You’ve read a lot about the East, about ancient eastern states - Sogdiana and Bactria, about the invasions of Alexander the Great in this region and now you’d like to see with your own eyes this ancient habitat of the Saka and Massagetean tribes and valiant Spitamenes, wouldn’t you? Our congratulations as now you’ve got such an opportunity! This tour called “Sogdiana - the Pearl of the East” offers you visiting the territory of the ancient Sogdiana land, where you’ll feel the atmosphere of the East and be able to have a look at the historical monuments of later periods and to get to know lifestyle and mindset of modern population composed of the descendants of the proud Sogdians.

The tour “Sogdiana - the Pearl of the East” will guide you across two Central Asian republics - Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - where two powerful states - Bactria and Sogdiana - were located in ancestry. The ruins of ancient fortresses of Merv, Khwarezm, Panjakent and Afrosiab are preserved till nowadays and remind of the bygone might of perished empires. Such ancient monuments as the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the Registan Square, and the Kalyan Minaret harmoniously blend and even amplify the colour of the modern eastern cities. You will feel a legendary babel of real oriental bazaars and discover the culture, original traditions and perpetual hospitality of the local nation. Well, let’s meet the ancestry!

Best time for the tour: all year round.

Itinerary:

Day 1.	Arrival to Tashkent. City-tour.
Day 2.	Tashkent - Samarkand. Samarkand tour.
Day 3.	Samarkand tour.
Day 4.	Samarkand - Nurata - Yurt camp.
Day 5.	Yurt camp - Aydarkul Lake - Bukhara.
Day 6.	Bukhara tour.
Day 7.	Bukhara tour.
Day 8.	Uzbek-Turkmen border - Mary.
Day 9.	Mary - Merv - Ashgabat.
Day 10.	Ashgabat tour.
Day 11.	Ashgabat - Tashauz - Khiva.
Day 12.	Khiva tour.
Day 13.	Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent.
Day 14.	Tashkent - Chimgan - Charvak - Tashkent.
Day 15.	Tashkent. Departure.

detailed tour program »»

The cost of the tour in USD for 1 person:
Group	2	3-4	5-6	7-9	10-15	SGL supplement
Hotels of 2-3*	1855	1705	1490	1425	1395	165
Hotels of 3-4*	2125	1970	1785	1705	1665	270

The cost tour includes:

•	Accommodation at the hotels on twin/double share with breakfast:
	City Hotels 2-3* Hotels 3-4* Tashkent Sairam Hotel 2*+ or similar Tashkent Palace 4* or similar Samarkand Malika Samarkand Classic 2* or similar Asia Samarkand 3*+ or similar Bukhara Minzifa Hotel 2* or similar Asia Bukhara 3*+ or similar Khiva Malika Khiva 2* or similar Asia Khiva 3*+ or similar Yurt camp Yurt camp Aydar Yurt camp Aydar Ashgabad Ak-Altyn 4* or similar Grand Turkmen 5* or similar Mary Margush Hotel 3* or similar Margush Hotel 3* or similar
•	Services of the driver with comfortable transport during the tour, including airport - hotel - airport transfers;
•	Full board in Yurt camp Aydar;
•	Camel-riding in Yurt camp Aydar;
•	The cost of air flight Urgench - Tashkent;
•	The cost of air flight Ashgabad - Tashauz;
•	The cost of air flight Mary - Ashgabat;
•	Sightseeing tour in each city;
•	Entry fees to the base monuments of each city;
•	Visa support.

The cost tour does not include:

•	International air fare;
•	Visa fee;
•	Medical insurance;
•	Photo and video shooting at museums and monuments.

Additional service:

•	Board:
	-	Half board - 130USD/per person/on all route;
	-	Full board - 255USD/per person/on all route;
•	Services of accompany guide - 565USD for tour.

Additional information:

Necessary documents.

In order to make this tour you need to get visas to the following countries:

•	Uzbekistan - double-entry.
•	Turkmenistan - single-entry.

The list of the documents necessary to apply for a visa may vary greatly depending on the country of your residence (e. g. the citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan (for the period of 60 days) and Kazakhstan can enter Uzbekistan without a visa, because Uzbekistan has bilateral agreements on visa-free travel with all CIS countries except Tajikistan and Turkmenistan). General guidelines on visa application process and the list of necessary documents can be found here. If you need more detailed information, please, contact our tour operators.

