SUFI UZBEKISTAN
Holy places Islamic pilgrimage tour of Uzbekistan
Country: | Uzbekistan | |
Tour duration: | 9 days/ 8 nights | |
Itinerary: | Tashkent - Samarkand - Gijduvan - Bukhara - Tashkent |
The Sufi shrines tour of Uzbekistan features monuments and places of pilgrimage of global importance. We will visit the town of Gijduvan – the birthplace of famous Sufi Abdulkhalik Gijduvani, whose religious and philosophical treatises formed the basis of the Sufi doctrine. Must-visits in Samarkand are the Rukhabad mausoleum containing the grave of Sheikh Burhaneddin Sagarji and the mosque and grave of Khoja Akhrar, a famous Sufi thinker and a spiritual mentor for medieval rulers. In Tashkent particularly interesting objects are the mausoleum of Kafal-al-Shashi, a great scholar and theologian, Zangiota cultic memorial complex and the mausoleum of Sheikh Zayniddin-bobo, the author of spiritual works for the Sufi order Sukhravardia.
Certainly, Bukhara, a holy city for Muslims from all over the world, will become the culmination of our Muslim pilgrimage tour. The Bukhara region was a place where Bahouddin Nakshbandi, the founder of the most important Sufi order, Nakshbandia, was born, lived and was buried. Local people believe that the holy person’s spirit protects that land. Praying at the grave and bowing to Bahouddin Nakshbandi is equal to a lesser pilgrimage to Mecca.
Pilgrims from many countries of the world come to Uzbekistan to find recovery and wisdom, visiting Islamic holy sites and touching shrines. Sufis say: ‘Search for wisdom, while you have strength, otherwise you can lose strength without ever gaining wisdom.’
Welcome to Uzbekistan!
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SERVICES & COST - FAQ
- USEFUL INFORMATION
ROUTE MAP
Tour program | ||
Day 1. | Arrival in Tashkent Meeting at Tashkent airport according to tourist's flight arrival time. Transfer to the hotel and check in after 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 2. | Tashkent
(sightseeing). Tashkent – Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing in Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square (XVI - XIX centuries), historic site and Islamic center of Tashkent, famous for the great Islamic relic kept in its territory, the Uthman Koran (VII c.), this manuscript is believed to be the world’s oldest Koran copy; Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum; the Mausoleum of Sheikh Hovendi at-Tahur; the Mausoleum of Sheykh Zayniddin-bobo, son of the founder of Suhrawardi Sufi order; Zangiota complex, a pilgrimage site. Evening train to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 3. | Samarkand
(sightseeing)
Breakfast at the hotel. 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; Rukhabad Mausoleum; Bibi-Khanym Mosque; architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda, an important Islamic holy site, where the shrine of Saint Kusam-ibn-Abbas, the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, is situated; Ulugbek Observatory. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 4. | Samarkand –Aksay village - Samarkand. (out-of-town sightseeing) Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of sightseeing in Samarkand: Khodja Akhrar Ensemble, who was the leader of Naqshbandi Sufi order. Transfer to Aksay village (Mirankul Mountains), visiting Hazrat-Daud cave, a popular pilgrimage site in Samarkand region. Return to Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 5. | Samarkand - Gijduvan
(40 km). (out-of-town sightseeing). Gijduvan - Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Bukhara. On the way, visiting the shrine of Imam al-Bukhari, who was one of the greatest saints and preachers of Sufism; the tomb of Saint Mahdumi Azam Dakhbedi, who was a Sufi and descendent of Khazret Ali. Transfer to Gijduvan. Visiting the shrine of Abdukhalik Gijduvani, great Sufi and scientist-theologian of Central Asia of the 12th century, the founder of Khojagon tariqah. After lunch – visiting a ceramic workshop where the famous Gijduvan ceramics are produced (in addition, a master class of pottery craft can be organized). Arrival in Bukhara, the Holy Land of 7 pirs. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 6. | Bukhara
(out-of-town sightseeing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Out-of-town sightseeing tour: visiting the graves of Sufi Saints – the tomb of Khoja Muhammad Orif Ar Revgari, known as Saint Khoja Arif Mohitobon, the 4-th disciple of Abdukhalik Gijduvani; the grave of Khoja Mahmud Anjir Fagnavi in Shafirkan (60 km from Bukhara); Khoja Ali Rometani Mausoleum (Rometan district of Bukhara region). Return to Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 7. | Bukhara
(out-of-town sightseeing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the tour of the Sufi shrines in Bukhara and surroundings: grave of Khoja Muhammad Boboi Samosi, follower of Khoja Ali Rometani; tomb of Saint Said Mir Kulol: Memorial complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandi, who was the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi order; Chor Bakr necropolis. Return to Bukhara. Visiting Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 8. | Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of sightseeing in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Samanids, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz Complex, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, Ulugbek Madrasah. Transfer to the railway station. Departure for Tashkent by train “Afrosiab” (15:52-19:40). Meeting at the railway station. Transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 9. | Tashkent
(Departure)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out of the hotel before 12:00. Free time without any transport services and excursions. Visiting bazaars and walking in the city center recommended. Transfer to the airport. The end of the program. Departure from Tashkent. |
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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;
- Sightseeing tours according to the program;
- Escort-guide during the entire tour;
- Entrance fees at museums and monuments according to the program;
- Economy class “Afrosiab” train tickets:
- Tashkent – Samarkand;
- Bukhara - Tashkent;
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport during the entire tour;
- Mineral water for each day of the tour.
