Treasure Chest with Oriental Adventures

Overall Heritage Tour to Uzbekistan

 

Countries: Uzbekistan
Tour duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Best time to travel: April - October
Itinerary: Tashkent - Nukus - Muynak - Nukus - Mizdakhan Necropolis - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand -
- Tashkent - Chimgan mountains - Tashkent

Uzbekistan Tour: Treasure Chest with Oriental Adventures

During this tour of Uzbekistan you will travel the most picturesque roads and see the grandiose architectural heritage of the antique and medieval periods and wonderful corners amidst primeval nature, learn the history of ancient Uzbek traditions and crafts, eat ripest fruits just gathered by industrious Uzbek farmers and enter the world of a most delicious Uzbek cuisine!

The treasure chest full of brilliant pearls of Central Asia will reveal its secrets to a curious traveller. The pearls are scattered all over Uzbekistan: the ancient cities of Samarkand (also spelled Samarqand), Bukhara (Uzbek: Bukhoro or Buxoro; also spelled Buchara, Bokhara, Buhara) and Khiva glitter with the mosaics of medieval domes and the majesty of tall minarets, the Fergana Valley plays with the iridescent khan-atlas satin, the Chimgan Mountains shine with its main gem, the azure Charvak Reservoir, while the lands of ancient Khwarezm (also spelled Khwarezmia, Khwarizm, Khwarazm, Khwarezm, Khorezm, Khorasam, Harezm, Horezm, and Chorezm) surprise the visitor with the ruins of unique antique fortresses. To gather all the pearls and to string them on a single long thread comprising the itinerary of the trip is what we have attempted to do in this tour.

Two persons who have taken the same route may get absolutely different impressions. This is the magic of the treasure chest, as every traveller finds their own one. Would you like to learn which impressions you will get from YOUR treasure chest of oriental adventures?

  • Itinerary
    Services & Cost

  • Visa to Uzbekistan

  • FAQ
  • Useful Information
    Route Map

 

Itinerary
Day 1. Tashkent, arrival.
Arrival in Tashkent early in the morning. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and rest. After breakfast start of the guided sightseeing tour around Tashkent. Visit the following sites: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah, Tashkent oldest bazaar Chorsu; after lunch: Independence Square, Minor White mosque. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Tashkent - Nukus (morning flight) - Muynak - Nukus (road transfer, 400 km).
After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Nukus. On arrival meet the local guide for making a day trip to Muynak. Visiting monument to the victims of the Second World War (now a monument to the Aral Sea), which is the highest point of the town of Muynak providing a wonderful panorama of the town and the bottom of the former sea. Lunch in traditional guest house of Muynak. Visiting famous “Cemetery of Ships” in Muynak. Next visiting a museum at the House of Culture in Muynak, where you can familiarise yourselves with the works of artists F. Madgazin and R. Matevosyan, who used to depict the Aral Sea and the Amudarya River. Transfer back to Nukus. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight.
Day 3. Nukus - Mizdakhan Necropolis - Khiva (road transfer, 200 km).
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit famous Savitskiy Museum and the great art collection there. Further participation in a guided tour around Mizdahkan Necropolis, located in 20 km from Nukus and visit the following archeological object there: Khalif Eredjep, Djumart Kasaart Hill, Mazlum-Khan Mausoleum, Shamun Nabi. After lunch transfer to Khiva. Accommodation at the hotel and rest.
Day 4. Khiva.
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Khiva. Visit the following sites of Ichan-Kala ‘inner city’ historic old city: Pakhlavan Mahmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Khoja Minaret and Madrasah, Tash Khauli-Khan Palace, Juma Mosque, Mohammad Amin-Khan Madrasah, Avesta Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5. Khiva - Bukhara (440 km, 6-7 hrs).
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer across Kyzyl-Kum Desert along Amu-Darya River to Bukhara. Lunch en route. Arrival in Bukhara. Leisure time: souvenir shops recommended. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6. Bukhara.
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Bukhara: Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Complex, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Kalyan Minaret, Ulugbek Madrasah; after lunch: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Beghi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Overnight at the hotel. 
Day 7. Bukhara - Samarkand (road transfer, 280 km).
After breakfast transfer to Samarkand which will take around 5 hours. On arrival - start of the guided sightseeing tour in Samarkand. Visit the main pride of the city - Registan Square, most famous square in Central Asia (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilla-Qori Madrasah); and Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Tamerlane’s final resting place. Accommodation at the hotel in Samarkand and overnight.
Day 8. Samarkand - Tashkent (evening railway transfer).
Continuation of the sightseeing tour in Samarkand. Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shakh-i-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory. After lunch visit Afrosiab museum and settlement. Further transfer to the railway station and transfer to Tashkent by the evening train. Accommodation at the hotel of Tashkent on arrival and rest.
Day 9. Tashkent - Chimgan mountains - Tashkent (road transfer, 100 km).
Hiking in the mounts - to Gulkam gorge and Yangikurgan region (9 km, 6 hours).
After early breakfast transfer to the mountain region for participation in hiking in the mountain of Chimgan, located in around 100 km from Tashkent. *Note: those tourists, who are not interested in trekking will be offered to visit Chimgan mountain with relaxing purpose - you will have a slight walk and ride the local cable car. Start of the trekking tour. Ascent to Pesochniy Pass (1832m) with further move to and along Gulkamsay river. Hike up the north-western slopes of the peak Bolshoy Chimgan to the spring “Vodoprovod” (1650m). Lunch-picnic at the spring. After lunch rise to the north-western spur of the summit of Bolshoy Chimgan over the river Mazarsai; and descent to the transport vehicle that will expect the travellers near the water intake of Marazsai River. Transfer back to Tashkent. Overnight.
Day 10. Tashkent.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Cost includes:

