Navruz Tours (New Day) The Spring Feast in Central Asia

Country:              Uzbekistan
Tour route:         Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand – Tashkent

 

Duration:             9 days, 8 nights

Transportation:  coach + plain + train

Season:                March 19 — 26

Group:                  2 – 35PAX

Hotel type:         3 and 4 start hotel

Meal:                    Full Board (B, L, D)

Placement:         DB / TWN

The unforgettable celebration of Navruz. The Spring Feast and beginning of the New Year in Central Asia. Navruz (New Day) is the most cherished public holiday, the Central Asian New Year that falls on March 21 in Uzbekistan. During this festival of spring renewal, singing, dancing, the making of special dishes, wrestling by burly «Palvans» and the reciting of epic poetry by wandering «Bakshi» minstrels are highlights.While Islam has had a strong influence on The Uzbek people so do a number of older religious traditions including Zoroastrianism. Navruz has its origins in a festival celebrating the spring equinox, which Zoroaster rededicated to Asha Vahistra and fire. The Great Silk Road oases of Uzbekistan are more accessible now than ever before in their histories. Your journey will begin in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. A bus will take you along the Golden Road to Samarkand where you will celebrate Navruz. Here at the junction of ancient caravan routes, the colossal blue domes of Tamerlane's imperial capital dwarf the modern Uzbek city. The drive from Samarkand to Bukhara will be broken by a visit to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. This is a wonderfully picturesque journey through steppe country dotted with small villages. Bukhara, reputed to be the holiest place in Central Asia, provides a gentle contrast to glittering Samarkand with the muted khakis of its mud walled, old city and its compact layout. Then it is onward to Khiva, the most complete, and most heavily restored of all the Great Silk Road cities. Taking a short flight from Urgench to Tashkent, we will return to the capital's lesser-known gems.

As an addition to your adventure we can offer 2-day trip by plane to the Ferghana Valley known as the Pearl of Uzbekistan. Spring in the Ferghana Valley is the most beautiful season, and on the way you can see the blossoming apricot fields. City tour will include visits to Margilan and Kokand and the pottery shops and workshops of the famous Rishtan factory.

Day 1 (19^th March): Tashkent

Arrival at Tashkent International Airport  by flight:

17:00 Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

18:00 Welcome dinner in local restaurant with mix of traditional Uzbek and Indian dishes.

After dinner take a tour to metro (The only 1 underground metro in all Central Asia).

Overnight in Tashkent, Le Grande Plaza 4 star hotel.

Day 2 (20^th March): Tashkent

07: 00 Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 City sightseeing tour around Tashkent: Museum of Applied Arts - bright carved plaster decorations(ganch) and carved wood the building of museum itself is an attraction. There is also an exhibit of ceramics, textiles, jewellery, musical instruments and toys. Navoyi TheaterSquare — by 1940, Soviet planners had decided a theatre would greatly enhance an area known as the Drunken Bazaar for its wine-soaked market. Japanese prisoners of war completed construction in 1947. Amir Temur square and Broadway.

13:00 Lunch in Indian restaurant with spicy dishes.

14:30 Continue city tour: Barakkhan Madrassah (XVI c) - was the headquarters of the Sunni Mufti of ex-Sogdian Central Asia & Kazakhstan. It is interesting for its mosaic and Arabic calligraphy of the late 16 cent. Brick facade and the intricately carved doors made by Samarkand craftsmen Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum - which is the grave of a local doctor, philosopher and poet of Islam who lived from 904 to 979. The portal, inner dome and arcade dated 16th century, when his holy reputation attracted a cemetery. Kukeldash Madrassah (XVI c). — The grand 16th c. madrassah has domed courtyard. Now the building is returned to service as an Islamic school. Next to it is the tiny 15th c. Juma mosque. 19:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 3 (21^st March): Tashkent – Samarkand

06:30 Breakfast at the hotel and bring all your bags to the lobby to check-out from the hotel.

