We are pleased to offer you below Uzbekistan 14 days tour program including 7 days trekking/hiking trip in Nurata mountains for 2023, which includes all parts of main highlights of Uzbekistan as well as off the beaten track with visits to remote villages in Nurata mountains. Hope you will find it interesting.

Please note the below.

1. The best time for travelling for this tour is from April till mid of October.
2. The overnight in yurts and guesthouses have very basic conditions: one yurt or one room is for 4-5 pax, sleeping on the local matrasses on the floor. Shower and toilet facilities are located outside. The clients should be well-informed about it to avoid further misunderstandings.
3. We advise the participants to have below equipment and wears for their convenience during the trip:

Backpack, trekking shoes, warm clothes, head-dress (cap, panama cap etc.), sunglasses, sunblock crème and flashlight, etc.

4. As soon as you re-confirm our services with fixed travelling dates and provisional number of rooms, we will start bookings at the hotels accordingly.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 TASHKENT

Arrival of the clients at Tashkent International Airport by morning flight from home country. Meet and transfer to hotel for luggage drop (Check-in after 14:00 only). Start full day city tour of Tashkent.  Visit Khastimom complex (Kaffal Shashiy Masoleum, Barak Khan Medressah, Library with holy Koran), Chorsu Bazaar, Applied Arts Museum, Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, some metro stations with its nice decoration. Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 2 TASHKENT-URGENCH (by air)- KHIVA (30 km)

Transfer to domestic airport for morning  HY-055 (07:40-09:20) flight to Urgench. Meet and transfer to Khiva.  Start full day city tour of Ichankala (inner town). Visit Kalta Minar, Muhammad Aminkhan Medressah, Kunya Ark, Muhammad Rakhimkhan Medressah, Juma Mosque and Minaret, Pahlavan Mahmud Masoleum, Islamkhodja Medressah, Toshhovli Palace, Allakulikhan Medressah and Ceravanserai. Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at Hotel.

DAY 3 KHIVA - BUKHARA (480 km, 8-9 hrs)

After breakfast drive to Bukhara via Kizilkum desert. En route photo stop at Amu Darya river bank.. Plov cooking demonstration at Uzbek family. Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at Hotel. Dinner at Local Family.

DAY 4 BUKHARA

After breakfast full day city tour of Bukhara. Visit Samanid’s Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub, citadel Ark, Bolo-Hauz Mosque,  Kalyan complex including Kalyan Mosque, Kalyan Minaret and Mirarab Medressah, Trade domes, Abdulazizkhan and Ulugbek Medressahs, Nadir Devonbegi  Medressah, complex, Lyabi-Khauz complex, Jewish synagogue. Folk show at Nadir Devonbegi Medressah (if available). Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at Hotel.

DAY 5 BUKHARA-GIJDUVAN (65 km) –NURATA (120 km) –YANGIKAZGAN (70 km)

After breakfast drive to Gijduvan and visit ceramist family. Then drive to Navoi, en route visit the ruins of Rabbat Malik Caravansaray. Then drive to Nurata, a small town near Aydarkul Lake. This place is famous for holy spring “Chashmai Ayub”. According to the old traditions the Alexander the great built a small fortress to watch the enemy from the Northern part: here you can visit ruins of two old castles which dating back to unknown period. Also visit Nurata mosque from eight century. Upon arrival in Yangikazgan, short camel riding within yurt camp (about 10 minutes). Overnight in yurts.

 Meals: Breakfast at Hotel. Dinner at Yurts.

DAY 6 YANGIKAZGAN-AYDARKUL LAKE (8 km) – SENTYAB VILLAGE (about 70 km)
After breakfast visit Aydarkul Lake, then drive to Sentyab village. Arrive in a homestay in Sentyab village. Your host welcomes you and shows the homestay facilities. Almost all the houses in Sentyabvillage have large gardens with the river passing through. Settle in a homestay.
After lunch, wander around the village to see the mosque, local school, village shop and a building style of the local houses. Sentyab is one of the few villages where almost all the houses are built in traditional way using local rocks. Wandering through the village is a fantastic way to see locals doing their traditional livelihood activities. You will meet many friendly and curious villagers willing to talk to you. In the afternoon, you have a free time to chat with your host family. You may also watch or participate in traditional cooking practices. Dinner with the host family. Overnight at guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast at Yurts. Lunch at Local Guesthouse. Dinner at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 7 SENTYAB VILLAGE

