Tashkent – The Capital of Uzbekistan!
With population of over 2.3 million it translates as “Stone City”. Due to its central location in the region, the city received Sogdian and Turkic influences in its early history, before the Arabs came in the 8th century. After destruction by Genghis Khan in 1219, the city was rebuilt and profited from the Silk Road. The city was conquered by the Russian Army in 1865, and in Soviet times witnesses major growth and demographic changes. Today Tashkent is the largest metropolis in the region, the nation’s capital and home to some excellent museums, operas and fine dining.
Tashkent is the main transport hub for the whole of Central Asia with flight connections linking Uzbekistan with the world, so staying here is an unavoidable but nevertheless worthwhile prospect.
Following the major earthquake of 1966, old part of Tashkent retains many of its historical building. There are numerous bazaars, medresses, craft centers, museums, parks, squares and theaters to explore. Tashkent metro is unique system with art-gallery-like stations.
Places of Interest:
Special Events in Tashkent
Tashkent – We can organize the following special events in Tashkent.
- Tashkent Twilight – As the twilight approaches Tashkent as any other capital of the world livens up to full scale. People are busy with going to parks, museums & dining out. This is a fusion of bus & walking tour. We will drive on central boulevards followed by some fantastic scenic walk in dazzling “Japanese Garden”, “Oriental Garden”, “Garden of the Sculptures” , Broadway, relaxing walk by the ancient canal Anhar, visit of Alisher Navai theater, witness colourfully lightened streets of The programme will end with a theater play in famous Alisher Navai Opera & Ballet House followed by special meal in traditional restaurant.
- Tashkent Metro Ride Tour – This unique tour will impress architects and artists alike. Tashkent metropolitan system proudl
y embraces 29 stations. All of these intricately designed underground stations are unique in their architecture and artistic quality. You can spend the whole day enjoying these beautiful underground museums. We will take you to as many stations as possible during this half day tour to witness the life of Tashkent. This event will introduce you to local people, their traditions, aspirations, hopes and daily routines. Surely, it is time for you to talk to people, see evening bazaars, and learn history through the artworks of this amazing underground museum. The programme will end with traditional restaurant meal close to one of the stations. - MICE – We are one of the most reliable event management companies in Uzbekistan. Our dedicated MICE Department (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Exhibitions) will do the planning to run your event effortlessly. We have range of conference & exhibition halls, team building activities, catering arrangements to impress you and your guests. Please see our dedicated page for details.
Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures!
Sweet to ride forth at evening from the wells
When shadows pass gigantic on the sand,
And softly through the silence beat the bells,
Along the Golden Road to Samarkand.
– James Elroy Flecker’s 1913 poem, “The Golden Journey to Samarkand”
The name Samarkand conjures a place that floats somewhere between fact and romantic fiction. Its fame reaches back into the fog of time. In 329 BC, Alexander the Great exclaimed, ‘Everything I have heard about Samarkand is true, except that it’s more beautiful than I ever imagined!’
This city is the jewel in the crown of the Silk Road. It’s centerpiece, the Registan, has been carefully restored. This is medieval Samarkand’s commercial heart and is dominated by three madrassas facing each other across a square. Their façades are a riot of vibrant majolica and azure mosaics that dazzle the eye. It’s best to set aside a whole day to explore these buildings with their gold-leafed interiors, cool courtyards and colourful bazaars. See the extraordinary Ulugbeg observatory, created by Tamerlane’s grandson, and visit Gur Emir – Tamerlane’s mausoleum. Have tea on a terrace overlooking the Bibi Khanum mosque, built for Tamerlane by his wife as a surprise gift.
In 2001, UNESCO added the city to its World Heritage List as Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures.
Special Events in Samarkand
Samarkand – as the centerpiece of the Silk Road is a popular stop for all groups. The programme in Samarkand can be made even more sparkling by the following special programmes.
- Meros Paper Mill – The visitors are invited to learn and participate in the process of producing paper. The local craftsman Zarif has revived this lost art of paper making that were initially introduced by Chinese war prisoners in 751 of Talas Battle. Visitors are invited to have some local sweets and tea with the master.
- Bread Baking Class – This 40 minute baking class will introduce visitors fantastic Samarkand bread. This historically popular bread is prepared only in Samarkand. The legends say that once a shah who tasted Samarkand bread wanted to prepare it in his kingdom in Persia. He invited the best baker from Samarkand, brought all ingredients including the clay oven from Samarkand. Once they made the bread it was not as good as the Samarkand bread. The artisan-baker informed the shah that he needed the most important ingredient of all, the air of Samarkand. The visitors will have chance to participate in baking class from making the dough to spreading it round and positioning it on the clay oven walls.
