2010 Departures:

October 04- October 12, 2010

Destination: Uzbekistan
Route: Tashkent -Samarkand -Bukhara -Khiva -Tashkent
Duration: 9 days/ 8 nights

Land Cost: $2999-$3299

Single supplement: $430

Day 01 Tashkent
Upon arrival you will be transferred  to the hotel. Sightseeing: Abul Kasim Complex and its handicraft centers, Alisher Navoi Park (the Park of Festivals), The Palace of Friendship, old bazaar ”Chorsu”. Visit Tashkent's Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Museum of Applied and Decorative Arts.

Day 02 Tashkent - Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand (300 km). Pass through the "gate" of Amur Temur; where the Pamir and Zerafshon mountain ranges meet. Accommodation in hotel. Samarkand sightseeing: Shahi Zinda Ensemble (IX-XIX c.) with more than 20 mausoleums, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Samarkand local bazaar. Lunch. Guri Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square (Music Festival Center), the performance of Samarkand dancers in Sherdor Madreseh. Visit the workshops of Samarkand musicians. Dinner at local restaurant.

Day 03 Samarkand
Ulugbek Observatory (XV c.), visit Al Bukhari Mausoleum. Meeting with local composers and musicians. Free time.

Day 04 Samarkand - Bukhara
Drive to Bukhara (300 km.) passing the 3000 year-old Zerafshan River. Accommodation at hotel. Sightseeing tour: Labi Khaus Complex: Nadir Divan Begi Madreseh, Kukaldash Madreseh, Khanaka Nadir Divan Begi (XVI-XVII c.), Magoki Attari Mosque (XII-XVI c.).
Visit local bakery with Tandur (clay oven for baking bread). Trade domes/markets (XVI c.), Poi –Kalon Complex-Minaret Kalon ( XII c.), Mosque Kalon, Miri Arab Madreseh (XVI c.).
Dinner with folk-show of Ensemble “Bukhorcha” in Madrassa Nodir Divan Begi.

Day 05 Bukhara
Fortress-Ark ( I c.), Ismail Samani (IX c), Bukhara oriental local bazaar. Enjoy silk and spices in the bazaar of the old part of Bukhara(Festival in May). Enjoy live music, folk dances and songs, exhibitions of Central Asian artisans and taste local shashlik, manti and pilaf. Watch the traditional puppet theatre perform.

Day 06 Bukhara- Urgench
Drive to Urgench ( 450 km) through the KizilKum desert. Picnic in Uzbek Chaykhana (tea –house). Arrival in Urgench. Accommodation. Dinner in hotel restaurant.

Day 07 Urgench- 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 of textiles, jewelry and hats. Medreseh Khodja Islam with minaret, Tash Hauli Palace (XIX c), Caravanserai ( XIX c.) of Khiva porcelain, Juma Mosque with 200 wooden pillars (XI-XII c.).
Fascinating dance performance of ensemble "Lazgi" in Muhammad Rahim Khan Medreseh.
Return to Urgench.

Day 08 Urgench-Tashkent
Breakfast. Flight to Tashkent. Accommodation at hotel. Lunch. City tour: Old city with Hast Imam Complex: Medreseh Barakkhan (XVI c.), Friday Mosque Tello Shayh (XIX c), Medreseh Kukeldash (XVI c.), Independence Square, Metro station and main boulevard.
See a Ballet Performance at the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Day 09 Tashkent – New York
Early Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

This tour program includes:

• Visa support
• Local air tickets from Tashkent to Urgench
• Ground Transportation (air-conditioned coach bus)
• English-speaking guide/escort
• Hotel accommodation in double room
• Meals on a full board basis: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Entrance fees to museums and monuments
• Folklore Show in Bukhara (Samarkand)

August 09-August 16, 2011 early registration discounts