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Rail Journey along the Great Silk Road

Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand – Urgench – Khiva – Tashkent

This fascinating railway journey on one of the safest, most comfortable and reliable means of traveling runs along the trails of the Great Silk Road enabling you to visit the architectural masterpieces of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. In addition, as a rail passenger you will gain access to the picturesque sceneries that are out of reach while traveling along the highways, and enjoy the never-ending sequence of spectacular views changing every day: from steppes to deserts, from oases to fields and valleys, from mountains shimmering at the horizon to little villages string out beside the tracks. Throughout your journey on board of train snacks and soft drinks will be served while you will be accommodated in comfortable seats and overnight sleeping cars. These vacations on board of Uzbekistan’s railway trains that provide pleasant comfort and attentive service will expose you to the mysteries of far away foreign land.
Enjoy friendly, romantic and charming atmosphere traveling along the railways of the Great Silk Road!


8 days / 7 nights



Days Cities Activities Meals  
Day 01 Tashkent – Bukhara Arrival in Tashkent international airport.
Meet and greet.
Transfer to the hotel for rest.
Sightseeing tour in Tashkent.
Visit Khazrati Imam complex: Mausoleum of Sheikh Abu-Bakr-Muhammed Kaffal Shashi (16th c), Barak Khan madrassah (16th c), Museum of Koran, Kukeldash madrassah (16th c), Abul Kassim madrassah (19th c), Alisher Navoi Theater and square, Independence Square, Museum of Applied Art, Tashkent Museum of Railway Engineering.
Evening transfer to Tashkent railway station to take train to Bukhara.
Overnight in a sleeping car.
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant

Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre
Day 02 Bukhara Upon arrival at the railway station at 6:55 transfer to the hotel.
Early check in at the hotel.
Breakfast.
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Samanids dynasty (9thc-10thc.), Chashma i Ayub Mausoleum (14th c) Ark Citadel, Bolo Khauz Ensemble (18thc), Poi Kalon Ensemble: Towering Minaret Kalon (12thc), Friday mosque Masjidi-Kalon (15thc) and the functioning madrassah Miri-Arab (16th c), Trading Domes (16thc) Magoki Attori Mosque (12thc.), Lyabi Khauz Ensemble (16th c.), Chor Minor madrassah.
Dinner with folklore show in Bukhara.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant
Ark Citadel
Day 03 Bukhara Breakfast.
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Visit Sitora-i- Mokhi Khosa - Summer residence of Alim Khan, the last Emir of Bukhara (19thc-20thc.), Bakhauddin Nakshbandi shrine complex (14th c -15thc ), Chor Bakr necropolis (16th c). Overnight in Bukhara.
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant
Bukhara - Poi Kalon
Day 04 Bukhara –
Samarkand
Morning transfer to Bukhara railway station to take train to Samarkand at 08:05.
Arrival at Samarkand railway station at 11: 00.
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
After lunch sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Bibi Khanum Mosque (14thc - early 15thc), Registan Ensemble including Ulugbek (15c), Shir Dor (17thc), and Tillya-Kari madrassahs (17thc), Gur-Emir Mausoleum (14th c-15thc).
Overnight in Samarkand.
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant
Registan
Day 05 Samarkand Breakfast.
Sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Shakhi-Zinda necropolis (12thc–15thc), Afrasiab museum, Ulugbek observatory(15th c), Ishrat Khana Mausoleum(17thc), Khodja Abdi-Darun Shrine complex (15th c -19thc), Imam al Bukhari Memorial complex.
At 22 :30 transfer to the railway station to take Tashkent – Urgench train №056 (via Samarkand).
Board the train at 23:55 and depart at 00:25 for Urgench.
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant
Guri-Emir
Day 06 Samarkand –
Urgench
(Khiva)
At 13:32 arrival at Urgench railway station.
Transfer to Khiva.
Accommodation at hotel.
After late lunch Short sightseeing tour in Khiva.
Overnight in Khiva.
Breakfast: train bord
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant
Khiva - Kalta Minor
Day 07 Khiva Breakfast.
Sightseeing tour in Khiva: Kokhna – Ark "the Old citadel" (19th c), Friday Mosque(18th c), Tash – Khauli Palace complex(19th c), Pakhlavan Makhmud shrine complex (19thc), Kutlug Murad Inak madrassah(19th c), Mukhammed Amin Khan madrassah and Kalta Minor minaret(18th c), Mukhammed Rakhim Khan madrassah (19th c), Allakuli khan caravanserai and trading dome(19th c).
After dinner transfer to the airport to take flight to Tashkent HY 1058 at 20:40 (on Wednesdays and Sundays) or at 21:30 (on Fridays).
Arrival in Tashkent at 22:10 and at 23:35.
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Restaurant
Dinner: Restaurant
Khiva
Day 08 Tashkent After early breakfast transfer to the airport to take international flight back home. Breakfast: Hotel


Notes: The tour starts on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays.
Train 662 Tashkent–Bukhara operates daily (Departure time 19:50, Arrival time 06:55).
Train “Sharq” Bukhara – Samarkand operates daily (Departure time 08:05. Arrival time 11:00).
Train 56 Samarkand – Urgench operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (Departure time 23:55. Arrival time 13:32).

There can be minor time changes in railway schedule throughout the year.

