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Detailed tour description:
Day 8. Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand (300 km, 4,5-5 hrs.).
The road from Bukhara to Shakhrisabz goes through the desert again. Through the Central Asian desert, which is different from Egyptian, Mexican or any other desert in the world. That"s because it is a so-called permanent desert, which blossoms in spring and turns into a dried plain at the end of the summer. Here saxauls growing at the waysides relieve the monotony of the landscape for a bit. There are many towns as well as cotton fields, watermelon plantations and vineyards on the way. Thus, if you are there during cropping, you will be able to buy fruits gathered from the watermelon plantations and in the gardens right there at the wayside.
The foothills have appeared in the distance, so, it means that we are almost at the spot. «Shakhrisabz is a pearl of the Orient», - is sung in a famous Russian song. Well, and you are to decide if it is true! The city charms right away. The word “Shakhrisabz” means the «City of Green». You are lucky as you will be able to see the constructions dated back to the XV C just as they were then, as they have been preserved through ages. Are you ready to look at the most rare treasures of you casket? Let’s go then!
All architectural attractions of Shakhrisabz are related to Tamerlane and his family in one or another way, as this famous commander was born not far from here. Moreover, for a long time his residence was also here despite the fact that at that time nearby Samarkand was the capital city. Consequently, many constructions were erected by orders of Timur Lang. In particular, it was his summer palace Ak-Saray. Its construction was started in 1380 and continued 25 years! Unfortunately, only two pylons of the entrance portal are preserved. In the past they were connected with the arch, which was one of the largest in Central Asia (according to the calculations of the architects it was higher than a modern 20-storey, i.e. its height was about 70 meters). In fact, even these two pylons are quite impressive, even these remains allow us imagine the power and eminence of legendary Tamerlane.
Next you will proceed to the majestic Dor-ut Siodat complex (the “Adobe of the Power”). Now it is difficult to imagine those separated constructions in the centre of Shakhrisabz being related to each other, although they were. Those constructions are a high mausoleum with a conic dome and an underground vault, which is about 40 meters away. However, in the epoch of the Timurids they were making up a single ensemble. Timur started construction of the mausoleum in 1376 when his elder 20-year-old son Jahongir died. In 18 years the remains of his second son, Omar Sheikh, killed during a siege of a Kurd fortress, were also brought here. In the XX C during excavations of the mausoleum by chance a vault was discovered to the east from the mausoleum. Seems like it was built to rest the remains of the great commander himself. However, it happened to be that Timur’s remains found their resting place in his beloved Samarkand.
The last but not the least in historical terms pearl of Shakhrisabz is the complex of constructions, which were surrounded by wall in the past and composed the Dor-ut Tillavat Madrasah, Its name is translated as the “House of Meditation”. Here two persons important for Tamerlane are buried: his father Taragay and Kulial The Potter, who was a teacher of the Sufi Baha-ud-Din Naqshband. As you already know he founded the Dervish Order called Naqshbandia and was a personal mentor of Timur. In 1435 the Juma Mosque called Kok-Ghumbaz was built at the territory of the madrasah in addition to the existing mausoleums. “Kok-Ghumbaz” means an “Azure Dome”.
So, it’s time to say good-bye to Shakhrisabz and head for the beloved city of Tamerlane, the capital of his once great and mighty empire - Samarkand. Another 150 kilometers and here it is - the most precious treasure of your casket of Oriental adventures!
Upon arrival to Samarkand you are accommodated in a hotel where you can have some rest as tomorrow we will have quite long, but full of events, interesting day.
Day 9. Samarkand.
Well, Samarkand is another one ancient oasis, a famous pearl of Central Asian steppes and deserts! This ancient city was one of the main points of the Great Silk Road, city-museum, which has retained the unique spirit of the Middle Ages just like Khiva and Bukhara.
So, after breakfast in the hotel we go out to the streets of this dream city and move towards… Certainly, we will go towards the central city square called Registan! At first Registan (translated as a “sandy place”) functioned as the centre of trade and crafts. In other words, it was an ordinary bazaar, which spontaneously appeared at the crossing of six roads leading from the city gates. This place of public gatherings was not only a bazaar, but also served as the central square where Amir’s decrees were announced and public holidays celebrated, even demonstrative public executions were performed here in the past. It is thought that Registan sand was red because it adsorbed the blood of numerous convicts. However, in 1875 the square was cobbled with baked bricks and stones, which are still there now.
The Registan is encircled with the majestic buildings from three sides, which are dated back to different centuries. Those buildings are famous Muslim educational institutions: the Madrasah of Ulugh Bek (1417-1420), the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619-1636), and the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1647-1660).
