Tour package for Let’s Discover - HERITAGE

TOUR NAME: SILK ROAD HERITAGE -

Tour package summary:

✓ Profile of travelers – photographers, bloggers, journalists, media ✓ Tour duration - 10 days ✓ Tour availability - any period of the year ✓ Tour country – Uzbekistan ✓ Total travelers – max 14 persons

Price in EUR: ➢ 1650 per person, excluding international air tickets and “Not included”.

OVERVIEW CITIES TO VISIT 1. Fascinating cultural and informative tour will introduce you to 2. the ancient history and culture of Uzbekistan, the world- 3. famous ancient monuments of , Bukhara, Khiva 4. Shakhrisabz and Shakhrisabz, and its irreplaceable part on the Great Silk 5. Samarkand Road. Here pulsating cultural life of the heart of a powerful empire of Tamerlane. WHAT'S INCLUDED • TWIN/DBL room accommodation in 3* hotels Experience the energy of imperial cities and its bazaars • Full board (3 courses menu) stuffed with exotic wares as you explore the fascinating • Two Dutch and French speaking photographers views of deserts, steppes and mountains. Traveling to the • Photo shooting workshops in each location renowned Central Asian cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and • Excursions in Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Tashkent you gain a rich sense of the intricate history and Samarkand and Shakhrisabz the hospitality of people. Tallest and elegant minarets, • Local English-speaking guides in each city grandiose madrasahs and mosques, medieval palaces and • Transportation and driver services mausoleums decorated with stunning ceramic ornaments, • 1 (one) domestic flight ticket (economy class): bustle and colours of oriental bazaars, fabulous legends, Tashkent – Urgench warm hospitality and ancient traditions of the local population • 2 (two) domestic train tickets (economy class): will leave a lasting impression in your memory. Samarkand – Tashkent, Khiva – Bukhara

We invite you to experience this exciting journey with our • Entrance tickets to the places of intertest listed in partners from Let’s Dicover, photographers, Marleen the program Tutenel and John Reinhard, who are fascinated by Silk • Folklore show during the dinner in Khiva khan Road countries and residence – photo shooting who will lead & guide you to the most famous historical • Culinary masterclasses in Khiva (bread), beauties of the country, which are listed in UNESCO World Bukhara (pilaf), Samarkand (manty) – photo Heritage. shooting, interview with the key personages • Painting master-class in Davlat House – photo You will enjoy of taking pictures of the ancient cities, which shooting, interview with the key personage still keep a memory of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, • Fashion show in Bukhara Brilliant Silk – in Ipak numerous trade caravans and important stopovers on the Yuli Restaurant – photo shooting, interview with Great Silk Road. Choosing this trip you will have a great the key personages opportunity to discover the cultural treasures and traditions • Visit of potter’s house of Alisher Rakhimov - of the Nomadic people who have crossed the region for photo shooting, interview with the key personage ages, and of the people who have settled in its cities. • National Dancing Folk Show in Nadir Devon Explore the sprawling Soviet-styled cities and tour three Beghi Madrassah modern capitals of Central Asia. Absorb the architectural legacies of flourishing Islamic culture and the great Timurid NOT INCLUDED Empire in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. During your stay • International air tickets you will live through the centuries of the Central Asian Silk • Special requests on food and meals, alcohol and 1 | P a g e

Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

Road. soft drinks, which are not part of full board menu • Activities during the free time, not part of the tour Khiva city represents a major centre of the world civilization package (entrance fees, transport service, being one of the most important components of the Great permits, guide service etc.) Silk Road. Further, the path runs to Bukhara and Samarkand • Insurances through the expanses of the mystical Kyzyl Kum desert. • Tips & gratuities and personal expenses Magnificent assemblies from different eras and local traditional lifestyle will impress you utterly.

