The nature of Uzbekistan is diverse and fantastically beautiful. A traveler, in a relatively short time, can visit both deserts with the remains of dinosaurs and deep mountain canyons with expressive geological forms. The proposed tour will introduce you to the most interesting geological objects and picturesque natural landscapes of 5 regions of Uzbekistan, as well as to the world-famous monuments of the legendary ancient Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara. You will see grandiose canyons, karst plateaus, the world stratigraphic standard, the real life of mountain villages, taste delicious dishes of real Uzbek cuisine, appreciate the skill of artisans. The tour will be of interest not only to geologists, but also to a wide range of tourists who love history, nature and adventure.
PROGRAM
Day 1. Arrival in Tashkent
Group meeting day. Meeting at the airport. Hotel accommodation. Free time.
Day 2. Trip to Ugam-Chatkal National Park. (100 km, 2 h)
After breakfast, a brief briefing, introduction to the expert guide and the program. Transfer to Ugam-Chatkal National Park, resorts Chimgan, Beldersay, Charvak reservoir. Ugam-Chatkal National Park belongs to the North-Western Tien Shan – a transboundary natural monument under the protection of UNESCO. Excursions to local attractions. Geological sections (geodynamic structures, biostratigraphic geological layers). Fossilized shells of ancient mollusks, waterfalls, bizarre rocks, acquaintance with the processes that form the geomorphological appearance of the territory.. Return to Tashkent (100 km, 2 hours).
Day 3. Tashkent - Zaamin National Park (250 km) - Suffa plateau
After breakfast we drive to the Zaamin National Park. On the way, short stops at the reservoir and in the Zaamin Gorge in the foothills of the Malguzar Range. Paleontological and stratigraphic outcrops, geodynamic structures are presented here. After lunch, excursion to the Suffa plateau, 2400 m above sea level: Kyrk-Kyz – Bizarre eolian “castles” in weathered conglomerates, radio telescope, grandiose Chor-Tanga canyon, juniper forests. Overnight at the hotel in Zaamin National Park.
Day 4. Zaamin - Jizzakh - Samarkand (250 km, 4 hours). Excursion
Transfer to Samarkand. Tour of the ancient city. World-famous UNESCO monuments (XIV-XVI centuries) – Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque, National Cuisine. Artisans, souvenirs, shopping. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5. Samarkand - Kitab
Continuation of excursions, Shakhi-Zinda necropolis, Afrosiab museum, Then we go south through the Zeravshan mountain range, Takhta-Karacha pass, 1675m – the highest point of our route on this day. On the way, stop for viewing geomorphological monuments and paleontological sections, the Shaitan-Dzhilga plateau with huge bizarre weathered granite boulders, the holy place of Hazrat Bashir with a spring, centuries-old plane trees, pomegranate gardens. Moving to the Kitab Geopark, where, along with the picturesque mountain landscapes of the park, the main objects are the unique geological stratigraphic sections Zinzilbane and Khodzhakurgon and the remains of ancient fossil forms of marine animals and plants contained in them. A visit to the Zinzilban section, recognized as the world standard stratigraphic standard, the so-called “GOLDEN NAIL” of the lower boundary of the Emsian stage of the Devonian period of the Paleozoic era (400 million years). The Kitab Geopark is truly a geological chronograph of the earth. We will also visit the local geological museum with a collection of minerals, fossils, flora and fauna. Overnight at the Geopark hotel.
Day 6. Geopark - Shakhrisabz (80 km)
After breakfast, we will visit the Khodzhakurgon geological section, take a walk along the picturesque mountain paths, and see the fossils of ancient organisms. After the tour, we move to Shakhrisabz – an ancient city, the birthplace of Amir Temur (Tamerlane) – the great commander and statesman of the Middle Ages. After lunch, a tour of the UNESCO monuments (XIV-XV centuries): The ruins of the Ak Sarai palace, the mausoleums of Doruttilyavat and Dorussiadat, the monument to Amir Temur, the Kok Gumbaz mosque, the Chorsu dome. After sunset, we will visit ASTROPARK based on the Kitab International Latitude Station, which, as part of four other similar stations in the world, monitors the change in the position of the Earth’s pole, and also participates in the “space debris” tracking program. Transfer to Shakhrisabz (15 km, 20 min.). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7. Shakhrisabz - Kuruksay village - Karshi - Bukhara
Today we are going to ancient Bukhara. On the way we stop at the village of Kuruksay to the sanctuary of Saipantash with ancient drawings made in red ocher. Walk among the numerous weathered granite boulders of the most bizarre shapes. Then we move to Karshi, where we will have lunch and a short excursion. After lunch we move to Bukhara. Relaxation. Evening walk in Bukhara.
Day 8. Bukhara
Excursion around Bukhara: Lyabi-Khauz complex (XVI-XVII centuries) – “heart” of old Bukhara; The Poi-Kalyan complex (XII-XVI centuries) with the Miri-Arab madrasah (XVI century), the Kalyan mosque (XV century) and the Kalyan minaret (XII century) with a height of 46.5 meters; trade domes of Bukhara (XVI century); Ark Citadel (VII – XIX centuries) – the most ancient building of the city; Mausoleum of the Samanids (IX – X centuries) – the tomb of the rulers of Bukhara; Mausoleum-sarcophagus ChashmaAyub (XIV-XIX centuries). Transfer to Tashkent by high-speed train Afrosiab, 15.50, 19.10.
Day 9. Flight home
Transfer in Airport
The cost of the tour (9 days) will be:
| Number of persons | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Cost (USD/person) |
| Number of persons | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Cost (USD/person) |
The tour price includes:
- Accommodation in double rooms in hotels (or similar):
Tashkent – Uzbekistan 3*+
Zaamin National Park – Plato 3*
Samarkand – City Samarkand 3*
Kitab Geological Reserve – Geopark Hotel 2*
Shakhrisabz – Kesh Palace 3*
Transport according to the program: Hyundai Starex minibuses, up to 7 passengers in 1 car (or similar)
Accompanying guide-geologist (days 2-8)
Accompanying guide-interpreter (days 2-8)
Entrance tickets to the main monuments
Railway ticket for the train “Afrosiab” Samarkand-Tashkent
Meals – full board, according to the program
Mineral water
- The price does not include:
– Single accommodation in hotels – $ USD
– Local guides in cities
– International flights
– Expenses for photo / video shooting in museums
– Medical insurance
– All services not mentioned above
- Attention!
– Check-out time in hotels check-in at 14:00, check-out at 12:00;
– Surcharge for early check-in before 7:00 am – 100%, from 7:00 to 14:00 – 50% of the cost.
– Breakfast time – 08:00, lunch – 13:00, dinner – 19:00. At will, time shifts
Our email: info@geoexplorersclub.com
