Traditional Uzbeki hats , Bukhara
ASIA & SOUTH PACIFIC
Kalta Minor Minaret , Khiva Old Town , Khiva
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Depart for your flight to Tashkent , Uzbekistan , via Istanbul , Turkey .
DAY 2 • Istanbul , Turkey • Tashkent , Uzbekistan Land in Tashkent and meet your fellow travelers , including those who took our Tajikistan : Khujand & Dushanbe pre-trip extension .
Lotte City Hotel or similar
DAY 3 • Tashkent Walk to Independence Square , a symbol of freedom for the Uzbekistan people who declared their independence from Russia in 1991 . The Courage Monument was erected after an earthquake struck the city in 1966 .
Meals : B , L , D | Lotte City Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • Explore Tashkent • Controversial Topic : Life in Uzbekistan post-Soviet Union • Visit Chorsu Bazaar
Visit Barak Khan Madrassah , a historical monument that has become a center for local artists and craftsmen . See one of the world ’ s oldest Korans , and visit Chorsu Bazaar , Tashkent ’ s famous green-domed market . This afternoon , meet a local woman for a conversation about the Controversial Topic of life in Uzbekistan after the Soviet Union ’ s collapse .
Meals : B | Lotte City Hotel or similar
DAY 5 • Samarkand • Ulugh Beg Observatory • Tamerlane ’ s mausoleum
Journey to Samarkand , one of the oldest cities on Earth . Later , visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory , a 15th-century astronomical center that was once one of the most advanced in the Islamic world . Then , visit Gur Emir , the mausoleum of conqueror Tamerlane and his descendants .
Meals : B , L , D | Sultan Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 6 • Samarkand • Home-Hosted Dinner Explore Samarkand , including Registan Square , Bibi- Khanum Mosque , and Siab Bazaar . Later , drive to Shahi-Zinda , a towering necropolis where a cousin of the prophet Muhammad is buried . This evening , enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local Uzbek family .
Meals : B , L , D | Sultan Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • Samarkand • Gissar Mountains • Conversation about arranged marriages in Uzbekistan
Hike the foothills of the Gissar Mountains , pausing during the journey to enjoy a cup of tea on the trail and take in the surroundings . Our hike concludes at Ohilik , a small mountain village , where we may get to spend some time engaging with the locals before returning to Samarkand . Later , join two local women for a conversation about arranged marriage in Uzbekistan , a cultural tradition that is increasingly falling out of favor in the modern age .
Meals : B , L | Sultan Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Train to Bukhara • Walking tour Today , we ’ ll journey by train to Bukhara . Upon arrival , we ’ ll begin a walking tour of this ancient holy city at Lyab-i-Khauz , an ensemble of madrassahs and historical buildings built around a quiet plaza in the shade of mulberry trees , often frequented by teasipping , chess-playing Uzbek locals . We ’ ll also see Bukhara ’ s famous domed bazaars , a series of ancient arcades occupied by money changers , hat makers , rug merchants , jewelry vendors , and more . Dinner is at a local restaurant .
Meals : B , L , D | Amelia Boutique Hotel or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 7 , set off on a hike in the Gissar Mountains , following rugged shepherd trails through verdant hills to the mountain village of Ohilik
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / slk 87