Gourmantour - taste all the main dishes of Uzbek cuisine.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Tashkent

  

  Welcome reception upon arrival in Tashkent. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, we will offer you 1 bottle of local wine (0.75 L) and a basket of dried fruits, to share with your roommate, so you can celebrate the start of your journey!

• day 2

  Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva

  

  Breakfast at the hotel and a full-day tour of Tashkent. We start with the old city: the Khastimom complex (Barak Khan madrassah, Tillya Sheikh mosque, Kaffal Shashiy mausoleum) including the Quran handwritten by the third caliph Osman (644-656 AD), the Chorsu bazaar, and the Museum of Applied Arts. Then, we take a walk in a new part of the capital: Independence Square and some popular metro stations, the former Tashkent branch of the old State Bank of the Russian Empire, Amir Temur Square, a stroll on Broadway, the former Romanov Palace (outside), and Navoi Theater Square. In the afternoon, visit to the Rakhimov family ceramics workshop with a tea break accompanied by oriental sweets! This family is one of the most famous dynasties of master ceramists in Tashkent and has more than six generations of masters. You will have an exclusive dinner with the family of a ceramist, experience true Uzbek hospitality, and taste homemade national dishes. In the evening, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Urgench. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Khiva. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

• day 3

  Khiva

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit of the historic city of Khiva. We will visit the Allakuli Khan madrasa, the Muhammad Amin Khan madrasa, the Kunya Ark, the Kelte Minar, the Pakhlavan Mahmud mausoleum, the Islam Khoja minaret and madrasa. Participation in a culinary demonstration of the main dishes of the Khorezm region: making traditional bread and cooking Shivit Oshi – lagman with dill infusion, a national dish of Khorezm cuisine (native Khiva). Enjoy the evening folklore show at the Khiva Harem. Night at the hotel. Meals: breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

• day 4

  Khiva - Bukhara

  

  Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 hours). Journey along the long steppe road through the famous Kyzyl Kum (red sand desert). The road runs along the Amudaria river. We will stop on the riverbank to take photos and enjoy nature. For lunch, we will stop at a typical roadside teahouse. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and rest. Folklore show at the Nadir Devonbegi madrasa (if available). Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast at the hotel and lunch in a typical chaykhana with delicious kebabs. Dinner at the restaurant.

• day 5

  Bukhara

  

  After breakfast, visit of the city of Bukhara. We will visit the Ark fortress, the Bolo Hauz mosque, the Ismail Samani mausoleum, Chashmai Ayub, the Poi Kalyan complex with the Kalyan mosque, the Kalyan minaret and the Miri Arab madrassah, the Ulugbeg and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, the trading domes, the ancient silk market, the Magokki Attori mosque and the Chor Hauz complex, as well as the minor mosque. In the afternoon, tasting of aromatic teas in the retro tea house, an excellent place to relax, surrounded by wonderful aromas of teas and spices. Cooking demonstration of the main national dish: plov, at a local family's home. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch at a local restaurant, dinner with the Uzbek family.

• day 6

  Bukhara - Gijduvan - Samarkand

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Bukhara for the Nurata region. Visit to a family pottery workshop in Guijdouvan, existing for six generations. Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand and check-in at the hotel. Departure for the village of Guijduvan (60 km), the only center of polychrome glazed ceramics in the region. Stop en route at the Vabkent minaret. The Vabkent minaret, dating from the 12th century, is 39 m high. Upon arrival in Guijduvan, visit the pottery workshop of Mr. Narzullaev, one of the most famous ceramists in Uzbekistan and founder of the Guijduvan ceramics school. He is distinguished by the use of geometric shapes, as well as plant themes, birds, and flowers in the ornaments. Then continue by car to Samarkand (210 km, 3 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for the night. Meals: breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

• day 7

  Samarkand

  

  After breakfast, visit of the city of Samarkand. Visit the Gur Emir mausoleum, the Reghistan square (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher Dor Madrasah and Tilla Kari Madrasah), the Bibi Khanym mosque, the Siyob bazaar, the Ulugbek observatory. Wine tasting at the Khovrenko wine factory cellar. The history of the Samarkand wine factory began in 1868 with the arrival from Russia of D.M. Filatov, who loved wine and was very knowledgeable about its production technology. Fifteen years later, the Samarkand wine "Biishty" won a grand gold medal at an exhibition in Paris. Later, Filatov's factory was managed by M.A. Khovrenko. Night at the hotel. Meals: breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

• day 8

  Samarkand - Tashkent

  

  After breakfast, continue the visit of the city of Samarkand. Visit the Afrosiab Museum and the Shakhi Zinda necropolis. Preparation of manty with an Uzbek family in Samarkand during lunch. PM: Drive to Tashkent. On the way, visit the Amir Temur gate and the local honey market in Djizzak. OR take the evening Afrosiyob train (17:28-19:44 OR 18:00-20:10) to Tashkent. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast at the hotel. Lunch in a local Uzbek family restaurant. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

• day 9

  Tashkent

  

  In the morning, transfer to the airport for the departure flight to the home country. Meals: light early breakfast at the hotel (if time permits).