Milan-Urgench 8d.7n

Meeting of the participants and transfer to the airport of Milano Malpensa. Departure with the direct flight at 21.15 and arrival at 05.45 at Urghench. In-flight meals and overnight.

After the arrival to Urghench transfer to Khiva (30 km) by bus. Khiva is considered to be a city museum; it also was an ancient capital of the Empire of Khorazmia from the XVI to the XX cc. Accommodation at the hotel and some time for rest. Then we’ll start to visit the historical centre of Khiva – Ichan Kala. It’s still surrounded by the walls of the ancient city, made of clay and straw: the Complex of Kalta Minor – the short minaret (XIX c.), the royal residence – Khunya Ark (XVI-XIX cc.), Mukhammad Rakhimkhan II Madrassa (XIX c.), and the Friday Mosque – Juma mosque with its 213 columns. Lunch inside one of the historical madrassas, transformed in a restaurant. In the afternoon we’ll continue – with the fortress of Tosh-Khavli – the stone house (XIX c.) where the harem was located; the complex of Islam Khoja (XX c.), the Pakhlavon Makhmud mausoleum (XIV-XIX sec.). the Allah Kuli Khan madrassa, bazaar and caravanserrai. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast transfer to the airport of Urghench for the flight HY 052 at 10.10 a.m. to Bukhara. Arrival at 11.10 a.m. and transfer to the city. After the lunch at a local restaurant we’ll start to visit the historical centre of Bukhara. The Samanids Mausoleum (IX-X c.) – one of the first funeral Islamic monuments; the Chashmai Ayub mausoleum; the Bolo Khauz mosque; the Ark citadel – the ancient residence of the kings of Bukhara (khan, emir) with the Reghistan square. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we’ll continue with the visits. The complex of Poi Kalon with its majestic minaret (XII c.), the Kalon Mosque (XVI c.) and the Miri Arab Madrassa (XVI c.). Lunch at a local restaurant; the Trading domes (XVI c.) – toki Zargharon, toki Telpak Furrushon and toki Sarrafon; the Ulughbek Madrassa (XV c.) – the Koranic school of the favorite Tamerlane’s grandson; the Abdulazaz khan Madrassa (XVII c.). Lunch at a local restaurant. The Magokki attori Mosque (XII-XVI c.) – the most ancient mosque of Bukhara, related to the preislamic period, the Liabi Khavuz Complex (XVII c.), we’ll also visit the laboratory of marionettes made of papier-mache. Dinner in one of the madrassas transformed in a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we’ll drive to Shakhrisabz, the motherland of Tamerlane that is located in a small valley surrounded by the Mounts of Pamir. The name of the city means “green city” and here we’ll visit some monuments of the Timurids’ epoch of the XV and XVI cc. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the city: the remains of the Ak-Saray Palace – “White palace”, the summer residence of Tamerlane, the remains of a giant entrance of 38 m high, even if it should have been of 70 m high in origin. The Kok-Gumbaz Mosque – “blue dome” and the Dorut Tilovat – “the house of meditation”, a big Friday mosque that was built by Ulugbegh in 1437 in honor of his father Shakhrukh, son of Tamerlane. Complex of Khazrati-Imom, and the Dorus Saodat mausoleum – terminated by Tamerlane in 1392. After the visits we’ll go to Samarkandand one of the most antique cities of the world, founded aproximately in the 700 B.C. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we’ll start to visit Samarkand city: the Guri-Emir Mausoleum (where the tumb of Tamerlane is located (XIV–XVc.) buit for the favourite grandson of Tamerlane Mukhammad Sultan. Later the tombs of other members of the Timurids’ family were added to the a burial site like Miranshakh and Shakhrukh, and the grandson astronomer of Tamerlane, Ulugbek. Visit to the Registan Square – “sandy place”, the main square of Samarkand with three madrassas Ulugbek, Sher-Dor – the door of lions (XVII c.) and Tilla-Kori – decorated with gold. Visit of the Cathedral mosque of Bibi-Khanum, built by the wife of Tamerlane (XIV c.),  the Siab bazar (oriental market). Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit of the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda – «alive king», one of the most beautiful complexes of the East. Visit of the observatory of Ulugh Beg – important astronomer, scientist, governor and the favourite grandson of Tamerlane.  The  archeologic mueseum of the antique ruins of Afrasiab (antient Samarkand). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Tashkent. After the arrival to the capital we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we’ll have a panoramic excursion of the city: the Complex of Khast Imam – the holy heart of Tashkent consisting of Barak Khan Madrassa (XVI c.) which was founded by a descendant of Tamerlane Khan (king) Barak, Tillya Sheykh Mosque – built in the same time as Barak Khan Madrassa, today used as a Friday Mosque and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (XI c.) – with the tomb of a local healer, philosopher and poet of Islam who lived from 904 to 979. The museum with the most ancient Koran in the world (VII c.). Then the market Chorsu Bazaar; the Independence square. Dinner at a local restaurant, overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast the visit of the modern part of Tashkent ; the Independence square, the Tamerlane square and the visit of some undeground station of the unique metro of the Central Asia; the museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan;  lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to the International Airport of Tashkent for the flight to Milan at 16.00 p.m. with the arrival at 19.55. p.m. at the airport of Malpensa Milan.

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