Eastern fairy tales of Uzbekistan in the Tian Shan mountains

Uzbekistan is an amazing country that is worth visiting at least once. Eastern luxury is harmoniously combined with asceticism, and bread hospitality with Muslim rigor. We invite everyone to the colorful Uzbek fairy tale!
As part of the tour, we will visit three main cities of Uzbekistan - restrained Tashkent, exquisite Samarkand and ancient Bukhara. Slowly walk through ancient streets, museums and parks, breathe in the aromas of spices and incense, observe the way of life of citizens, get acquainted with Uzbek culture and art, plunge into the past and feel like time travelers.
We will certainly ride for impressions inland, go to the Tian Shan ski resort Chimgan and admire the unique beauty of our world from the height of the mountain slopes. In the mountains of the Tien Shan, we are waiting for trekking along the gorge of the Marmara River and to the jade mountain lakes.
In addition, a trip to Uzbekistan is a real, gastronomic tour! In autumn, these countries will treat us to pomegranates, ripe peaches, pears, persimmon, quince.

Our instructor on this tour will be Lyalya Shamshitdinova. This is a man who has lived in Uzbekistan most of his life, loves him very much and will gladly show him to us! And this instructor knows exactly where the most delicious oriental sweets are sold :

Travel area: Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara.
Type of rest: accommodation in a hotel, walking lightly.
Cost: 42,500 rubles.

Dates of travel in 2020 (8 days):

• October 24-31

Under the tour program, transfers between the cities of Uzbekistan are carried out by train, the Club purchases personalized tickets for all tourists in advance. After applying for the tour, we ask each tourist for a copy of their passport to purchase tickets.

 

Route thread: d. Tashkent • excursion to the city of Tashkent • spurs of the Tien Shan Ridge, the Gorge of the Marmara River, the Beldersai cable car, the waterfall "12 baths" • petroglyphs of the Khodzhikent Grotto, Charvak Reservoir, Urungach Mountain Lakes • Institute of the Sun in Parkent, the Hazrat-Ali Bouva Mosque, the Botanical Station in Sukokokok • two days of excursions in Samarkand: the Astronomerica Ulughara, Madhara, the Astronomkhraskara, Bukhraskara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhrazimba, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara-Khrazilemba, Kazkara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bakhar, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Bukhara, Ka

Day 1

Until 10:00 local time (MSK+2) – gathering of the group in the international airport Tashkent named after I. Karimov (near the main entrance from the city).

Tour of the city of Tashkent.
This is comparable to the first date – the exciting feeling of acquaintance with an unusual country will be remembered for a lifetime. The day is full of events, because we are in Tashkent - an ancient, beautiful city, dressed in a motley mosaic of squares, shrouded in the polyphony of colorful bazaars and sacredly keeping the silence of mosques.
During the tour we will visit:

• Amir Timur Square. Central Tashkent square is named after the founder of the medieval empire. Around the stone hero Amir, sitting on a hot horse, refreshing fountains peacefully flow under the openwork shade of trees.
• Tashkent chimes. The local twin towers, located near the mentioned square, perfectly illuminate the night square. The landmark is considered not only a decoration of Tashkent, but also a reminder of the military exploits of the Second World War.
• Architectural complex Hazret imam. This place of worship houses the legendary Koran of Caliph Uthman and a collection of rare Arabic manuscripts. The complex includes Barak Khan madrasah. Its facade and cell doors are decorated with ivory and covered with a unique painting. There are two historical mausoleums here.
• Thiel-Sheikh Mosque. This building is the largest of those built in Tashkent. In past centuries, the mosque served as a beacon for camel caravans lost in the sands.

Active part of the route: 4 km, the duration of the route is 5-6 hours.

Settlement in a hotel in the city of Tashkent.

Day 2

The spurs of the Tien-Shan ridge, the gorge of the Marmara River, the Beldersai cable car, the waterfall 12 baths.
On the second day, the tour program changes the angle from excursion to pedestrian – we go to Chimgan to watch the natural wonders of Uzbekistan.
The Chimgan Mountains are the spurs of the Tien Shan (!!!) - a vast mountain range stretching throughout Central Asia.
We're waiting today.

