Uzbekistan Tour: Fergana Valley + Khiva, Samarkand, Bukhara

Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan Tour: the Main Sights of the Silk Road Cities,
from Osh to Bukhara, via Fergana Valley

Countries:	Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
Itinerary (7 days/6 nights):	Osh – Rishtan – Kokand – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Tashkent
Itinerary (9 days/8 nights):	Osh – Rishtan – Kokand – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Urgench

Fergana Valley + Classical tour: Khiva, Samarkand, Bukhara

This guided group tour covers two countries – Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The itinerary begins in the city of Osh (Kyrgyzstan) and, on its way to the ancient Bukhara oasis (Uzbekistan), traverses the Fergana Valley and includes detailed observations of the most important historical cities.

Apart from green and fertile fields and orchards, the Fergana Valley is famous for its rich ancient crafts and history. We shall visit the region’s three most outstanding cities: Osh, Rishtan and Kokand. Osh is Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city with lively streets, a remarkable oriental bazaar and the sacred Sulayman-Too Mountain towering above the city centre. Rishtan is the main pottery of Uzbekistan. The unique blue-glaze ceramics produced there are incredibly beautiful and very specific to the place, which makes souvenirs from Rishtan highly popular among travellers. Ancient Kokand is a concentration of original architectural monuments built at the time of the powerful Khanate of Kokand.

The tour culminates in Samarkand and Bukhara – Uzbekistan’s two most famous cities, historical and cultural reserves boasting colossal architectural masterpieces of the Timurid time and earlier historical periods.

Moreover, a travel to Uzbekistan is always accompanied by the southern sun and warmed by hospitable people, while the famous Uzbek cuisine forms the most delicious background throughout the journey.

ITINERARY / SERVICES & COST
VISA
FAQ

Tour program
Day 1.	Arrival in Osh. Osh (sightseeing). Osh – Rishtan – Kokand (180 km, 5-6 h). Arrival in Osh early in the morning. Meeting at the airport. Breakfast in a cafe. Sightseeing in Osh: sacred Sulayman-Too mountain and museum in a cave. Transfer to the land border with Uzbekistan. Border formalities. Transfer to Rishtan. Visiting the Center of Ceramics, acquaintance with the masters and their crafts. Demonstration of ceramic pottery making process. Transfer to Kokand, the former capital of the Khanate of Kokand (18-19 cc.) Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2.	Kokand (sightseeing). Kokand – Tashkent (240 km, 4 h). Breakfast. Sightseeing in Kokand: Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Modari-Khan Mausoleum, Djami Mosque, Necropolis Sarymodor. Transfer to Tashkent via the Kamchik pass (2285 m) after lunch. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3.	Tashkent (sightseeing). Breakfast. Sightseeing in Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah, the oldest bazaar of Tashkent “Chorsu”. After lunch – continuation of the sightseeing: Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, walking in the center of Tashkent. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4.	Tashkent - Samarkand (330 km, 5 h). Samarkand (sightseeing). Breakfast. Transfer to Samarkand. Check-in at the hotel. After lunch – sightseeing in Samarkand: the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square (Madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah); Gur-e Amir Mausoleum – necropolis of the Timurids; the famous Siab bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5.	Samarkand (sightseeing). Samarkand - Bukhara (280 km, 4–5 h). Breakfast. Continuation of sightseeing in Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym Mosque; architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda; Ulugbek Observatory. Transfer to Bukhara after lunch. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6.	Bukhara (sightseeing). Breakfast. Sightseeing in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Samanids, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz Complex, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, Ulugbek Madrasah. After lunch – continuation of sightseeing in Bukhara: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Overnight at the hotel. ► *Option with departure from Tashkent (7-day route):* Bukhara – Tashkent (580 km, 4 h). Transfer to Tashkent by train “Afrosiab”. Meeting at the railway station, check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tashkent.

Day 7.	Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 7 h). Breakfast. Transfer to Khiva through the famous Kyzylkum desert along the Amu Darya River. Check-in at the hotel. Walking around the historical district – Itchan Kala (XVIII century) which is the walled inner town of the old Khiva oasis and State Museum-Reserve protected as a World Heritage Site. Overnight at the hotel. ► *Option with departure from Tashkent (7-day route):* Tashkent (departure). Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. The end of the tour program. Departure from Tashkent.

Day 8.	Khiva (sightseeing). Breakfast. Sightseeing in Khiva (Itchan-Kala): Pakhlavan Makhmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch – continuation of the sightseeing: Tash Khauli Palace, Alakuli Khan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Mukhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9.	Khiva – Urgench (departure). Breakfast. Transfer to the airport of Urgench city. The end of the tour program. Departure from Urgench.

