Rural and ecological tours in Uzbekistan: Total immersion to local life and traditions.
Day 1
Tashkent-Termez
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Termez. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Visit the Archaeological Museum which showcases different historical periods, from the origins of the region until Cheybanides through Buddhism and Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
Termez – Boysun
Morning excursion to Kampyr Tepe, a city wich was founded by soldiers of Alexander the Great, then up the valley of Sherobod Dariya, before making a stop at the foot of the citadel of Tafka, former customs. Continue to Boysun, large village dominated by the massive Gur Gur Ata, whose fortress has became famous in history for having resisted the attacks of Alexander the Great. Alexander concludes a pact with the local king and he marries his daughter, the famous Roxane. Lunch and walk in the market and little excursion into the surrounding mountains. Overnight in Boysun at home stay.
Day 5
Boysun – Katta Langar
Drive to Derbent, large village today but in ancient times, was a stronghold that also resisted to the Greek-Macedonian armies. Passage near the Iron Gates, whose foundations date back to the Hellenistic period and which have been restored several times in both the Greco-Bactrian Kushan eras that before recently upset by the route of a railway line . Crossing the Pass Oqrobat and entered the Kashkadariya Valley. Lunch in local restaurant on your way to Katta Langar. Afternoon excursion in Katta Langar valley and visit the village, it’s beautiful sixteenth-century mosque and the mausoleum of Muhammad Sodiq sheykh perched above the village. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
Day 7
Ghissar Mountains
Today we leave for another day of hiking through the mountains Ghissar. Along the way we visit the villages of Katta-tol, Kizil-kishlak Kipchigay and the average age of the population is 90 years. This is an opportunity to go to meet the locals and share their knowledge of wildlife and especially the magical flora of the region, still used by the villagers as traditional medicine. No doubt the secret of their longevity. Return to the village of Katta Langar Ota. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
DAY 9
Samarkand -TASHKENT 300 km (by train)
Full day of sightseeing of Samrkand. In the afternoon, transfer to the station to take the high speed trains “Afrosiyob”. Departure at 17:00, arrival to Tashkent at 19:10 (time given for information). And transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Termez
Visit the Buddhist monastery of Kara Tepe, wich is unique in Central Asia. Its visit will be possible depending on local conditions and subject to obtaining necessary permits.
Visit the archaeological site of Fayaz Tepe, wich contains the remains of an ancient temple and a Buddhist monastery. Visit the memorial complex Khakimi-At-Termezi (XI-XV centuries) wich is the main shrine of Termez. Visit the third Buddhist archaeological site, wich is characterized by the remains of the Zourmala tower (16m), located in 3 kms south – east of the ancient city. The Sultan-Saodat complex (XII-XVII centuries) houses the tomb of the Emir Hussein, 5th descendant of the Prophet; Kirk Kiz (IX-X centuries), “nunnery”. Overnight at the hotel
Day 4
Boysun
Visit the craft center of Boysun traditional embroidery to know. Caps, carpets, traditional fabrics “janda”. Walk in the market with fruits and vegetables. Drive to visit the home of a Guimbardier: visit his workshop; learning the game of the Jew’s harp. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
Day 6
Ghissar Mountains
The day is dedicated to the discovery walk of Ghissar Mountains. We take a track to reach the starting point of our trek and start the climb that mountain (2300 m). From the top we have stunning views of the chains of Ghissar Mountains with its peaks covered with eternal snow. From the Maidanak observatory, we have a beautiful view of the peaks. Return to village of Langar in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
Day 8
Katta Langar Ota – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand
In the morning we continue our road to Samarkand. On the way, we discover Shakhrisabz, the hometown of Tamerlan, including the White Palace Ak-Sarai, the largest architectural monument in Chakhrisabz, Kok Gumbaz Mosque and the Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seidan, built by Ulugbek, the grand-son of Tamerlan. Arrive to Samarkand. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
