Tours - PROGRAMME “NAURUZ IN UZBEKISTAN ”
If you want not only to enjoy the beautiful spring landscapes in Uzbekistan and watch the monumental and graceful architecture of Central Asia of the epoch of the Samanides and Temurides, but also to familiarize and understand traditions, customs and antique festivals of Central Asian people, so, we offer you to choose March season for your trip to Uzbekistan. Welcome!
March 21 – the great festival of Nauruz in Uzbekistan
During the trip clients can:
* visit historical cities of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz.
* experience the eastern hospitality in different families in Samarkand
* take part in events devoted to Nauruz celebration: songs, dances, sporting contests, such as Buzkashi and etc.
* participation in preparation of festive dishes such as pilaf and sumalak.
The Nauruz, which means “New Day” (New Year), was forbid during soviet period, as religious feast. After independence the uzbek people began widely celebrate this day equally with other Central Asian people.
This New Year closely ties with Zoroastrism. Zoroastrians supposed that 21 of March is day of awakening of God of Nature, Siyavushm whose symbolical tomb situated under the hill of city’s citadel Ark in Bukhara. The awakening of Siyavush symbolized the arousal of the Nature and beginning of spring.
One of the folk’s event dedicated to Nauruz celibration is sporting contest Buzgashi, when some groups of ten horsemen contend for flesh of sacrificed goat (scapegoat).
« Darvishona» - the ritual of sacrifice to Goddess of fertility, Anakhita.
« Sumalak » - main festive dish of Nauruz, which is prepared by women of the whole community during twenty-four hours. The term Sumalak comes from tajik word “Simalak” and means “30 angels”.
PROGRAMME:
Day 1 - Saturday, March 14, 2009
Arrival in Tashkent by flight Uzbekistan Airways at 07:35 am. Pick up from the airport, transfer and accommodation in the Hotel. Excursion in Tashkent: Theatric Square, complex Khazrati (Khast) Imam- Barak Khan’s Madras, Namazgoh Mosque, Khaffal Shashi Mausoleum; Kukeldash Madras, Chorsu bazaar, Abdulkasim Madras and Museum of handicraft art.
Day 2 - Sunday, March 15, 2009
Transfer to airport. Morning flight to Urgench (1, 5 hrs of flight time). Arrival in Urgench and further transfer to Khiva (30km). Accommodation in the hotel. City tour in Khiva: Fortress Kunya Ark, Feruz Madras, Seyid Alauddin Mausoleum, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Madras and Minaret of Islam Khodja, Juma mosque and Tash Khauli Palace.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3 - Monday, March 16,2009
Transfer to Bukhara (470 km, 7 hrs of drive). Arrival in Bukhara and accommodation in the hotel. Folk show with Central Asian traditional music instruments in the evening.
Day 4 - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sight seeing in Old Buykhara’s City :Poi Kalyan Squer- Kalyan mosque, Miri Arab madras and Kalyan minaret; trade cupolas - Toki Zargaron, Toki Telpak fushuron, Toki Sarrafon; Ulugbek’s madras, Abdulaziz Khan’s madras, Maggoki Attori mosque and Complex Lyabi Khaus.
After lunch time visit Mausoleum of the Samanides, Chashmai Ayub mausoleum, Bolo Khaus mosque and Fortress Ark.
Day 5 - Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Go on sight seeing- monuments in Bukhara suburbs: Chor Bakr Necropolis and Bagouddin Nakshbandi Mausoleum.
Day 6 - Thursday, March 19, 2009
Travel from Bukhara to Samarkand via Shakhrisyabz city, Amir Temr’s home town. Arrival in Shakhrisyabz and visit city’s monuments: Ak Saray Palace, Mausoleum Jakhogir, Khazrati Imam mosque, Kuk Gumbaz mosque and.
After lunch trip to Samarkand.
Day 7 - Friday, March 20, 2009
Full day city tour in Samarkand.
Registan Square: Ulugbek’s madras, Sherdor madras and Tillya Kari madras; Bibi Khanum mosque, bazaar, Shakhi Zinda Necropolis and Mausoleum Gur Emir- Tomb of Tamerlan.
Day 8 - Saturday, March 21,2009
Trip to Kushrabat village (90 km from Samarkand)
The whole day will be spent for arrangements for spring feast Nauruz, beginning of the New Year in Central Asia, with preparation of Sumalyak, songs, dances and participation in Buzakashi feast. Return in Samarkand in the day’s end.
Dinner in uzbek traditional family and folk event.
Day 9 - Sunday, March 22, 2009
Go on sight seeing in Samarkand:
Ulugbek’s Observatory, Afrasiyab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniyar.
Day 10 - Monday, March 23, 2009
Transfer from Samarkand to Tashkent
Go on sight seeing in Tashkent: visit Orthodox Church, subway and etc.
Farewell dinner in “Caravan” Restaurant.
Day 11 - Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Transfer to airport, flight at 15:30 pm.
The cost of the tour:
| Total | Per person | |
| - for 2 pax. | 3 935 USD | 1 968 USD |
| - for 4 pax | 5 885 USD | 1 471 USD |
| - for 6 pax | 7 635 USD | 1 272 USD |
| - for 8 pax | 10 360 USD | 1 295 USD |
| - for 10+1 pax. | 10 690 USD | 1 069 USD |
| - for 14+1 pax. | 13 810 USD | 987 USD |
| - for 20+1 pax | 17 535 USD | 877 USD |
| - for 24+1 pax. | 20 000 USD | 834 USD |
The price includes:
* service of Russian speaking guide
* transport for the tour
* hotels accommodation
* full board
* entry tickets in monuments
* excursion in each city
* air ticket
* 2 folk shows
