THE SPLENDOURS OF UZBEKISTAN
A cultural tour of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, historically the richest of the “Stans”, has often been referred to as The Land of A Thousand and One Nights. A culturally rich country with very friendly people, our 11 day Splendours of Uzbekistan offers a wonderful opportunity to see this rich civilization. It is after all, the birth place of Tamerlane and that also of Babur the founder of the Great Moghuls.

Day 01 Monday: Arrive Tashkent (UZBEKISTAN)
Khush Kelibsizlar - Welcome to Uzbekistan! As we are driven to our hotel in the city center, we get our first glimpse of Tashkent, a city rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake. Tashkent can rightfully claim to be the capital of Central Asia. Check in starts from 1500 hrs.
Overnight: Dedeman Hotel, Tashkent (1 night)

Day 02 Tuesday: Tashkent/Urgench/Khiva (Flight - Drive)
An afternoon flight gets us to Urgench, the capital Urgench of the Khorezm Province lies between the Amu-Darys River and Turkmenistan. It is a halting point for tourists on their way to Khiva.
Overnight: Hotel Malika, Khiva (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 03 Wednesday: Khiva
Today we explore the World Heritage Site at Khiva, a city where time has stood still. Our visit starts with the main site of Ichan Kala followed by Kalta Minor, the Kunya Ark, the Rakhimkhon Madrassah, the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, the Friday Mosque and the Tashauli Palace and Harem. To complete the feeling, we climb the Khodja Minaret to take in the amazing fairy tale panorama. (B, D)

Day 04 Thursday: Khiva/Bukhara (Drive)
Our drive to Bukhara is through the arid setting of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Along the way we stop for some refreshments and see how humans have survived over the centuries in this barren landscape. Prior to arrival in Bukhara, a visit will be made to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the Summer Residence of the former Emirs of Bukhara.
Overnight: Hotel Zargaron Hotel, Bukhara (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05 Friday: Bukhara
One of the grandest of Uzbek centers, Bukhara is an open museum with many mosques, madrassahs and a grand minaret. We spend the day visiting some of the finest examples of Islamic Architecture in the world, where exquisite tile and mosaic work complements the beautiful brick-work; no wonder the city is a World Heritage Site. Our visit includes the Lab-e-Khauz Complex with the Nadirkhon Devanbegi Madrassah, the Mogak Attari Mosque and the Poi Kalon Minaret. We also visit the Madrassahs of Aziz Khan and the Ulugbek Ark Fortress, the residence cum army headquarters of the Bukharan Emirs that houses an interesting collection of objects from those days and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, which features some of the best 10th century brickwork, with a marked Persian influence. (B, D)

Day 06 Saturday: Bukhara/Gijduvan/Samarkand (Drive)
This morning we start off with our visit to a local family ceramic factory in Gijduvan then continue onto visit the World Heritage Site of Shakhrisabz, home town of Tamerlane. This historic centre contains a collection of exceptional monuments and ancient quarters, which bear witness to centuries worth of history, and particularly to the period of its climax in the 15th century under the empire of Tamerlane.
Overnight: Hotel Samarkand Plaza, Samarkand (4 nights) (B, D)

Day 07 Sunday: Samarkand
The historic town of Samarkand is a crossroad and melting pot of the world's cultures and has been declared a World Heritage Site recently. Founded in the 7th century BC as ancient Afrosiab, Samarkand had its most significant development in the Timurid period from the 14th to the 15th centuries. We start our day with visit to the Urgut Market, which is known in this region. Next stop is the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Afrosiab and the Historical Museum of Uzbek Culture & Art, with the wooden coffin of Tamerlane and a large copy of the Koran. We culminate the day with a visit to the Ulugbek’s Obervatory & Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane. (B, D)

Day 08 Monday: Samarkand
We save the best for last. Our tour today takes us to the major monuments and includes the Registan Mosque and the adjoining madrassas, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda compound. (B, D)

Day 09 Tuesday: Samarkand/Penjikent/Samarkand
Today we make an attempt at crossing into TAJIKISTAN. The border crossing is subject to rules that keep on changing, one of the notorious features of daily life in Central Asia. Our objective is to the see the site of the ancient city of Sogdiana at Penjikent. Should the border crossing not be possible then we return to Samarkand for a free day. (B, D)

Day 10 Wednesday: Samarkand/Tashkent (Drive)
Early morning depart for Tashkent. Upon arrival check in at the hotel then head out immediately to visit the old part of the city, the Kafelsashi Mausoleum, the Barak Khana, the Tila Shaikh Mosque and Archives, Kukeldesh Madrassah, the History Museum of Uzbekistan and the Navoi Theatre. The evening is free, with an opportunity to see a local opera or ballet (optional).
Overnight: Hotel Dedeman, Tashkent (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11 Thursday: Depart Tashkent
Our tour comes to an end as it is our time to bid farewell with “Sau Bolinizder”, as you are transferred to the airport for your flight out. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO FERGHANA

Day 11 Thursday: Tashkent/Ferghana (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Ferghana. Our tour starts with a visit to Rishton to see the ceramics cottage industry. We also visit the house/factory of a master ceramist to see the complete processes of ceramic production. Rishton is known for its Persian blue pottery with unique designs. Later we proceed to Kokand to see the Palace fort museum of Khudayar Khan the last of Kokand ruler.
Overnight: Hotel Asia, Ferghana (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12 Friday: Ferghana/Tashkent (Flight)
Day excursion to Andijan & Marghilan. In Andijan we will be visiting the Babur Literary Museum. Babur was the founder of the famous dynasty of rules who came to be known as the Mighuls who were well known for their aesthetic architectures like the Taj Mahal, Shalamar gardens, Red Forts, Jami Masjis, etc. Later at Marghilan we visit the souvenir factory of “Yodgorlik” – the only one place in Central Asia where original handmade methods of silk production is still being done. Silk fabric manufactured here is considered as one of the best in the world. Evening we are transferred to the airport for a flight back to Tashkent.
Overnight: Dedeman Hotel, Tashkent (1 night) (B, D)

Day 13 Saturday: Depart Tashkent
Today we bid farewell to Uzbekistan and the many Uzbeks friends we will have made as we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. We will have received an unforgettable insight into the rich history, culture and monuments of Uzbekistan, as we bid Khayir Sogh Buling, the typical Uzbek farewell. (B)

Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Mar 29, Apr 19, May 24, Jun 07, Jul 12, Aug 09, Sep 27, Oct 11 & Nov 08
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International Airfare & Departure Taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast D=Dinner) Domestic airfare (from $ 125.00) All sightseeing and transfers Insurances & Visa Fees Services of local English speaking guide Drinks/Beverages with meals Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Necessary visa supports
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2010 US $ 2550 US $ 310 Optional Extension to FERGHANA (with a min. of 2 persons) US $ 785 US $ 110
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1800
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us ree at 1.800.663.0844.