8-day Uzbekistan Tour with Khiva

We begin in this capital city, where you are first introduced to the charming culture of Uzbekistan. City sightseeing in Tashkent will include a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts to see embroideries and other fine crafts. Then our visit to the Museum of Uzbekistan History will detail the history of the country from ancient times to late medieval period. We'll also visit Abdul Khasim Medrassah with its hujra cells used as metalwork craft workshops to produce jewellery and other goods.

After lunch we'll visit the exciting Chor-Su market to see cradles, hand-made musical instruments, and fruit and vegetable market.

After breakfast depart by road on to legendary Samarkand, the grand capital of the emperor Tamerlane. The road goes through Tashkent, Sirdarya regions and mountainous countryside of Jizzah region of Uzbekistan where you may want to make spontaneous stops for photographing.

After arriving and checking into hotel, lunch at a nice local restaurant.

After lunch drive to the actual site of the ancient city of Afrosiab, and after visiting the excavation with your guide, visit the Afrosiab Museum with its excellent collection of treasures from the site including world famous 10th century frescoes.

Overnight in Samarkand.

This morning, visit the great central square of Samarkand, the Reghistan. Continue to Gur-Emir, where Tamerlane is buried, to Bibi-Khanum Mosque and also visit the nearby market.

Today we also visit a picturesque place in the outskirts of Samarkand, Konighil, which is famous for a water mill with paper making workshop where you learn everything about the history of famous in medieval times Samarkand silk paper and see every stage of the production process.

To conclude sightseeing program in Samarkand we'll visit the Observatory site of Ulugbek – famous astronomer grandson of Tamerlane.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast we'll drive on to holy Bukhara making a stop in Gizhduvan to visit the most important ceramic center of Bukhara region. Our host, the master potter, will tell us about the history of the craft and secrets of the Gijduvan ceramics. If we're lucky we'll have the opportunity to see centuries old tradition of using a donkey for spinning the millstones during the process of grinding of natural ingredients for traditional glaze.

Continue afternoon drive on to Bukhara and visit the Sitorai Mohi Hosa just when we enter the city. The former summer residence of the last ruler, it has beautiful stucco plaster interior decorations, huge banquet halls, and a large collection of costumes, silver and Ming china. You will see Bukharan textiles' exhibition situated in the building of the former Harem of the last emir.

Arriving in Bukhara early evening.

After breakfast we'll start full day walking tour of Bukhara to include a visit to the 2000 year-old Fortress Ark where Emirs once lived. Visit Poi-Kalon, or "Pedestal of the Great", the heart and focal point of all Bukhara, then continue to the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, dating from the early 10th century and to Chashma Ayub - the Spring of Job, where according to the old Testament, Job caused water to gush from the desert.

After lunch in a local teahouse or restaurant, continue sightseeing to Magoki - Attori mosque, dating from 12th century, Medressahs of Ulug-Bek and Abdul-Aziz Khan. You will also see Lyabi-Khaus otherwise known as The Shore of the Pool, an architectural complex consisting of the 16th century medrassah and a mosque and the nearby dome covered markets where you will have time for shopping.

Traditional dinner and overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast we'll continue our drive to Khiva, the last great oasis on the old caravan route that will lead us through the Kizil Kum (Red Sands) desert to this remote desert city.

Continue drive to Khiva and arrive late afternoon. The rest of the day we'll do some walking sightseeing of old Khiva.

After breakfast you're welcome to continue sightseeing of Khiva, the most intact and remote city of Central Asia. Experience the richness of this museum city that houses the most homogenous collection of architecture in the Islamic world.

Drive to Urgench (capital of Khoresm region) to depart for Tashkent by air.

This morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight home.