Brief information about the activities for Photographers and their partners:

TASHKENT – locations/activities description:

Master-Apprentice Pottery School of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov (included in the program – day 1):

In an ancient district of the Tashkent city, in one of the so-called mahallas (self-governing body of citizens) a famous pottery ceramics school, Ceramic Studio of the Rakhimov's family can be found. The beginning of this school was laid back in the middle of the 20th century by the works Day 1 of Mukhitdin Rakhimov, a famous scientist and researcher in the field of ancient ceramics. Already in the 30s and 40s of the 20th century, he began collecting and classifying various styles, directions and techniques of pottery, starting with ancient samples such as polished Kushan ceramics, medieval Afrosiab ceramics, and blue and white pottery works dating to the Timurid times. This huge material was published in the fundamental work "Art Ceramics of Uzbekistan". For his work, Mukhitdin Rakhimov received many awards, including the State Prize and the title of People's Artist. Photo shooting and interview of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov. House-Museum of Pumpkin (included in the program – day 2):

The museum is decorated in national style using various types of pumpkins and other types of Day 2 handicrafts. There are more than 1000 unusual exhibits. Each product is unique because each pumpkin has a unique shape. Visitors to the museum are not only surprised at the range of products, but also make photo shooting during the process of making pumpkin appliqués. Moreover, the puppet shows are presented in the museum. The museum has been operating for 15 years. Ethnopark (included in the program – day 2):

In the very center of the capital, a newly-built landmark is opening its doors - a unique ethnic town, which presents the traditions and customs of all the peoples of Uzbekistan. In this authentic place you can see and get acquainted with the ancient culture and originality of the peoples living throughout the country. There are, just so you know, more than 120 of them! Ethno-park has become a treasury of all kinds of Uzbek handicrafts: here you can admire gold- embroidery objects, artistic ceramics, carpet weaving, traditional dolls, knives and ceramic Day 2 dishes.

New, and already loved by residents and tourists attraction, located in the "Navruz" park occupies more than 32 hectares. On such a large area, you can make not only a real tour of the heritage of our ancestors, but also mix it with a ride on the Ferris wheel and a visit to the amphitheater.

Visiting the artisan shops, buying souvenirs, tasting traditional dishes, trying on national chapans and other costumes, enjoying the diversity of the culture values of all regions, without leaving the borders of Tashkent - all this is possible in the new ethnical town. Photo shooting. 2 | P a g e

Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

“Wax Museum of Celebrities” (included in the program day 2):

It is expected that this place will become one of the favourite places of both local residents and tourists. It is well known that most European travellers visit Madame Tussauds and share photos Day 2 with Hollywood stars, scientists, politicians and other celebrities on social networks.

Each exhibit in the Museum of Stars, including the atmosphere, is thought out to the smallest detail - “living” dolls, a huge collection of personalities that have left their mark on modern history, etc. Photo shooting. Solar Institute in Parkent (included in the program day 2):

In the 70s of the twentieth century, realizing the prospects for the development of environmentally friendly renewable energy sources, Said Azimov initiated the creation of the “Big solar furnace” of Uzbekistan. In the early 80s, he sought approval of the project and headed the construction of an innovative facility in Parkent district (50 km. from Tashkent). The construction of the institute was begun in 1981 and was successfully completed in 1988. In the same year, a unique optical mirror complex with a “Big solar furnace” with a thermal capacity of 1000 kW was Day 2 put into operation.

The Uzbek Institute "Physics-Sun" was built on an open hill, in an ecologically clean area. The number of sunny days per year at this point approaches 280. At the base of the hill involved in the construction is a one-piece plate of natural origin, which ensures maximum accuracy of the complex’s work even in unfavorable seismological situations. In 1993 on the basis of this complex, the Institute of Materials Science was created. It is part of the "Physics-Sun" of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in which original developments on the synthesis of high-temperature compounds are conducted. Photo shooting. “Ilkhom” theatre (included in the program – day 2):

The theatre “Ilkhom”, one of the first non-governmental professional theatres in the history of the former Soviet Union, was founded in 1976 by its director Mark Weil and a group of graduates of Tashkent Theatre and Art Institute. Initially the theatre was formed as an ensemble consisting of freely improvising soloists who sensitively hear and understand each other. The original name of the theater was ESTY “Ilkhom” (experimental studio of theatre youth – actors, artists, musicians, theatre critics). The young theatre became debut stage for young playwrights, namely for A. Day 2 Vampilov, S. Zlotnikov, Sh. Bashbekov, Ch. Guseynov, L. Razumovskaya, who were later called as the “new wave” of drama. Meeting with the drama of their generation appeared to be the best and the most unique way for the actors to express themselves. Today’s repertoire of the theatre “Ilkhom” is very diverse, ranging from the plays of the world classics to the works of young authors from all over the world, and many of such plays were first presented to the audience nowhere else but in this theatre. Over the past 17 years the works of the theatre “Ilkhom” were presented at more than 34 international theatrical festivals in 22 countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Yugoslavia, the United States, Russia, Japan, France, Poland and others, and during 15 non-festival tour performances. Photo shooting and interview of actors.

