DAY 2, Friday - Discover Tashkent
Welcome to Uzbekistan with its ancient cities accented by turquoise domes, desert landscape and towering minarets. Transfer to your hotel and check-in to the room that will be ready for early arrivals. Balance of the day is at leisure to rest and relax. This evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 5 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 3 PM
Overnight: Tashkent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Khast Imam Square, Visit Chorsu Bazaar
The cultural tour of Tashkent begins at Khast Imam Square, religious center of the city and home to many exquisite mosques, monuments and madrasas (centers of Islamic learning) dating back to the 15th century. View the blue-domed Barak-Khan Madrasa with its imposing gateway and visit Muyi Muborak Madrasa housing one of the oldest copies of the Koran dating from 644-648. Passing the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and Tillya Sheih Mosque, arrive at the bustling Chorsu Bazaar with its bright green dome and acres of spices, sweets, fresh-baked breads and crafts. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Museum of Applied Arts occupying a home with bright carvings and decorative ceramics. Next, drive by the Alisher Navoi Theater built in neoclassical style, the Forum Palace and Amir Temur Square once dominated by a huge statue of Karl Marx and view the massive Monument of Courage Earthquake Memorial. Ride the Tashkent metro before dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tashkent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Flight to Urgench, Toprak Kala, Ulli Khovli Complex
Rise very early this morning for your flight to Urgench. From here, travel to one of the most valuable monuments of Ancient Khorezm, Toprak Kala or "Earth City," located on the edge of the Kyzylkum Desert. Visit this ancient settlement which was once the capital of Khorezm. Continue the journey to the Ulli Khovli Complex, a 17th century fortress built by the permission of Khiva Khan. Upon arrival, have lunch before getting acquainted with the culture of the Turkmen people and gaining insight into the history of the area. In the afternoon, head to Khiva. On arrival, check into the hotel. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant with folklore show
Overnight: Khiva
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Medieval Old Town of Khiva
Today, explore medieval Khiva that served as a major trading post on the Silk Road. Walk along the ancient streets within the walled city, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, in the historic complex of Ichan-Kala, visit the revered Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum with its courtyards and intricate tilework. The mausoleum was built in honor of the legendary poet and philosopher who became Khiva's patron saint. View the distinctive turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret, one of the iconic symbols of Khiva. Pause at the elegant Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa decorated with bright geometric patterns of glazed bricks. Then, head to Kunya Ark, the Khiva rulers' own fortress and residence, built in the 12th century. View remnants of the khans' harem, stables, arsenal, barracks, mosque and jail. Continue to Muhammad Rahim-khan Madrasa, one of the largest madrasas in Central Asia. Tour the palace of Tash Khauli, with its sumptuous interior decor including ceramic tiles, carved stone and wood; there are more than 150 rooms off nine different courtyards. After a traditional lunch, on to the grand Djuma Mosque and the Islam Khodja Mosque with its striking minaret, one of the jewels of Khiva
Overnight: Khiva
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Tuesday - Travel to the Holy City of Bukhara
This morning, embark on a long drive to Bukhara. Please note that this will be the longest bus ride of the tour. As you travel through the Kyzylkum Desert, witness the depth of Uzbekistan's natural terrain. Stop at a local desert café for tea or coffee and a box lunch. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, and check into your hotel
Overnight: Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Wednesday - Bukhara's Treasures
Today, discover the beauty of Bukhara, one of the most important ancient cities in Uzbekistan, dating back nearly 1000 years before Alexander the Great conquered Central Asia. Begin with an excursion to Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace, the country residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Alim Khan. Next, head to the Bahouddin Naqshbandi Memorial Complex, built in memory of the patron of Bukhara. Afterward, return to Bukhara and visit Chor Minor, a historic mosque which was part of a madrasa complex. Next, have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a city tour which includes visits to splendid Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a world-famous architectural masterpiece and to Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum that dates from the 12th century. Continue to Bolo Khauz Mosque followed by the 5th century Ark Fortress, former residence of the emirs of Bukhara. Conclude with a local folk show with traditional music and dance
Overnight: Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Thursday - Bukhara City Tour, Cooking Demonstration
This morning, head to the architectural complex of Poyi-Kalon that includes the Kalon Mosque, large enough to hold 10,000 people. View the Madrasas of Abdul Aziz Khan and Mir-I-Arab. Following lunch, proceed to Liab-I Khaouz Square that encompasses the Nadir Devon Begi Madrasa and the Kukeldash Madrasa. Next, visit the city's buzzing bazaar, offering rows of shops selling jewelry, carpets, and wood carvings. Conclude the tour with a stop at Gaukushon Complex, comprising a madrasa and mosque with an impressive minaret. Time permitting visit a local school, and interact with the children. Tonight, watch a cooking demonstration, and learn the secrets of how to prepare pilav, a traditional rice dish. Later, savor the freshly cooked pilav for dinner
Overnight: Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Travel to Samarkand, Registan Square
Depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand. Along the way, stop at the delightful town of Gijduvan, center of the ancient craft of ceramics. A special visit has been arranged to the home and shop of a skilled ceramicist. View some of the beautiful works displayed that reflect the culture of different regions of Uzbekistan, before continuing your journey to Samarkand. The city, steeped in history that grew prosperous at the crossroads between East and West. Samarkand, considered the most romantic of the Silk Road cities, is adorned by decorative domes and minarets and is a melting pot of many different cultures and traditions. Upon arrival, have lunch and later begin your exploration of this remarkable city. Explore iconic Registan Square, the world-famous symbol of Central Asia with its colorful mosaics, blue domes and lofty arches. This plaza is surrounded by three impressively-decorated madrasas of the 15th to 17th centuries; Ulugbek Madrasa, Sherdor Madrasa and Tilya Kori Madrasa. Tonight, join your group for dinner
Overnight: Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Ulugbek Observatory, Afrasiab Museum, Wine Cellar
Tour Konigil tourism village and learn about the culture, lifestyle, and heritage of the Uzbek people. On to the Ulugbek Observatory, once known as the most advanced in the Islamic world. Next, travel along the shores of the Siab River to the sacred Mausoleum of Daniel, the Old Testament biblical prophet. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to worship. Continue with a visit to Afrasiab Museum, located at the historic site of Afrasiab, the ancient city which was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century. The museum is dedicated to the city's history, showcasing over 20,000 artifacts. After lunch, head to a local wine cellar for tasting of some of their bold and robust wines along with two types of brandy
Overnight: Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Sunday - Guri Amir Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda, Necropolis, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Market, High-Speed Train to Tashkent
The day begins at the sumptuous Guri Amir Mausoleum, final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), the Turco-Mongol conqueror. Its interior is covered with elegant turquoise arabesques and inscriptions in gold. Next, tour Shah-i-Zinda, a necropolis that includes sparkling blue mausoleums, embellished with some of the richest tile work in the Muslim world. These mausoleums, strategically grouped along the narrow medieval streets are an important place of pilgrimage. Continue to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque with its glistening blue domes, built as the largest mosque in the world enriched by stately minarets and carved marble décor. A jewel in Tamerlane's empire, the mosque was constructed as a tribute to his wife. Afterwards, walk through the energetic Siab Market, a special place where you can feel the dynamic atmosphere of this ancient city. Lunch is followed by a drive to the train station where you board the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Tashkent. Bid goodbye to your Tour Manager at dinner tonight
Overnight: Tashkent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Monday - Depart Uzbekistan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast