Uzbekistan Buddhist Tour

Arrival at Tashkent International Airport. Meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Full day excursion of Tashkent. Visit functioning Buddhist temple (since 1991, the temple is called “Jaeunsa” (“Compassion”), of the largest in Korea Buddhist Jogye Order. It is located on the outskirts of Tashkent and is the only functioning Buddhist temple in Uzbekistan and throughout Central Asia), Ming Uryuk ruins (So far, only one terracotta has been found on the territory of Tashkent- in the Ming-Uryuk ancient settlement and depicting a Buddha in padmasan sitting on a lotus throne), History museum with Buddha statues, Chorsu bazaar, Khasti Imam Complex (Barakhan Medresah, Tillya Sheikh Mosque and Muyi Muborak library with Holy Koran). Also, visit Tashkent underground-Metro. Take an evening Afrosiyob train to Samarkand (18:30-20:42). Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

Excursion of Samarkand. Visit Afrosiyob museums with its fresco (there is still no clear opinion of which religion was the main one in Sogdiana before the Arab invasion. Perhaps it was a mix of Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Christianity and Buddhism) and ruins, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi Zinda necropolis, Bibibhanum mosque and Siyab bazaar. PM. Visit Registan Square (Ulugbek Medresah, Tillya Kori Medresah and Sherdor Medresah) Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Bukhara. En route visit Rabbat Malik Caravansarai, ceramist’s workshop in Gijduvan and Vabkent Minaret. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion of Bukhara (According to historians, the name of Bukhara came from Sanskrit word “vihara” – a Buddhist monastery). Visit Samanid’s mausoleum, Chashma Ayub mausoleum, Bolo-Houz Mosque, and Ark citadel. PM. Visit Poi Kalon complex (Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri Arab Madrassah), Taki Zargaron (the dome of jewelers, Ulugbeg Madrassah, Abdulaziz-khan Madrassah, Tim of Abdullah-Khan madrassah,  Magoki-Attari Mosque (It was built upon a Zoroastrian temple, which in turn was built upon a Buddhist shrine), Khanaka and madrassah of Nadir Divan-Beghi, Kukeldash Madrassah, Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, and Chor Minor. Overnight in the hotel.

Early breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Termez. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion of Termez: Archeological museum, Fayaztepa (the site of an ancient settlement of the 2-3^rd cc.), Mausoleum of Hakim At Termezi (9-15^th cc.), Buddhist Stupa Zurmala, Mausoleum Sultan Saodat (10-15^th cc.), Honako Kokaldor Ota (16^th c.), Nunnery Kirk Kiz (9-10^th c.), Karatepa (2^nd c). Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit Jarkurgan Minaret (12^th c.), Bridge of Iskandar (16^th c.), Dalverzintepa archeological sight (1^st c.), the capital of the Kushan Empire. PM. Drive to Termez Airport for an evening flight to Tashkent. Arrival and hotel accommodation. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Morning transfer to Tashkent airport for flight to next destination. End of the tour.