Traditional Uzbeki hats, Bukhara
ASIA
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 Upon arrival in Istanbul, transfer to your hotel 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. Then, visit the Crying Mother Monument, constructed to honor Uzbeks who died in World War II. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B, L, D | Lotte City Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • Tashkent’ s Old Town • Controversial Topic: Life in Uzbekistan post-Soviet Union • 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. Later, 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 in the world. Later, visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory, a 15th-century astronomical center that was 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 • Shah-i-Zinda necropolis • Home-Hosted Dinner
Explore Samarkand, including Registan Square, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and Siab Bazaar. Later, drive to Shah-i-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, concluding at Ohilik, a small mountain village where we’ ll engage with the locals before returning to Samarkand. Later, join two local women for a conversation about arranged marriages in Uzbekistan.
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 the ancient holy city followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D | Amelia Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 9 • Bukhara & Ark Citadel Enjoy a full-day tour of Bukhara, including the 18th-century Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, and UNESCO-listed Old Town. We’ ll also view Ark Citadel, the city’ s ancient fortress.
Meals: B, L | Amelia Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 10 • Bukhara • A Day in the Life of Nayman village • Community lunch
Spend A Day in the Life of Nayman, a farming village outside Bukhara. We’ ll try our hand at making Samarkand bread, and join local families for lunch.
Meals: B, L | 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 101