USB-2019-09

Tour Title: 

Uzbekistan

Tour Subtitle: 

Study Tour
Guaranteed departure

Tour Date: 

11. September 2019 to 23. September 2019

Charming mix of the Great Silk Road, magnificent Islamic architecture, soviet influence and warm hospitality, this is what you read the most about Uzbekistan. Today encountering transformative changes and opening to the world, Uzbekistan is ready to show more of itself. That is why besides diving into new and old history of Uzbekistan through visiting the ancient cities Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, experiencing rich culture and enjoying warm local hospitality, we are also going to discover and learn new socio-economic dynamics from insider perspective with representatives of academia, civil society and decision makers.

Along the Great Silk Road we discover the treasures of Uzbekistan

Once an ancient net of trade roads connected East and West; starting from China, it went through Eurasia and ended in Europe. Caravans and ships carried diverse commodities, but also knowledge, which catalyzed huge exchange and development. Since the precious good was silk, it was called the “Great Silk Road”. Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva were the centers and crosspoints on this road, their gravity attracted travellers, merchants, scholars from all over the world. Today this mixed atmosphere is still alive in small and narrow streets, in colorful bazaars, magnificent architecture and in people of Uzbekistan. Within our tour we will visit those ancient cities and will try to grasp how this historical and cultural heritage is shaping modern Uzbekistan.

While diving into these fairytale cities, we will nevertheless have a chance to experience one of the biggest environmental catastrophes of 21st Century - the shrinking Aral Sea. We will see the ghost of the sea, face its consequences and meet the people who are struggling with the expanding desert on the ground.

New Dynamics

Since 2017 Uzbekistan is encountering transformative changes; it is opening its borders to neighboring countries and simplifying visa procedures. The government initiated active dialogue between state and its citizens, it is openly speaking about problems and showing readiness to work on solutions. The government has started the large-scale reform processes in different sectors and is showing a big political will. During our tour meetings we will focus on socio, cultural and economic aspects of those transformations from insider perspectives; understand current realites and learn more personal stories.

Nature highlights during our tour: swimming in the Aral Sea, camping in the desert and hiking in the mountains

All the impressions, insights and discussions from the tours and meetings we will digest in the diverse nature of Uzbekistan. Our first destination will be the Aral Sea, where we will have a chance to swim. Furthermore we will enjoy a beautiful night sky in the desert, and close the tour in the most scenic mountain areas of Uzbekistan - the Chimgan Mountains.

Price
Tour Price

Tour Price 

2.289 €
Reduced Price

Reduced Price 

1.889 €
Tour Overview
Travel itinerary and program

Tour program: 

Day 1: Arrival day
  • Individual arrival in Tashkent
     
  • First night is aready included, however people might arrival throughout the night or the next morning
     
  • No official program on that day
Day 2: Tashkent
  • Individual arrival in Tashkent
     
  • Official start of the tour around lunch time
     
  • Getting to know each other and program / country overview
     
  • Dinner
Day 3: Tashkent
  • Exploring the old and new city of Tashkent
     
  • Meeting at the University, Uzbekistan: History, Modernity and Identity
     
  • Free time and optional program in the afternoon
     
  • Dinner
Day 4: Tashkent
  • Meeting with Academia: Uzbekistan and Central Asia
     
  • Lunch at the University with students
     
  • Meeting with Civil Society representatives 
     
  • Flight from Tashkent airport to Nukus (approx. 1.5 hours)
Day 5: The Aral Sea
  • Departure from Nukus to the Moynaq (approx. 3 hours, 210 km)
     
  • Meeting with local expert or activist on Aral Sea
     
  • Tour to the “Moynaq ship cemetery”, short hike and swimming in the sea
     
  • Visiting salt careers (optional)
     
  • Dinner and camping at Aral Sea
Day 6: Nukus and Khiva
  • Departure from Moynaq to Nukus
     
  • Guided Tour in Nukus
     
  • Visiting Savitsky Museum and Talk with Artist
     
  • Departure from Nukus to Khiva (3 hours, 200 km)
     
  • Dinner
Day 7: Khiva and Bukhara
  • Guided walking Tour in the old city of Khiva
     
  • Free time: shopping, visiting craft workshop, bread making workshop
     
  • Transer from Khiva via Urgench to Bukhara, dinner on the way
Day 8: Bukhara
  • Guided walking tour in the old city of Bukhara
     
  • Input: Islam and Uzbekistan
     
  • Bukhara’s Jews and visit of the a synagogue
     
  • Meeting in the Samanids Mausoleum and recreational break in the park
     
  • Dinner in the famous Labi Hauz
     
Day 9: Bukhara and Samarkand
  • Visiting and meeting with the artisan family 
     
  • Free time or optional program (traditional puppet theater, hammam, spinning factory)
     
  • Departure to Samarkand
     
  • Dinner and visiting light show at the Registan square
Day 10: Samarkand
  • Guided walking tour in Samarkand: old and new city
     
  • Talk with senior representative of Uzbek Civil Society : Concept of “Mahalla”- “Local self-government body”
     
  • Cooking together and dinner with the an  Uzbek family
Day 11: Samarkand to Beldersay
  • Visiting the old Paper factory (Samarkand silk paper) in Konigil village 
     
  • Wine degustation (optional)
     
  • Departure to Beldersay
Day 12: Beldersay and Tashkent
  • Hiking at the Ugam-Chatkal National Park
     
  • Lunch near the fountain (picnic)
     
  • Transfer to Charvak Reservoir and departure to Tashkent
     
  • Common dinner in the city, final evaluation and official end of the tour
Day 13: Tashkent
  • Breakfast
     
  • Individual departure
Greater Chimgan Mountains
Located 2 hours away from Tashkent, these mountains are the most magnetic area for hiking, climbing and outdoor activities of Uzbekistan.
The Aral Sea
Being once fourth-largest lake in the world, it has been shrinking over 60 years and now has declined to 10% of its original size. Visiting the Aral Sea is dramatic and at the same time a spectacular experience.
Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art
The Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art named after I.V. Savitsky - hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant garde art. It is also home to one of the largest collections of archeological objects and folk, applied and contemporary art originating from Central Asia.
Samarkand
Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and served also the capital of the Timurid Empire. The city was for centuries the intercultural center of excellence,where along with islam the students studied astronomy and mathematics. Now Samarkand is important cultural, economic and educational cities of Uzbekistan.
Buchara
Once Bukhara was an important center on the Great Silk Road. In the Middle Ages, the city reached its cultural and scientific bloom and became a major center of Islamic culture. Today the city accumulates a number of mosques, as well as the tombs of many Islamic saints.
Khiva
Khiva is a well-preserved oasis city near the Karakum desert. The historical significance of the city goes far back in time, when the Great Silk Road was not existed. Khiva was the first city in Uzbekistan, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage objects in 1990 and was founded over 2,500 years ago.

Reisehinweise Ende: 

Alsharq REISE has the right to cancel the tour if the number of participants is too low. We therefore recommend to wait with the flight booking until Alsharq REISE comfirmed the tour. If you hava any questions, please send us an email or give us a call.

Die Alsharq Reise GmbH behält sich vor, die Reise bei zu geringer Teilnehmendenzahl abzusagen. Wir empfehlen daher, mit der Flugbuchung auf die endgültige Zusage der Reisedurchführung seitens Alsharq zu warten. Bei Fragen senden Sie uns bitte eine Email oder rufen Sie uns an.

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