DAY 1 05/16/2023 ITALY/KHIVA
Depart from Milan Malpensa Airport by scheduled flight to Urgench Airport (45 minutes by coach from Khiva city). Overnight flight arriving in Khiva on 05/17/2023.
DAY 2 17.05.2023 KHIVA
Arrive in Khiva in the early morning, transfer privately and check into the hotel. Visit the town, a true pearl of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved ancient Silk Road centers. Its historic center and raw brick walls have been fully restored, making it a true museum city: we begin, entering through the west gate, with the beautiful madrasa of Amin Khan, the squat minaret of Kalta Minor and the infamous "Kunya Ark" fortress, and continue through the narrow streets visiting the many madrasas and ancient mosques along the way. Noteworthy are the Juma Mosque, built on top of the ancient 8th/11th century place of worship, whose interior is supported by a series of wooden columns, and the Islam Kohja madrasa. Lunch at a restaurant. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3 18.05.2023 KHIVA/BUKHARA
Breakfastin the hotel. In the morning departure by coach to Bukhara. Route about 6 hours and 30 minutes. Stops along the way, lunch at a restaurant. Arrive in the afternoon and visit the Summer Palace, the residence of the last emirs of Bukhara. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 4, 19.05.2023 BUKHARA
Breakfast at the hotel. The city of Bukhara became one of the most important centers of the Silk Road and experienced its heyday during the Samanid period, between the 9th and 10th centuries CE when it became the religious and cultural heart of Central Asia. Full-day tour of the old town, much of it dating from the period of the khanate between the 16th and 17th centuries: life revolves around Labi Hauz Square, at the center of which is a large pool around which stand stores and outdoor cafes; visit in particular the Great Mosque and the beautiful Kalon minaret, the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, the citadel called Ark, the Kukeldas, Ulug Begh and Aziz Khan madrasas, the remains of the Chor Minor madrasa with its four minarets, bazaars, etc. Lunch at a restaurant. Dinner with show and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5, 20.05.2023 BUKHARA/SAMARCANDA
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure by bus to Samarkand. Stops will be made along the way in Sachri Sabz, Tamerlane's hometown: visit the ruins of the Summer Palace, the Mausoleum of Jehangir, Tamerlane's favorite son, and the Kok Gumbaz Mosque built by Ulugh Beg in 1437. Lunch at a restaurant. Arrive in Samarkand around evening, check into hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 6 21.05.2023 SAMARKAND
Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to sightseeing the city's iconic Silk Road sites: the grand Registan Square with the three extraordinary madrasas of Ulug Begh, Shi Dor and Tilya-Kari, famous for the purity of their lines and the elegance of their turquoise majolica tiles; the monumental complex of Sach-i-Zinda mausoleums; the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, stunning in its rich decoration; the museum at the archaeological site of Afrassiab, the ancient Samarkand abandoned in the early 12th century after the Mongol conquest; the Ulugh Begh observatory; and the beautiful Gur Emir mausoleum housing the tomb of the great Tamerlane. Lunch at a restaurant. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 7, 22.05.2023 SAMARKAND/TASHKENT
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, continue the tour of Samarkand, stopping at a paper-making craft factory and the Syob bazaar, the largest in the city and located near the Bibi Khanym mosque. Lunch at a local family in Samarkand . In the afternoon departure by fast train to Tashkent. Arrival and settling into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 8 05/23/2023 TASHKENT/ITALY
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning city tour: the Kukeldash and Barak Khan madrasas, Khasty Square and Mosque, Chorsu Bazaar, Navoi Opera House Square, Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, and a short subway ride between historic stations. Upon completion transfer to the airport and departure by scheduled Uzbekistan flight to Milan Malpensa.