KHIVA – locations/activities description:

Khiva culinary master-class (included in the program – day 3):

Day 3 Khiva is the pearl of ancient Khorezm - a cultural oasis in the north-west of modern Uzbekistan. The city was the last stop for caravans before crossing the desert on their way to Iran. Crafts flourished here: baking, for example, over the past centuries has remained almost unchanged. 3 | P a g e

Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

Today's cakes are decorated with symbols of the ancient local religion - Zoroastrianism. Zainab Abdullaeva, a resident of the “old” Khiva, tells, shows and treats: “The tradition of making our breads is passed down from generation to generation. We specifically teach this to girls. These are our roots ... My mother taught me how to bake, and my grandmother taught her myself.” Local women bake bread in special clay ovens, which were stacked in the courtyards of houses, and even in the old city squares. Photo shooting and interview.

Puppet Theater in Khiva (additional fee USD 75 pp – day 3): Khiva puppet show, the tradition of manufacturing of which goes back to the ancient generations and still decorates the city life with theatrical performances. Puppet shows are a long tradition of many countries of the world. In the Middle Ages during fairs and folk festivals puppet plays for the people were held in noisy, crowded squares. On the primitive, fast-tracked scaffolding with a screen, there were mini-scenes about people, the rich and the poor, loyalties of lovers, amity and perfidy. The tradition of the puppet show in Uzbekistan dates back to the IV century BC, to the era of the Achaemenids. However, the puppet theater became widespread only in the XIV century, during Day 3 Timur’s and the Timurids’ governing. The puppet theaters and glove puppets have been very popular for centuries. Puppet performances are still presented in the theatrical art of Uzbekistan. The State puppet theater of the Khorezm region, located in Khiva, has its own special color. This is the only Uzbekistan puppet theater, where one can still feel the spirit of medieval bazaar performances: scenery, dolls, stories, the manner of playing actors take us centuries ago. That is why, the Khiva puppet theater is so popular not only among the inhabitants of Uzbekistan, but also is accepted with delight by foreign audiences. The puppet theater of Khiva is located near the historical heart of Khiva - a medieval city behind a massive fortress wall - Ichan-Kala. Here, on any day of the week, one can see colorful folklore performances, fascinating national Khorezm dances, various puppet shows.

BUKHARA – locations/activities description:

Bukhara Brilliant Silk (included in the program – day 5):

https://uzbbsilk.com/

Day 5 Ltd. "BUKHARA BRILLIANT SILK" was founded in 2001. The main scope of business is the production of silk and silk products. Ltd. "BUKHARA BRILLIANT SILK" is part of the "UZBEKIPAKSANOAT" Association, which combine cocoon grown and recycled: silk-and silk- weaving factory. Photo shooting and interview.

Restaurant - Theatre Of Silk "Ipak Yuli" (included in the program – day 5):

A new tourist restaurant opens - Ipak Yuli Silk Theatre, with a capacity of 250-300 guests. A rich excursion program in the factory and dinner in the luxurious hall of our restaurant will give each guest the opportunity to plunge into the history of silk. The main decoration of the evening will be the display of the copyright collections of our fashion theatre “Ipak Yuli”. Bukhara Brilliant Silk Day 5 (BBS) was established in 2010. The highlight of the evening will be the Fashion show of the clothing line from the Silk Theatre “Ipak Yuli”: - “Pre-party”; - Collection of national clothes - Pajama collection; - Scarves; - Syurts and bathrobes. 4 | P a g e

Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

Photo shooting and interview. Davlat Toshev Master Miniaturist in Bukhara (included in the program – day 5):

http://perso.numericable.fr/persian-miniatures/english/index.html

Painting in miniature traces its roots to its use in poetry books where artists depicted scenes described in the books. Davlat Buronovich Toshev comes from a long line of miniature painters. After learning the skill from his father, he became the seventh generation of miniature painters. His father taught him the art of calligraphy as well as painting in miniature. Day 5 The tradition of miniatures in Central Asia dates back to the reign of Tamerlane (1370-1405). By the early 1700s, Bukhara was noted as the center of miniature painting.

