DAY 01             ASSEMBLE AT KLIA AT 2100HRS

DAY 02             KUALA LUMPUR/BUKHARA VIA TASKENT                                                (B/L/D)

Estimated time of arrival into Tashkent is at 04:25AM  in the morning. Meet upon arrival our representative and transfer for your connecting flight to Bukhara at 08:50AM by HY 1321.  Arrival in Bukhara, meet and greet with our local representative and transfer to the hotel for some rest. Breakfast in the morning and free at leisure for the rest of the morning.

Uzbekistan, in the ancient cradle between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers, is the most historically fascinating of the Central Asian republics. Within it are some of the oldest towns in the world, some of the Silk Road's main centres and most of the region's architectural splendours.

Sightseeing in Bukhara will includes the Poi-Kalyan Ensemble including Minaret (12c) The Mosque (15c) functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16c) Emir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (14c), Taqi (trading domes), Kukeldash Madrassah (16c), Nadir Divanbegi (17c), Magok-i-Attari Mosque(16c), Lyab-i-Hauz (17c).  Late lunch in local restaurant.   Free at leisure.   Dinner in local restaurant.   

DAY 03             BUKHARA                                                                                              (B/L/D)

Breakfast in hotel.   After breakfast at hotel, Sightseeing tour in Bukhara including Visit to Registan, to the west from Ark, still before Arab period was built Registan Square, in the old days it was public sathing part. There were administrative buildings of divans (ministries) and palaces till 13 century, and then markets packed it. From 16-century trade shops Rasta and Taki-Tirgaron were at the entrance to Registan, where armourers sold their production. There were passages Taki-Org-Furushon and Tim in the center of square where headdresses and cotton fabrics were sold. Trade of meat, cereals, fancy goods, paper and inks, cradles, cattle, watermelons and melons, wooden utensils and other things was going at the square. Opposite to Ark among crowded bazars capital punishments were accomplished. At the end of Ark were weapon shops, reception-room of main commander and also large Poyand Madrassah, quartal Madrassah of butcher corporation Bozori Gusfaid and Madrassah Dorul-shifo, where future doctors studied, hospital and polyclinic departments. The only Registan monument, reached our times, is Bolo-khauz of 18 century. Picturesque Bolo-khauz Madrassah with luxury many pillars ayvan, faced to Registan, together with minaret reflects in khauz water.

Visit Ismael Samani Mausoleum and was erected as a family crypt immediately after the death of Ismail Samani's father. Later, Ismail himself and his grandson Hasr were also buried in it. It is interesting to note that erecting crypts was against Islamic law at that time, for Islam forbade erecting any post-mortem monuments upon the tombs of Muslim believers. However, the prohibition was broken in the middle of the ninth century by one of the caliphs himself, for whom a special as-Suli-biya Mausoleum was built. Ismail merely followed his example.  Visit Bakhauddin Nakhshbandi.

DAY 04             BUKHARA/SAMARKAND  (B/L/D)

Breakfast in hotel.  Transfer to Samarkand by coach. One of the oldest cities of Uzbekistan and in the world is Samarkand, established during the middle of the first century BC under the name Marakanda and later known as Afrosiab. It was the capital of the powerful state Sogd, the center of Emir Timur's great empire. The numerous monuments of Samarkand and its suburbs impress tourist with their beauty and splendor. The refined architectural shapes, intricate ornamentation, mosaics, blue-tile domes and facades are interesting for all who visit theses beautiful buildings.

Lunch in local restaurant or hotel.  Sightseeing tour out of Samarkand:  Transfer to Ismael Bukhari Mosque -Mausoleum of Imam Bukhari. Transfer back to Samarkand.

DAY 05             SAMARKAND                                                                                          (B/L/D)

Breakfast in hotel. Sightseeing tour in Samarkand:

Ruins of Afrosiab” State archaeological reserve (6 BC-13 AD)  Afrasiab-is the name of mythical king Turan and one of the legend heroes of poem of great tadjic poet Firdousi “Shahname”. Under this name is known the place where ancient Samarkand was situated.
Now Afrasiab is a huge gathering of lifeless hills sided with modern city from north side. But distant past life was boiling here. Because of this explains steadfast interest of our scientists to Agrosiab.
Archeological findings of Afrosiab were started at the end of last century, after joining Central Asia to Russia, with digs made by mayor Borzenkov in 1874 and lieutenant colonel Krestovskiy in 1833.  Lunch in the local restaurant.

Arrive in ancient capital of Afrosiab & Emir Timur Empire.  Gur-Emir means “grave of Emir”. Gur-Emir Mausoleum was built in 1404 for Timur’s grandson Muhammed Sultan. He had to become heir apparent of throne after Timur, but in 1404 he died and Timur ordered to buid big mausoleum for his loved grandson. In 1405 Timur died in Otrar city and his sons decided to move his body and bury him near his favorite grandson. From that time this mausoleum was called “burial-vault of timurids”. Here two sons of Timur were buried-Shahruh and Miranshah, also second grandson Ulugbek, spiritual director of Timur Muslim sheikh from Medin-Mir Seid Bereke and some Shah-Hodja.

Visit  to Samarkand Bazaar for shopping.  Dinner in local restaurant or hotel.