After breakfast your local escort guide well familiar with all hiking trails around will take you to a whole day’s hiking tour to Kardvan valley (7,5-8 hrs/ 15 km return trip). Start hiking up Sentob valley, pass an old watermill, ruins of ancient fortress and an Arabic script on a rock. The hike leads you along a crystal clear mountain stream with small water-falls, lush vegetation and natural swimming pools. Have a picnic on the way. The valley is great for bird watching and has a very diverse flora. Those who are interested in birds can spot following bird species: Spotted Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Mistle Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Persian Nuthatch, Blue Rock-Thrush, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Laughing Dove, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Magpie, Chukar, and occasionally one of the owl species.
Return to Sentyab the same way. Overnight at guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast at Guesthouse. Picnic Lunch. Dinner at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 8 SENTYAB VILLAGE

After breakfast our today’s trek will take us to the mountain Lake Fazilman (10 hrs / 22 km return trip). In the summer, many villagers move up to their mountain huts near Fazilman lake to grow vegetables in fertile mountain plateau. On the way to the lake, you will meet many farmers bringing fodder or firewood on donkeys from the mountains down to the village. Hike up the Chavaksoy valley to Guzbin (8.3km, 3 ½ hrs), reach the mountain pass, near peak Gaukum and continue on the plateau to Lake Fazilman (2.8km, 1 hour). Have a picnic and a good rest at the lake and return to Sentyab via Saridasht. Overnight at guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast at Guesthouse. Lunch at Local Guesthouse. Dinner at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 9 SENTYAB VILLAGE –AYDARKUL LAKE – HAYAT VILLAGE 

9:00 Transfer by car to Hayat village, visit the lake Aydarkul on the way. On the main Nurata-Jizzakh tar road branch off near Andigen village to the dirt road which takes you through vast Kyzyl-Kum steppes to the lake Aydar. Driving through Kyzyl-Kum you might spot steppe tortoises, hares and desert agamas.
Arrive at the lake, depending on the time of the year you can have a swim, walk along the lakeshore or watch the rich aquatic birdlife (cranes, pelicans, many duck and goose species and numerous waders etc.). At the lake, you will meet many fishermen from the villages nearby. 12:00 Leave for Hayat village. Arrive at homestay in Hayat village. Your host welcomes you and shows the homestay facilities. Settle in Shiringul’s homestay. The homestay has six separate guestrooms, furnished with carpets, kurpacha mattresses and pillows. The owner of the homestay Parda Musaev works as warden in the Nature Reserve. Have a lunch with the family. Start your excursion through the village by visiting the nearby breeding enclosure of highly endangered Severtsov’s wild sheep. According to official statistics, approximately 2000 wild sheep are outside the enclosure in the Nuratau Mountains valleys. From the enclosure, continue walking up to the ruins of local fortress Shaxi Korgon situated on the hill opposite the enclosure. From the top of the hill you will see many abandoned houses that belonged to the families who were forced to resettle in 1950s by Soviet Government to cotton growing areas. Continue hiking up Hayat valley. Particularly in spring, you can see the diverse flora and fauna of the region and admire lush green landscape. Return to the homestay and take a rest in the huge shady garden along the mountain brook on tapchans or benches. Overnight at guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast at Guesthouse. Lunch at Local Guesthouse. Dinner at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 10 HAYAT VILLAGE-UHUM VILLAGE

Breakfast with the family. Today we hike to the village of Upper Uhum (return trip 12 km). Start guided hike through Guzar and the Sari Bedak passes to Upper Uhum village (5,4 km /3,5 hrs – one way). The luggage will be transported by donkeys to next homestay. From the pass, you will have a beautiful view of peak Karaul and Hayat village. Hiking up through Uhum valley, you will see local woman baking bread in the tandir oven and doing other household chores. Women in the village are still spinning, weaving carpets or making kurpacha mattresses. Many people will welcome you to enter their yards and watch what they are doing. In Upper Ukhum village, see the ancient irrigation channels still used by the local farmers and visit the petroglyph site that is an indicator of the ancient settlement history of the area. A picnic lunch will be provided for you en route. In the afternoon, arrive and settle in Ulugbek’s homestay in Uhum village, the luggage will be transported from Hayat by donkeys. Overnight at guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast at Guesthouse. Lunch at Local Guesthouse. Dinner at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 11 UHUM VILLAGE – ASRAF VILLAGE

