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Tashkent − Urgench − Khiva − Tashkent
On the tracks of the great cities of the sunny country...
Historical tour
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Route: Tashkent − Urgench − Khiva − Tashkent
1st DAY
Tashkent − Urgench − Khiva (17 h. 30 min by train, 977 km.)
18:30 - gathering of tourists near the central railway station in Tashkent at the checkpoint..
19:30 – departure by train Tashkent-Urgench. Overnight on the train.
2nd DAY
Urgench − Khiva
13:05 - Arrival in Urgench.
13:15 - meeting at the station. Discussion of the tour program and other details with a representative of our company.
13:45 – Transfer to Khiva. Lunch at a local cafe in the city of Khiva.
15:00 – Accommodation in "Madrassah Aminkhan".
16:00 – Tour. Ichan - Kala (XVIII-XIX centuries) - the historical inner city of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
16:30 – Visit to Said Alauddin Mausoleum.
Said Alauddin Mausoleum is one of the most historic buildings in Central Asia. The exact date of the mausoleum’s construction doesn’t exist. It is said that the mausoleum was built in the middle of 14th century. There is an inscription which says that the mausoleum was built by Sheikh Said Mir Kulol. The mausoleum consists of two rooms: khanaka and tomb of Said Alauddin. There is a small entrance portal, covered a vast dome. Tombstone is faced with tiles, adorned with floral designs and inscriptions in Arabic.
17:00 – Visit to Kalta-Minar Minaret.
Kalta-Minar Minaret means «Low tower» is located in the inner of Khiva. The building was erected in the 19 century by the ruler Mukhammad Amin-khan. The minaret is unique that it was not completed. According to his plan, the height of the building was to be 70-80 cm, but construction was finished at 29 cm.
Despite the minaret was not completed, it is impossible to imagine Khiva without this mighty building. The building is famous not only its big sizes, but above all it is the only minaret which is covered with blue and white glazed tiles and majolica. There are many legends and stories about Kalta-Minar Minaret. One of the legends says when Bukhara khan heard about Muhammad Amin Khan’ construction, he asked his architect to buld the same building in Bukhara. But as soon as Muhammad Amin Khan learnt the news, the architect was thrown from the minaret. This was the reason the work was stopped because nobody else could finish the construction.
17:30 – Visit to Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah.
Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah is the greatest madrasah not only in Khiva, but also in all Central Asia. This two-story building was built by Muhammad Amin Khan from 1851 to 1854. Architectural monument is located in the western part of Ichan-Kala, the gate-Ata Darwaza. Madrasah has 125 hujras, where held up to 260 students.
Architecture of the building is elegant and beautiful. The portal has a square courtyard and decorated with five domes. There are audience, winter and summer mosques, library and many other rooms. Distinctive feature of the building architecture are arched niches, arranged around the outer perimeter of the building.
Architectural and ornamental works are made in national Uzbek traditions. The minaret is decorated with geometric patterns of colored bricks. The décor is also consists of ornamental carving and ganch lattices. The portal of the main façade is decorated with majolica and patterns of colored glazed bricks.
19:30 – Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
3rd DAY
Urgench − Khiva
08:00 - Breakfast at hotel.
09:00 – Continue sightseeing in Khiva:
Visit to Caravanseray Alla-Kuli-khan.
Caravanseray Alla-Kuli-khan was built in 1835; it was one of the important places for merchants. There were rooms where kept raw silk and silk fabrics. It was two-storey building with 105 rooms –“hudjras”. Later the trading dome “Tim” was attached to the building façade. The façade of caravanserai and part of the second floor were destroyed in order to build the trade dome “Tim”.
Domed arcade - Tim has an original view. Two rows of small domes are combined with a large domed hall. There were trade counters on the sides of the building and large chain of buyers in the middle. There were not only local goods but also the English cotton fabrics, silk scarves, cotton blankets, Uzbek boots, Chinese dishes, jewelry, head dresses and many other everyday items.
09:30 – Visit to Pahlavan Mahmud complex.
Pahlavan Mahmud complex is located not far from Juma Mosque. Pahlavan Mahmud is a local poet and philosopher who was famous for his heroic strength and the ability to heal people. Originally the construction of the mausoleum was very modest but soon there was built khanaka and mosque where pilgrims said their prayer. Later the building was rebuilt into a magnificent construction with the largest dome in the city, covered with blue tiles.
In 1810 the mausoleum was rebuilt by Muhammad Rahim-khan. The new building consists of old tombs and double dome. There is a tombstone above the grave, adorned with mosaic of carved ceramics. The mausoleum is the tomb of Pahlavan Mahmud as well as the rulers of Khiva Muhammad Rahimkhan I, Abulgazihan and Elbars II. There is a small courtyard with open mosque (ziyarathona) where come many believers in order to pray. There is also a deep well with clean drinking water.
10:00 - Visit to Kurnysh-khan Palace.
One of the significant constructions of the old citadel Kunua-Ark is Kurnysh-khan Palace. This magnificent building was erected in 1806. The architecture of the building is traditional oriental décor with numerous rooms, decorated with beautiful majolica patterns. Kurnysh-khan Palace is the residence of the governor, intended for official receptions.
10:30 – Visit to Kunya-Ark.
Kunya-Ark «old castle» was built in the end of 17th century in 1686-1688 by Anushakhan’s son Arangakhan. The total size of the fortress is 130х93 metre. The fortress included a hall for official reception, khan’s office, mosques, mint, as well as many other outbuildings.
Today, there are only a few buildings of Kunya-Ark fortress: kurinishhona (room for reception of people); Ak-Sheikh Bobo’s cell; the eastern gate with room for guarding; summer and winter mosques and harem.
12:00 – Visit to Islam-Hoja Minaret.
Islam-Hoja Minaret was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, is an early example of the architecture of the XIV century. The construction was completed in 1910. The tapered shape makes up more slender minaret and strength. The famous Kalyan Minaret is inferior to the height of Islam-Khoja Minaret. Its height is 56 meters and a base diameter is 9.5 meters. Trunk of the minaret is made of bricks, decorated with white and blue tiles made of glazed ceramic.
Islam-Khoja Minaret is the tallest structure in Khiva, visible from anywhere in the city. After rising to the top of the minaret, you will see the most beautiful panorama of the eastern fairy tale city Khiva.
12:30 – Visit to Islam-Hoja Minaret.
Islam-Hoja Minaret was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, is an early example of the architecture of the XIV century. The construction was completed in 1910. The tapered shape makes up more slender minaret and strength. The famous Kalyan Minaret is inferior to the height of Islam-Khoja Minaret. Its height is 56 meters and a base diameter is 9.5 meters. Trunk of the minaret is made of bricks, decorated with white and blue tiles made of glazed ceramic.
Islam-Khoja Minaret is the tallest structure in Khiva, visible from anywhere in the city. After rising to the top of the minaret, you will see the most beautiful panorama of the eastern fairy tale city Khiva.
13:00 – Lunch at a local restaurant in the city of Khiva. During dinner speech Harezmskih traditional "Halpu" with lapar and traditional dances.
14:45 – leaving to Urgench. Transfer to the train station.
15:20 – departure to Tashkent. Dinner and overnight on the train.
4th DAY
Tashkent
10:25 - Arrival in Tashkent. Check out the home.