Today, Davlat's work shows scenes from daily life in those ancient times, including battle scenes and paintings in miniature using only calligraphy.Davlat creates miniature paintings on both old and new handmade silk paper, a tradition he says is being revived in Uzbekistan. The tools of his work include a magnifying glass, a variety of brushes and pencils, and both gold and silver leaf. He also uses tempera and natural colors.

Photo shooting and Interview.

Nodir Devon-Beghi Dancing Folk Show (included in the program – day 5):

Nodir Devon-Beghi Medrassah is an attraction for travelers and guests of Bukhara. It astounds travelers, not only with its peculiar architecture, but by its magnificent display of Uzbek culture and heritage. The unique opportunity to join the cultural heritage of the Uzbek people in its entirety, including Uzbek classical and folk music, dances, and cuisine has been created by the Medrassah. When visiting, you will be immersed in the special atmosphere of our National traditions, which the local people are resolutely attempting to preserve. Day 5 The folklore concert begins in the evening. Under the glow of the sunset, calm Uzbek music can be heard. A soloist of the consort gives a demonstration of Uzbek musical instruments: the doyra, gijak, soz, chang, nay and others. The dance ensemble "Bukhorcha" pleases audiences with performances of various National dances. The repertoire is very interesting, as Uzbekistan is a multiethnic country, and the whole program is arranged accordingly: Uzbek national dances, Khorezm national dances, Ferghana national dances, and then Tajik and Arabic dances. In the pauses between dances, the fashion house "Ovaciya" showcases its elegant collections. Their dresses combine modern trends and Asian traditions. Photo shooting.

Gold Embroidery in Uzbekistan – Mahfuza Salimova (included in the program – day 6):

Gold embroidery is embroidery with gold and silver thread - a very ancient kind of needlework. Historical records give the evidence of the existence of gold embroidery as early as in the Middle Day 6 Ages. This kind of needlework was wide-spread in many parts of the world, and Uzbekistan was not an exception.

Makhfuza Salimova is a hereditary embroiderer, a representative of the third generation of the golden seamstress dynasty. She learned this craft from her father and mother, and Nurmukhammad Sultanov, master of gold sewing products, shared her experience with her. Nurmuhammad-bobo, 94, is the last representative of the Bukhara gold-seamstress men. He, 5 | P a g e

Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

like Usto Shirin Murodov, created his own school in the field of gold embroidery. The ancestors of the father of Mahfuza Hamidulla Salimov were gold seamstresses. Her grandmother Kurbanoi, all her life was engaged in embroidery, Mother of Mahfuza - Malika-Bibi worked for 40 years at the gold-sewing factory in Bukhara. Gold sewing is now comprehended by children and grandchildren. Her first independent work was a skullcap embroidered with “sadbarg” flowers. Later, she set up her own center for women artisans, Sadbarg. She is currently introducing new techniques into this type of craft, teaching to her students. Among her best works are miniature sketches embroidered in gold. Photo shooting and interview.

SAMARKAND – locations/activities description:

Muborak Sharipovna National House (included in the program – day 7):

National House of Muborak-opa always welcomes guests of Samarkand. Here you will taste traditional Uzbek dishes. Hostess Muborak-opa pays special attention to different tastes of Day 7 guests, including vegetarian menu. Here you will have an opportunity to get acquainted with national style of Uzbek house as well as with peculiarities of local cooking traditions. Oriental exotics, hospitality and comfortable rooms allow to have a good rest and gather strength before a trip. In addition you can order to prepare lunch-boxes for your journey.

The Theatre of Historical Costume ‘El Merosi’ in Samarkand (can be included in the program instead of Khovrenko winery – day 8):

The Instants of Eternity, an unusual ethno-cultural performance staged by the theatre of historical costume, will be a nice complement to your guided tour of Samarkand. During the show the actors demonstrate the costumes of different historical periods in Uzbekistan, from the Bronze Age to the present day. There you can see clothes worn by the Saka and Massageatae, Zoroastrians, Persian and Sogdian rulers and noblemen and others. The theatre’s collection includes a wide range of colourful garments from the Timurid period, as well as traditional Day 8 clothes from all of the present-day regions of Uzbekistan. The materials used for the production of the clothes included various coarse and handmade fabrics, animal skins, leather, silk, velvet and brocade. Currently, the theatre’s collection comprises around 200 unique sets of clothes. The performance consists of eleven dramatised episodes. The soundtracks include fragments of pieces of classical Uzbek music played on the ney, gijak, dutar and doyra, potpourris of oriental melodies performed by musicians from Uzbekistan and abroad, and modern sonic effects, such as sounds of wildlife, battles, clashing swords, treading and neighing horses and others. Photo shooting.