The cost of the tour includes:

Meeting/seeing-off at airport according to tourist's flight arrival/departure time;
Accommodation at the hotels on twin/double sharing basis with breakfasts;
Guided sightseeing tours according to the program;
Comfortable air-conditioned transport during the entire tour;
Option for 7-day route: Railway transfer of Bukhara-Tashkent destination (high-speed train; ticket of economy class, seated places)
Mineral water for each day of the tour.
Memorable souvenirs.

The cost of the tour doesn’t include:

International flights;
Entrance fees at museums and monuments;
Meals;
Medical costs and insurance.

Additional Services:

Supplement for additional night on arrival or departure in Osh or Khiva:
- Single room – 45 USD/per room /per night;
- Double room – 55 USD/per room /per night.

Hotels.
We recommend accommodation in cozy hotels often decorated in a national style. It is completely unique: it combines modern comfort in every detail and a unique culture of hospitality in a chamber atmosphere with almost home cosiness. Hotels of this level are characterized by a warm welcoming, empathetic and friendly attitude by the staff and enable you to familiarize yourself with the national culture.

City	Hotel
Tashkent	Samir 3* / Orient Grand Hotel 3* or similar
Kokand	Silk Road Kokand Hotel 3* or similar
Samarkand	Arba 3* / Jahon Palace 3* or similar
Bukhara	Kabir Hotel 3* / Kavsar Hotel 3* or similar
Khiva	Arkanchi Hotel 3* / Shokh Jahon Hotel 3* or similar

Transport.
During the tour the following types of transport will be used (depending on the number of people in a group):

In Kyrgyzstan:

Group	Vehicle
Group of 1-2 persons	"Chevrolet Lacetti"
Group of 3-6 persons	"Hyundai Grand Starex"
Group of 7-9 persons	"Toyota Hiace" / "King Long"
Group of 10-15 persons	"Eurise"
Group of 16-45 persons	"Golden Dragon"

Visa to Uzbekistan:

Visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been established for citizens of countries below:

Azerbaijan
Armenia

Belarus
Georgia

Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan

Moldova
Russia

Ukraine

Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established for citizens of countries below:

Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile

Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland

Israel
Italy
Japan
The Republic of Korea
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Monaco
Mongolia

Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia

Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Turkey
Singapore
the Vatican
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

A great number of other countries can obtain an e-visa to Uzbekistan by simply visiting the governmental portal e-visa.gov.uz.

