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Uzbekistan Zoroastrian Tour

Route

Tashkent – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Khiva – Kala (Citadel) – Temples – Ayazkala – Nukus – Tashkent

Duration

11 days / 10 nights

Day 01 Tashkent

PM. Arrival in Tashkent. Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel for an overnight.
Day 02 Tashkent – Samarkand (by train)

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day sightseeing of Tashkent: visit Hasti Imam Complex (Barakhan Medresha, Tillya Sheikh Mosque and Muyi Muborak Library with famous Holy Osman Koran), Earthquake monument, Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, Metro-some Subway stations which are famous for their unique architectural designs and cleanness. Also visit Aktepa (AD V-VIII centuries) and Ming Urik ruins (AD I-VIII centuries). Take evening Afrosiyob train (18:30-20:40) to Samarkand. Transfer to hotel for an overnight.
Day 03 Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day sightseeing of Samarkand: Afrosiyob ruins (VI century BC – AD XIII centuries), Afrosiyob museum, observatory of Ulugbek, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Bibi-Khanum Mosque – the largest mosque in Central Asia, oriental bazaar Siyab, Registan Square (Sherdor Madrassah, Tilla Kari Madrassah and Ulugbek Madrassah), and Guri-Emir mausoleum. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 04 Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara (280 km)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Bukhara. En route visit Rabbat Malik Caravansarai and Sardoba – ancient water reservoir + ceramist’s family in Gijduvan. Arrival in Bukhara. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 05 Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day sightseeing of Bukhara: Samanids’ Mausoleum (AD X century) with Zoroastrian signs, Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khovuz mosque, Ark Fortress (which is linked with Zoroastrian hero – Siyovush), Poi-Kalyon complex (Kalyan mosque and minaret, Miri Arab madrassa), Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrassas, Magoki Attori Mosque (AD 1546 year) which used to be a Zoroastrian temple, Trade Domes (Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Telpakifurushon and Toki-Sarrofon), Labi Khovuz complex. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 06 Bukhara – Khiva (480 km)

Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Khiva through Kizil-Kum Desert (480 km., 7-8 hours driving). En route stop near Amudarya river for photo shooting and visit Avesto museum in Urgench. Upon arrival in Khiva transfer to hotel for accommodation. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 07 Khiva

Breakfast in the hotel. Full day excursion program in Khiva – “Ichan-Kala architectural ensemble” – “Museum under the open sky”: Ota-Darvaza (main gate), Madrassah of Mukhamad Amin-Khan, Kalta-Minor Minaret, Kunya-Ark complex, Madrassah of Mukhammad Rakhimkhan, Mausoleum of Said Alautdin with Zoroastrian signs, Juma Mosque (Friday mosque, (AD X-XVIII centuries) with pillars having Zoroastrian figures) and Minaret, Tosh-Hovli Palace (Harem), Karavan-Saray, Palvan-Darvaza Gate, Medrese of Abdulla-Khan, Minaret and Mosque of Khodja-Islam, Madrassah of Shergazi-Khan, Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 08 Khiva – Kala (Citadels/Temples) – Ayazkala (200 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion to Zoroastrian Citadels such as: Kyzyl Kala (AD I-XIII centuries), Toprak Kala (I century BC-AD IV century), Ayazkala (IV century BC- AD XIII century), Kyrkyz Kala (AD I-VI centuries) -Djanbas Kala (IV century BC-AD I century) -Koykirilgan Kala (IV century BC-AD IV century), Guldursun Kala (II century BC-AD XI century), Ayazkala. Overnight in Yurts.
Day 09 Ayazkala – Nukus (170 km)

After breakfast, drive to Nukus. En route visit Chilpik Kala (Silence Tower, I century BC – AD XI century). Upon arrival in Nukus, visit Savitskiy Museum. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 10 Nukus – Tashkent (by air)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Mizdakhan complex (IV century BC – AD XIV century. It is said that Adam of Zoroastrian religion – Gayomard was buried here). Visit Nukus bazaar and House Museum of Amet and Ayimkham Shamuratovs. Transfer to Nukus airport for an evening flight to Tashkent. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 11 Departure from Tashkent

Morning transfer to the International Airport and see off. End of the tour.

Tour prices

PAX in a group	PRICE (PER PERSON)
– 1 pax (single accom.)	Upon request
– 2 pax (twin sharing)	Upon request
– 3 pax (twin sharing)	Upon request
– 4 pax (twin sharing)	Upon request
– 5 pax (twin sharing)	Upon request
– 6 pax (twin sharing)	Upon request
– 7 pax (twin sharing)	Upon request
– Single supplement	*Upon request*

Khorezm and Karakalpakistan regions are full of amazing antique settlements. Throughout history, geographically favorable location – a fertile oasis in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya river caused the erection of such kind of settlements/citadels. No wonder why the Greek scientist Herodotus described the region “A land of thousand citadels!” more than 2500 years ago! Archaeologists are breaking their heads with the mystery of ancient cities in the waterless desert, calling Khorezm “the second Egypt”

The area is also mentioned as Iyron Veyjoh – homeland of Zoroastrian religion in holy Avesto book. Some of the citadels even had fire temples inside.

Archaeologists found around 50 ancient citadels in the area. This program includes some of them (please visit our web page for more information about citadels).

During this trip, a traveler can be a witness of Zoroastrian signs in a daily life of local people.

Best season to travel:

We suggest travelling by this program in spring, autumn, June, and August as the citadels are located in the desert.

Level of difficulties and age limitation:

This is a little bit higher than easy level as a travel should hike to the citadels. There is no age limitation as far as a person has no walking distance problem. Visitors should walk around approximately from 5-6 km a day by this program.

Remark:

We suggest to wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, shirts with long sleeves, a summer scarf to protect the neck from the sun.