At a Glance:
Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. It was once an important stop on the Silk Road, and its cities are still home to some of the most impressive examples of Islamic architecture in the world. Tashkent, the capital city, is a modern metropolis with wide boulevards, Soviet-era buildings, and a bustling bazaar. The ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with stunning mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums that date back to the 9th century.
Uzbekistan is also known for its delicious cuisine, which blends influences from Russia, China, and the Middle East. Visitors can try traditional dishes like plov (rice pilaf with meat and vegetables), lagman (noodle soup), and shashlik (grilled meat). With friendly locals, affordable prices, and a rich cultural heritage, Uzbekistan is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, and food.
Highlight of the Tour:
• Visit Local markets of Tashkent including Chorsu Bazaar & the dome market from the Russian era.
• Participate in Block printing, ceramics and embroidery workshop
• Master class of cooking national dish “manty”
• Visit to famous Museums including:- Sanat – Art Museum, Khudayar Khan’s late 19th century Palace, Karakalpakistan Museum & Museum of Applied Arts.
• Explore silk processing factory.
• Visit the master potter Rustam Usmanov.
• Visit the abandoned city Itchan-kala – a cultural and religious center of the 19th century Sufism.
• Visit Kizil Kala Fortress, Toprak Kala fortress & Ayaz Kala.
• Visit - Lab-i-khauz ensemble - modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan, madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, see Madrassahs Aziz Khan and Ulugbek.
• Visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, Chashma Ayub.
• Visit Gijduvan – center of famous handmade ceramic.
A textile & archaeology journey of uzbekistan
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Day 1: 10 APR’24 [WED] DEPART LONDON
Depart from UK/US.
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Day 2: 11 APR’24 [THU] ARRIVE TASHKENT
Upon your arrival in Yogyakarta airport, you will be assisted by Aahilya Holiday’s Travel personnel who will transfer you to the hotel for check in.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 3: 12 APR’24 [FRI] TASHKENT
Breakfast is at your hotel.
After breakfast, visit to the Abdul Khasim and Khast Imam Barakhan Madrasa artisan workshops.We will meet artist’s expert in a wide variety of handicrafts.
Later we will explore the Uzbekistan National History Museum. Visit the workshop of famous family of ceramists in Uzbekistan.
Lunch will be at your own arrangement.After lunch, a visit to Sanat – Art Museum
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 4: 13 APR’24 [SAT] TASHKENT- MARGILAN – FERGANA VALLEY
Early morning check-out and drive to railway station to board your train to margilan.
Tashkent – Margilan train 06:00-11:43-Fergana valley
Arrive Margilan and visit Yodigarlik silk processing factory and SaidahmadHoja Ehsan Madrasa.Also participate in block printing workshop with the master craftsmen.Later drive to Fergana Valley [40 Kms: 1 Hr]
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 5: 14 APR’24 [SUN] FERGANA VALLET – RISHTAN - TASHKENT
After breakfast, drive to Rishtan (1 hr) and visit the master potter Rustam Usmanov
Post lunch, drive to Kokand (1 hr.) to visit Khudayar Khan’s late 19th century Palace,which is a museum now housing various artifacts.
Later we drive to Tashkent (3 – 3.5 hrs.)
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 6: 15 APR’24 [MON] TASHKENT- NUKUS FLIGHT
Today, we will fly to Nukus in the morning. We will have a short drive to the Karakalpakistan Museum around noon.Our lunch will be specially prepared for us in the museum hall by the ladies working in the museum.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 7: APR’24 [TUE] TRAVEL AROUND KARAKALPAKISTAN
Breakfast is at the Hotel.
Later drive to Chimbay village which is located between Nukus and Muynaq For centuries.
Main highlights
• Visit the abandoned city Itchan-kala – a cultural and religious center of the 19th century Sufism.
• Visit the place where yurts are made.
Learn about the process of making the Karakalpak yurts, the dwellings of nomadic people.
• Visit the carpetmakers’ house.
• Meet the artist/sculptor and his son who create the traditional jewelry.
• Taste the unusual and delicious Karakalpak cuisine.
• Learn the intricacies of the Karakalpak etiquette.
Later, drive back to Nukus.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 8: 17 APR’24 [WED] NUKUS – DESERT FORTRESSES – KHIVA
Breakfast is at your hotel.
Adrive to Khiva, visiting ruins of ancient fortresses enroute visit Kizil Kala Fortress.
We drive further and visit Toprak Kala fortress. Also visit Ayaz Kala which is considered to be one of the biggest forts in Karakalpakstan.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 9: 18 APR’24 [THU] KHIVA
Breakfast is at your hotel.
After breakfast, visit to the mausoleum of PakhlavanMakhmud and the Islam Khodja minaret and textile centre.
We will also see carpet weaving and the process of preparing. Later participate in master class of cooking national dish “manty” (steamed meat in dough).
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 10: 19 APR’24 [FRI] KHIVA - BUKHARA
After breakfast, we set out for Bukhara across the famous KyzylKum desert ("Red sands"). It will take around 6-7 hours drive by caren-route make photo stops to see the desert flora and fauna.
On arrival in Bukhara we will check in to your hotel.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 11: 20 APR’24 [SAT] BUKHARA
Breakfast is at hotel.
Full day exploring fabulous Bukhara. We will visit to Lab-i-khauz ensemble - modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan, madrassah NadirkhonDevanbegi, Khanaga, MogakiAttari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque.
After lunch visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque.
Later participate in Suzani embroidery master class followed by dinner at master craftmenRakhmonToshev home.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 12: 21 APR’24 [SUN] BUKHARA – GIJDUVAN - SAMARKAND
Breakfast is at hotel.
Morning drive to Samarkand en route visit Gijduvan – the center of famous handmade ceramic, see the process of making this unique ceramic and local life of the small town.
Master class on ceramic items. Later, proceed to Samarkand [220 Kms: 3 Hrs]
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 13: 22 APR’24 [MON] SAMARKAND
Breakfast is at hotel.
Our entire day will be spent visiting the incomparable Registan Square. Later Sha-iZinda, the holiest site in Samarkand, is the imperial necropolis filled with mausoleums. We will visit Bibi-Khanum Mosque which is famous for the lectern which used to hold the Holy Koran of Caliph Osman, and stroll through the local market around it.
Visit to Valentina Romonenko workshop and see fashion parade, visit to art gallery and creative studio Assel and later visit carpet factory.
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Day 14: 23 APR’24 [TUE] SAMARKAND
Breakfast is at hotel.
Today we will go to embroiderer's house at the village Gus via Urgut to visit famous Urgut Sunday Market.
Later proceed to the village Gus which is 50 km away from Samarkand and 5 km from Urgut.Here we can acquaint with the master of suzane and his unique items and participate in fascinating master class on baking national bread.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 15: 24 APR’24 [WED] SAMARKAND – TASHKENT
After breakfast we will drive to Tashkent 4 hrs.
We will visit the Museum of Applied Arts.
Dinner & Overnight stay is at your hotel.
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Day 16: 25 APR’24 [THU] DEPART TASHKENT
Early in the morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight back home
Tour Cost
| Isha Sharma | The Textile & Archaeology Journey to Uzbekistan |
|---|---|
| DATE OF TRAVEL | 10 APR 2024 - 25 APR 2024 |
| Based on stay in a twin share Room | GBP 2450 per person |
| Based on stay in a Single Private Room | GBP 2850 per single |
*International flights are not included in the above cost.