- Memorable souvenirs.
The cost of the tour doesn’t include:
- International flights;
- Meals (excluding breakfast in hotels);
- Medical insurance.
Additional Services:
- Supplement for meals:
- Half board (lunch only) – 95 USD/ per person/ per tour;
- Full board – 220 USD/ per person/ per tour;
- Supplement for additional night on arrival/ departure in Tashkent:
- Single room – 45 USD/per room /per night (boutique hotel);
- Double room – 60 USD/per room /per night (boutique hotel);
- Single room – 130 USD/per room /per night (hotel 4*);
- Double room – 150 USD/per room /per night (hotel 4*).
Accomodation
Hotels 3* (boutique 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.
Hotels 4*. Very comfortable hotels providing excellent facilities and services.
The tour comes with the following accommodation:City | Hotels 3* (boutique hotels) | Hotels 4* |
Tashkent | Orient Inn Hotel 3* / Orient Grand Hotel 3* or similar |
Ramada Hotel 4* / Gloria Hotel 4* or similar |
Samarkand | Eurasia Hotel 3* / Zilol Baht Hotel 3* or similar |
Emirkhan 4* / Dilimah Hotel 4* or similar |
Bukhara | Kabir Hotel 3* / Kavsar Hotel 3* or similar |
Omar Khayam Hotel 3*+ / Asia Bukhara Hotel 4* or similar |
Transport.
During the tour the following types of transport will be used (depending on the number of people in a group):
Group | Vehicle |
Group of 1-2 persons | "Daewoo Lacetti" |
Group of 3-6 persons | "Hyundai Grand Starex" |
Group of 7-9 persons | "Toyota Hiace / "King Long" |
Group of 10-15 persons | "Mitsubishi Rosa" / "Eurise" |
Group of 16-45 persons | "Golden Dragon" |
Frequently Asked Questions
► Memo: Useful tips for tourists »»
► COVID-19: travel guide for Uzbekistan during the pandemic »»
Preparation for the tour and general information:
1.Why should I go to Uzbekistan?
2.When is it better to come to Uzbekistan?
3.Do I need to apply for insurance?
4.Do I need to get any vaccinations before my trip?
5.What is the time zone in Uzbekistan?
6.What language is spoken in Uzbekistan?
Visa, customs, documents:
7. Do I need a visa to Uzbekistan?
8. How much foreign currency is allowed to be imported into Uzbekistan? And exported?
9. How many alcoholic beverages can be imported?
10. What medicine should I bring with me? What are the rules for importing medicines?
11. Do I need to issue any important documents upon arrival?
12. What if I have a child with me?
Currency:
13. What currency is used in Uzbekistan?
14. Where can I change my currency? Are there any nuances?
16. Can I pay with a bank card or is it better to pay cash in Uzbekistan?
Organizational issues and transport:
17. Where does the program start from?
19. Who and where will meet us at the airport? When will we meet the guide?
20. What kind of transport will we use during the tour?
21. We have railway crossings on our tours, who will give us train tickets and when?
Group tour:
23. What if the group is not complete enough?
24. Can I take children with me on the group tour?
Weather, clothing and footwear:
27. What do I need to know about the weather and climate in Uzbekistan?
28. Are there strict rules regarding clothing?
29. What kind of clothes and shoes should I bring with me?
Nutrition and health:
30. What will we eat during the tour?
31. What dishes should I definitely try in Uzbekistan?
32. What about the water? Is it possible to drink tap water?
Culture and security:
34. Is it safe in your country?
35. Can I take photos/videos everywhere?
36. Are there any national peculiarities that I should be aware of?
37. How to behave in religious places? Tips for tourists: rules for visiting Muslim shrines.
Internet, mobile communication:
38. Is there internet in hotels?
39. Where and how can I buy a local SIM card to have mobile internet?
Shopping and souvenirs:
40. What is recommended to bring home from Uzbekistan?
Useful Information on Traveling in Uzbekistan
Photos of the tour:
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Our video gallery:
![]() Cuisine of Central Asia |
![]() Pilafs in Tashkent |
![]() Wine-Making in Uzbekistan |
![]() Uzbek Fruit and Vegetables |
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