- Wine Tasting in “Khovrenko” Winery – The cellar in the center of the city is famous for its finest wines and brandy is Central Asia. A visit to the cellar is always followed by wine tasting in cellar museum.
El Merosi Costumes Theater – This an hour show programme at El Merosi will introduce visitors with huge collection of Central Asian cloths and design. The dance show presents some of the most unique costume and art collection. The theater performs annually in Paris, Seoul and other famous cities.- Sound and Light show – Registan Square of Samarkand will be the place of show for the group. Various music compositions will be played under the
- Dinner at National House – The programme will present the traveler with inside story of the region. The visitors are encouraged to participate in cooking class in the family. You can walk in the neighborhood before joining the family in the preparation of famous Central Asian cuisine – Plov. You will chat with family members over the beautifully laid table of national dishes, sweets and breads.
- “My City Project” – This programme gives travelers chance of talking to young people of Samarkand. Samarkand University Boulevard hosts number of university schools. Samarkand has one of the best Universities of Foreign Languages in Central Asia. Students learn English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and other foreign languages. You will have chance of talking to students on a private mini tour of the university, library and local museums with them or chat to them over a cup of coffee in a local café.
Bukhara – The Sacred City!
One of the most sacred places of Islam, the admired and charming city of Bukhara was also one of the key stops along the Silk Route.
In the Middle Ages, when the region was at its pinnacle, scholars travelled from all over the Islamic world to study here, including two giants of Persian culture, Ibn Sina and Firdausi.
The monuments on show are truly remarkable, from the amazing Kalon Minaret, spared by an enthralled Genghis Khan and bombed by the Red Army, to the small but exquisite Ismail Samani Mausoleum, with its Zoroastrian patterns and intricate brickwork.
The main sights can be seen in a day but this is one place where little seems to have changed from the medieval era, and taking things a little slower lets you soak up the thrillingly authentic atmosphere.
The historic center of Bukhara has been listed by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.
Special Events in Bukhara
Bukhara – This UNESCO World Heritage listed city will offer you the following special activities.
Dinner at “Medresse Nodir Debon Begi” – Local bands and dancers of the region will gather to showpiece finest Bukharian Music. The show will be played live with ten or more musical instruments and local girls will perform variety of Bukharian dances.- Gijduvan Ceramics Centre – Gijduvan is a small town located in 46 km from Bukhara. Since the ancient times Gijduvan has developed here. Gijduvan ceramics are well known in Central Asia and recognizable due to its original color and decoration style. Master Abdulloh Narzullaev is the sixth generation hereditary master. His works are well known in Uzbekistan and among ceramists abroad. He participates in more than 50 international exhibitions. Now he is teaching his sons and daughters the secret of his profession. Visiting the workshop of the master you will get an impression of how original Gijduvan ceramics is produced, participate in process of producing. Visit home museum of ceramics of master Abdulloh.
Khiva – Open Air Museum!
Khiva is a well-preserved and fascinating city, its azure-glazed tiles glinting in the midday sun.
Khiva is unique because it has very well preserved neighborhoods, beautiful buildings and religious, military and palace structures, in addition to houses of a specific national type. Ichan-Kala and Dishan-Kala, the two parts of the city, contain most of its wonderful monuments.
Ichan Kala is positioned within the redoubtable city walls, with history of scholarship and study. Typified by the astounding madrassas and mosques, and their intricate majolica patterns, it is waiting to be discovered.
Dishan-Kala consists of houses of traders, craftsmen and also has several mosques and a madrassah. It was divided into residential quarters inhabited by people of one and the same profession which was reflected in the names of such quarters.
Itchan Kala in Khiva was the first site in Uzbekistan to be inscribed in the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1991.
Further to the South from Khiva lays Nucus. It is the capital of Karakalpakstan, the autonomous Republic of Uzbekistan. Every year thousands of travellers make it to Nucus to see one of the largest collection of Russian avant-garde arts. The Museum is named after Savitskiy has been famed as The Dessert of Forbidden Arts.
Special Events in Khorezm Oasis
Khiva – We can organize the following events in the city of 1001 nights.
