Uzbekistan UNESCO Sites Tour from Italy

Early morning flight HY256 arrives from Milan, after landing in Urgench airport, your driver will take you to the hotel in Khiva (35 km, 45min). Arrive at the hotel, breakfast and check-in begins at 14:00. Free day to discover Itchan-Kala the UNESCO world heritage site. All monuments are near each other and in walking distance. Overnight in Khiva.
Optional Khiva walking tour: Your guide will meet you at the hotel to begin your walking tour of Khiva, the “Museum Under the Open Sky”: Kunya-Ark Fortress, Kalta Minor Tower, Muhammad Amin-Khan and Muhammad Rahim-Khan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Tash-Hauli Palace, Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, Minaret and madrasah of Islam Khodja.
Tour duration: 6 hours

Begin the second day of your Uzbekistan UNESCO Sites Tour from Italy with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Head to the railway station to take the train to Bukhara (480km, app.7hrs). Arrive in Bukhara, and transfer to your hotel in the Old City, the heart of Bukhara. Overnight in Bukhara.
Optional Activity: Nodir Devon Begi evening folk-show includes local dances, colorful costumes, a traditional band and even an Uzbek fashion show and dinner. (App. 20 USD)

After a leisurely breakfast, explore Bukhara on a walking tour with local guide, the most impressive sights of Bukhara’s Old City. It is about 3km from staring point to finish, you will have coffeehouse where you can enjoy and feel the atmosphere. Visit the following in your Italy to Uzbekistan Tour:

• Lyabi-Hauz ensemble holding the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara (14th-17th centuries). This ensemble includes some of the largest madrasahs in the city: the Khanaka Madrasah, Kukeldash Madrasah and Nadir Divan Beghi Madrasah (all 16th century);
• Magoki-Attori Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century);
• Four Trade Domes (15th-16th centuries), which still house local handicrafts for sale;
• Poi Kalyan Ensemble (12th-16th centuries), consisting of the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Amir-Alimkhan Madrasah and Miri-Arab Madrasah;
• Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century), relatively untouched yet impressive religious schools;
• Ark Fortress (4th century), the ancient center of Bukharan statehood and currently home to a small museum;
• Bolo-Khauz Complex, consisting of an artfully decorated 18th century mosque, a minaret and reservoirs that once provided water for the entire city;
• Samanids Mausoleum (9th-10th centuries), believed to be the most ancient brick building in Central Asia.

Overnight in Bukhara.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, free time to explore Bukhara in your Uzbekistan UNESCO Sites Tour from Italy. Checking out of the hotel at noon. Transfer in the afternoon to the train station for the Bukhara-Samarkand bullet train (280 km, 2-3hrs).
Arrive in the historical town of Samarkand, seat of Tamerlane’s ancient empire and a crossroads of the world's cultures. Transfer to the Samarkand hotel, followed by free time to rest. Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel, on the fifth day of your Uzbekistan UNESCO Sites Tour from Italy. Beginning your private tour of Samarkand to the following sites:

• Gur Emir, the imposing burial site of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek;
• Registan Square, the commercial center of Samarkand for centuries and Samarkand’s most famous site today. The square includes three madrasahs: Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasah (17th century) and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (17th century);
• Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane for his favorite wife;
• Siab Bazaar, a multi-level complex where you can shop for souvenirs and sample sweets, fruits and Samarkand’s famous bread;
• Shakhi-Zinda, a burial complex built between the 9th-14th centuries. Climb the blue-domed path and explore more than 20 small mausoleums that line the broad alleyway;
• Ulugbek Observatory, where you can see the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum.

Overnight in Samarkand.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, free time to discover Samarkand during your Italy to Uzbekistan holiday package before checking out of the hotel at noon.
Transfer to the railway station to catch the afternoon train to Tashkent (330km, 2-3hrs). You’ll be met at the Tashkent station and taken to the hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

In the morning breakfast and check-out. Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to begin your private Tashkent city tour which include:

• Excursion to the Old City, including the Khazret-Imam Architectural Complex. The complex includes the Madrasah of Barak-Khan (16th century), Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, Juma Mosque and Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi (15th century). Walking through the Islamic Civilization Center and Zarqaynar street;
• Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s most well-established bazaar that includes a large selection of traditional Uzbek ceramics, jewelry, handbags, garments and more;
• Drive through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, including the touching Mourning Mother Monument;
• Pass Drive to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, a 20th-century Roman Catholic Church with beautiful stained-glass windows and Gothic-style architecture;
• Tour of the Applied Arts Museum, an informative collection of Uzbekistan’s finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa.

In the afternoon transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Take a flight from Tashkent to Milan. End of Uzbekistan UNESCO Sites Tour from Italy.
Tour duration: 4 hours