Mountains and the legendary cities of Uzbekistan (15 Days)

You can devote your first day in Uzbekistan to the sights of the multifaceted capital. You will visit the Khasti Imam Square with the beautiful Barak Khan Medrese, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the Kaffal Shashi mausoleum made of simple brickwork. Here you can take a look at the Koran handwritten by the third Caliph Osman (644-656). Continue with a visit to the huge Chorsu bazaar, whose oriental smells and spices will transport you into the fairy tales of 1001 nights. In the afternoon you will continue your exploration tour in the modern part of the city and visit the Independence Square, Amir Timur Square. In the evening transfer to the airport in Tashkent. You're flying to Urgensch. Reception at the airport and drive to Khiva. Overnight in hotel.

As early as the 6th century, the city emerged on the most important route between east and west. You will explore one of the best preserved cities on the Silk Road. The former capital of the Khiva Khanates from the 17th century has retained the fairytale atmosphere of an ancient, oriental city to this day. The numerous sights of the historic fortress are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit the old town of Chiwas-Dschuma Mosque, Medrese Muhammad Amin Khan, Citadel Kochna Ark, Pachlovon-Machmud-Mausoleum, Alakuli Chan-Medrese etc. During the tour you will visit the important craft workshops. Overnight in Khiva.

As you drive through the Kyzylkum Desert, you will discover that the seemingly wasteland also has a lot to offer. You will drive along the Amu Darya River, the life-giving stream of Central Asia. In addition, your guide will use the time to tell you interesting facts about the country and its people. So you can look forward to a varied journey. Overnight in Bukhara.

Bukhara was one of the most important cities on the Silk Road. Traders flocked to sell their wares, carpets, and jewelry. It was also an important developing home for many religions such as Zoroastrianism and later Islam. The program includes the historical sights. You will visit the Samanid mausoleum, Friday mosque, Bolo House, Ark fortress, mosque and minaret Kalon, Madrasa Mir Arab, Madrasa Ulugbek and Abdul-Aziz-Khan, dome bazaars, etc. The perfect end to a perfect day is the dance performance in a madrasa. Overnight in Bukhara.

Around Bukhara there are other attractions that you should not be hidden. Your guide will let you in on the secrets of the summer palace of the last emir of Bukhara - Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa - and show you the Chor Bakr mausoleum and the Bakhauddin-Nakhshbandi ensemble. This tomb is visited daily by pilgrims and gives you an insight into the living Islam. Finally, you will return to Bukhara again. The rest of the day is up to you. Overnight in Bukhara.

We drive to Nurata in the morning. Nurata is a well-known pilgrimage site where you will visit the Chil Ustun Mosque as well as the ruins of the fortress of Alexander the Great. The place is also famous for its Chashma spring - it is sacred along with the fish swimming in the water and the destination of many pilgrims. Then drive to the picturesque Aidarkul Lake, which will impress you with a length of 200 kilometers. Here you can fortify yourself with a delicious picnic on the bank and have a little time to relax and dream. In the afternoon we continue to the Nurata Mountains. Here you get to know the rural life of the locals and can explore the landscape. Accommodation and overnight in a very simple guest house in Sob.

After breakfast, furnished with local products, we leave the village of Sop gently towards the valley, accompanied by our mule. A rocky and barren landscape is imposed on us, but with colorful flowers scattered on the roadside or on the hill. The contrast with the green Sentyap valley is obvious, but we go by from time to time to an oasis of cultures. We leave the main path along an edge to Lake Fozilmon. Behind us the valley cut rock masses with impressive symmetry, while on the horizon the steppes of Kyzylkum desert mix with the shallow waters of Lake Aidarkul. The plateau is quite the opposite of what we saw: wide, grassy and slightly hilly and offers a place of pasture for the sheep in summer. We continue to Lake Fozilmon, where we set up camp nearby. The rest of the day is free to explore the nearby mountains or to relax.

Walking time: 5-6 hours. Ascent: 800 m. Descent: 100 m. 13.3 km

We leave the high plateau down towards a peaceful valley. Before us, the chain of Aqtau (White Mountains). The flocks of sheep roam around us in the hills. The stone houses of the shepherds are for summer living in this beautiful and serene landscape. we can leave the pastures to reach a passage where the landscape is essentially mineral. We follow a ridge with spectacular views on both sides. The plain south of Samarkand is interspersed with mountain ranges and Tajik mountains, north of steppes Kyzylkum and salty waters of Lake Aidarkul. We set this hike as easy air before descending into the Shagal valley. We follow the small stream on the edge of the dark slate sides before we set up camp for the night.

Walking time: 6 hours. Ascent: 670 m. Descent: 920 m. 14.5 km

After breakfast we start the day on foot with a steep mountain ridge in Orten. It will be awake! The rising sun and shadows projected onto the surrounding valleys provide a stark contrast earth. We come then not to leave the main ridge line until the end of the day. Great and without technical difficulties, the rib allows us to discover each side of the Nurata chain. The view is extraordinary and unique in this part of Uzbekistan. It is rare to come across one in this deserted and wild area. We set our path to rest on the heights until the end before reaching the bottom of the valley. Like the previous night, the landscape is dry and barren but the presence of a stream avoids the need for our camp.

Walking time: 6-7 hours ascent: 900 m. Descent: 1050 m. 12.3 km

We slowly descend into the valley. This hike can be called "the 1,000 crossings" because we often cross the stream. On the way between the blocks of slate and ravines, small oases of hawthorn and mulberry allow to take shade. If the weather permits, you can taste the juicy berries for the branches. Arriving in the village of Kizilbel we find our vehicle on the road. Then we drive to Samarkand. Overnight at hotel.
Walking time: 3-4 hours. Ascent: 50 m. Descent: 450 m. 8 km.

Capital of Tamerlane, the great city of the ancient Sogdiana, lies at the crossroads of the main trade routes from China, Siberia, Persia and the west. This step alone is an essential point on the journey to understanding the power of the Khan dynasty at that time. Be amazed by these amazing shades of blue over sights such as the famous mosque of Bibi Khanum, the Gur-Emir (tomb of ruler Timur and his descendants) or the famous Registan Square (XV century XVII) that are never indifferent to any traveler. Overnight at hotel.

Today we drive to Schakhrisabs (former Kesch), the hometown of Tamerlane. We visit the "White Palace" (Ak-Saray XIV century), including the impressive remains of the portal offer a unique mosaic decor. Kok Gumbaz Mosque in the fifteenth century, the Gumbazi Seidan mausoleum and above all the Khazrati Imam Mosque are a reminder of the splendor of this city. In the late afternoon transfer through the Serafshan Mountains to Samarkand (100 km). Overnight in Samarkand.

Continuation of the sightseeing program through Samarkand. Today you will visit the Afrosiab Museum, once the heart of ancient Samarkand and now a unique archaeological city; the Ulugbek observatory (XV century), which tells the fascinating story of the little son Tamerlane; the tomb of St. Daniel and Konigil village, where you will learn about the traditional production process of paper from mulberries. You also have the opportunity to stroll through the oriental bazaar. In the evening you will take the train back to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer to the airport in Tashkent. Here we say goodbye to the group. We have unforgettable memories. Flight home.