• Chimgan vacation. Mount Chimgan is a real tourist magnet. We will take a walk along the gorge of the Marmara River - one of the most picturesque places in Uzbekistan.
• Views of Beldersay. Climbing the cable car to the slopes of Mount Kumbel, where the popular resort "Beldersay" is located, we will admire the panorama of the gorge opening from there.
• 12 Baths Waterfall. You will see with your own eyes an unusual waterfall, virtuoso winding in stone recesses, washed in the rock firmament for millions of years. Here you can relax and gain strength before descending to the lower station of the cable car.

The active part of the passage along the route: 9.6 km, the height difference of 1500-1680 m (Gorge of the Marmara River), 2080-1520 m ("12 baths"), the duration of the route is 7-8 hours.

Day 3

Petroglyphs of the Khojikent grotto, Charvak reservoir, mountain lakes Urungach.
We continue to get acquainted with the natural wonders of the Tien Shan mountains, on this day trekking again awaits us. Today, the trip promises to be especially interesting, as we go to the following attractions:

• The secrets of Hojikent Grotto. In the cave there was once a parking lot of ancient people who left on the walls of the grotto naively awkward letters-petroglyphs. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to unravel their messages?
• Charming Lake Charvac. It is difficult to guess that this is an artificially created reservoir, because its surroundings amaze with the natural beauty and authenticity of Uzbek nature.
• Walk to the mountain lakes of Urungach. Going on the trail leading to the high-mountain lakes of Urungach, we will make a fascinating journey through the protected area to the waters of two jade reservoirs. In spring, the lakes are buried in the scattering of tulips and snowdrops, and the ringing silence that invariably surrounds travelers allows you to fully enjoy unity with the harsh soul of the mountains. Also in the lakes you can perfectly refresh and cheer up before the road.

The active part of the route: 10.7 km, the height difference of 1250-1520 m, the duration of the route is 8-9 hours.

Day 4

Sun Institute in Parkent, Hazrat Ali Buva Mosque, Botanical Station in Sukoka.
Examination of scientific and cultural achievements of mankind is the motto of today’s excursion day.

• The Sun Institute. A unique scientific and technological construction in Parkent, which has no analogues in the post-Soviet space. In the world, such a building was built only in France. The object was declassified relatively recently. Its purpose is research in the field of solar energy.
• Hazrat Ali Buwa Mosque. More than a thousand years ago, Hazrat-Ali, the fourth caliph, the heir of the Prophet Muhammad, built this religious building in the vicinity of Kumyshkan Aul. Attention deserves non-trivial architectural nuances of the building - ornaments, masonry, forms, as well as a nearby healing spring that fulfills wishes.
• Sukok Botanical Station. Walking through its territory, we will see many unique flowers and plants. Especially in the spring, the enchanting, delicate petals of tulips delight the eye.

Active part of the route: 3.8 km, the duration of the route is 5-6 hours.

Day 5

Samarkand: excursion to the central part of the city, Registan Square, night Samarkand.

Eviction from the hotel in Tashkent, transfer by train to Samarkand (travel time 3 hours).

Samarkand is a city similar to the skillfully embroidered Arab carpet. This is a crossroads of contrasts and the main settlement through which the Great Silk Road passed into oblivion.
A walk that takes up the afternoon will open you to Samarkand Tourist and its recognized business card – Registan Square. On the “sandy place” stands three delightful buildings: madrasah of the Turkic astronomer Ulugbek, juma-mosque Tilla-Kari and the brainchild of the local architect Abduljabbor – Sherdor. These buildings were erected in ornate oriental style in different periods of the 15th century.
Night Samarkand is a separate story that you will never forget. Thanks to the skillful illumination, ancient buildings turn into luxurious palaces of the Shamakhan Queen. The city shimmers like a precious necklace on the coffee-porcelain skin of an Asian princess.
Overnight in a hotel in Samarkand.
Active part of the route: 4.5 km, the duration of the route is 5-6 hours.