General recommendations:
- If possible all necessary documents to enter/exit all countries of the tour must be prepared before your arrival to the starting point of the tour;
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the supposed ending date of the tour.

Transport.

You are supposed to use the following types of transport en route:

Plane - 1 local air flight is expected during the tour (Urgench - Tashkent, Ashgabad - Tashauz, Mary - Ashgabat). Air ticket is included into the price of the tour.

Car/Minibus/Bus (depending on the size of the group) will be used in all other cases en route. This type of transportation is also included into the price of the tour.

Accommodation en route.

There are two supposed types of accommodation for this tour:

Hotels - we choose the most comfortably located and proven hotels to accommodate our travelers. Below you will find the list of the recommended hotels, however, due to seasonal conditions and group size the list is subject to change.

Yurts - upon arrival to Nurata you will have an overnight in the yurt camp, which is 8 km away from the Aydarkul Lake. There are all necessary facilities and electricity here. Accommodation and boarding in the camp are included into the price of the tour.

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Detailed itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival to Tashkent.
Well, you’ve landed in Tashkent International Airport. At last you are on the land of once great Sogdiana and are ready to start your adventures! But don’t hurry as any kind of haste is alien to the eastern culture built on the principles of meditation and thoughtfulness. For the beginning you will be met and accommodated at a hotel.

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, the fourth largest city in CIS with population of about 2,3 million people. It is necessary to mention that the city is conditionally divided in two parts - the Old and the New city. The names are self-explanatory: in the Old city you will find mausoleums, madrassas and an authentic oriental bazaar, whereas in the New one there are modern squares, parks, monuments and buildings.

You will start from the attractions of the Old city. The first to visit is the Madrasah of Barak Khan. This is a splendid monument of the XVI C located in the very heart of the Old city - in the Hast Imam Square. The madrasah is surrounded by ancient wattle and daub houses almost like they were in distant past. In the past the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Central Asia headed by the mufti was lodged in the madrasah building. In addition, there is a huge library of eastern manuscripts here, and the world-known Uthman Qur"an is kept here in a special room. This manuscript was written in the middle of the VII C and is the initial source of the sacred book of Islam - the Qur’an. It consists of 353 large-sized parchment pages, which were kept in the treasuries of caliphs for centuries (in Medina, Damascus and Baghdad). In Timur Lang’s time the Uthman Qur"an was brought from Baghdad to Uzbekistan and then (in the XIX C) it was taken to St.-Petersburg, where Russian scientists proved its authenticity. Later it came back to Central Asia via Ufa and now it is kept here.

Next is the Mausoleum of Yunus Khan. This monumental construction was built in the XV C in the honour of one of the Tashkent rulers. Nowadays, the entire block of the city is named after this medieval feudal lord - Yunus-Abad. The building is quite well-preserved.

The Mazar of Kafal-Al-Shashi (sacred Sufi tomb, XVI C) is an asymmetric domed mausoleum - khanaqah. Khanaqah is a monastery type dormitory consisting of cells for pilgrims. Single cell is known as a “khujdra”. The mausoleum was erected in the X C at the burial place of Kafal-Al-Shashi who was a famous missionary, a preacher of shafiitism and a Sufi poet. Later, after the mausoleum was reconstructed it has become a popular Muslim pilgrimage site.

Another jewel of Tashkent is the Madrasah of Kukeldash (XVI C). It is situated not far from the oriental bazaar Chor-Su and is one of 23 madrassas of old Tashkent. It was built under the direction of the minister of the Shaybanid sultans known as Kukeldash (which means “foster-brother” or a person who was breast-fed by that same woman who nursed the ruler). The uniqueness of the madrasah is in the fact that it is functioning. Many Muslim students live and study there nowadays.

And now let’s have a look at the New city! First of all you will head for the Museum of Applied Arts, where the roots of handicraft traditions of the Uzbek nation are traced back to the depth of centuries. This single museum fully exhibits the best samples of national crafts spread in different regions of Uzbekistan: for instance, there you can see knives from Chust, ceramics from Rishtan, satin from Margilan, costumes with golden embroidery from Bukhara and much more.

