As seen on
Forte Uzbekistan adventure
Uzbekistan
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Challenging
Type:
Cultural
Transfers
Duration:
11 Nights
1 - 1
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Explore the myriad historical sights of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand & Tashkent
- Visit the Aral Sea
- Dine with a local Tajik family and learn about their culture
- Explore Tamerlane Cave
Explore the wonders of Uzbekistan
High minarets scratch the blue sky above blazing glazed domes flashing in the sunlight. Complex geometrical designs on brightly coloured tiles decorate enormous yet perfectly balanced edifices on a truly staggering scale: Mosaics of lions, tigers, deer, and human faces adorn mosques and lecture rooms as symbols of power according to the traditions of Islam.
Grand portals and elegant decorated pillars await you at the gold-covered Tilya-Kori Madrasa in Samarkand; the largest and most glorious structure of the Registan Square with minarets at each corner emanating a feeling of strength. Nearby one of the greatest monuments of Uzbek architecture, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, towers up to heaven in a multitude of marble and terracotta high portals, souring minarets, 400 cupolas decorated with mosaics, blue-gold frescoes and gates made of seven different metals. It is wonder to be seen.
If you would like to learn more about Samarkand, please read our Journal post here.
Day 1: 09 JULY – ARRIVE TASHKENT (OWN HOTEL BOOKING)
Transfer
Meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free time.
Day 2: 10 JULY –TASHKENT CITY TOUR (OWN HOTEL BOOKING)
Flights
Transfer
Tashkent is one of the oldest and largest cities in Central Asia, the Uzbek capital since 1930, and very much a showpiece of Soviet and post-soviet architecture.
Afternoon we start exploring the capital by going back in time - to visit the old town: Barak Khana Seminary, TilaShaikh mosque and their archives, known for an original version of the Koran written by the third Caliph Osman. Later we will continue to Chorsu bazaar, the oldest market in Tashkent and KukeldashMadrasah.
Optional: Today you will be invited to the workshop of famous family of ceramists in Uzbekistan - Akbar and AlisherRakhimov. Here you will have an opportunity to have a lecture about history of ceramics and see the unique collection of their exclusive works. You will also enjoy tea ceremony with sweeties and pastry baked specially for you.
Day 3: 11 JULY – TASHKENT – NUKUS – ARAL SEA (VISIT SHIP CEMETERY)
Flights
Transfer
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Yurt
Early morning transfer to airport, flight to Nukus.
10:30 – Departure from Nukus.
11:00-12:00 – Visit of Mizdakhan and Gyaur-Kala complex.
Starting our trip from Nukus we are going to the North of the Republic, where we can see the first object – archeological complex of Mizdakhan. This is a complex of historical monuments located on three hills and a plane between them. The flat top of the west hill is crowned with the ruins of Gyaur-Kala Fortress, built in the 4th century BC. This fortress was used to defend a large town that occupied the eastern hill. Scholars Identify Mizdakhan with the town Mazda built in honor of Akhura-Mazda – the main fire-worshippers` deity who was mentioned in the holy Zoroastrian book Avesta. Today the eastern hills hosts the oldest Central Asian necropolis.
13:00 –Continue to drive on the immenseUstyurt Plateau. The most amazing natural sight on our route can be considered the Ustyurt plateau - an elevated plain. Wind-sculptor for millions of years formed bizarre figures, painting each in its own color. Nature has created a masterfully picturesque steep ledges-canyons, which are textured limestone layers of the plateau, which have become a favorite place for tourists.
13:30-14:00 – A small stop which permits to see pink flamingo from binoculars.
14:00-15:00– Arrival at Sudochyelake. Sudochyelake has the status of a State ornithological reserve. 117 species of birds nest here. You will also see traces of old believers 'habitation, the early settlement was called "Urga".
Обед: Lunch-box.
15:00-16:00 – Short excursion which permits to see different kind of birds from binoculars.
16:00-17:00– Arrival atKublaUstyurt village, where we can see the camels and taste camel`s milk.
17:30-19:30 – Arrival at the Aral Sea. The Aral sea impresses with its blueness, especially in good sunny weather. If you want, you can take a dip in the sea or just walk along the coast.
20:00-21:00 – Dinner at the «Beskala» yurt camp. Time at leisure, national music nearby the bonfire.
The descending darkness will give travelers a star-studded sky. And in the morning, you cannot miss an unusually beautiful dawn over the sea.
Day 4: 12 JULY –ARAL SEA – MUYNAK – NUKUS– EVENING FLIGHT TO TASHKENT
Flights
Train
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
06:30-07:30 – Photographing the dawn.
07:30-08:30 – Breakfast at yurt camp.
08:40 – Leaving the camp.
09:00-09:40 – A small stop for visit of Kurgancha Fortress archeological complex(ХIV c). This complex consists of a hillfort, a tower, a pottery kiln and separate structures.
