2010 Small Group Tour:

May 10- May 20, 2010

Destination: Uzbekistan
Route: Tashkent -Urgench (Khiva) -Bukhara -Samarkand -Shahrisabz -Samarkand -Tashkent
Duration: 11 days/10 nights

Land Cost: $2999-$3199

Single supplement: $453

Day 01 Tashkent - Uzbekistan hotel 4-Star
Arrival in Tashkent.Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 02 Tashkent-Urgench - Khorezm Palace 4-Star
Cultural and shopping tour: Abul Kasim Complex and its handicraft centers (XIX c), Old city with Hast Imam Complex: Medreseh Barakkhan (XVI c.), Friday Mosque Tello Shayh (XIX c.), Old bazaar ”Chorsu”. Flight from Tashkent to Urgench. Accomodation in hotel. Dinner.

Day 03 Khiva
Drive to Khiva ( 35 km.). Excursion to Ichan Kala (old city): Ata –Darvaza (West Gate, XVII – XVIII c.), Kalta Minar (XIX c.) Kunya Ark (XVII-XIX c.), Bazaar featuring puppets, textiles, jewelry and hats. Medreseh Khodja Islam with minaret, Tash Hauli Palace (XIX c.) aravan Saray ( XIX c.) of Khiva porcelain, Juma Mosque ( XI-XII c.) ith 200 wooden pillars. Return to Urgench.

Day 04 Urgench-Bukhara - Bukhara Palace 4-Star
Drive to Bukhara (450 km).Picnic in Uzbek Chaykhana (tea –house) in Kizilkum desert. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 05 Bukhara
Labi Khaus Complex: Nadir Divan Begi Medreseh (XVI-XVII c.), Magoki Attari Mosque (XII c.). Trade domes/bazaars of Bukhara carpets, spices and herbs, jewelry, astrakhan fur hats , embroidered wall hangings, silk scarves, national costumes and gold embroidered items, metal engraving, wood-carving. Poi–Kalon Complex-Minaret Kalon (XII c.), Mosque Kalon, Miri Arab Medreseh (XVI c.), Fortress-Ark ( I c.) Ismail Samani (IX c.) and Chashma-Ayub (Spring of Job, XII-XVI c.) Dinner.

Day 06 Bukhara
Sightseeing tour: Summer Residence of Last Bukhara Emir “Sitorai Mohi-Khossa (XX c.) and its jewelry center of necklaces, pendants, bracelets, belts, earings, Sufi center in Central Asia-Memorial Complex Bagauddin Nakshbandi (XVI c.) Dinner with folk-show in Madrassa Nodir Divan Begi.

Day 07 Bukhara-Samarkand - Afrosiab Palace 4-Star
Sightseeing drive to Samarkand (300 km) through Rabota Malik chul (desert). Stop at the Gizhduvan School of ceramics for introduction to the process of producing ceramics and workshop. Lunch. Accommodation in hotel. Dinner.

Day 08 Samarkand
Samarkand sightseeing tour: Registan Square: Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tilla Kori Medreseh (XV-XVII c.) – site of the twice yearly music festival; Artisan center for musical instruments (doira, nagora, dutar, chang), weaving, engraving, wood carving and painting. Mausoleum of Guri Emir ( XV c.) and Bibi Khanum Mosque ( XV c.). Samarkand Bazaar! Enjoy the most delicious local bread and sweets, fruits and vegetables.

Day 09 Samarkand-Shakhrisabz-Samarkand
Drive to Shahrisabz (150 km.).Excursion in Shahrisabz: Ruins in summer residence of Tamirlane “Ak-Saroy” ( XV c.), the Mosque Hazrati Imom and Kok Gumbaz (XV c.) and Darut-Saadat (XV c.) bazaar of silk and wool embroidery wall hangings, textile, hats, pillows, slippers, jewelry boxes, fabric design and printing. Return to Samarkand. Dinner.

Day 10 Samarkand
Samarkand Sightseeing: Shahi Zinda Ensemble (IX-XIX c.) with more than 20 mausoleums. National costumes bazaar. Free time. Dinner.

Day 11 Samarkand-Tashkent
Drive to Tashkent. Flight from Tashkent:

This tour program includes: