Day tour to Samarkand from Tashkent and back

Tour Item Aside

Historical tour

1 Day / 0 Nights

Group: 1 pax

Uzbekistan

Tour description

We shall spend full day touring Samarkand which is one of the highlights of any Central Asian visit. Samarkand as was known from the ancient times existed when the Babylonian civilisation was at its zenith. The Turkic roaming tribes from the steppes and the expansion of Persian speaking tribes gave rise to new racial groups inhabiting Central Asia whilst Samarkand was mainly a concentration of Persian speakers later to be known in the history as Sogdians. Turkic and Sogdian tribes lived together in Sogdiana whereas one was pastoral and the other sedentary race. When Samarkand became an important halting station for the caravans it rose to prominence as one of the important cities in the steppes. The city was well protected with a huge wall which existed for centuries. Alexander the Great spent some time in Samarkand boasting his successes followed by his predecessors who continued their rule. After the invasion of Sassanian Empire by the Arab armies in 8th AD the ancient religion was replaced with conversion of her population to Islam marking the beginning of a new era. Then it was in 13th century when Samarkand was destroyed by the Mongols who butchered its population and left the city at the mercy of time to recover. After the establishment of Mongol rule and division into confederacy of Mongol tribes, Samarkand saw a new era in history which in the coming centuries established her as the capital of a most powerful rule in the world under Tamerlane. His successors continued ruling till the advent of Sheybanid rule.

The murals found from the ancient site of Afrosiab depict the life in Samarkand with its character of a caravan city. People of various origins could be seen visiting the country prior to Islam highlighting a great trade activity that had contacts in east with China and in the west with the Roman world holding its Sogdian character. It was the place where apart from indigenous Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Nestorians and Manicheans lived in great harmony and mutual respect prior to Islam.

Itinerary

Tashkent - Samarkand - Tashkent

Tour program

Day 1: Tashkent / Samarkand / Tashkent

06:20 – Morning transfer to the railway station for
07:24 – Fast train Afrosiyob 764 to Samarkand
09:37 – Meeting on arrival by your guide and start full day city tour of Samarkand – visit Gur Emir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s Tomb), Registan Square with three beautiful madrasahs (Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah and Tillya-Kori Madrasah), Bibi Khanum Mosque & Siab Bazaar.
Later we shall visit Shakhi Zinda Necrolopis, Ulugbek Observatory & Afrasiab Museum and site. (the museum is closed on Sunday)
17:30 – Transfer to the railway station for
18:32 – Fast train Afrosiyob 763 back to Tashkent.
20:49 – Meeting on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Tashkent.

FAQs

Do you arrange airport transfers?

Our experienced drivers will receive you on arrival at the airport or at the railway station and bring you to your hotel. The same service is also available on your departure. All vehicles are clean, airconditioned and have plenty of space for your baggage. If you wish to be received or seen-off by a professional tour guide speaking your language, we provide this service also.

Should I book pre/post tour accommodation?

Kindly note that standard hotel check-in time is at 14:00 & check-out time is at 12:00, if your arrival or departure time is different, and you require accommodation please let us know in your request.

Which currency is most widely accepted on this tour?

Most payments are in cash USD only (in perfect looking dollars banknotes) and local currency. Cards or other forms of payments are not used widely.