09:40-10:30 – Stop at the ancient Massaget cemetery.
10:40-11:00 – Stop at the canyons.
11:00-13:00 – Crossing the drained bottom of the sea. Arrival to the former port town of Muynak.
13:10-14:10 – Lunchtime.
14:20-16:00 – Visit of famous«Cemetery of ships», private museum of«House of fisher»andMuseum of ecology, which tell about the former power of the Aral sea.
16:00-18:30 – Transfer from Muynak to Nukus.
Transfer to the airport to take flight back to Tashkent. On arrival meet and transfer to the hotel. 13JULY –TASHKENT- BUKHARA(BY BULLET TRAIN 0730-1120) CITY TOUR
In the morning transfer to the train station to take bullet train to Bukhara. Upon arrival meet your guide and proceed for Bukhara city tour.
Full day exploring fabulous Bukhara.This incredible city, one of the most famous names of medieval Islam, is home to hundreds of registered monuments. Look around - they're literally everywhere. On today's tour we visit some of
the main highlights (listed below), as well some lesser known sights along the way. Bring a fully charged camera battery.
In no particular order we will visit: Lab-i-khauz ensemble - modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan, madrasahNadirkhonDevanbegi, Khanaga, MogakiAttari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, see MadrasahsAzizKhan and Ulugbek.
Optional: Today you will be invited for a lunch at local Uzbek home of RakhmonToshev – one of the best suzani makers of Uzbekistan. You will be able to visit his workshop and see his great collection of antique suzani (tapestries, all handmade) with a lot of colorful patterns. Here you will also taste a traditional uzbek dish – Plov.
The best food in Central Asia is cooked at home - without question. There are many good restaurants, but for the culinary nomad the must-do is to eat in a home, preferably one with character and welcoming hosts - luckily this comes naturally to Uzbeks!
After lunch, visit Ark Fortress,Balakhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, ChashmaAyub.
We will also visit Hunarmand UNDP Assisted workshops near Lyabikhauz. We see block printing, metal chasing, suzani embroidery, carving and miniature painting. Gold Embroidery.
Day 5: 14 JULY –BUKHARA – LANGAR VILLAGE
Breakfast
Guest house
After breakfast at hotel transfer to the Langar village. On arrival walk around the area and accommodate at guesthouse.
Day 6: 15 JULY – LANGAR VILLAGE – TAMERLANE CAVE – LANGAR
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Guest house
07:00 - Breakfast
08:00 - Descent into the canyon, cross the river several times and by 10:00 we find ourselves at the entrance to the cave
10:00 - 14:00. Walk through the cave and lunch at the exit from the cave with a gorgeous view of the walls of the Kalasaya canyon.
14:00 - 17:00. Return to the village.
The famous cave of the Tamerlan (Amir Temur Guragani) is situated in the Gissar Mountains and administratively belongs to the Yakkabag district, of the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan.
The huge entrance to the cave is located at the foot of the Eastern wall grand canyon, slit through the river in the limestone.
To get to the cave is not easy and you need a guide. You can try to find inconspicuous trail, which descends the stone steps into the canyon to a depth of 200 meters. The picturesque canyon about 6 miles long resembles the canyon of the well-known adventure film "Gold of the McKay”. On all sides you are surrounded by bizarre rock towers. Going down to the bottom of the canyon, you find yourself in a stone "bag", which places even devoid of daylight. The width of the canyon then narrows down to 10-12 meters then expanded to 50-60 meters. The vertical walls of canyon go up to 200-300 meters. Turning to the right bank of the river and ascending the scree slope of the canyon, which was overgrown with scrub and juniper, climb to the base of rocky walls, where unexpectedly opened the entrance to the cave.
Day 7: 16 JULY – LANGAR – SHAHRISABZ - SAMARKAND
Transfer
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
After breakfast and some free time in the village drive to Samarkand.
After visiting Langar-Ota, you will travel to Shakhrisabz to see the Ak-Saray Palace. Many fascinating legends surround its construction. According to one story, Timur, envisioning a grand edifice, summoned an architect and shared his vision. The architect, granted access to the state treasury, began making foundation blocks from clay mixed with gold in full view of Timur. When Timur asked, "Why did you do that?" the architect replied, "To ascertain your determination to begin construction of a building that requires a huge spending." Today, there are majestic ruins left of this architectural marvel, but they also look quite impressive.
On arrival transfer to the hotel and have some free time for walking around the city.
Day 8: 17 JULY – SAMARKAND CITY TOUR – TASHKENT
Transfer
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
No name is so evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand. It is one of the oldest existing cities in the world and the oldest of Central Asia. Built on the site of Afrosiab, which dated from the 3rd or 4th millennium B.C., Samarkand was known to the ancient Greeks as Marakanda; ruins of the old settlement remain north of the present city.
