UZBEKISTAN CULTURAL AND VILLAGE EXPERIENCE – 10 DAYS

Itinerary: Tashkent – Bukhara – Aydarkul Lake – Hayat Village – Ashraf Village – Samarkand – Gilon Village – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Season: All year round

DAY 1: TASHKENT – CAPITAL OF UZBEKISTAN

Arrival & Breakfast
Meeting at Tashkent International Airport at 08:00. Meet and greet with driver and guide. Breakfast.

City Introduction
Tashkent is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, with a population exceeding three million. Its name, meaning “Stone City”, was first mentioned in the 11th century in the works of scholars Beruni and Mahmud Kashgari. Today, Tashkent represents a blend of ancient heritage and modern urban life.

Sightseeing – Old City:

• Khazret Imam Architectural Complex – religious center of Tashkent

• Tila Sheikh (Khast Imam) Madrasah – home of the ancient Ottoman Quran

• Chorsu Bazaar – traditional market and center of local trade

• Mui-Mubarak Madrasah (19th century)

• Jami Mosque (15th–19th centuries)

• Barak Khan Madrasah (16th century)

Afternoon Sightseeing – Modern City:

• Independence Square – symbol of modern Uzbekistan

• Amir Temur Square – dedicated to the great statesman

• Alisher Navoi Theatre and Orthodox Church

• Minor Mosque – contemporary Islamic architecture

Accommodation: Hotel Marmaris Saray, Tashkent
Overnight in Tashkent.

DAY 2: TASHKENT – BUKHARA (BY TRAIN)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transportation: Morning transfer to the railway station. High-speed train to Bukhara (07:30–11:20).

City Introduction
Bukhara is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia, with over 2,500 years of history. It was a major center of Islamic learning and trade along the Great Silk Road.

Bukhara City Tour:

• Samanid Mausoleum (9th–10th centuries) – masterpiece of early Islamic architecture

• Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum (14th century)

• Bolo-Khauz Mosque

• Ark Fortress – former residence of Bukhara rulers

• Poi Kalyan Complex

• Kalyan Minaret (12th century)

• Kalyan Mosque

• Miri Arab Madrasah (16th century)

• Taqi Zargaron Trading Dome

• Ulugh Beg Madrasah (15th century)

• Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah (17th century)

• Nadir Divan-Begi Khanaka and Madrasah

Accommodation: Hotel Rayyan, Bukhara
Overnight in Bukhara.

DAY 3: BUKHARA – COUNTRYSIDE – AYDARKUL LAKE

Breakfast.

Countryside Excursion:

• Sitorai Mohi Khosa – summer residence of the Bukhara emirs

• Bahauddin Naqshbandi Memorial Complex – important Sufi pilgrimage site

• Chor-Bakr Necropolis

Lunch.

Transfer: Afternoon drive to Aydarkul Lake (with driver, without guide).

Activities:

• Check-in at lakeside accommodation

• Evening camel riding experience

Dinner and Accommodation: Yurts, Aydarkul Lake
Overnight at Aydarkul.

DAY 4: AYDARKUL LAKE – HAYAT VILLAGE

Breakfast.

Transfer to Hayat Village, located in a mountainous rural area.

Village Experience:

• Ruins of an ancient water mill

• Shiringul Guesthouse visit

• Observation of argali (mountain goats)

• Ancient structure known as “Shahi Kurgan”

Dinner and Accommodation: Guesthouse, Hayat Village
Overnight in Hayat.

DAY 5: HAYAT VILLAGE – ASHRAF VILLAGE

Breakfast.

Transfer: Walking or short drive to Ashraf Village.

Village Tour:

• Guided walk through the village

• Observation of ancient trees and natural landscapes

• Interaction with local residents

Dinner and Accommodation: Guesthouse, Ashraf Village
Overnight in Ashraf.

DAY 6: ASHRAF VILLAGE – SAMARKAND

Breakfast.

Transfer to Samarkand.

Free time for rest.

Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Marokand, Samarkand
Overnight in Samarkand.

DAY 7: SAMARKAND – UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITY

Breakfast.

Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.

City Introduction
Samarkand is one of the world’s oldest cities and a jewel of the Silk Road. It flourished as the capital of Amir Temur’s empire in the 14th–15th centuries.

Sightseeing:

• Gur-Emir Mausoleum – tomb of Amir Temur

• Rukhabad Mausoleum

• Registan Square – architectural ensemble of three madrasahs

• Meros Paper Mill – traditional paper-making

• Mausoleum of St. Daniel

• Ulugh Beg Observatory

• Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

• Bibi-Khanum Mosque

• Siab Bazaar

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Marokand, Samarkand
Overnight in Samarkand.

DAY 8: SAMARKAND – GILON VILLAGE

Breakfast.

Transfer: 180 km (approx. 4 hours) to Gilon Village.

Village Experience:

• Lunch at a local family home

• Walking tour of the village

• Visit to a blacksmith’s workshop

• Meeting with a local artist

Dinner and Accommodation: Guesthouse, Gilon Village
Overnight in Gilon.

DAY 9: GILON VILLAGE – SHAKHRISABZ – SAMARKAND

Breakfast.

Transfer to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Amir Temur.

Sightseeing:

• Ak-Saray Palace ruins

• Jakhongir Mausoleum

• Dorus Saodat Complex (Hazrati Imam Mosque)

• Gumbazi-Seyidan

• Kok Gumbaz Mosque

Return to Samarkand.

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Marokand, Samarkand
Overnight in Samarkand.

DAY 10: SAMARKAND – DEPARTURE

Breakfast.

Transfer to Samarkand International Airport.
End of the tour.

TOUR PRICES (USD PER PERSON)

PRICE INCLUDES

• Transportation throughout the tour

•  Guide in cities

• Tashkent–Bukhara train ticket

• Accommodation and meals at Aydarkul Lake

• Accommodation and meals in Gilon Village

• Entrance fees to sites listed in the itinerary

• Hotel accommodation

PRICE EXCLUDES

• International airfare

• Travel insurance

• Photo and video fees at monuments

• Tips for guides and drivers

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Meals not specified in the program

ACCOMMODATION LIST

• Tashkent: Hotel Marmaris Saray

• Bukhara: Hotel Rayyan

• Samarkand: Hotel Grand Marokand

• Hayat Village: Guesthouse

• Ashraf Village: Guesthouse

• Gilon Village: Guesthouse

• Aydarkul Lake: Traditional yurts