Day 6

Day of excursions in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shahi Zinda architectural ensemble, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Hazret-Khizr Mosque. Siyab Bazaar.
And again, travelers are waiting for Samarkand, and its beauty is enough for the whole day. You will see the most amazing places in the city:

• Gur-Emir Mausoleum is the largest Central Asian religious building.
• The architectural ensemble of Shahi Zinda is the mausoleums of the local nobility of the Timurids and Karakhanids, built in the 14-15th centuries AD.
• Bibi-Khanym Cathedral Mosque is decorated with rich tiles and bizarre patterns grandiose building of the times of Tamerlane the conqueror.
• Hazret-Khizr Mosque is a religious building named after a prophet who owned the secrets of living water.

But if you have not been to the market of Samarkand, then you have not visited the East! We will certainly look at the Siyab Bazaar to bargain, buying juicy fruits and fragrant oriental sweets.
Active part of the route: 8 km, the duration of the route is 7-8 hours.

Day 7

Excursion to Bukhara: Poi-Kalyan, Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, Mosque Bolo-house, Ark Fortress, Madrassah Abdulaziz-khan.

Eviction from the hotel in Samarkand, transfer by train to Bukhara (travel time is 1.5-2 hours).

Bukhara is an unusual city. This is an indestructible pillar of Islam, a village that has grown imperceptibly among the arid desert, filled with clunky shops of artisans, majestic palaces and historical monuments.
During the tour of Bukhara we will see:

• Poi-Kalyan is an architectural ensemble in traditional style, located on the central square of Bukhara. A mosque, minaret and madrasah of Miri Arab were built here. The Islamic educational institution dates back to the 16th century.
• Mausoleum of Ismail Samani is a dynastic building of the legendary Samanid family, decorating the historical center of Bukhara. This is one of the preserved ancient buildings, built of burnt bricks using a unique technology.
• The Bolo House Mosque is a place for quarterly prayers, divided into a summer veranda and a winter hall.
• Ark fortress is a huge, impregnable citadel in the center of Bukhara, the oldest fortification of the city (4th century BC).
• Madrasah Abdulaziz Khan is a spiritual educational institution, distinguished by an incredible wealth of decoration. The building was erected in the middle of the 17th century by order of a ruler from the Ashtarkhanid dynasty.

Active part of the route: 4 km, the duration of the route is 5-6 hours.
Overnight in a hotel in the city of Bukhara.

Day 8

Country Bukhara: complex of Bahauddin Naqshband, Palace "Lunar and Star House", Necropolis Chor-Bakr.
This day we will spend in country trips around the surroundings covered with legends of Bukhara. Today I will take pictures of the following places:

• The Bahauddin Naqshband complex. An architectural ensemble in the Bukhara suburb, consisting of a classic lancet minaret, two mosques and a madrasah. There is a luxurious garden around the complex.
• Sitorai Mohi Josa Palace. Lunar and Star House is the summer residence of Bukhara emirs. An ethnographic museum is opened in the building.
• Necropolis Chor-Bakr. This is a sacred place for Muslims, whose name means “Four Brothers”. The necropolis is located in Sumitan, a suburb of Bukhara. It is a whole city with streets, courtyards and gates, only instead of houses there are dahmas – mournful towers of silence.

Active part of the route: 2 km, the duration of the route is 4-5 hours.

Completion of the program before 15:00.

Be sure, from Uzbekistan you will take more than delicious sweets and embroidered robes – with travelers will always remain a part of the broad and generous soul of the mysterious East!

 

• Accommodation in the hotel: double, triple rooms standard. Room facilities, Wi-Fi.
• Meals: breakfast in a cafe (day 2-8), lunch - dry rations in the mountains during walks (day 2-4).
• Take a minibus along the route.
• Travel by train Tashkent-Samarkand, Samarkand-Bukhara.
• Entrance tickets to excursion centers.
• Cable car tickets.
• Tickets to the Reserve.
• Rental of group equipment: boilers, gas burners (for making tea for lunch in the mountains), group first aid kit.
• Guide instructor services.

The price does not include:

• Transportation costs to the beginning of the route (Tashkent) and back (Bukhara).
• Meals: lunches in cafes (day 1, 5-8), dinners. The cost of lunch / dinner in a cafe: 250-350 rubles.
• Supplement for single accommodation in the hotel room.
• Insurance (optional).