Not far from the museum there is the Independence Square, which is the main square of the country located in the centre of the city. All large-scale public holidays are celebrated here. Recently its design was expanded with an immense arch. In the evening it is illuminated from beneath by small lights fixed into the ground. Those lights fill the surroundings with a cosmic glow. Then we are supposed to have a pleasant fifteen-minute walk from the Independence Square to the Uzbek State Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Afterwards you’ll proceed to the Istiqlol Square, which is the second largest square of the city. It is also often used as a venue of the national holidays’ celebration. Here is also a concert hall, where concerts of both local and foreign stars are held.

We recommend you getting to all above-mentioned spots by underground. No traffic lights or jams! Moreover, it is the coolest transport in hot weather. «Tashkent underground is the most beautiful!!!» This phrase is frequently heard from both city guests and its dwellers. That’s true as each underground station is uniquely designed. If you look carefully, you’ll see how different are the station. However, you are not allowed to take pictures in the underground.

Well, the first day of your journey was quite saturated with the impressions, therefore, perfect ending to it will be a night spent in a cozy hotel room.

Day 2. Tashkent - Samarkand (330 km, 5-6 hrs.). Samarkand tour.
After breakfast at the hotel you will start towards Samarkand. Guess, you’ve heard much about this ancient city. This is a city-museum, a city that was a heart of the caravan trade. Amazingly, but Samarkand, which saw a lot, has managed to keep the spirit of the Asian Middle Ages. In 1220 Genghis Khan almost totally demolished the city. However, in another 150 year, during the rule of Timur Lang, Samarkand became a well-known capital of a vast empire. As for the trade, carpets weaved in Samarkand were highly valued.

There is the Hazrat-Khyzr Mosque on the hill at the city entrance. An impressive view of the ancient Necropolis Shah-i-Zinda, local bazaar and distant mountains opens from that hill. The Hazrat-Khyzr Mosque, which is quite an old construction, was totally demolished by the hordes of Genghis Khan as well as many other objects in Samarkand. However, it was reconstructed in the XIX C.

Overnight at a hotel in Samarkand.

Day 3. Samarkand.
This entire day will be devoted to Samarkand. Are you ready? Yeah? Then let’s go!

First of all you will see the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia - the Registan Square (XV - XVII C) situated in the centre of Samarkand. The word “Registan” means a “sandy spot”. The Registan emerged as the centre of trade and handicrafts at the crossing of six roads outstretched from the city gates. Right here, in the Registan, merchants coming with camelcades were selling their goods and purchasing local ones. The square is encircled with three majestic buildings: the Madrasah of Ulugh Bek (1417 - 1420), the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619 - 1636), and the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1647 - 1660).

In 1417 Ulugh Bek (the grandson of famous Timur Lang) started the construction of the madrasah bearing his name. In 1420 construction process was finished and the square became the centre of science. Initially, more than a hundred students were living and studying there, at the madrasah - the higher spiritual educational institution of that period.

In the XVIII C two more monumental buildings were erected in the Registan: the Sher-Dor and the Tilya-Kori Madrassas. They are remarkably large and luxuriously designed. The Sher-Dor Madrasah («Lions Gate») with the facade depicting fantastic catlike animals and chamois is a regular reflection of the Madrasah of Ulugh Bek. It was under construction for almost 17 years. Its construction was initiated by the ruler of Samarkand called Yalangtush Bakhodur. Ten year after the Sher-Dor had been finished he ordered to lay foundation of the Tilya-Kori Madrasah, which completes the ensemble from the north. The name of the madrasah is literally translated as “decorated with gold”. Except its main educative function this madrasah was also used as the main mosque of Samarkand. The Registan is still considered to be the central city square.

Next you are to see the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, which is the famous necropolis of the Timurids. The remains of the honored commander Timur Lang are still here. According to the legend disentombing of his remains is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the war is to be. How can it be true? Well, the fact is that after archeologists had tried to dig out his remains the Second World War started!