Next you are to see the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, which is the famous necropolis of Tamerlane. Do you remember his empty vault in Shakhrisabz? See, it happens all the time: as soon as someone the great dies, his last will is suddenly forgotten! So, Tamerlane was buried in Samarkand. In fact the entire complex is not preserved, but the central building is still there and it attracts a lot of tourists. We enter the mausoleum with respect and there is a black tomb of Timur inside. It is nephrite. It is empty. Well, this is a so-called cenotaph and a real tomb is in the basement. By the way, the tomb of the great lame is a bit “injured”: it is told that during the raid on Samarkand one Turkish shakh filched this “object of greatness” and transported it to his home country. But Timur despite being a happy dweller of the better world was a bit “against” - after the disappearance of the tombstone a large earthquake happened in Turkey! Then the ill-starred shakh returned the tombstone onto its place, however, it seems that it was damaged somewhere on the way. That’s why it is all chapped now.
Another treasure waiting to be discovered by you today is the Mosque of Bibi-Khanym. It was also built during the reign of Amir Timur and this is the only fact about it, which doesn’t give rise to doubts. Other than that there are many contradictory legends about this cathedral mosque, so, it is not clear where the truth is. One of the least known legends was published far back in 1875 in a local newspaper “Turkestanskie Vedomosti” (“Turkestan News”). Later (thanks to Maksim Isaev) it got to the Internet. This story tells that Bibi-Khanym, Amir Timur’s beloved wife, in the name of whom the mosque was built, was not Asian. She was Russian and, as it is said she was a quite superstitious person. Once a “God’s fool” told her that she would die from a bite of a venomous centipede - phalanx. The queen was quite worried and told her husband about the prophecy. So, in order to calm his wife down, Amir Timur decided to create a nice building for her. It is said that after the building was finished, Bibi-Khanym was quite happy with this great construction.
The Shah-i Zinda complex located in the southern part of an ancient settlement Afrosiab is also of a great historical value (and hence, of interest for us). Shah-i Zinda (it literally means “King Alive”) is a necropolis, which appeared around the supposed grave of a Muslim Saint Kusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of Muhammad the Prophet. In addition you will take a look at such famous historical attractions as the Observatory of Ulugh Bek, the Mausoleum of Khodja Doniyor, the Hazrat-Khyzr Mosque, and Ishratkhona.
And you will certainly like to have a rest at a hotel after the long tour you’ve made today.
Day 10. Samarkand - Urgut (50 km, 1 hrs.) - Samarkand.
Today we will have a ride to a small town called Urgut, where there is one of the main attractions of Samarkand region - large oriental bazaar. One can purchase both antiques and modern craft works here. Main working days of the bazaar are Saturday and Sunday. These days one can buy carpets, hand-made embroidery (syuzane), leather shoes, jewelry, various artworks made of metal, ceramics, wooden trunks and lots more. There are many spots right at the territory of the bazaar where such dishes of local cuisine as palaw and oriental dumplings (or manty) are prepared. Blacksmith shops, tin-smitheries and local costume shops are located close to the bazaar.
So today, as you’ve walked a lot, visited the bazaar, purchased souvenirs, taken a lot of colorful pictures, had a substantial dinner and probably got tired you will spend another night at the hotel in Samarkand.
Day 11. Samarkand - Tashkent (330 km, 5-6 hrs.).
Today in the morning you will be transferred to Tashkent where you feel once again unique and warm atmosphere of this capital city. However, today you will look at this city from another perspective!
You will visit the famous State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Alisher Navoi also known as the Big Academic Theatre, which you saw only from the outside last time. It is considered to be the largest one in South-East Asia!
Besides, today you will be able to walk around the Amir Timur Square, which is the city centre, and to have a look at the monument erected in his (Tamerlane’s) honor, which is in fact a zero kilometer of the country. And just across the road there is the Museum of the Timurids History - a cylindrical construction in the centre of Tashkent, which is a real masterpiece of modern architecture! Taking into account numerous discussions related to the mysterious personality of this eminent Central Asian conqueror you may be interested to see the museum exhibition, which is still amending, and try to solve a riddle of Timur the Great.
Overnight in Tashkent. Tomorrow you will head for the legendary Ferghana valley to continue discovering the treasures of your casket of oriental adventures!
Day 12. Tashkent - Kokand - Rishtan - Ferghana (330 km, 5-6 hrs.).
Well, today you will see the legendary Ferghana Valley with your own eyes! In the past due to its fertile lands it was called even a “gold valley”! The most amazing about Ferghana valley is that besides the fact that almost all architectural complexes of the region are appearing in their primordial state, its inhabitants have managed to keep traditions of the past - it is true for their cuisine, hand-made silk manufacturing and almost all cultural aspects of life, including their lifestyles.
Firstly, you will visit an ancient oasis of the Ferghana valley - the city of Kokand. This city won’t leave you indifferent as not long ago (at the end of the XIX - the beginning of the XX C) Kokand was the second largest city of the Ferghana Valley! Kokand is known since the X C, however, its age of prosperity was the XVIII C when it became the centre of the Khanate of Kokand and a religious centre of the region.
