MUSIC FESTIVAL «MELODIES OF THE ORIENT» IN SAMARKAND

Flight to Tashkent. Arrival in the evening or early morning of the next day (depending on flight connection). Your travel guide will greet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel. Two overnight stays in Tashkent.

Accommodation: City Palace Hotel in Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent with another airline is at midnight or early morning. Welcome from your travel guide and check-in to the hotel. Rest in the hotel. After breakfast, tour of Tashkent, the country’s capital. Visit to Khast Imam Square with the Barak Khan Medrasa and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum. The historic complex is in the old town and still today consists mainly of those old clay houses which survived the 1966 earthquake. The complex developed around the grave of one of the first Koran preachers of Central Asia, who was also a famous scientist. In the large square there is also a library with a collection of original manuscripts, one of which is the world-famous Osman Koran from the 7th century. Then you go to the «Chorsu Bazaar, which was already known in the Middle Ages and which stood at the crossroads of the caravansaries of the Great Silk Road. In the afternoon you will walk through modern Tashkent and visit Independence Square with the Building Complex of the “Grieving Mother “and the Alisher Navoi Opera House. On foot, we will go to the Amir Timur Park.
We take the evening flight to Urgench, and then drive by coach to the oasis town Khiva, about 35 km. Dinner in a local restaurant. Two overnight stays in Khiva.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shaherezada in Khiva

A highlight of your trip! The clay streets and two-wheel donkey carts which are still part of the street scene will give you an impression of a way of life still unchanged since the Middle Ages. On your tour of the historic centre, admire the Oriental ornaments and turquoise tiles of the richly decorated buildings. You will realise why the old town of Khiva, “Ichan Kala” is called an “open air museum”. Kunya Ark, once the residence of the Khan of Khiva, Djuma Mosque – a Friday mosque, famous for its 212 columns decorated with artistic wood-carvings, the Pakhlavon Makhmud Mausoleum, the Medrasa and Minaret of Islam Khodja – the wise vizier Khan Muhammad Rakhimkhan and the Tash Khovli Palace. Wander through winding old town alleys with clay houses. You will find many subjects to take photos of and places to stop in this magical town. In the evening you can enjoy the sunset over the oasis. Sumptuous dinner in the Toza Bog Summer Palace (at least 8 people).
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shaherezada in Khiva

Impressive journey through the vegetated „Kyzylkum “(«Red Sand») Desert and the vast steppe to Bukhara (420 km). On route we will have lunch break in an Uzbek «Roadhouse» rest. tea-room. We reach Bukhara late evening and then you will have time to explore the old town on your own. Dinner in a local restaurant. Three overnight stays in Bukhara.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Komil Boutique in Bukhara

Today you will experience the unique magic of the old town of Bukhara. You will see the Samanids Mausoleum – the oldest architectural building in Central Asia. The Mosque Bolo Khauz, Arc Citadel and the largest complex and landmark of Bukhara, the Poi Kalyan Complex. On the way from the Poi Kalyan Complex through the dome bazaars past medrasas to the Lyabi Khauz, Gold embroiderers, scissor makers and cobblers will greet you. The Lyabi Khauz Complex is the centre of old Bukhara with magnificent buildings. Then you can dive into the hustle and bustle of the craftsmen and discover wood carvers, cutlers, potters, weavers and others. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Komil Boutique in Bukhara

Today we do further sightseeing in the oasis town of Bukhara. You visit the Chor Minor Mosque which was built in 1807 by the rich Turkman Khalif Niyazkul. In the midst of a traditional residential area, four sky-blue minarets appear, whose unusual style have made them into an emblem of Bukhara. You will see how wealthy merchants and traders lived in Bukhara 100 years ago in the house of the merchant Khodjaev. The complex which consists of several buildings is today a museum, and your tour guide will show you the interesting rooms. Then, by the gates of Bukhara, you will see the wonderful summer palace "Sitorai Mokhi Khosa" - of the last reigning Emir of Bukhara, Said Alim-Khan. The palace is a mixture of Russian, Oriental and European architecture and has an impressive park. As is known, Bukhara is one of the seven holy towns of the Islamic world. In Sufism there are many orientations and at various times representatives of all the orders have been in what is today Uzbekistan. The Sufi order Naqshbandiya had the greatest effect and survived best. Bahauddin Naqshbandi was one of the spiritual mentors of Tamerlan. His philosophy was based on the principle «God in your heart, work in your hands». The Bahauddin Naqshbandi Necropolis and memorial are considered to be the Central Asian Mecca. In the afternoon we can visit the Jewish residential quarter of Bukhara and enter a Synagogue which is over 400 years old. Then we will visit a Puppet Work Shop.
Dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Komil Boutique in Bukhara

After early breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the train station. At 04:50h you leave by train, arriving at 06:20h in the most famous town along the Silk Road – Samarkand. Here the fairy tales out of One Thousand and One Nights begin again for you… today you will be sightseeing in the town which is over 2700 years old (UNESCO World Heritage): In the museum “Afrosiyob” you will have unexpected new impressions of old Samarkand. On a hill is the historic observatory of the Ulugbek with its enormous sextant built into the ground. The place of research of the famous astronomer was already a modern observatory in the 14th century. You will see what apparatus astronomers of that distant time had at their disposal to determine the stars. Later you will visit a paper manufacturer in which the fine, traditional paper of Samarkand is produced from mulberry tree fibres. This craft has been practised for many more centuries than in other countries. Samarkand used to be known all over the Silk Road for its exquisite paper. After dinner in a local restaurant you can see a live concert of the Music Festival "Sharq Taronalari" at Registan Square. Two overnight stays in Samarkand.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Ideal in Samarkand

You will be impressed today during your town tour by the palace-like mausoleum of the ruler Amir Timur, the Gur-Emir-Mausoleum. Today you will enjoy the highlight of your trip – Registan Square with three enormous, impressive, artistically decorated medrasas. Tashkent Street, where most of the souvenir shops are to be found, leads to what used to be the largest mosque in Central Asia – Bibi Khanum Mosque. Timur wanted to show his unlimited technical and financial possibilities by having the most beautiful mosque of the Oriental world built. After the visit you go on to a colourful bazaar - from museums to Oriental reality. Pyramids of nuts, almonds, pistachios, dried apricots, raisins and all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables are piled up on the market stands. The exotic aromas of spices and herbs will invade your senses. Hatmakers and shoemakers call out their services. This is a market as colourful and fascinating as life itself. In the evening you visit a Uzbek family and learn how to prepare the national dish Plov, which you try afterwards. Then there will be a live concert from the Music Festival "Sharq Taronalari" on Registan Square.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Ideal in Samarkand

Ancient Samarkand still marks the splendour of ancient times! In the Middle Ages, the town was considered to be one of the most beautiful and important towns in the world. Today you visit the Shakhi Zinda Complex, a wonderful complex of various mausoleums covered in majolica and mosaic tiles in Timur style. You will have time to explore and enjoy the town on your own. At 17:00h transfer to the train station. At 18:00h departure with the fast train “Afrosiyob” to Tashkent (300 km). Arrival at 20:08h. Dinner in a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel. One overnight stay in Tashkent.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Ideal in Samarkand

After an early breakfast, drive to Tashkent Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast