General
Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent
Days-9, Nights- 9
Group size: 4people and more
Season: All year round
Discription: Scholars are equally divergent about the birthplace of Zoroaster. They suggest such locations as eastern Iran, south of the Caspian Sea, Balkh, Chorasmia and Sogdia or near the Aral Sea. Some historians think the birthplace of Zoroaster is the city Hodarkat 12 kms from Koy Kirilgan Kala in Khorezm land.
During this tour you will explore ancient sites: Afrosiob – capital of Sogd , Zoroastrian city. Ruins of Paykent city where the holy book of Zoroastier “Avesta” was written in gold. In the city Ardakhiva you will climb the remains of central fire temple.
Details of tour:
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Assalom Uzbekiston! After your arrival you will pass through immigration, and you will be transferred to your hotel in. Tashkent the capital of Uzbekistan, largest city of Central Asia. Tashkent in the Uzbek for “stone town” Accomodation at the hotel. After short rest city tour. Independence Square, Amir Timur Square in center of Tashkent. Visit History Museum to explore vast collection of artifacts related to Zoroastrian period in Uzbekistan. Continue to archaeological site of 2 century BC.: Ming Urik and Aktepa Yunus-Abad. Overnight at the hotel
Day 2: Tashkent –Samarkand
After breakfast at 07:00 transfer to train station. Take the fast-speed train Afrasiab departing to Samarkand at 08.00 a.m. (300 km). Arrival at 10:00, transfer to the hotel. Accomodation, after short rest city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Visit remains of Bibi-Khahum mosque, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis.
Day 3: Samarkand
In the morning continue the Samarkand tour with Afrosiob – capital of Sogd , Zoroastrian city. Explore vast collection of artifacts related to Zoroastrian period of Sogd. Observatory of Ulugbek, End the sightseeing tour with a visit to Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the graveyard of Tamerlane and Timurids. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Samarkand-Bukhara
After breakfast drive to Bukhara (280kms) on the way stop to see the Caravansaray Rabati Malik and Sardoba – water reserve. Drive to Noble Bukhara. Arrival, accommodation in the hotel and City tour which includes famous Labi-Khauz square, visit covered bazars of Bukhara. Visit traces of Zoroastrian temple Magokki Attari mosgue. Minaret Kalon 12century highest tower ,visit one of the biggest Friday mosque in Central Asia, visit active Islamic School, Miri Arab Madrassa.
Day 5: Bukhara
After breakfast drive to Paykent – “rich city” ruins, located from Bukhara 60 kms , the city of Lords. The famous poet Firdouci in his poem “Shahname writes that Kay Hosrav built the temple of Fire in Paykent where the holy book of Zoroastier “Avesta” was written in gold. Explore the ruins and museum near with rich collection of artifacts related to Zoroastrian period of Paykent. Drive to Bukhara. Continue sightseeing tour. Visit to “Pearl of Central Asian Architecture” – Samani mausoleum. Enjoy view of the building you can find Zoroastrian elements used in Islamic architecture. Chashma Ayub mazar, visit local basar. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara- Khiva
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7 hours). through the Kyzylkum Desert, “Red Sands” Stop en-route to enjoy views of red desert and Amudarya river and pray for the Goddess of the river Ardvi Sura Anahita. Arrive in Khiva-Ardakhiva, Zoroastrian name. Late in the afternoon check in to the hotel. Time for rest, walking in Ichan Kala World Heritage ,open museum , climb up the Ak Sheyh Baba hill take picture of sunset and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Khiva
Spend a day museum city under open sky, Itchan-Kala Fortress, Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Kunya-Ark, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. And also visit museum of Zoroastra in Ichan Kala. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Khiva – Ayaz-Kala – Khiva
After breakfast drive to drive to see ancient Khorezm,”Hvairizem – Land of Sun”: to Ayaz-Kala, Chilpyk-Kala – hill of silence or Zoroastrian dakhma, Koi-Krylgan-Kala from which the city Hodarkat was located, the birthplace of Zoroaster and the fortress of Toprak-Kala – residence of ancient Khorezm rulers. Late in the afternoon drive back to Khiva.
Day 9: Khiva- Urgench-Tashkent.
This morning you will be transfermed to Urgench (30kms) local airport for the flight to Tashkent. Flight to Tashkent (1000kms) Arrival Tashkent and transfer to hotel in Tashkent. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Tashkent – departure
Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
Hotels:
Tashkent: Shodlik Palace, Uzbekistan and similar
Samarkand: Afrosiob hotel, Malika Classic and similar
Bukhara: Siyavush, Atlas, Kabir and similar
Khiva: Malika, Orient Star, Old Khiva and similar
Tour Price includes:
– Hotel accommodation in double / twin sharing rooms;
-Tour-escort along the tour
– Full transportation service
– Visa support to enter Uzbekistan
– Air tickets for local flight and train tickets;
– Entrance fees to the museums