“Lali” fashion show (can be included in the program instead of Khovrenko winery – day 9): https://www.lalimoda.com/main

Designer Lali started her professional activity in 1996 with a small workshop. Later her name Day 9 became a patented brand of LALI, and the workshop became a fashion house. For more than 10 years, the fashion designer has been successfully dressing the women of Uzbekistan in exclusive items, sewn by individual design.

The style of Lali brand is a fusion of centuries-old traditions and modern trends. Lali constantly follows the new trends and does not miss even the most seemingly imperceptible fashionable

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Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

changes. If this season the world podiums abound with, for example, floral decoration or decoupage technique, it means that these actual elements will be present in Lali's collection as well. She likes to experiment, combining national Uzbek fabrics with Italian silk and French guipure.

The doors of Lali Fashion House opened on October 1, 2011. Behind the threshold of the Fashion House, there is a cozy atmosphere, pleasant music and lively flowers in the vases. In the hall you will be met by a nice woman, who will spend in the showroom and at the same time Lali's office. This is where, as usual, the process of creating a new outfit begins. According to the results of determination of taste preferences, Lali will provide a sketch of the future costume, dress or any other element of the wardrobe, where even the smallest details are drawn and registered. Usually, Lali is unmistakably guessing what a woman wants to see herself in. A whole staff of employees works on the creation of clothes. Photo shooting and interview.

Khovrenko Winery (included in the program – day 9):

The wines of Samarkand have been famous since antiquity. However, modern commercial production of wine dates from 1868, when Dmitri Filatov, a Russian merchant, founded a small, largely experimental wine-producing enterprise in the vicinity of Samarkand. Within a few years, Filatov’s wines were winning gold and silver medals in international competitions in Paris and Antwerp. However, it was the arrival of the Russian scientist Michael Khovrenko in 1927 that Day 9 transformed the nascent Uzbek wine industry. He improved the vine-stock and introduced better methods of production and bottling. Wines from Samarkand were prized throughout the Soviet Union, but rarely exported abroad. Today, the Khovrenko vineyards function as a commercial wine-producing enterprise, but also act as a museum for wine-making in the region. Some of the original Khovrenko wines from the 1920s and 1930s are still held in their cellars and connoisseurs are occasionally allowed to sample them. Photo shooting.

Our Offer — 9 Nights (10 Days) GROUP Tour to Uzbekistan

Your Itinerary - in Brief: Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent from Istanbul (Tashkent City tour) Day 2: Tashkent (City tour) Day 3: Tashkent – Urgench (Domestic flight 967km) – Khiva (A road trip 30km/Walking city tour/Culinary masterclass/Folk show program) Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara (Train 470km) Day 5: Bukhara (City tour/Culinary masterclass) Day 6: Bukhara – Samarkand (A road trip 268 km) Day 7: Samarkand (City tour) Day 8: Samarkand (A road trip 85 km - City tour in Shakhrisabz) – Samarkand (A road trip 85km for A/C car (through Takhta-Karacha Pass)/140 km for minibuses and coach) Day 9: Samarkand (City tour) – Tashkent (Train 306km) Day 10: Tashkent - Departure to Istanbul

Your Itinerary – in Details:

(day of the flight) Recommended flight: Istanbul – Tashkent (Everyday flights) 00:50 Departure from Istanbul by TK368 direct flight.

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1st Day Arrival in Tashkent Sundays/ 07:15 Arrival in Tashkent. Meet and greet with ULYSSE TOUR. Wednesdays/ Fridays Transfer to the hotel. Early check-in. Time for refresh & relax after the flight.

10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

10:30 City tour along the old part of Tashkent: • Khazrati Imam Complex consisting of Barak Khan Madrasah (XVI), Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (XV), Muyi-Mubarak Mosque – storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of Prophet Muhammad • Djuma Mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali • Kukeldash Madrasah (XVI)

12:30 Visit potter’s house of Alisher Rakhimov, who will show you his works and the process of making

13:30 Lunch at “Basilic” restaurant.