07:00 Transfer Central Tashkent Railway station to take an express train to Samarkand (320 km, 2 hours). Samarkand - the Eden of ancient East, the most precious pearl in the Islamic world. Samarkand - called Marakanda in the 4th century BC, whoever tried to conquer it! During the centuries the city has been invaded by troops of Alexander the Great, Arabian invaders, Chenghes Khan and Tamerlane. Today romance of Samarkand still works its magic, alluring the travelers with a dreamlike quality.

10:15 Arrival to Samarkand railway station.

10:30 Start City tour in Samarkand: Gur Amir Mausoleum (XV c) - Timurids dynastic burial vault, unique monument of architecture. Pay a visit the Tomb of Tamerlane.

12:00 Check-in to the Hotel. Leave bags at the hotel and transfer for lunch to the best restaurant in Samarkand city.

13:00 Lunch in a restaurant with traditional local dishes with salads.

14:00 Continue tour in Samarkand: Registan square (XV – XVII c) - consist of grand madrassah of Ulugbek, Sher Dor & Tillya Kari. Shahi — Zinda mausoleum (XIV — XVc) - 'Nown of Dead' a complex of more than 20 unique buildings.Ulugbek’s Observatory (XV c) – 1st observatory in Orient with 30m sextant built by Ulugbek to make exact astronomical catalogue.

18:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 4 (22^nd March): Samarkand

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Continue city tour in Samarkand and Shopping.

13:00 Lunch

19:00 Dinner

Night in Samarkand.

Day 5 (23^rd March): Samarkand – Bukhara

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

11:00 Transfer to the railway station to take a train to Bukhara the City of 1000 and 1 night. Bukhara – this is one of the best places in Central Asia which was as capital of Samanid state in the 9th and 10th centuries and known in history as “Bukhoro-i Sharif”.

15:20 arrival to Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel to check-in and take a lunch at the hotel.

16:30 Walk in an old city and shopping in old city.

18:00 dinner in a restaurant with local dishes.

Finish shopping and night in the city of 1000 and 1 night.

Day 6 (24^th March): Bukhara

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day sightseeing program. Poikalon (XII — XVI c) - ensemble in the center of old Bukhara — includes the cathedral mosque «Kalyan Mosque», «Miri Arab» madrassah and the Kalyan minaret (46 m). Lyabi — Hauz (XVI — XVIIc) - a complex with Nodir — Devon Begi madrassahs big pool surrounded by trees. Tim Abdullah khan - was built in 1577 and was one of the most elegant trade halls in Bukhara where silk and wool was sold by Afghan trades. Trading Domes consists of three trading centers: Tok-i-Zargaron (1570) – Jeweler’s Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon – Cap Maker’s Bazaar, Tok-i-Sarrafon – Moneychanger’s Bazaar.

13:00 Lunch in a restaurant. 

Continue city tour: Magoki Attori – in 937 the four-pillared mosque was burn the ground in a city-wide fire and in the 12th century the present mosque was erected, from which the focus of the mosque, the original southern portal remains. Ulugbek Madrassah (1417) - was the earliest of three commissioned by the enlightened Timurid ruler (the other two stand in Samarakand and Gijduvan) and his secular influence dominates the exterior design of the religious college. Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassah (1652) - glittering in mercifully un-restored 17th century glory.

19:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 7 (25^th March): Bukhara — Tashkent

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Bukhara. Transfer to Bukhara airport to take flight to Tashkent. (Bukhara –Tashkent).

Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Spend time with traditional Uzbek family and prepare Traditional dishes like OSH (PALOV), SUMALAK, HALIM and many more sweet dishes. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 8 (26^th March): Tashkent

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day shopping for souvenirs in CHORSU BAZAAR.

Shopping for dried fruits in CHORSU BAZAAR.

Shopping at MEGA PLANET MALL.

13:00 Lunch in a restaurant.

19:00 Dinner in a restaurant.

Night in Tashkent.

Day 9 (27^th March): Tashkent

06:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time to clear all bills and check-out from the hotel.