DAY 06             SAMARKAND/TASKENT                                                                           (B/L/D)

Breakfast in hotel.  Transfer to Tashkent by coach. Arrival to Tashkent, transfer for lunch in the local restaurant. Accommodation in hotel & sightseeing tour over Tashkent Mustakillik Square (Independence Square), Amir Temur Square, Monument to Courage, Halklar Dustligi Square, Monument to Alisher Navoi, Alisher Navoi Square.

Dinner in local restaurant.  

DAY 07             TASKENT                                                                                              (B/L/D)

Breakfast in hotel. Sightseeing tour in Tashkent: Kukeldash Madrassah, Kukeldash Madrassah is one of the few remained monumental architectural monuments of Tashkent. It was built in the second half of the 16th century in the time of Abdullachan (1557-1598) under the Leadership of Kulbobo Kukeldash who was a vizier, a scientist and a poet. Madrassah Kukeldash is under the authority of Religious Board of Mawarannahr Moslems, and at present it is a regularly acting mosque. There is a primary school, which teaches the basis of Islam.  Visit Oriental Market of Chor-Su the handicraft Bazaar.

Barak Khan Madrassah, Mosque on Khasty  Imam Street, Visit to Chor-Su – oriental market (handicraft bazaar) where you can shop till you drop…Lunch in local restaurant.

Visit to Tashkent Metro. Tashkent is the only city in the Central Asia, which has underground. The metro construction was started in 1973 and in 1977 the first line began to operate. Today Tashkent metro - it is 36 stations and they differ from each other. Architectural and artistic decoration of each station depicts its name. The peculiarity of metro is rather swallow station position. Some stations have escalators, 7 ones belong to tower type, 4 ones to arch type and one (Mustakillik) to tower-individual type. The leading architects and artists of Uzbekistan took part in designing of the stations. In interior décor there were used solid and stable materials: metal (engraving), glass, plastic, granite, marble, smalt, art ceramics, carved alabaster. Each station is originality work of art, devoted to a certain theme.  Farewell banquet in Tashkent with traditional Uzbek plov, national music and dances.

DAY 08             TASKENT                                                                                              (B)

After and early breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight back to Kuala Lumpur  

Transfer to airport flight to KL at 10:30 by HY-553. End of our service.

PRICE PER PERSON:

ADULT :           RM 4,988.00 PER PERSON

CHILD :           RM 4,988.00

TAX/TIPPING/FUEL SURCHARGE : RM 940.00

FLIGHT DETAILS:

EVERY WED                   HY554              KUL/TAS                       2330 - 0425

                                    HY1321            TAS/BHK                       0850 – 1035

EVERY SUNDAY             HY 553             TAS/KUL                       1030 – 2105

 ABOUT UZBECKISTAN

Main exports of Uzbekistan:
Cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilisers, ferrous metals, textiles and motor vehicles.
Main imports of Uzbekistan:
Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals and metals.
Main trade partners of Uzbekistan:
Russian Federation, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Korea and Japan.
Uzbekistan Currency & Exchange: Uzbek Sum (UZS). Notes are in denominations of UZS1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Payment for hotels, hotel services, transport, meals and other should be done in local currency. However, US Dollars are acceptable in some places as well.The exchange offices are available at most hotels, big department stores, banks. The exchange rate: USD1 = UZS1240. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800.
Note: US dollars – small notes, old (pre 1995) notes, marked or damaged notes tend to attract a lower rate and may even be refused.

Credit cards & travellers cheques: Credit cards are acceptable in most big hotels, stores, and air tickets agencies. The travellers cheques are not acceptable, but can be cashed in most banks at 2-3% charge. The ATM machines are available in some big hotels, but usually there is no money in it.

Uzbekistan Language: The official language is Uzbek (Turkic tongue). Russian is widely used. The ethnic language in Bukhara and Smarkand is Farsi. Many people involved with tourism speak English. The Government has stated its intention to change the Cyrillic alphabet to the Latin.

Uzbekistan Religion: Most of population are follow Sunni Islam. Besides, there are Christians, Catholics, Protestats, Jews, and others (more than 15 religious confessions).

Uzbekistan Public Holidays: Jan 1 - New Year’s Day. Jan 10 - Kurban Khait. Mar 8 - International Women’s Day. Mar 21 - Navruz. May 9 - Day of Memory and Respect. Sep 1 - Independence Day. Oct 24 - Ramadan Khait. Dec 8 - Constitution Day. Dec 31 - Kurban Khait.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

- Preparation before departure to UZBEKISTAN

-          Films, advisable to purchase in Malaysia, as it is more expensive in Taskent

-          Travel Insurance – Strongly recommended.

-          Luggage – Kindly make sure all bag are properly tagged with Bestour’s Luggage tag  and strictly 20kg weight totally per person.  Any excess luggage will be borne by respective client.

-          Recommended to wear smart, casual and comfortable outfit.

-          We suggest that you will bring along your comfortable walking shoes.

-          Warm clothing, cotton wears, long sleeves for cold weather. (8C min-10C max)

-          Bring along body lotion, moisturizer  and lip gloss, as weather is dry.

-          Things to buy – Jewelry, handicraft, cotton clothes, Carpet, Kilims.  Shopping in Tashkent is negotiable.

-          Voltage is 220volts, however the plug point differ from state to state.

-          Mineral water is convenient to be purchased all the time.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS