HEART OF THE EAST: SAMARKAND AND BUKHARA
A journey to the two main cities of the Great Silk Road. Ancient madrasas, sacred sites, bazaars, and crafts — an itinerary where the East reveals itself in all its depth and beauty.
Meeting and hotel check-in. Sightseeing tour of the Old City of Bukhara — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Program includes: the Jewish Quarter and synagogue, the Samanid Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub, the Ark Citadel, Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, an ancient blacksmith workshop, Magoki-Attori Mosque, the madrasas of Ulugh Beg, Abdulaziz Khan, and Nadir Divan-Begi, trading domes, and the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble. Free evening in the atmosphere of an oriental city.
Excursion outside the city: the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi — one of the main Sufi shrines of Central Asia, the summer residence of the Emir of Bukhara, Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, and the Chor-Bakr necropolis. After the excursion — transfer to Samarkand by high-speed train. Hotel check-in, free time.
Sightseeing tour of Samarkand — one of the oldest cities in the world. Program includes: Ulugh Beg Observatory, the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble, a craft gallery, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and Siab Bazaar. Visit to the Konigil silk paper workshop with master classes and a walk through its picturesque grounds. Free evening.
Continuation of the tour: Registan Square — the heart of Samarkand, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Visit to a carpet factory with a demonstration of handmade silk weaving and a national costume showroom. End of the program and departure.