07:30 transfer to the Tashkent International Airport to take a flight back to home country or to the next destination.

THE END of the TOUR.

Opportunities

• *Participation in the Navruz celebration (Oriental New Year, which is celebrated on 21st of March) in Mahallya (local community) including preparation of the traditional foods «Sumalyak», «Halim»  and «Khalisa», feast, experience local custom, traditions and celebration of Navruz with local people.
• Recommended additional options upon your discretion at leisure time (at extra fee): Our additional offers are designed in order to provide more choice to our customers and achieve their total satisfaction. We guarantee that after choosing our different additional services you would feel that your enhancement of wonderful experiences. Contact our tour operator or your tour guide so that we may be able to plane great experience in advance.
• A visit to an old Bozori Kord Hammam Oriental spa (Hammam) for men and women (from US$ 10 to 15 p/person) in Bukhara;
• We offer a few options for dinner:
• 1. Dinner in Madarihon Medressa with violin concert (US$ 15 p/person);
• 2. Dinner in Nodir Divan Begim Medressa with folklore show (US$ 15 p/person);
• 3. Traditional Uzbek dinner in Doston House (US$ 15 p/person);
• Splendid herbal teas in «Silk Road Spices» tea house (US$ 3 p/person);
• Fayzulla Hodjaev house-museum, where you can see the daily life of a Bukhara merchant at the beg.of the 20th c (US$ 2 p/person).
• Samarkand: An unforgettable performance in The Theatre of Historical Costume El Merosi (we need to check in advance if this performance is available on the date of your visit) (US$ 15 p/person for groups only or upon concert availability on a certain date);
• There is an option to see the magical light show on «Registan» square (order should be completed beforehand) (US$ 50 for show, up to 40 persons);
• Visit to an old water mill in a Samarkand suburb (US$ 15 p/person);
• Interesting options to see the processing of and purchase souvenir:
• Small Silk Processing factory Aiesha (27 US$ for 2 persons, for groups more than 2 persons visit free).
• Tashkent: A visit to the famous Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre (US$ 10 p/person);

Important Notes

• Tour cost is subject to change, factoring increase in airline, railway, petrol and other unpredictable factors
• Similar standard hotels will be provided if in case mentioned hotels are not available at the time of reservation
• Uzbekistan is multi cultural country and it is ok if you wear clothes in which you feel yourself comfortable
• If you wish to shoot a photo of someone or with someone you have to ask first
• Please note that the first and the last days of above itinerary are made-up in accordance with flight schedule of Uzbekistan Airways (evening-arrival and morning-departure times) from the following cities: Almaty, Astana, Baku, Bishkek, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Kiev, Milan, Moscow, New York, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Osaka, Riga, Rome, St Petersburg, Sharjah, Tokyo and Tel-Aviv. In case of inconvenience of the flight schedule please refer to us. (early arrival or later departure will involve extra costs for accommodation and additional excursions);

We hope you like the programs and assure you that we are absolutely open to any suggestions to increase the range of our services for the complete satisfaction of our clients and are happy to meet your special requirements.

- Hotel placement: 8 nights (early check-in and late check-out not included) Check-in time after 14:00 Check-out time before 12:00 - Breakfast – 8, lunches – 8, dinners – 8 included according to the program - Visa support (Letter of Invitation) - AC Comfortable transportation for the whole trip - Airplane tickets Bukhara – Tashkent - Folklore concert - Navruz Festival - Professional guide (available in different languages) will accompany you and try to give you the best explanation of the site's history, traditions and culture - Tour operator and Group Leader will make you feel comfortable and assist you in case of problem 24/7 - Entrance fees to historical places - For each transfer 0.5 L of mineral water - Double / Twin hotel rooms according group list - Luggage handling at the hotels

- Visa application fee in Uzbek embassy in your country - Fees for the use of cameras and videos in the monuments and tourist sites - Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone, fax, internet, beverages, camera / video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc. - Personal expenses - Local payments in domestic currency, such as tips and gratuities - Expenses for things which are not listed in the tour package

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.