Frequently Asked Questions

1	Is it necessary to get a stay permit (temporary registration of stay) while visiting Uzbekistan? Any foreigner to Uzbekistan is to get a stay permit within 3 working days (consecutive or not) during his / her visit to the country. If he / she stays at an Uzbekistan hotel or a guesthouse, such a stay permit for the period of stay at it is granted automatically. (Inquire whether the hotel / guesthouse you want to stay at provides such a permit unless your accommodation is organized by a host tour operator. Also make sure you are given your stay permit certificate with the seal of your hotel / guesthouse when you check out.) If you stay at other lodging facilities during your visit, you will have to get your stay permit from a local visits registration police department.
2	What is Uzbekistan’s currency? Where can I exchange money? The national currency of Uzbekistan is the som (UZS). There are 100, 200, 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000 and 50.000-som banknotes used currently. The banknotes are similar in size but vary in color; they depict Uzbekistan’s cultural and heritage sites. You can exchange money at Uzbekistan’s National Bank outlets, most of the hotels and official currency exchange offices commonly located near bazaars and at shopping centers. You will need your passport to exchange money through them. Note that the most common foreign currency in Uzbekistan is US dollars. The US banknotes you exchange in the country should be in good condition - without defects, bad folds, worn areas and scribbles - or it will be hard to exchange them.
3	Can I use credit cards in Uzbekistan? You can use Visa and MasterCard cards mainly in Tashkent and at fewer locations in Samarkand and Bukhara for cash withdrawals through ATMs (cash machines) in their large hotels or banks. You can also make payments with these cards at some hotels, restaurants and stores in Tashkent. However, technical failures of the card handling equipment may occur, so it is advisable to always have enough cash on you.
4	What is the difference between GMT and Uzbekistan time? It is GMT plus 5 hours in Uzbekistan.
5	Can foreigners to Uzbekistan use the services of a local mobile network operator during their stays in the country? Yes, they can if they have a stay permit to show.
6	Can I bring alcoholic beverages into Uzbekistan? A person is permitted to bring a maximum of 2 liters of alcoholic drink(s) into the country.
7	What maximum amount of cash can I bring into Uzbekistan? There is no limit on the amount of cash in a currency that is foreign to Uzbekistan a person can bring into the country. If you bring in over 5,000 USD (or the equivalent in other currencies), you will be given a ТС-28 certificate. If you bring in over 10,000 USD, you will have to pay a 1% duty on this sum.
8	What maximum amount of cash can I take out of Uzbekistan? The amount of cash (in a currency foreign to Uzbekistan) you can take out of the country must not exceed the sum you brought in as per your arrival customs declaration. Taking out the amount exceeding the sum you brought in is possible if permitted by Uzbekistan’s Central Bank or another Uzbekistan’s authorized bank. Note that taking out Uzbekistan soms is not permitted unless they are several souvenir coins or banknotes.
9	Can I use a photo / video camera at the tourist sites? Photographing and videoing at the tourist sites is allowed unless a site has a prohibition sign. They charge fees for using cameras at most tourist attractions though. Photographing and videoing is prohibited in Tashkent metro, at the airports and railway stations. Using a camera at the functioning mosques is possible if allowed by the worshippers there.
10	What kind of clothes should I wear in Uzbekistan? Are there any clothing requirements for women in the country? Clothes made of cotton and other natural textiles will be the best choice in warm and hot weather. Both men and women will feel best in T-shirts and shorts. Your footwear must be comfortable, light and strong, since you will have to walk a lot. Have sunglasses, a light headwear and sunblock lotion. If you travel early in spring (March to the beginning of April) or at the end of autumn (October to November), it is advisable to take a windbreaker, a sweater or a similar garment. In winter the temperature may fall to minus 10°С or so, so a raincoat, a warm coat and headwear will be necessary. There are no strict limits on women’s clothing in the country. However, you should be considerate towards the local traditions, culture and religion. While visiting religious places women should wear loose garments covering most of their arms and legs, and of course the cleavage. Headscarves will also be advisable to put on. Note that you will have to take off your shoes while entering some of the sacred places.
11	What languages do people in Uzbekistan speak? The official language is Uzbek; it is spoken by a majority of the population. Russian is spoken by the country’s largest Slavic minority and is still used widely in business and as a lingua franca, especially in Tashkent and other major cities. Tajik is widespread in Samarkand and Bukhara for their large Tajik ethnic minorities. Karakalpak is spoken in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan where it is an official language besides Uzbek. English is popular as a foreign language to study but there is little chance of coming across a good English speaker in the street. However, in the historic cities of Bukhara and Samarkand many young souvenir sellers dealing with foreigners speak elementary English.

Useful Information on Traveling to Uzbekistan

Photos of the tour:

View all photos »»

Our video gallery:

Cuisine of Central Asia

Pilafs in Tashkent

Wine-Making in Uzbekistan

Uzbek Fruit and Vegetables

View all videos »»

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Heritage group tours:

Adventure group tours:

•	Oriental dastarkhan (Uzbekistan)
•	Classical Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan)
•	The Aral Sea and Oasis of Ancient Cities (Uzbekistan)
•	The Pearls Of Kyrgyzstan
•	New Year Holidays in an Oriental Fairy Tale (Uzbekistan)

•	Pamir resort (Kyrgyzstan)
•	M41 Road (Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan)
•	Three summits in the Pamirs (Kyrgyzstan)
•	Journey to Aksu and Sabakh peaks (Kyrgyzstan)
•	Lenin Peak expedition (Kyrgyzstan)

Other interesting tours:

Usefull links:

•	The Five Stans of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan)
•	The Great Silk Road tour (China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan)
•	The Disappearing Sea (Uzbekistan)
•	The Trip to the Country of Fires (Azerbaijan)
•	Treasure Chest with Oriental Adventures (Uzbekistan)
•	The Chimgan ring. Trekking (Uzbekistan)
•	Along the way of ancient caravans (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan)
•	A trip to the Baikonur cosmodrome(Kazakhstan)

•	Airline tickets
•	Visa to Uzbekistan
•	General Information on Uzbekistan
•	Hotels in Uzbekistan
•	Uzbekistan’s Tourist Attractions
•	Uzbek cuisine
•	Carpet Making in Uzbekistan
•	Suzani Tapestry Wish Message
•	Photo of Uzbekistan

info@centralasia-travel.com	- touroperators of city tours.
adventure@centralasia-travel.com	- touroperators of mountain programs and adventure types of tourism.
admin@centralasia-travel.com	- marketing and advertisement department.

The orient caravan