Tulip safari in Uzbekistan

Escorted by Komiljon Tojibayev, PhD in Biology, specialist in tulips, author of the illustrated edition "Tulips of Uzbekistan"

Central Asia and Uzbekistan in particular, differ from other parts of the world in the diversity of climatic and geographical conditions. The majestic mountain systems of Tien Shan, Pamir-Alay, Kopet-Dag, as well as Central Asian deserts are not only natural barriers for plant dissemination but also a bridge connecting Central Asia flora with that of neighbouring countries.

In respect of colour brightness, form originality, and flower size, many local wild species of tulips have no match. Such species as Tulipa fosteriana, Tulipa greigii, Tulipa vvedenskiy, and Tulipa micheliana in its form remind you of swirling flames. No less original are small bright red flowers of Tulipa korolkovii.

The coloration of tulips is extremely diverse: the colour subtle shades of rare culture varieties are reflected in tulip population. Thus a distinctive feature of original tulips of the Western Tien Shan is their polychromy. In the 15th century the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi in his poem "Leili and Majnun" wrote: "When tulip experienced the signs of grief, it fire branded its body". In his youth Alisher Navoi lived in Samarkand and could view in the neighbouring mountains Tulipa fosteriana or Tulipa micheliana with their pointed black ray-like spots cutting the perianth. Another lineament of wild species of tulips is their immunity to plastid variegation.

The "Tulip safari in Uzbekistan" tour will reward nature-lovers with unforgettable encounters with a variety of wild tulips species including endemic ones.

[edit]Day 1: Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent airport.

Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

Overnight in Tashkent

[edit]Day 2: Tashkent – the Nurata mountains

Early transfer (7:00 a.m.) to the Nurata mountains (280 km).

Common for this area are Tulipa korolkovii, Tulipa affinis, Tulipa turkestanica.

It is possible to view Tulipa micheliana here too, as they finish blossoming at the end of March.

Overnight in the guest house of "Nuratao ecocentre".

[edit]Day 3: The Nurata mountains - Samarkand

Continuation of botanic tour in the foothills of the Nurata ridge.

Transfer to Samarkand (160 km).

Overnight in Samarkand.

[edit]Day 4: Samarkand

Sightseeing in Samarkand.

Overnight in Samarkand.

[edit]Day 5: Samarkand – Kitab

Transfer over Takhtakaracha mountain pass to Kitab State Geological Reserve.

Such tulip varieties as Tulipa fosteriana, Tulipa turkestanica, Tulipa korolkovii, Tulipa ingens vegetate in this area.

Transfer to Shakhrisabz.

Sightseeing in Shakhrisabz.

Overnight in Shakhrisabz.

[edit]Day 6: Shakhrisabz – Katta-Lyangar

Transfer to Katta-Lyangar village. (60 km)

Here you can observe the huge colonies of Tulipa lanata, Tulipa turkestanika, Tulipa micheliana, and Tulipa nitida.

Sightseeing around the historical attractions of Katta-Lyangar village.

Overnight in Katta-Lyangar.

[edit]Day 7: Katta-Lyangar – Boisun

After breakfast transfer to Boisun (150 km).

This area is rich in such tulip species as Tulipa korolkovii, Tulipa lanata, Tulipa tubergeniana.

Overnight in Boisun.

[edit]Day 8: Boisun – Termez

Transfer to Termez (140 km).

Sightseeing in Termez.

Aftenoon flight to Tashkent.

Overnight in Tashkent.

[edit]Day 9: Tashkent – Beldersay

Transfer to Beldersay recreation zone located in the Chimgan mountains (150 km).

This area is rich in such tulip varieties as Tulipa kaufmanniana, Tulipa tschimganica, Tulipa greigii, Tulipa bifloriformis, Tulipa dubia.

Overnight in Beldersay.

[edit]Day 10: Beldersay – Kyzylsu – Tashkent

The Kyzylsu riverbed area is rich in such tulip population as Tulipa kaufmanniana, Tulipa tschimganica, Tulipa greigii, Tulipa bifloriformis, Tulipa dubia.

Overnight in Tashkent.

[edit]Day 11: Tashkent

International flight back home.

[edit]Included - specific

• Domestic air fare Termez – Tashkent
• Services of a professional biologist, specialist in tulip species
• Hotel placement: 5 nights (early check-in and late check-out is included)

  Check-in time after 14:00
  Check-out time before 12:00

• Breakfast, lunches, dinners included according to the program
• Multilingual escort guides for the whole tour (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese-Mandarin)

[edit]Included - general

• Visa support
• CIP transfer by arrival
• AC Comfortable transportation for the whole trip
• 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
• Single / Double / Twin hotel rooms as indicated above
• Luggage handling at the airports and hotels

[edit]Excluded

• 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

[edit]Opportunities

In addition, our program may include special arrangements such as:

• Similar standard hotels will be provided if in case mentioned hotels are not available at the time of reservation or does not suit travelers
• Lunches or dinners in private homes of Uzbek families to get closer to the traditions, culture and way of life of local people, to see the process of baking the traditional round bread and cooking tasty osh (pilaf)
• Different dance shows and entertainment varying from region to region in traditional costumes
• Special tours to different studios and workshops where You can see various traditional crafts in real.

You can use our suggested programs as they stand or create Your own itinerary according to Your wishes and preferences. We will be happy to assist you in this task.

[edit]Hotels

All hotels are located close to main sightseeing places. After a long and tiring day of walking, you can relax and spend the night pleasantly in those hotels.

Stars		Le Grande Plaza
Name	Le Grande Plaza
Type	High class
Rooms	Single($55), Double($65)
City	Tashkent
About	Good view, good location, good service
More	Hotel Le Grande Plaza

Stars		Afrosiyob Palace
Name	Afrosiyob Palace
Type	High class
Rooms	Single($80), Double($110)
City	Samarkand
About	Good view, good location, good service
More	Hotel Afrosiyob Palace