Free time for purchases in bazaar and souvenir shops

17:00 Visit Tashkent subway (metro) stations

Dinner at “Sim Sim” restaurant

Transfer to and overnight stay at the hotel in Tashkent.

2nd Day Tashkent Mondays/ 08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Thursdays/ Saturdays 09:00 Bus excursion around the new part of the city: • Independence Square • Amir Timur Statue • Memorial to the World War II Victims • Monument of Courage • Alisher Square

Coffee break

11:00 Visit Museum of Pumpkin 12:30 Visit Museum of Madame Tussauds 13:30 Lunch at “Bek” national restaurant 14:30 Drive to Parkent Solar Station

Coffee break

18:00 Visit Ethnopark 19:30 Dinner at the “Obi Hayot” restaurant

Transfer to and overnight stay at the hotel in Tashkent.

3rd Day Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

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Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

Tuesdays/ (Everyday flights, ~07:25-08:55) Fridays/ 06:00 Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to the domestic airport. Sundays 07:25 Departure from Tashkent - 08:50 Arrival in Urgench. Meeting at the airport and transfer to Khiva (40 km).

09:30 Excursion along the historical Complex Ichan-Kala in Khiva city (XII-XIX) that is included into the UNESCO World Heritage List: • Citadel Kunya-Ark (XVI-XVI) • Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah • Kazi Kalon Madrasah • Muhammad Rakhimkhan II Madrasah • Ismail Khodja Mausoleum • Sayid Allauddin Mausoleum Coffee break

13:00 Culinary masterclass on baking national bread “lepeshka” in a clay oven 13:30 Lunch at “Yassaul Bashi” national restaurant. 14:30 Continue excursion: • Kalta Minor Tower • Tash-Khovli Palace (XIX) • Palvan Darvaza (Warriors Gate) • Djuma Mosque (X) • Allakulikhan Madrasah • Ota Darvaza (Father Gate) • Kutlug Murad Inaq Madrasah Coffee break

17:00 Puppet show in Ichan Qala (addional fee USD 75 pp) 18:00 Check-in the hotel (standard check-in time: from 14:00) 19:00 Dinner at “Zarafshan” restaurant

Overnight stay at the hotel in Khiva.

4th Day Khiva-Bukhara Wednesdays/ 09:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Saturdays/ Mondays 10:00 Hotel check out. Free time for your own exploration: walking around Ichan Qala and taking panoramic photos from the roof of Citadel Kunya Ark

14:00 Lunch at “Caravan” restaurant 15:00 Transfer to the railway station to catch a train to Bukhara 16:30 – 22:25 Dinner on board of the train (dinner boxes)

22:30 Arrival to Bukhara and transfer to the hotel Check-in (standard check-in time: from 14:00)

Overnight stay at the hotel in Bukhara.

5 th Day Bukhara Thursdays/ 08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Sundays/

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Tour package for Let’s Discover - SILK ROAD HERITAGE

Tuesdays 09:00 Full day Bukhara city tour: • Citadel Ark (IV) – city in the city • Bolo-Khauz Mosque (beginning of XX) • Ismael Samani Mausoleum: the tomb of representatives of Samanids’ dynasty (end of IX –beginning of X) • Poyi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great) – religious heart of sacred Bukhara that consists of Minaret Kalon (XII), Kalyan Mosque (XII) and Miri Arab Madrasah (XVI)

Coffee break

12:30 Culinary master class and lunch on cooking pilaf at “Davlat” national house. Davlat Toshev is world-famous Uzbek miniature painter from Bukhara. His miniatures had been exhibited in many galleries around the globe. You will also have a chance to try yourself as a miniature painter, as well as to see the rich collection of miniatures in Davlat’s house.

15:00 Continue excursion: • Ulugbek Madrasah (1417) • Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah • Magoki-Attori Mosque (XII-XVI) • Kosh-Madrasah Ensemble that consists of Madari-Abdullakhan Madrasah, Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble (XIV-XVII), Nodir Divanbeghi Madrasah, (Abdullakhan’s mother) and Abdullakhan Madrasah.