You can also visit the Rukhabad necropolis. As the legend states the hair of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad (XV C) is kept here. Furthermore, you can head for the Bibi-Khanym Mosque (XV C), which was built according to a special order by the best 200 architects from all over the Timur Lang’s empire, 500 workers and 95 Indian elephants. Another option is to see the Ulugh Beg Observatory (also the XV C), where you find a unique astronomic construction - a sextant.

You can also take a look at the architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda (XII - XV CC), which has got its name from the legend about the cousin of Mohammad the Prophet called Kusam ibn Abbas, who was buried here. The name of the ensemble literally means “King Alive”. The legend tells that Kusam ibn Abbas came to Samarkand together with the Arab conquerors in the VII C to preach Islam and was decapitated for his beliefs. However, he was such a strong believer that he managed to take his chopped head and went down to a deep well, where he is supposedly residing now. The remains of the Timur Lang’s courtiers also lie here in Shah-i-Zinda.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 4. Samarkand - Sarmysh - Nurata (218 km, 3-4 hrs.) - Yurt camp.
Today you will have another one adventure at the territory of ancient Sogdiana. After breakfast you will be transferred to the yurt camp in Kyzyl Kum desert, where you will be accommodated in a real yurt and even have opportunity to ride camels! You will be surprised with the presence of all conditions necessary for comfortable accommodation, which were carefully created in hot desert and are making your visit to this magic oasis so pleasant!

On your way to the camp you will explore the petroglyphs of Sarmysh gorge, which more than 3500 paintings of the Bronze Age are preserved. This gorge is the real museum and one of the world’s largest “stone picture galleries”. Next you will visit a well-known sanctuary “Nur” and discover a spring with sacred fish. After tasty dinner in Nurata you can ride a camel in a desert. This day will end with tasty supper, accompanied with singing of local akyn (folk singer).

Overnight at a yurt camp.

Day 5. Yurt camp - Bukhara (170 km, 2,5-3 hrs.).
Today you will have traditional Uzbek breakfast. After breakfast you’ll have a chance to see the famous Aydarkul Lake, make a camel ride, and a little later to enjoy a hot dinner cooked from freshly caught fish! But this is not the end of your adventures, as you are about to leave for famous Bukhara - the city, which is considered as one of the most sacred Muslim cities after Mecca! And not without a reason as more than 3000 Muslim relics were found here!

In 1997 Bukhara celebrated its 2500-th anniversary and was included into the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is rightfully considered as one of the main tourist destinations of Central Asia. Many times the city was captured and burnt down, but every time it was rising from ashes just like a Phoenix. Bukhara was known as a city with developed culture and trade, as early as in the X C, and in the XVI C it became known in Europe, again because of its commercial relations. In different periods of time such great persons of the East as Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna), Rudaki, Firdausi, Imam al Bukhari, Sadriddin Ayni, and Abdurauf Fitrat lived and worked here. All of them made their invaluable contribution into the world treasury of masterpieces.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 6. Bukhara.
Next morning in a cozy hotel will begin with... breakfast, of course! Then you will continue exploring Bukhara.

First, you will explore the Mausoleum of the Samanid (IX-Х CC), which is a pearl of Central Asian architecture. It is a family tomb of a local dynasty, which was founded by Ismail Samani. The mausoleum is unique in various respects. For instance, according to the canons of Islamic architecture the construction of the covered mausoleums was prohibited. However, all evidence shows that for the first time this rule was broken during the construction of this mausoleum. Furthermore, as historians of the architecture state, the building was erected according to the rules applied to the construction of Zoroastrian fire worship temples. Thus, it was built according to pre-Arab religious traditions, however, in the period of wide Islam dissemination in Central Asia. Therefore, the Mausoleum of the Samanid is considered as the building, which defined the trend of various cultures synthesis and assimilation. Later original architectural style of Central Asia has developed based on it.

Upon leaving the Park of the Samanids have a look at the Chashma-Ayub Mazar (or mausoleum) (XII C), which is translated as the “spring of Job”. This place is the best demonstration of the Silk Road impact onto the development of countries interconnected by this route, including even the remotest ones. Who could even think that here, in Central Asia, Christian legends about Biblical characters may appear? Nevertheless, the legend tells us that Job (Ayub) was wondering in this region in the time of drought. Locals, exhausted by thirst, were asking for water. Then the prophet stroke the ground with his stick and the next moment clear spring appeared there. It is still accessible for wonderers.