The so-called «Urda» or the Palace of Khudayar Khan, who was the last ruler of Kokand, is quite well-preserved. Moreover, it was restored a little in 2009 году. The palace consisted of 7 buildings and 119 rooms once. That time the entire territory of “Urda” was encircled by the inner and outer fences. Unfortunately, the fences were completely destroyed, and only two courtyards and 19 rooms have been preserved.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting is the cemetery of the khans of Kokand as it is the attraction composed of numerous attractions! Here you will discover the necropolis of Umar Khan called Dakhma-i-Shakhon (1825 год), which decorative patterns remind the patterns of the Bolo-Hauz mosque in Bukhara. Next you will see the Mausoleum of Modari Khan, where you find out a life story of a poetess Nadira executed by order of the Amir of Bukhara and it will make you sad. This necropolis was built in the memory of hers! Then we’ll see the Juma mosque (1800 год), where Friday prayers were usually conducted. This mosque is also famous with its roof-supporting pillars made of a solid nettle tree. Also we will be able to see the Amir (XVIII C) and Norbutabi (1799) madrassas. Nowadays the Juma Mosque is hosted in the building of the latter.
Interesting, isn’t it? There’s even more to follow. Today you will have another one pleasant acquaintance. We arrive at Rishtan city, which is known all around Uzbekistan and abroad for its factory and hand-made ceramics. The pottery exists here for more than a thousand years! There were times, when all the men in the city were potters. But even nowadays, you won’t confuse the unique and full of oriental charm fine lacy Rishtan ceramics and paintings of all colors of blue with no other.
In the evening, having arrived to Ferghana, you can have a rest in the hotel room.
Day 13. Ferghana - Margilan - Ferghana. Evening flight Ferghana - Tashkent (HY1416 21:45/22:30).
Today you will have an opportunity to see the Ferghana valley closer! Ferghana is quite a young city, which was founded in 1876 thanks to the general Skobelev. Noteworthy that once the city was called New Margilan. Besides, Ferghana is only 12 km away from Old Margilan! Most likely that the cities will merge over time due to the population growth and new buildings’ construction in the valley. However, now they are still regarded as separate cities.
So, let’s start our journey to Margilan, whose origin is being associated with the Great Silk Road, which undoubtedly you heard a lot about. In X C Margilan was widely known for its silk ware, and its fame spread over long distances to the East and the West. You will have a chance to see these unique items, during the excursion to the “Yodgorlik” silk factory. Certainly, in the past silk, khan-atlas, bekasam, and other oriental cloths were hand-made, but still you can find out many interesting facts at the factory. Besides, while in Margilan you will visit the oriental Bazaar, where you can also buy some Margilan silk and many other interesting things.
At the end of the XV - the beginning of the XVI C Margilan was also famous due to the following circumstance: one of Timur Lang"s grandsons - sultan Babur - was born and raised here. He became a ruler of Ferghana and later founded the Mughal Empire in India. In addition, he was the founder of his own dynasty - the Baburid (note that different sources also refer to it as the Timurids or the Mughal dynasty) - who were ruling till the middle of the XIX C. You will surely have a lot of pleasant memories of this city as being the travelers’ shelter for ages it is still full of verdure! The architectural complex Kaftarlik (XVIII C) will make you believe that you decision to come here was not a mistake as you are about to see the mosque with the unique paintings and mysterious minarets.
Having reached Ferghana, you will have an opportunity to relax in the hotel room.
Day 14. Tashkent - Chimgan - Charvak - Tashkent.
Today you will have a ride to the Chimgan Mountains famous around entire Central Asia.
Chimgan (The Western Tyan-Shan Mountains) provides various possibilities for active rest in any season. Chimgan attracts different people - tourists, alpinists, rock climbers, botanists, ornithologists, archaeologists, paleontologists - and all of them get a great blast of energy, cheerfulness and inspiration from generous nature. Wide biodiversity allows developing “landscape” tourism too. Mountains (the peaks of Maliy and Bolshoi Chimgan), plains, the waterfalls of Gulkam and Novotash attract many mountaineers both from Uzbekistan and from abroad.
In Chimgan you can choose from a range of activities: you can ride a horse, rent skis, sledges or try an off-highway vehicle, or enjoy the height and beauty of the mountains from the funicular.
Besides, according to your wish you may go down to the Charvak water reserve - the gem of the Chimgan, which merrily sparkles under the bright Uzbek sun. Nowadays this is a water reserve with crystal pure water, where thousands of tourists come to enjoy the nature of this amazingly beautiful land and local mountains, to fish, swim and sunbathe, to try catamarans, boats or scooters. In general, all kinds of active summer rest are guaranteed here. You will have a short excursion at the territory of Charvak. After that you will proceed to Tashkent.
Overnight at a hotel in Tashkent.
Day 15. Tashkent. Departure.
The final day of your journey has started. It is strange, but it seems that the treasures of your casket of oriental adventures are inexhaustible and never cease to charm! Guess, on the whole, apart from numerous attractions left behind the scene, Uzbekistan has already amazed you, hasn’t it? We hope that it amazed you not only by its ancient mausoleums, palaces and fortresses, but by the lifestyles of its people and their non-material culture.
We’ll have to say good-bye to each other soon… Mysterious Tashkent cheerfully smiles at you for the last time! It’s time to go the airport. And don’t forget your casket of oriental adventure or you’ll certainly miss it! We are looking forward to your future visit!
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