Suggested accommodation in:
Tashkent – Uzbekistan 4*
Bukhara – Lyabi Hauz B&B 2* / Malika Bukhara 2*
Samarkand – Malika Classic B/B
Khiva – Malika Khiva 3*


SERVICES INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:
  • Accommodation based on TWN rooms
  • Meals – according to the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for Sightseeing spots mentioned.
  • Overland transportation by AC coach
  • All airport-hotel-airport transfers
  • Escort guide for the whole tour (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese-Mandarin, etc speaking)
  • All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
  • Folklore show in Bukhara
  • Farewell dinner in Tashkent
  • Visa support to Uzbekistan
  • Portage services in airports and hotels
  • 1 bottle of mineral water per day per pax
  • International airfares
  • Domestic train fares (SV (spalniy vagon) couchette (sleeper) compartment for two people and 1st class seats compartment)
  • Tashkent – Bukhara 27 USD p/p
  • Bukhara – Samarkand 19 USD p/p
  • Samarkand –Urgench 46 USD p/p
  • Domestic air fare Urgench – Tashkent 82 USD (subject to changes)
  • Camera and Video charges during the sightseeing
  • Single supplement at hotels


Payment: 100 % prepayment should be made not later than 3 days prior to the arrival of the group.

Cancellation fees:
Cancellation prior 30 days – no penalty is charged
Cancellation prior 15 days – 50 % penalty is charged
Cancellation prior 1 day – 100 % penalty is charged

Attractions to be visited during the sightseeing excursions:

Tashkent:
Visit Khazrati Imam complex that incorporates Mausoleum of Sheikh Abu-Bakr Muhammed Kaffal Shashi (10th c-16th c), Barak Khan madrassah (16th c), and Museum of Koran with its main exhibit Koran of Khalif Osman, Kukeldash madrassah (16th с) - the largest madrassah in Tashkent, and one of the leading Moslem theological education establishments of the country, Abul Kassim madrassah (19th c) that nowadays houses souvenir workshops of local craftsmen, Alisher Navoi Theater and square, Independence Square - the largest square of its kind in Central Asia , Museum of Applied Art - created on the basis of the temporary exposition of local handicrafts held in 1937, the museum houses rich collection of traditional embroidery, pottery, jewelry, musical instruments, etc., Tashkent Museum of Railway Engineering, opened on 4th August 1989 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Uzbek trunk railway, is one of the world’s largest museums of its kind.

Bukhara:
Mausoleum of Samanids dynasty (9th c- 10th c.) which presents oldest and unique specimen of brick decorations perfectly conserved to the present day. Ark Citadel - Bukhara Emirs official residence and the most ancient part of Bukhara, Bolo Khauz Ensemble (18th c) captivate visitor with its elegant wooden columns adorned with fascinating carved wooden stalactites, Poi Kalon Ensemble - the religious heart of the city adorned by towering Minaret Kalon (12th c), Friday mosque Masjidi-Kalon (15th c) and the functioning madrassah Miri-Arab (16th c), Magoki Attori Mosque (12th c.) - the oldest mosque of Bukhara founded on the site of Zoroastrian temple, Lyabi Khauz Ensemble (16th c.) formed around a wonderful pool, is one of the most delightful places of the city, Sitora-i- Mokhi Khosa (19th c- 20th c.), Summer residence of Alim Khan, the last Emir of Bukhara was constructed combining European and Bukharian architectural traditions. Bakhauddin Nakshbandi shrine complex (14th c -15th c) – the burial vault of the founder of one of the world’s largest Sufi orders and the main holy place of Bukhara. Chor Bakr necropolis (15th c) - burial place of Juybar Sheikhs family.

Samarkand:
Bibi Khanum Mosque ( 14th c – early 15th c) grandiose congregational mosque ordered by Amir Temur, is still the largest in Central Asia, Registan square (15th c-17th c) – noble heart of Amir Timur’s capital, Gur - Emir Mausoleum (14th c) – the last resting place of Amir Timur and many members of the Timurids dynasty, Shakhi - Zinda necropolis ( 12th c-14th c) – necropolis of Samarkand’s nobles with unique mausoleums decorated by finest tile work, Afrasiab museum – is located on the territory of the archeological site of ancient Samarkand, and narrates the history and culture of Samarkand through rich collection of archeological finds. Among these the most outstanding is the wall painting dating back to the 7th century. Ulugbek observatory(15th c) – is the world famous astronomical observatory of Samarkand constructed by the grandson of Temur – Ulugbek who was known in history as ‘scientist on throne’, Ishrat Khana Mausoleum (15th c)- the last resting place of women from the Timurids dynasty was ordered by Khabiba Sultan Begim, the wife of Abu Said the grandson of Miran Shakh (second son of Amir Temur), Khodja Abdi – Darun Shrin complex, the memorial complex consists of mausoleum of Abd – al –Mazeddin, the Arab expert in Fiqk (Islamic Jurisprudence) of the 9th c, khanaka – the house for Sufis, small madrassah and the Winter Mosque (19th c), Imam al Bukhari Memorial complex - the burial vault of Islamic saint, eminent scholar, and author of the most authoritative collection of Hadiths.

Khiva:
Konya – Ark “the Old citadel”(19th c -20th c) with Summer and Winter Mosques, the Throne Room and the oldest part of Ichan Kala - Ak Sheikh Bobo bastion, Friday Mosque (18th c) with 213 elaborate columns representing genuine masterpieces of local wood carving art, Tash - Khauli Palace complex (19th c) constructed by the order of Allakulikhan known in history as Khan constructor, Pakhlavan Makhmud Ensemble (19th c) – burial vault of patron saint of Khiva, Sufi poet, kurash wrestlers’ patron who used to work as furrier in Khiva, Kutlug Murad Inak madrassah(19th c), Mukhammed Amin Khan madrassah (18th c) and Kalta Minor minaret, Mukhammed Rakhim Khan madrassah (19th c), Caravanserai and trading dome of Allakuli Khan (19th c).

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