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, nice courtyard with a pool, madrasah and burial mound of ruler of Bukhara. Then we will drive to visit a countryside residence of Bukhara Emirs called Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. This complex has a combination of different architectural styles. This named was named after the wife of Emir who died very young "Star-like and moon - like Palace". After finishing all sightseeing we will return to Bukhara and will take a flight to Tashkent. The night is in the hotel.

Day 8: Tashkent - Flight
Transfer to airport.
 

Price per person:
02 pax - 690 $
04 pax - 535 $
06 pax - 495 $
08 pax - 470 $
10 pax - 435 $
Single - 100 $

Early check-in - 35 $
Single early check-in - 55 $ 

*Half board - 60 $
*Full board - 105 $

*Entrance fees - 55 $ available with escort guide only   

English speaking guide - local 260 $ or escort 430 $ per group

Flight Bukhara -Tashkent - from 60 $ per person

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Tashkent - "Tourist Inn" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Tashkent-Samarkand                                  

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