6-Day Cultural Tour of Uzbekistan with Craft Master Classes

• PM: Arrival in Tashkent and meeting with your tour escort guide. Begin your full-day tour with visits to:
  • The Museum of the History of Timurids, established in Tashkent in 2006. The entire perimeter of the building is decorated with graceful columns that appear to support the roof.
  • Amir Temur Square - the central park with the statue of Amir Temur on horseback and the so-called "Broadway".
  • Mustakillik Square - the former "Red Square," now the main square of Tashkent, with a monument to the victims of World War II.
• PM: Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue sightseeing with visits to:
  • Hast Imam archaeological complex.
  • Barakhan madrassah.
  • Muyi Muborak, home to an ancient Koran from the 7th century.
  • Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi.
  • Mosque of Khast-Imam.
  • Navoi Theatre - one of the most distinctive buildings in Tashkent. Its planning and construction began in 1940, and Japanese prisoners of war completed it in 1947.
• Transfer to the hotel for accommodation.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

O/n at hotel.

• AM: Breakfast. Enjoy a day of master classes:
  • Ceramics Master Class at the national house of ceramics by master Alisher Rahimov. The Rakhimov Ceramics Studio has carefully preserved the traditional methods of ceramic art for several generations. Materials will be prepared for each student, and you will be able to create your own drawing.
• PM: Lunch at the guest house, where you can also take part in a pilaf cooking master class. At the end of the session, you can taste a unique pilaf set.
• After 5 p.m.: Free time to visit Magic City, a thematic entertainment park.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

O/n at hotel.

• AM: Breakfast. Transfer to the railway station for the train to Bukhara by "Afrosiab" or Sharq at 06:59-11:05.
• Arrival and lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel for accommodation.
• Half-day tour:
  • ARK Fortress (VI-XIX c) - in the Middle Ages, it was a whole town with the emir's house, wives, mosques, a mint, government institutions, storerooms, a prison, and a square for public executions.
  • Bolo Khous Ensemble.
  • Poikalon (XII-XVI c), the architectural ensemble of "Masjidi Kalon," "Miri Arab" madrasah, and a 46-metre minaret.
  • Trading Domes, consisting of three trading centres: Tok-i-Zargaron (1570) - Jeweler's Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon - Cap Maker's Bazaar, and Tok-i-Sarrafon - Moneychanger's Bazaar.
  • Magoki Attori - in 937, the four-pillared mosque was burned in a city-wide fire. In the 12th century, the present mosque was erected, and its original southern portal remains the focal point.
  • Labi-Hauz (XVI-XVII c) - a complex with Nodir-Devon Begi Madrassah and Khanaka.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

O/n at hotel.

• AM: Breakfast and a day of master classes:
  • Museum-workshop of Uzbek dolls. Visitors can see an exhibition of national Uzbek dolls, expertly made from papier-mache. After the explanation, you can watch the puppet theatre.
  • Master class on painting miniatures. Miniature painting is one of the most essential arts of Uzbekistan. Everything is depicted in the miniature, and it is considered a symbolic reflection of a person's inner world. Just as verse requires interpretation, miniatures also carry hidden meaning.
• PM: Lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Master class on making knives and scissors. You will learn about the choice of materials, the forging and finishing process, and what makes each knife unique and functional.
  • Folklore show at madrasah Nodir Devon Begi.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

O/n at hotel.

• Transfer to the railway station for the train to Samarkand by "Afrosiab" or Sharq at 04:20-06:03. Arrival.
• Start sightseeing in Samarkand:
  • Gur Amir Mausoleum (XV c.) - the Timurids' dynastic burial vault, a unique architectural monument with a blue ribbed tessellated dome.
  • Registan Square (XV-XVII c), the official centre of Timur's Empire, consisting of the grand madrassahs of Ulugbek, Sher Dor, and Tillya Kari.
  • Bibi Khanum Mosque (XIV c.), built by Timur to be the biggest mosque of its time. Architects, craftsmen, and painters completed it in five years.
• PM: Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue sightseeing with visits to:
  • Siab Bazaar (closed on Mon).
  • Shahi Zinda Mausoleum (XIV-XV c) - the "Town of the Dead," a complex of more than 20 unique buildings from different periods.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

O/n at hotel.

• AM: Breakfast. Enjoy a day of master classes:
  • Master class on cooking Samarkand bread. You will meet an experienced baker who will share traditional recipes and unique techniques for making Samarkand bread. After baking, each participant will receive one freshly baked bread.
  • Master class on making silk paper in the village of Konigil, where you will immerse yourself in the world of silk paper and learn the history and production techniques preserved through ancient traditions.
  • Carpet weaving master class at the Khujum carpet factory, where you will see how exquisite Uzbek carpets are created by hand, each one a true work of art. With experienced craftsmen, you will learn the process from the choice of materials to the finishing touches of a unique design.
• PM: Lunch in a local restaurant.
  • Transfer to the railway station for the train to Tashkent by "Afrosiab" or Sharq at 16:59-19:27. Arrival.
  • Transfer to the airport for the departure flight.