You will have a full day tour of Samarkand to see the famous Registan Square which was for many centuries the heart of Samarkand. See the three beautiful madrassahs: the Ulug-Bek Madrasah built in the fifteenth century; the Tillya-Kori Madrasah built in the seventeenth century; the Sher-Dor Madrasah, also built in the seventeenth century. Visit Gur Emir - mausoleum of Great Tamerlane. Later see the grandest structure of Amir Temur’s times - the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum, the Silk Road bazaar and ShahiZinda necropolis.
Optional: Also visit wine testing centre at the Central Asia's oldest Hovrenko winery to taste genuine Samarkand wines and brandies. The winery is among one of the outstanding sites of Samarkand.
Transfer to the railway station to catch your bullet train to Tashkent. On arrival meet and transfer to the hotel.
Day 9: 18 JULY –TASHKENT – YANGIABAD TOUR BASE
Transfer
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
Meet your guide and drive to Yangiabad district. Upon arrival accommodate at the hotel and have light hiking around the area. After lunch, take a walking tour to Pigeon Gorge waterfall, which takes 2-2.5 hours (including 1,500m of steep ascent).
Day 10: 19 JULY – YANGIABAD TOUR BASE
Train
Transfer
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
Free time at leisure for other hikings and mountain climbing.
Day 11: 20 JULY – YANGIABAD TOUR BASE – TASHKENT
Transfer
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
After breakfast and having some free time transfer back to Tashkent. On Arrival transfer to the hotel.
Day 12: 21 JULY –TASHKENT - DEPARTURE
Flights
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport to take your flight back home.
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Please note there is no single accommodation available in yurts and homestays.
We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is not available to book for part of the trip where it would have been possible.
Pre/Post Tour night for 2 people B&B
Stay at Ichan Kala Hotel or a similar hotel on a bed and breakfast basis before or after your adventure. Please note that if this hotel is unavailable, we may need to book an alternative property, so the rate provided is an estimate only.
Pre/Post Tour night for 1 person B&B
Stay at Ichan Kala Hotel or a similar hotel on a bed and breakfast basis before or after your adventure. Please note that if this hotel is unavailable, we may need to book an alternative property, so the rate provided is an estimate only.
Private Transfer - One Way Arrival (1 to 2 people)
If your flight schedules do not align with our group transfers (please refer to the essential info page for timings), you will need to arrange private transfers. Note that these transfers are one-way, so if you require them for both arrival and departure, please select two. After booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
Private Transfer - One Way Departure (1 to 2 people)
If your flight schedules do not align with our group transfers (please refer to the essential info page for timings), you will need to arrange private transfers. Note that these transfers are one-way, so if you require them for both arrival and departure, please select two. After booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Contents
Travel
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Tashkent.
Airport & Arrival and Departure Info
Tashkent International Airport is the main international airport in Uzbekistan, 12km from the city.
Included in the cost of your adventure is a group transfer to and from the airport.
Group transfers are only available on the official start and end dates of the trip. Arriving or departing on any other days means group transfers will not be included. If you plan to arrive before or after the adventure dates and need assistance with transfers or accommodation, please add these services when booking, or contact us directly to make the arrangements.
Once you have made a booking, you will be prompted to complete a travel information form where you can provide us with your exact flight times and details. This will enable us to organise your private transfers accordingly. Please note that private transfers may be subject to availability.
You are also welcome to book your travel independently, and we will provide clear instructions on how to meet the group at the designated time and location at the start of your trip.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using accommodation run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual options, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
The accommodation on this adventure involves both hotel, guest house and yurt stays. Where accommodations are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation prior to departure on your adventure.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced and knowledgeable local, English speaking guide. This ensures you access to information on the country and culture of Uzbekistan, as well as directly supporting local trade and tourism.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General information on Uzbekistan
For information on Uzbekistan, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Please take into consideration the time of year when you are travelling before making your final packing decisions.
Unless your itinerary includes camping or stays in Yurts, towels and other basic amenities are provided.
Please bring a full first aid kit and any prescription medication with you. Consult your doctor regarding advice around inoculations and the prevention of disease contraction.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- Passport & insurance documents
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Credit / Debit card for ATMs in town
- Phone & charging cables / plugs / adaptors
- Antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape). anti-diarrhoea tables - we recommend getting hold of some Ciprofloxacin (a quinolone antibiotic) ahead of the trip. It’s great for traveller's diarrhoea
- Insect repellent
- Sun cream
- Hand gel
- If applicable, feminine hygiene products
- Washbag & usual contents
- Money belt
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be low in the evenings. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended - they pack small too!
- Walking trousers for trekking. Soft shell fabric is ideal.
- Shorts for warmer days
- Sandals or trainers - worn in please!
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- General socks / underwear
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in
- Some “smarter” outfits for evenings out
Optional
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection
- For women: Light scarf useful for covering neck & shoulders in respect of religious spaces
- Flask, if you enjoy hot drinks on the go
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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