  • Accommodation at the hotels mentioned, or in similar, but of the same category with breakfasts, including early check-in on arrival after 06:00. Check-in/out of other hotels is at 14:00/12:00;
  • Meals - breakfasts at the hotels and lunch-box for picnic in Chimgan mounts;
  • Guided sightseeing tours according to the program;
  • Services of English-speaking local guides in cities in Uzbekistan for city tours only (from 6 persons - accompanying guide will be provided);
  • Services of English-speaking mountain guide for day 9;
  • Comfortable air-conditioned means of transportation throughout the tour, including ‘airport-hotel-airport” transfers;
  • Local flight of Tashkent-Nukus destination (ticket of economy class);
  • Railway transfer of Samarkand-Tashkent destination (ticket of economy class);
  • Bottle of mineral water per day/per person.

Cost does not include:

  • International airfares;
  • Travel health insurance;
  • Uzbekistan visa invitation and visa fees;
  • Photo and video shooting charges at museums and monuments;

Additional Services:

  • Uzbekistan visa invitation - 45 USD/per person;
  • Entrance fees to the monuments and museums, listed in the tour program - 80 USD/per person (for the whole tour);
  • Supplement for accompanying English speaking guide in Uzbekistan is 495 USD/per group (for groups 2-4 persons);
  • Supplement for meals:
    • Half board (dinners) - 95 USD/per person/for the whole tour (optional);
    • Full board (lunches and dinners, except mentioned) - 175 USD/per person/for the whole tour (optional).

Hotels.
We choose the most conveniently located and reputable hotels for our customers to stay at. The list of the hotels we offer is below. However, due to seasonal conditions and group size this list is subject to change.
Standard - cozy private hotels, with traditional national interiors in many of them, providing all the necessary facilities for comfortable stays; notable for very warm hosting and home-like atmosphere.
Comfort - very comfortable hotels providing excellent facilities and services; mainly located in or near city centers.

This tour comes with the following accommodation:

City Standard Comfort
Tashkent Samir Hotel 3* or similar Ramada Hotel 4* or similar
Nukus Jipek Joli 2*+ or similar Jipek Joli 2*+ or similar
Bukhara Fatima Hotel 3* or similar Devon Begi Hotel 4* or similar
Khiva Zukhro Hotel 3* or similar Bek Khiva Hotel or similar
Samarkand City Hotel 3* or similar Grand Samarkand Hotel 4* or similar

Transportation.
On this route will be used the following type of transport (depending on the number of people in a group):

"Chevrolet Lacetti"
(up to 3 seats)

Chevrolet Lacetti

"Hyundai Grand Starex"
(up to 6 seats)

Hyundai Grand Starex

"Mitsubishi Rosa"
(up to 15 seats)

Mitsubishi Rosa
Air conditioner Audio system Safety belt Fold-back seats Lighting in saloon Air conditioner Audio system Safety belt Fold-back seats Lighting in saloon Air conditioner Audio system Safety belt Fold-back seats Lighting in saloon Fridge

 

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.

Read more about visa to Uzbekistan here »»

 

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.

Photos of the tour:

view all photos »»

Our video gallery:

Traditional cuisine of Central Asia
Cuisine of Central Asia
Tashkent Tourist Attractions
Tashkent Tourist Attractions
Uzbek fruit and vegetables
Uzbek fruit and vegetables
Lively Kyzylkum desert
Lively Kyzylkum desert

view all videos »»

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright owner.

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