Today you will look at the most ancient fortress of Bukhara, the Ark citadel (approx. III C), which vividly fits into the local scenery and is an impressive reinforced fort, from which the city of Bukhara started long ago. Present-day appearance of the citadel correlates with the time of last restoration of the Ark gates by Shakh Murad Khan, known as the «sinless Amir». It is considered that in the time of the other governor called Nasrullah Khan and known as the «butcher Amir» for its cruelty, leather lash was hanging on one of the walls of the fortress being a symbol of his authoritarian power. As a matter of fact, the Ark citadel hosted the whole city including residential and administrative buildings, mosque, prison, treasury, residence of the Amir, etc.

The Po-i-Kalyan complex (XII-XVI CC) is the central one in Bukhara and is translated as the "Grand Foundation" meaning that it is the base of the famous Minaret Kalyan (the height of the minaret is 49 m, it was built in 1127), which is the highest tower in Bukhara. It is a miracle that the minaret is still there after numerous wars and invasions. For centuries it was used as a watchtower. Also it was known as the Tower of Death. Interestingly, the word “minaret” means in Arabic the “place where something is lighted”. Many legends relate to this majestic tower, however, you will find out all the secrets in place!

The Madrasah of Ulugh Bek (XV C) was built in Bukhara in 1417, just as in Samarkand. Ulugh Bek was a fair and well-educated ruler, who was always following high ideals of science and enlightenment. Noteworthy is his treatment of women. For example, the words carved on the doors of his madrasah in Bukhara are the following: «Aspiration for knowledge is duty of every Muslim man and woman». Another maxim from the same source states: «Let the doors of the God’s blessings be open for the people, who are literate and wise, every day». One can easily guess what a negative reaction was displayed by the clergy towards such a policy of the temporal power!

Next you will head to the Lyab-i Hauz (meaning “by the pond”) ensemble (XVI-XVII CC), which contains the Madrasah of Kukeldash (1568), and the Khanaqah and Madrasah of Nadir Divan-Beghi (1622). All constructions are grouped around the central pond, which survived the mass drainage of Bukhara ponds in the Soviet times (then it was kind of a practical requirement, as ponds were real disease-breeders among local folks). The pond"s history is the one, which deserves to be told. Long-long time ago there stood a house of an aged Jewish widow in the place of this pond. As Dmitry Page writes: «Divan-Beghi decided that this place was ideal for the pond by khanaqah. He asked the widow to sell her yard and mentioned an acceptable price. But the Jewess refused at any price. Then Divan-Beghi led her to the Amir, being confident that the latter would impel her to sell the house. But Imam-Quli Khan committed the case to the mufti board. Muslim jurists decided not to force the yard from Jewess, as Jews in their judgment should enjoy the same rights as Muslims. But a sly grandee laid an aryk (water ditch) to his new pond under the widow"s house… In a while, when water started to scour the base of her house, widow came to Divan-Beghi praying for his conscience. He answered that his offer was still valid and he would immediately pay her the cost of the house if only she agreed to sell it. The widow said she did not need any money. The only thing she asked for was an exchange of her house to an allotment with permission to build a synagogue there. Divan-Beghi accepted her alternative and handed the woman his allotment situated at the quarter, which is now called the «Jewish» one (Mahall-i Kukhma). Shortly, the first synagogue and great hauz (pond) were built in Bukhara.

Ancient Bukhara will tell you many other stories if you are simply able to perceive! But now, please, have a rest at the hotel.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 7. Bukhara.
Another unforgettable day in Bukhara will give you a possibility to dig deeper into a fascinating search of cultural intercepts of the East and West as you surely could not overestimate the impact of trade on cultural and historical evolution of any modern civilization.

Today you will make a ride to the country (it’s just a 15-20 minute ride from Bukhara), where you will see a summer residence of the Amir of Bukhara (XIX C) called «Sitora-i Mokh-i Khosa» («The Palace of the Moon and Stars»). The palace is an amazing combination of the European, Oriental and Russian architecture, because before the construction works were started Ahad Khan (the Amir of Bukhara at that time) had send a group of his architects to Yalta and St.-Petersburg for the experience exchange. Thus, he’d got what he’d got, however, the Orient benefited anyway – despite the fact that the style is mixed it is another one pearl, which both enriches the history of the region and makes people proud of it, when the palace is shown o tourists!

