Day 1 Departure to Uzbekistan
To Uzbekistan we fly with Turkish airlines, route from Helsinki to Istanbul at 19.15 – 22.45.
from where we connect to Tashkent at 01.05.
Day 2 Arrive in Tashkent, the only metro city in Central Asia (A,L,I)
At 07.25 we land at Tashkent airport. After border formalities we will be met by a driver who will take us to our hotel. Early check-in at Krokus Plaza**** hotel or similar. The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, has a long history and many interesting things to see.
The Tashkent sightseeing tour starts at 14.00 with a visit to the charming Old Town. Sightseeing attractions include medieval monuments, the famous Barak-Khan Qur’anic school, home to the oldest handwritten Qur’an (Uthman Qu’ran) and the park-like square of Amir Timur, better known as Independence Square. We will visit the interesting Chorsu Bazaar. The bazaar offers delicacies for the hungry from the bazaar’s bounty and for the thirsty, charming tea rooms.
Day 3 Tashkent – Legendary Samarkand (A,L,I)
After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station at 06.40. Travel by special express train Afrosiab to Samarkand, 08.00 – 10.08. Few cities have a more colourful history than Samarkand. The most famous attraction is the Registan Square, located in the heart of Samarkand. The square is flanked on three sides by buildings, minarets and madrasas in perfect architectural harmony. The Ulugh Beg Madrasa dates from around 1417-1420, the Tillya-Kari Madrasa and the Shir Dor Madrasa are all architectural masterpieces protected by UNESCO. Accommodation in Grand Samarkand**** hotel or similar.
Day 4 Samarkand (A,L,I)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we continue our exploration of Samarkand: the Afrosiab Museum, the Tomb of St. Daniel and the Khujum Silk Carpet Factory.
After lunch we visit the rural village of Konigil, about 20 km from Samarkand. The village has been producing very fine handmade paper for centuries. One of the masters shows us how the bark of a mulberry tree is transformed into fine paper. Back to Samarkand. Free time before dinner together. Accommodation in a Grand Samarkand**** hotel or similar.
Day 5 Samarkand – Tashkent (A,L,I)
After breakfast we visit the Siab bazaar. After lunch we will travel to Tashkent, about 300 km. Dinner will be enjoyed in Tashkent.
Transfer to the airport, flight to Urgench at 20.25-21.55 from where there is a transfer to the interesting city of Hiva. The Silk Road never passed through the town, but Khiva later came to be known as the centre of the Central Asian slave trade. The town has been beautifully preserved in its old appearance.
Accommodation in Asia Khiva**** hotel or similar.
Day 6 Hiva (A,L,I)
Hiva, like other Uzbek cities, was a Silk Road stopover on the way to Persia and one of the most important centres of the Silk Road slave trade. Here the camel caravans gathered strength for the crossing of the desert, and at least one of the camel caravan camps had been converted into a restaurant. The city is divided into two parts: the ‘outer edge’ of the city is called Dichan Kala, while the walled inner city is known as Itchan Kala.
During the sightseeing tour we will see magnificent mosques, minarets and turquoise domes. Charming labyrinthine streets, fruit markets and inns. Accommodation in Asia Khiva**** hotel or similar.
Day 7 Hiva – Bukhara (480 km) (A,L,I)
Drive through the Kyzylkum desert and stunning scenery to Bukhara. Situated in the middle of the Kyzylkum desert, Bukhara has thousands of architectural monuments reflecting the golden years of the Silk Road. Exotic spices, furs and especially silk were preserved and traded in the city’s caravanserais. Accommodation in Devon Begi**** hotel or similar.
Day 8 Buhara (A,L,I)
The Russian Empire conquered Buhara in the mid-19th century and made it a vassal state. After the Russian Revolution, the city became the capital of the Buhara People’s Republic, which was abolished when Buhara was incorporated into the Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan.
Buhara was one of the most important oasis cities along the Silk Road. We will visit the main sights such as the Mausoleum of Ismail Saman, the Ark Fortress, the Bolo Hauz Mosque and the masterpiece of the Po i Kaklyan. The Old Town of Buhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accommodation in Devon Begi**** hotel or similar.
Day 9 Return home (A)
Transfer to Bukhara airport, flight to Istanbul 09.10-11.50. Connecting flight to Helsinki 15.10-18.35.