Breakfast with the family. Prepare for hiking to your next homestay in Asraf village. Our escort guide will accompany you and the donkey will transport your luggage.Start hiking through Ukhum valley to Asraf village (11 km-4,5 hrs). Once you reach the school turn left, continue walking down through the valley (about 1 km) and stop at the old community watermill. The old watermill is still in operation and three you will see a hydro pump that lifts water up to a local house without using electricity. The owner, Bakhrom Kasimov, will be proudly demonstrate the use of these old devices to you. Continue walking down Mushibirion valley and turn right at the ruins of the old Mongol fortress “Qorgoni Honkeldi”. To get to Asraf village you still have to hike another 3,5 km to the east. Arrive in Yakhshigul’s homestay in Asraf village and be welcomed by your host.After lunch relax on the tapchans under huge walnut trees and get to know your host family. In the evening, you may wander around the village watching people doing their daily chores or help the family to prepare traditional dish Plov from homegrown vegetables and mountain spices. Overnight at Yakhshigul’s guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast at Guesthouse. Lunch at Local Guesthouse. Dinner at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 12 ASRAF VILLAGE – SAMARKAND (235 km, 4-5 hrs)

After breakfast our morning hike takes us along the buffer zone of Nuratau Nature Reserve to the next Nuratau Mountain village Eski Forish (return trip 11 km/5 hours). You have a great view of Lake Aydar and the vast plains of the Kyzylkum steppe during this easy hike. On the way, see ancient petroglyphs and visit the ruins of a medieval look-out point in Eski Forish which was used to observe the Kyzyl-Kum plains to avoid the sudden attacks of the steppe nomads. Return to Asraf village and have lunch with the family. Say goodbye to your hosts and leave for Samarkand. Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at Guesthouse. Lunch at Local Guesthouse.

DAY 13 SAMARKAND-TASHKENT (by train)

After breakfast full day city tour of Samarkand. Visit Guri Emir Masoleum, Registan Square, Bibihanym Mosque, Siyob bazaar, Shahi Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory. Take evening Afrosiyob speedy train (17:30-19:40 or 18:00-20:10) to Tashkent. Overnight at Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at Hotel.

DAY 14 TASHKENT DEPARTURE

After breakfast transfer to Tashkent International Airport for departure flight to home country.

Meals: Early light breakfast at Hotel.

 

**END OF SERVICES**

All rates in US$ (per person):

Group size	Half-twin with breakfast meals Standard Hotels
25+1FOC	945
20+1FOC	1002
15+1FOC	1096
10 – 14 NO FOC	1135
08 – 09 NO FOC	1255
06 – 07 NO FOC	1358
04 – 05 NO FOC	1483
Single Supplement	129
Airfare (TAS-UGC)	80

Proposed Hotels:

Cities	Nights	Standard Hotels
Tashkent	2	Qushbegi Plaza or similar
Khiva	1	Polvonqori/Euroasia 3* or similar
Bukhara	2	Lyabi House/ Basilic3* or similar
Yangikazgan	1	Yurts (4-5 pax per yurt)
Sentyab village	3	Local Guesthouse
Hayat village	1	Local Guesthouse
Uhum village	1	Local Guesthouse
Asraf village	1	Local Guesthouse
Samarkand	1	Diyora/Malika or similar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services included:

1. Accommodation (DBL/TWIN shared)
2. Meals: as per programm
3. Entrance fees
4. Guide
5. Local guide in Nurata mountains from D-07 till D-11
6. Plov cooking demonstration at local family in Bukhara
7. Traditional dance show in Bukhara
8. All local taxes
9. Mineral water (0.5 L daily)
10. Samarkand-Tashkent Afrosiyob train fare (Economy class)
11.  A/C Transport: Bus 43 seats (21 pax & more), Minibus 14-30 seats (7-20 pax), Minivan 5-9 seats (3-6 pax), Sedan Car (2 pax).   

Services not included:

1. Airfares
2. Alcohol/soft drinks
3. Tips, gratuities and porterages
4. Bike rent fees
5. Visa fees
6. Insurance
7. Any other personal expenses
8. Any other services not mentioned in the program

      IMPORTANT:

• If a place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During major events, accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category
• Flight/Train timings are subject to change. If mentioned flight/train is not available it will be changed to convenient one depending on the program.
• Staying in yurts and guest houses is in basic condition yurta will be shared with 3-5 pax and washroom/shower facilities located outside.* Clients must be well informed about that.
• Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to changes without prior notice.
• Hotel accommodation is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation received from client. If mentioned hotels are not available, we will substitute them with other hotels  of similar class.

 

Payment:

• Tour payment should be made not less than 45 days prior to tourist group arrival to our bank account as per invoice.

 

Cancellation fees:

• Cancellation prior 45 days – No charges apply 
• Cancellation prior 20 days – 50% charge of the tour price
• Cancellation prior 10 days – 100% charge of the tour price