Revive The History – We can revive the life of the 16th century in front of you. With khan, army, street folklore bands, merchants, hustle and bustle of the city right in front of you as it was 400 years ago. Our dedicated team of theater staff, folklore bands, musicians and ethnographers will stage shows that send you back to the golden past on time machine. The evening will end with special Royal Reception and Dinner in historic building.- Dinner in Toza Bogh Palace – This outside-the-city royal palace served the monarchy as the guest palace for most important state visitors. Now you can experience the evening show and finest royal cuisines of Khorezm region. The original Euro-Oriental design of the palace will surely leave lasting memories on you.
- Kalejik Kala Tour Programme – The place will put you in the middle of the Silk Road Caravan route. Here you will taste some local home made food, visit ancient fortress on foot, learn flora & fauna of Central Asian steppe. Ride on camels or ancient wooden carts, watch lively evening folklore show while tasting some fine local food.
Shahrisabz – Birthplace of Timur!
The city is located 90 km south to Samarkand, was once a major city of the Central Asia as Kesh.
Shakhrisabz was the birthplace of Timur on April 9, 1346, to the family of a minor local chief, and during the early years of the Timurid dynasty, enjoyed its considerable patronage. Timur regarded Shakhrisabz as his home town.
It is reticently identified with the ancient Nautica, Shahrisabz should be counted among Central Asia’s most ancient cities. Alexander the Great’s general Ptolemy captured the satrap of Bactria and pretender to the Persian throne, Bessus, at Nautica thus ending the once great Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great chose to spend his winters and met his wife Roxanna in the area in 328-327 BC.
You can see the remains of colossal palace – Ak Saray (White palace), ancient folklore and centuries old national applied arts during your visit.
Termez
Modern-day Termez bears few traces of its colourful, cosmopolitan history. in recent times the town distinguished itself as a major launch pad for the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afganistan. however, set in attractive landscapes on the fringes of towen are ancient monuments and sites attesting to more gloruious times.
Nurata – The Thriving Center of Responsible Travelling.
Nurata was established as the ancient town Nur, in 327 BC by Alexander the Great. The remains of his castle in the south of the town are still to be seen today and the water supply structure that Alexander had set up is still partially used.
The settlement is also famous as a Muslim pilgrimage place. Muhammad Narshakhi, who wrote about the history of Bukhara in 943, provides information about the city Nur. The complex consists of a spring, a well, Friday mosque and a bathhouse. The round Friday mosque was constructed next to spring and has 40 columns. The 15 m diametric dome is one of the largest in Central Asia.
The Nurata Mountains top at just over 2000m. There are number of camp locations in the area that offer overnight in yurts. You can ride camels and horses as part of the programme in the camp. Visitors can enjoy view of manmade Lake Aidarkul or take healthy pleasure by swimming in saline waters of the lake.
Fergana Valley
Fergana Valley – the vast fertile valley in Central Asia covers parts of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is ethnically diverse region with many populated cities situated across three Central Asian republics.
The region’s history dates back to 3rd century BCE when Greco-Bactrian kingdom conquered its population. Chinese merchants of the Hun dynasty knew it as Doyuan (The Great Yuans). The valley was important staging post on the Silk Route trades network. Chinese Xian city was in direct connection with the valley that helped European and Middle Eastern kingdoms receive goods from China. The most famous eastwards export from the region were the “blood sweating” Heavenly Horses, which so captured the imagination of the Chinese during the Hun Dynasty.
The Valley is an interesting stop because it has rich history, amazing scenic importance, diverse historical periods and for being the home for it’s famous son, the founder of the Mughal Empire, Babur.
We would like to give a quick run-down of the most important cities / sights of the valley that form our regular programmes of the Valley.
It is worth mentioning mountains passe that connects Tashkent to the Valley for its uniquely picturesque scenes. Kamchik passe has views of some of the highest peaks of the region that are covered with ice and snow all year round. Namangan (Chust), Fergana and Andijan has plenty to see.
Fergana – Known for its fertile irrigational lands, with abundance of all sorts of grains, fruits and vegetables. The far-famed handicrafts centers of Rishtan, Margilan and Kokand are situated in this province. Rishtan is world renowned for its blue ceramics, while Margilan has long been notable for its fine silks and silk products. Kokand was the seat of the Kokand Khanate.
Andijan – One of the oldest cities of the Fergana Valley, is historically an important city on Silk Road. Perhaps, best known for its son, Babur, the founder of the Mughal Dynasty that ruled the Indian Subcontinent for over 330 years. The city is an important production center for modern Uzbekistan with huge shares in chemicals, domestic appliances, electronics, foodstuffs, furnitures, pumps, shoes production. Possibly, best known for its Asaka GM-Uzbekistan automobile plant that produces around 250,000 car units annually.