Also let’s take a look at the complex of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, which is sometimes treated as the Central Asian Mecca. Baha-ud-Din Naqshband was a mentor of Tamerlane and a powerful Sufi, who became the founder of the Sufi Order called Naqshbandia, which soon became one of the most famous orders. A noteworthy fact is that the order perfectly got on with the official Islam and encouraged its followers to work for the benefit of the entire society. Thus, in fact, it was based on a quite rational set of principles although it had also adsorbed various beliefs of the Sufis, Zoroastrians, and, as some sources state, even Buddhists! The complex includes many different buildings: mosques, a minaret, a mausoleum, and a khanaqah. However, one of the most remarkable is a burial vault of the Amirs, which is a maze made up of brick walls a bit higher than an average human height is. In a day time this place is reverent and peaceful. However, I guess, it is scary here at night because as you carefully step along the walls you suddenly realize that there are tombs inside and you’re not in an ordinary maze but in a real vault. Another legendary attraction in the territory of the complex is a dry mulberry trunk lying at the pond (hauz). As you touch it don’t forget to make a wish!

Upon coming back to Bukhara you can enjoy wondering around craftsmen shops, located in the building of former caravanserais. And also visit the golden and carpet bazaars in Bukhara even if you’re not going to buy anything. It is said here that “the appetite comes when you start eating”! The golden bazaar is unique among all other Oriental bazaars. The distinctive factor is the following - none of the sellers is going to bore you with the offers of their jewelry as it usually happens in other Oriental bazaars; they will wait with dignity for you to come yourself!

After dinner, having walked till the drop, you will spend another night in the hotel in Bukhara.

Day 8. Uzbek-Turkmen border - Mary.
Today you will be transferred to Mary (381 km, 5-6 hrs.). So, half a day on the road and you are there - in Turkmenistan! Your journey across this country will start from the city of Mary, which is the third largest city of the republic. It is located in a great oasis amidst Karakum desert, in the delta of Murgab. From your guide you will find out that the city was founded in 1884 as Russian military centre 30 kilometers away from ancient Merv (by the way, till 1937 Mary was called Merv). Nowadays this is a large centre of a wealthy cotton-growing region, a large transportation centre and major centre of gas industry, which is the main source of income of Turkmenistan. Many legends and secrets will be told to you by the pieces of the archaeological exhibit of the Turkmen Museum of History. In addition, you will see many samples of Turkmen carpets, national costumes, silverware and finely embroidered garments of various local tribes, which provides visitors the insight into culture, lifestyle and versatile past of this great country.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 9. Mary - Merv - Ashgabat.
Today you will have an amazing tour to ancient Merv. And here you will discover the entire ancient world, reaching us from the depth of centuries, which has retained a lot of historical landmarks. In ancient times this city was considered to be one of the most precious pearls of the Orient, which was shining against the background of the great empires of ancient dynasties for five centuries, permanently being either their capital or the biggest and the most favourite city of the shakhs. From its foundation and till its destruction by the Mughals, decade over decade, it was growing, developing and getting better due to its skilled craftsmen and careful inhabitants. Nowadays, Merv is considered the spiritual centre of pilgrims as it has retained sacred memorials built by the long gone generations.

At the territory of this astonishing historical memorial, the area of which is 60 square kilometers, you will be lucky to see the mausoleums of Sultan Ahmad Sanjar, and the ruins of palaces dated back to the rule of the Achaemenid, the Parthian, and the Seljuk dynasties.

As you explore rich heritage of Merv you will be transferred to Ashgabat.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 10. Ashgabat.
After breakfast in the hotel, we will bravely proceed to the tour around Ashgabat. The excursion will include visits to the Independence Park and the Arch of Neutrality, the Museum of History and Ethnography, an archeological site called «Old Nisa», the “Sacred Mosque of Turkmenbashi”, and the «Aertogrul Ghazi» mosque.