Coffee break

18:00 National Dancing Folk Show in Nadir Devon Beghi Madrassah

19:00 Dinner at the “Ipak Yuli” restaurant with fashion show

The show consists of traditional Bukhara style dresses, worn during the Bukhara Emirate and theatric show, where it is demonstrated how silk moved from East to West.

20:00 Transfer to and overnight stay at the hotel in Bukhara.

6 th Day Bukhara - Samarkand Fridays 08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Mondays Wednesdays 09:00 Half day excursion: Tour to the trade domes called Coumpol Bazaar (XVI) where tourists can enjoy the negotiation process and shopping. It includes: • Toki Saraffon (the Dome of Money changers) • Toki-Telpak Furushon (the Dome of Cap makers) • Toki Zargaron (the Dome of jewelers) • Tim Abdullakhan (the Center of silk)

11:30 Visit Mahfuza Salimova golden embroidery workshop

Coffee break

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13:00 Lunch at “Minzifa” national restaurant

14:00 Transfer to Samarkand via Gijduvan city to see the ceramic workshop of Alisher Nasrullaev.

Coffee break

18:00 Transfer to the hotel 19:00 Dinner at “Istiqlol” restaurant

Overnight stay at the hotel in Samarkand.

7 th Day Samarkand Saturdays 08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Tuesdays Thursdays 09:00 Full day Samarkand City tour: • Famous Square that consists of Madrasah Ulugbek (XV), Madrasah Sher-Dor (XVII), Madrasah Tillya-Kori (XVII) • Guri Emir Mausoleum -Tamerlane’s Tomb (XIV-XV)

Coffee break

12:30 Culinary master-class on cooking “Manty” and lunch in national house of Mubaro Sharipovna

14:00 Continue city tour: • Ulugbek Observatory (XV) • Afrosiab Museum • Architectural Complex Shakh-i-Zinda (XI-XV) • Bibi Khanum Mosque (XIV-XV)

Coffee break

17:30 Visit to Siyob Bazaar for dried fruits, sweets and souvenirs 19:00 Dinner at “Samarkand” restaurant 21.00 Visit Registan square in the evening (with lights) 22:30 Transfer to and overnight stay at the hotel in Samarkand

8 th Day Samarkand – Shakhrisabz- Samarkand Sundays Wednesdays 08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Fridays 09:00 Transfer to Shakhrisabz

11:00 Shakhrisabz City Tour: • Amir Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace (White palace, 1380-1404), which is substantially destroyed, but it’s restoring intensively. • Mausoleum Dorus-Saodat («Power Place», XIV) — crypt of Jahangir and Omar (Timur’s sons)

Coffee break

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13:00 Lunch at “Kish Mish” local restaurant

14:00 Continue city tour: • Ensemble Dorus-Tilovat («A blue mosque», XIV) — the mausoleum of spiritual instructor Timur Shamsiddin Kulol • Gumbazi-Seyidon Mausoleum (XVI) • Kok-Gumbaz Mosque (1435) • Khazrat-Imam Mosque (XIV)

16:00 Drive back to Samarkand 18:00 Possible to see performance in “El Merosi” costume theatre instead of visit Khovrenko winery

Coffee break

19:00 Dinner at “Oazis Garden” restaurant 20:00 Transfer to and overnight stay at the hotel in Samarkand

9 th Day Samarkand – Tashkent (Train 306km/18:00-20:10) – daily train schedule Mondays 08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Thursdays 09:00 Hotel check out. Saturdays 09:30 City tour: • Khodja-Daniil (Daniyar) Mausoleum • Memorial complex of Imam al-Bukhari

Coffee break

13:00 Lunch at “Platan” restaurant

14:00 Visit Khovrenko winery (or possible to see Lali fashion show instead of visit Khovrenko winery), visit Meros paper making factory

Coffee break

17:00 Transfer to Tashkent by Afrosiab high-speed train at 18:00 Arrival to Tashkent at 20:10 and transfert to the hotel 21:00 Farewell dinner at the “Manas” restaurant

22:30 Transfer to and overnight stay at the hotel in Tashkent.

10 th Day Tashkent – Istanbul departure (Everyday flights, ~09:00-12:20) Tuesdays 06:00 Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to the airport. Fridays Sundays 09:15 Departure from Tashkent by TK369 direct flight. 12:10 Arrival in Istanbul.

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