Minor Hajj to Sacred Land Uzbekistan

	Imam Al-Bukhoriy Mausoleum - Samarkand
	Tour route Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Tashkent Total Duration 5 days, 4 nights Transportation Comfortable AC Season March - November Group Size Any Hotel Type 4* given as an option Placement TWN / DBL placement Meal Full Board Single Supplement $110 Description This tour will introduce you to the architectural marvels of world famous ancient cities of the Great Silk Road – Bukhara and Samarkand, known also as hometowns of many prominent Muslim scholars and religious figures...

Group size (PAX)	1 - 2	3 - 9	10 - 15	16 - 25	26 - 35	over 35
Price per PAX	$1000	$800	$700	$600	$500	$400
Price per child*	$470

Note: * - Price per child is given as an extra bed placement
Note: * - Discounts are available upon request

This tour will introduce you to the architectural marvels of world famous ancient cities of the Great Silk Road – Bukhara and Samarkand, known also as hometowns of many prominent Muslim scholars and religious figures. You will visit Memorial Complex of Al Bukhari – the author of the second Holy Book of Muslim World – “Al Jomi As Sakhikh” referred to as the most authoritative collection of Hidiths as well as the Mausoleum of Khazrat Bakhauddin Nakshbandi, the founder of one of the world’s biggest Sufi Orders – Nakshbandiya Tarikat. Over the centuries the pilgrimage to the sacred shrines of these Saints was considered as a Minor Hajj by the Muslims of Central Asia. In Tashkent you will discover the Holy Relic of Muslim Culture and History – Koran of Khalif Osman, the unique and most completely conserved ancient example of Holy Koran in the World.

[edit] Day 1: Tashkent

Early morning arrival in Tashkent by flight:

HY - _____ at __:__ AM.

Transfer to the hotel for check in and rest after long flight.
07:00 - 10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
13:00 Lunch in a restaurant.
14:00 City sightseeing tour around Tashkent:
Start the tour with visiting the Khast Imam Complex - where the oldest Koran(Osman's Holy book Koran) is kept.
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.
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 Theater Square - 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
19:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Tashkent.

[edit] Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand

05:15 Breakfast at the hotel.
07:00 Transfer to the Vostochniy Railway station to take an express train "Registan" to Samarkand (320 km. 4 hours). 11:15 arrival to 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.
11:30 transfer to the spectacular Complex of Imam Al-Bukhoriy, a celebrated personality of Islamic world, which was built with the support of the entire Muslim world.
12:30 Friday Prayer and excursion around Imam Al-Bukhoriy Memorial Complex.
15:00 Lunch at local restaurant in Samarkand city center.
16:00 Hotel check-in, and afternoon sightseeing in Samarkand.
Ulugbek’s Observatory (XV c) – 1st observatory in Orient with 30m sextant built by Ulugbek to make exact astronomical catalogue.
Bibi Khanum mosque (XIVc) - Architects, craftsmen & painters re-constructed it in 5 years.
Gur Amir Mausoleum (XV c) - Timurids dynastic burial vault, unique monument of architecture.
19:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Samarkand.

[edit] Day 3: Samarkand - Bukhara

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Mourning city sightseeing tour around Samarkand:
Registan square (XV – XVII c) - consist of grand madrassah of Ulugbek, Sher Dor & Tillya Kari.
Then, you go to see the Mausoleum of Khodja Daniar or Saint Daniel, a prophet of the Old Testament. This holy place is recognized by Islam, Christianity and Judaism as one of eminent pilgrimage destinations
Shahi - Zinda mausoleum (XIV - XVc) - 'Nown of Dead' a complex of more than 20 unique buildings. Museum of History and Art of Uzbekistan.
13:00 Lunch in a restaurant.
Transfer by coach 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”.
19:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Samarkand.

[edit] Day 4: Bukhara

07:00 Breakfast in the hotel.
09:00 Start the city tour by visiting Khazrat Bakhauddin Nakhshbandi Memorial Complex.
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.
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.
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.
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.
19:00 Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in Bukhara.

[edit] Day 6: Tashkent

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Bukhara Airport to take a flight back to Tashkent.

HY - 1322 at 09:55

11:30 Arrival to Tashkent and transfer to the hotel to check-in.
13:00 Lunch in a restaurant.
15:00 Visit Zengi Ata Memorial Complex.
18:00 Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Transfer to the Tashkent International Airport for flight back to home.
End of the tour.

[edit] Included - specific

• Airplane tickets Bukhara - Tashkent
• Folklore concert Nodir Devan Begi in Bukhara
• 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 – 5, lunches – 5, dinners – 5 included according to the program

[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