Tour to Navruz Holiday, Uzbekistan

PM. Arrive in Tashkent. Meet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, half day excursion program in 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. PM drive to Sentob village (310 km, about 4 hours driving). Upon arrival, walking around the village, participating in cooking dinner process. Overnight at local guesthouse.

Breakfast at guesthouse. Start trekking or drive to Uhum (by preference of guests). Visit the ancient irrigation channels, petroglyph site and meet the local people going with their daily livelihood activities. PM drive to Samarkand (230 km). Arrival in Samarkand. Check-in at hotel. Visit to local family where guests have dinner with participation of cooking special dish of Navruz – Sumalak (cooked only once a year (it takes 24 hours boiling to get it cooked) during this holiday – Oriental New Year which dates back to more than 5000 years). While cooking Sumalak, guests can join local people to sing folklore, to dance, to stir the pot of Sumalak by making wishes (by traditions of oriental people) as well as trying other types of Navruz dishes such as “kuk somsa” (herbal pie), Haisa/Haleem, herbal bichak (another type of somosa), etc., and experiencing other traditions. Come back to hotel for an overnight.

After breakfast, go back to the local family to open the pot of recently cooked Sumalak. Drive to suburb of Samarkand to watch “Kupkari” or so called “Ulak” / “Buzkashi” – one of the very popular and ancient games on horseback mostly among the men of Cental Asian countries. Additionally, festive participation and watching or observing Navruz celebration with locals. Drive back to Samarkand. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Half day excursion of Samarkand: visit Afrosiyob Museum, Shakhi Zinda complex, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Registan Square (including Ulugbek, Tillya Kari and Sherdor madrasahs) and Gur Emir mausoleum. PM drive to Bukhara (280 km, about 4 hours driving). Arrival in Bukhara. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion program in Bukhara: Samanids’ Mausoleum, Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khovuz mosque, Ark Fortress, Poi-Kalyon complex (Kalyan mosque and minaret, Miri Arab madrassa), Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrassas, Magoki Attori mosque, Trade Domes (Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Telpakifurushon and Toki-Sarrofon), Labi Khovuz complex. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Khiva via Kizil Kum desert. En route stop for excursion of Toprak Kala (A.D I-VI c.) and Ayaz Kala (IV-II centuries BC.), the ruins of bloomed “Zaroastrian Period” and where Navruz Holiday was widely celebrated once upon a time. After arrival in Khiva, overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion program in Khiva – “Ichan-Kala architectural ensemble” – “Museum under the open sky”: Mausoleum of Pahlavan Makhmud, Tosh-Hovli Palace (Harem), Kunya-Ark Fortress, Kalta-Minor Minaret, Medrese of Shergazi-Khan, Complex of Alla-Kuli Khan, Juma Mosque and Minaret, Karavan-Saray, Minaret and Mosque of Khodja-Islam, Tim of Alakulikhan, Medrese of Abdulla-Khan, Mausoleum of Said Alautdin, Medrese of Mukhamad Amin-Khan, Walls of Ichan-Kala, Palvan-Darvaza Gate. Drive to Urgench (35 km) for evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for an overnight.

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