INDIA & NEPAL THE HIMALAYAS FAR EAST ESCAPES SILK ROAD REGION CRUISES WORLDWIDE
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UZBEKISTAN
ANDIJAN & MARGHILAN
Full day tour includes the Khantlas Silk factory at Marghilan, where you can see beautiful hand made ornaments and embroideries. We also visit the central mosque & bazaar. Later tour Andijan, birthplace of Babur the founder of the Moghul dynasty that ruled India and built the Taj Mahal, Shalimar Gardens and the many forts and palaces. We also visit the Babur Literary Museum.
BUKHARA
We visit Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, Ark Fortress, summer residence of former Emirs, the famous Kalyan Minaret and Labi-hauz. This is followed by visiting the statue of the "wise fool" Sufi Hoja Nasruddin, Caravan Serai of Nadir Divanbegi culminating with a walk through the narrow streets of the old city, where we enjoy a unique opportunity to meet the local folks.
FERGHANA
It is picturesque and is the most densely populated area in Uzbekistan and is the heart of the Uzbekistan who make over 80% of the over 7 million people who inhabit this valley. Ferghana borders with Kyrgyzstan and is the entry gate to Osh - the second largest city of Kyrgyzstan. It offers little in terms of architecture and archaeology; however, it is picturesque and is often combined with tour programs visiting Andijan, Kokand and Osh.
KARAKALPAKSTAN
This is the largest province in Uzbekistan – it has been named after the Black Hat People. It is an autonomous region and the people speak their own language, which is more closer to Turkic than Uzbek. It used to be part of the Khanate of Khiva and during the Soviet rule it was governed as part of Kazakstan. There are lots of camels and we get a thrilling, often painful, experience as we go into the desert on camelback.
KHIVA
One of the most ancient settlements in the world, it is the reputed that human settlement goes back to almost 6 millennia. Legend has it that is was founded (just like Sana’a in Yemen) by Shem, son of Noah. In the medieval times and for almost 300 years, Khiva was a busy slave market. It is most preserved of all the central Asian cities. Our tour of this living museum includes the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan’s Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret. We will also have an opportunity to meet the local folks whose ancestors used to live and work during the hey days of Khiva.
KOKAND
A one-time capital of the Kokand Khanate, it was known for its very strong religious base and thus had over 35 medressas and hundreds of mosques. Kokand is a transit stop in our programs and we visit the museum-fort of the last Ruler-Khodayor Khan, Sahib Mian Hazrta medressa and the Khamza Museum.
MARGHILAN
Records show of habitants dating back to at least 1st century BC. A well known place for trading, it offers a well-stocked and interesting, it offers a well-stocked and interesting bazaar. Our tour will also include the silk factories-where the famous Central Asian silks originate.
SAMARKAND
Samarkand is a city on which so much poetry has been written-undoubtedly influenced by the beauty, sense of nobility and elegance that one feels whilst in Samarkand. This is the place on the "Golden Road to Samarkand". Most of the Sites are works of Tamerlane and his grandson Ulughbek. Our tour of Samarkand is an in depth one and includes the world famous Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane, observatory of Ulughbek, Shahi-Zinda and the local oriental bazaar.
SHAKHRISABZ
The birthplace of Tamerlane, Shakhrisabz offers the Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbuz Mosque, Dorut Tilyovat and the Khazarati Imam ensemble, which was the seat of power built by Tamerlane in 1392.
URGENCHA
A typical Soviet town, capital of the Horazm Province, located on the Delta of the Amu Darya river, Urgench offers the entry to Khiva which is located some 40 minutes away.