March 8th, Saturday
As so much of our visit to Uzbekistan will focus on the past, we will start by focusing on "Uzbekistan Today" in our exploration of Tashkent. We will visit the bazaar, memorials of the Great Repression and the Earthquake, the Tashkent Metro, Place of Independence and the Amir Temur Square. We will also visit the Central Asian Plov Center for lunch. Plov is the king of meals in Uzbekistan and here you can taste several different varieties, including the rich "Wedding Plov" - all prepared by the best known cooks of the country. Overnight in Tashkent. Meals: B at hotel, L included, D on own.
Note: This is arrival day, and we encourage either a flight arriving very early morning (there are several) or if it is later in the day, arriving the day prior. Trip cost includes early check-in (8am or later) on the 8th.
March 9th, Sunday
We have a 7:50am flight to Urgench, so we will be up early. We arrive 9:20 in Urgench and transfer (35km) to our hotel in Khiva. We'll leave the luggage at the hotel and begin our city tour. Your day will be spent in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ichan Kala citadel, visiting some of the 250 monuments there.
We will enjoy a traditional lunch at the beautiful restaurant Mirzaboshi, enjoying the traditional soup "Shorva" and the dish most typical to Khiva - "Shivit Oshi." After lunch we will visit the Tosh Khovli Palace with Harem.
The Navruz Holidays are held in a specific, typical way in each city. In Khiva, during your visits to the old city, you may see people cooking traditional Navruz meals/snacks and sharing them with the passers-by, a wide variety of music and dance performances, enchanting walk of the Puppet Theatre artists in the streets, and more.
Overnight in Khiva. Meals: B included, L included, D on own.
March 10th, Monday
Your morning is free to explore Khiva, perhaps visiting the workshops in the city. At 14:00 we will go to the village Yangarik (17km) to participate in the preparation of Sumalak. Along the way we will visit Chodra Khovli – one of the summer residences of the last Khans of Khiva.
In the village we will visit a local family where Sumalak will be cooked. We can observe the lifestyle of the villagers and we will see the preparation of the Uzbek bread - Non, Kok Somsa (pastry stuffed with vegetables, baked in a traditional oven Tandoor). You can also assist in the preparation of the Uzbek traditional soup Shorba.
This convivial experience of “living with locals” is the most unique way to integrate into the real Uzbek lifestyle.
***Sumalak***
One of the top spring season things to do in Uzbekistan is Sumalak. Sumalak, a sweet-tasting wheat pudding, is a traditional food of Navruz, prepared only once a year. The preparation of the food takes one full day and is always accompanied by dances, music, and many other traditional dishes. For an unforgettable immersion experience with the real local culture, participate in a Sumalak party/event in Khiva.
*****************
Overnight in Khiva. Meals: B included, L/D (lots of food in general ...) included.
March 11th, Tuesday
After breakfast, you will take a long and scenic drive* to Bukhara. The road to Bukhara goes through small villages, cotton fields, and through the Kyzylkum desert. The highlights of the day include visiting the 3000-year-old Guldursun Kala citadel, encountering some of the rare camels in the desert, and enjoying the beautiful panoramic view of the Amu Darya River.
You will arrive in Bukhara by the end of the day. Free time.
Overnight in Bukhara. Meals: B included, L (boxed/picnic) included, D on own.
*If the train is running this day, we will opt for the morning train ride to Bukhara.
March 12th, Wednesday
After breakfast you will visit some of the most beautiful monuments of Uzbekistan. Your day will be full of well narrated stories and the culture and crafts of Bukhara, which differ quite a bit from Khiva.
In the evening, you will enjoy the Oshi Sofi - Royal Plov of Bukhara prepared for you in a traditional house located in the old city. The typical family ambiance, the decorations of a 19th-century house, and the demonstration of the typical food of Uzbekistan will be one of the highlights of your holiday in Uzbekistan.
Overnight in Bukhara. Meals: B included, L on own, D included.
March 13th, Thursday
Today after breakfast we will visit two important monuments outside of the old city.
- The summer residence of the Emirs of Bukhara - Sitorai Mokhi Khossa with its Administrative Palace, Octogonal Palace and Harem;
- The center of Sufism of Bukhara in the necropolis Naqshbandi.
In the afternoon you will have free time to explore on your own, visit the many workshops, maybe enjoy a traditional tea tasting or visit a hammam. Our guide will point you in the direction of your interests!
Overnight in Bukhara. Meals: B included, L and D on own.
March 14th, Friday
Today we transfer to Samarkand through Gijduvan, stopping to see the Gijduvan Ceramics Workshop and Sardova- a 600-year-old water reservoir of the caravans of the Silk Road. We arrive in Samarkand in the afternoon and check into our hotel. After lunch we will visit the most famous monument in Uzbekistan - the Place of Registan with its three magnificent madrasas. In the evening, after dinner, we will invite you again to walk around Samarkand by night to see the Registan and the Gur-emir mausoleum illuminated in beautiful colors.
Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: B included, L on own, D included.
March 15th, Saturday
After breakfast we depart towards Shakhrisabz (90 km, 2h) to see the monuments built by Amir Temur (Tamerlane) 600 years ago:
- The crypt of Amir Temur and the mausoleum of his sons
- The complex of the Blue mosque with richly decorated mausoleums of the Saints
- The impressive ruins of the White Palace of Tamerlane – Ak Saray
Visits/stops on the road to Shahrisabz:
1. A local market on the highest point of the mountains where you will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Takhtakaracha mountain pass.
2. The Plateau of Demons where during thousands of years, the winds have changed the shape of huge granite blocks and some of them look like snakes, bears, rabbits, etc.
Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: B included, L/D on own.
***Buzkashi***
The month of March is usually full of diverse celebrations of the spring holiday – Navruz. Among so many music, culinary, crafts, sports shows, and demonstrations there is a very unique event organized near Samarkand during the month of March – the Buzkashi. Similar to horse polo, this is the most ancient typical game of the people of central Asia. We will be checking the schedule for a Buzkashi and adjust the itinerary accordingly.
*******************
March 16th, Sunday
After breakfast we explore the heart of the Silk Road – Samarkand:
- The Gur-Emir mausoleum is a jewel of architecture decorated with ceramics, mosaics, gold, marble and jade;
- The Shakhi Zinda necropolis and its 20+ mausoleums all in one place which are decorated differently from each other;
- Bibi Khanum mosque;
- The bazaar Siab;
- Samarkand Silk Paper workshop;
At 16:00 transfer to 17:06 train to Tashkent, arriving 19:15.
Overnight in Tashkent. Meals: B included, L and D on own.
March 17th, Monday
Transfers to airport for departure. Depending on time of flight you may have time for breakfast at the hotel or may request a boxed breakfast.