In general, the most notable of the mentioned memorials is «Old Nisa». As a matter of fact, Nisa is an ancient settlement situated 18 kilometers away from present-day Ashgabat, which is dated back to 1000 BC - 1000 AD. In its time Old Nisa was an imperial residence in Parthia, while the new one was a capital of the Parthian Kingdom. At the time of Parthia existence Old Nisa was called in the honour of the king Mithridates I, who ordered to build the city. At that time Nisa was the capital of the empire, but later the location of the capital was changed, it was transferred to Asia Minor. When the Sassanid came to power, Nisa absolutely lost its influence; the city was ransacked and forgotten. New period of Nisa’s history begins with its affiliation to the Arab Caliphate. The city recovered again but has never reached its past power. The start of the city"s degradation is dated back to the XVI C, and in the 20-s of the XIX C Nisa was already in ruins.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 11. Ashgabat - Tashauz - Khiva (70 km, 1,5 hrs.).
In the morning you will have a flight to Tashauz and visit its primary attraction - an ancient historical city called Konya-Urgench. It is situated 100 kilometers away from Tashauz. Ancient Konya-Urgench is a colorful picture of achievements in architecture and crafts, which were made by the ancient civilization of Khwarezmshakhs. At present, it is not only a well-known tourist centre, but also a significant object of Muslim pilgrimage. Since 1999, the joint project of UNDP and the government of Turkmenistan called «Development of cultural environment of Konya-Urgench» has been carried out here. While in the city, you will also visit such memorials as the mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekish, Il Arslan, and the Minaret of Tamerlane.

After the tour you will be transferred to Khiva.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 12. Khiva.
This day you are going to make a fascinating excursion to another one «coeval of antiquity». This «open-air museum», as it is referred to worldwide, has more than a 2500-year history! There are lots of things to be marveled at here!

You won’t find modern skyscrapers, wide highways and busy traffic in this city. It seems that even time has stopped here in a hope to preserve everything that was created by the great architects of the East on this amazing land over centuries.

But let’s come back to the open-air museum called Itchan Kala! The legend says that the city was founded around an old well called Kheyvak, which had been dug out by the order of Sim, the son of biblical Noah. Thus, over time the word “Kheyvak” transformed into “Khiva” became the name of the city. By the way, you can see that same well inside Itchan Kala today!

But this is not everything! Pay attention to the Kunya-Ark citadel (XVII C), the complex of Pahlavan Mahmud (XVII-XIX CC), which was built in the honour of a famous Khiva poet and powerful man, who was canonized after his death. Also you can visit the Minaret of Islam-Khoja(1908), which is a symbol of Khiva. Another attractions to visit are the Palace of Tash-Kauli (XVIII-XIX CC), the Djuma Mosque (X-XVIII CC), the Minaret and Madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan (1831-1855), which is occupied by a tourist agency, an exchange office, air tickets retailing office and a cafe. Afterwards, you can climb the fortress of Akshish-Bobo, from where you can overview the whole city. Next we advise you to visit bazaar, where you can find luxurious Khiva carpets, syuzane (embroidery), national robes and skullcaps embroidered with gold.

Day 13. Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent.
Today you are to fly back to hospitable Tashkent; however, on the way to the airport of Urgench you will have an opportunity to walk in the mazes left from ancient settlements of Khwarezmia called Toprak Kala, Ayaz Kala and Kavat Kala. Here you will see the ruins of once great walls, branches and bays, the remains of hand-made irrigation systems and tumbled down but still impressive defensive walls of the bygone cities. One of them - Toprak Kala - is about 2000 years old.

Having enjoyed the ancestry of this earthwork construction you will continue to Urgench and further to Tashkent, which will be glad to greet you once again! In Tashkent you will be accommodated at the hotel where you will spend the upcoming night.

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 here 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 Mountains, according to your wish, 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, at your will, you may go down to the Charvak water reserve - a blue carbuncle 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 short, 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.
This is where our long journey across Uzbekistan has come to its logical ending. We tried not to miss anything important over this short period of time. Without any doubt, more surprising things could have been found, if you had more time, and ancient Sogdiana - this sparkling pearl of the East - would have showed you more. Nonetheless, surely you have seen all of the most valuable sites. Contrasting and colorful Sogdiana has opened her languishing soul of many faces and will be looking forward to your second visit!

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