Friday, October 8
This morning, have an early breakfast, as you will transfer to the hotel at 8AM for a 9:35AM HY-052 flight to Bukhara. Upon arrival in Bukhara at 10:35AM, you’ll begin touring while your luggage is taken to the hotel.
Continue on to the Kagan Palace – White Palace built for Tsar Nicholas I. Next, you’ll visit to the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace. This was the summer residence of the Emir of Bukhara. It was specifically picked in this location because it was not as hot as other locations.
From here, transfer and check in to your hotel before enjoying lunch in a local restaurant.
You will begin with an overview tour of this historic city, which was once one of the main centers of Persian civilization. Bukhara is actually an oasis in the Kyzyl Kum desert, located on the banks of the Zeravshan River and has been inhabited since approximately 3,000 BC. Located on the historic Silk Road, the city has long been a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. The old city part of the town has a small and friendly feel and much of today’s sights are accessible on foot.
There are over a hundred buildings in the historic city center (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and you will have a very full day of exploration ahead. Your logical first step will be the massive Ark Fortress – the very core of the ancient city and the oldest building in Bukhara. Initially built in the 5th century, it was used as a royal residence and a fortress until the early 20th century when it fell in the hands of the Russians.
You’ll see the impressive Poi Kalyan architectural complex located south of the Ark citadel. Its most impressive feature and a popular landmark is the Kalyan Minaret, which was built in the form of a circular 150-foot-high brick tower. A spiral staircase twists up inside the tower leading to a rotunda with 16 arched windows, from which the Muslims in the city were called to prayer. It is said that the tower so impressed Genghis Khan that he ordered it to be spared while his invading army was destroying the rest of the city.
Continue on to the Ulugbeg and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, which stand facing each other in representation of the two dynasties that once ruled Bukhara – the Ashtarkhanids and Timurids. The Ulugbeg madrasah now houses the Bukhara Restoration History Museum and the Abdulazizkhan madrasah contains the Museum of Wood Carving Art. Next, enjoy the Trading Domes of Bukhara. Since it was located on the Silk Road, Bukhara contained many markets and trading stores. Only four trading domes remain to this day. You will also get to see an ancient silk market.
Afterwards you will visit the Lyab-i Khauz complex, a pond that used to be the centerpiece of a magnificent architectural ensemble dating from the 16th -17th centuries. Still standing today, it now includes a madrasah and a lodging house.
Enjoy dinner tonight from a rooftop terrace at a local restaurant. After dinner, enjoy your evening at leisure.
OR (depending on Flight availability)
This morning, have an early breakfast, as you will transfer from the hotel at 7:30AM for a 8:23AM Train to Bukhara. Upon arrival in Bukhara at 1:35PM, you’ll begin touring while your luggage is taken to the hotel.
Continue on to the Kagan Palace – White Palace built for Tsar Nicholas I.
From here, transfer and check in to your hotel before enjoying lunch in a local restaurant.
You will begin with an overview tour of this historic city, which was once one of the main centers of Persian civilization. Bukhara is actually an oasis in the Kyzyl Kum desert, located on the banks of the Zeravshan River and has been inhabited since approximately 3,000 BC. Located on the historic Silk Road, the city has long been a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. The old city part of the town has a small and friendly feel and much of today’s sights are accessible on foot.
There are over a hundred buildings in the historic city center (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and you will have a very full afternoon of exploration ahead. Your logical first step will be the massive Ark Fortress – the very core of the ancient city and the oldest building in Bukhara. Initially built in the 5th century, it was used as a royal residence and a fortress until the early 20th century when it fell in the hands of the Russians.
You’ll see the impressive Poi Kalyan architectural complex located south of the Ark citadel. Its most impressive feature and a popular landmark is the Kalyan Minaret, which was built in the form of a circular 150-foot-high brick tower. A spiral staircase twists up inside the tower leading to a rotunda with 16 arched windows, from which the Muslims in the city were called to prayer. It is said that the tower so impressed Genghis Khan that he ordered it to be spared while his invading army was destroying the rest of the city.
Continue on to the Ulugbeg and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, which stand facing each other in representation of the two dynasties that once ruled Bukhara – the Ashtarkhanids and Timurids. The Ulugbeg madrasah now houses the Bukhara Restoration History Museum and the Abdulazizkhan madrasah contains the Museum of Wood Carving Art. Next, enjoy the Trading Domes of Bukhara. Since it was located on the Silk Road, Bukhara contained many markets and trading stores. Only four trading domes remain to this day. You will also get to see an ancient silk market.
Afterwards you will visit the Lyab-i Khauz complex, a pond that used to be the centerpiece of a magnificent architectural ensemble dating from the 16th -17th centuries. Still standing today, it now includes a madrasah and a lodging house.
Enjoy dinner tonight from a rooftop terrace at a local restaurant. After dinner, enjoy your evening at leisure.
Exeter Services: Transfer: Khiva – Bukhara; Vehicle, Driver & Guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Shakhriston or Minorai Kalon Hotel.