explore Uzbekistan
tashkent | urgench | khiva | bukhara | samarqand
With a $500 Deposit
April 19 - 29, 2024
Registration closes march 4!
Discover the ancient Silk Road and experience over two millennia of fascinating history and culture by following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, and other famous travelers. Journey to the center of great Islamic scholarship during the classical period, and retrace the steps of sages of the Islamic tradition such as Al-Biruni, Al-Bukhari, Al-Maturidi, Al-Khawarizmi, and Umar Khayyam. Learn also about the rich multi-ethnic and multi-religious heritage of Central Asia, and the various dynasties that made a lasting impression through the arts, architecture and customs of the region.
FACULTY GUIDE
munir Shaikh
Bayan’s Vice President and Professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has lived for periods of time in Spain (and Morocco), and is conversant in Spanish. He has taught academic courses on Islamic Spain, Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history, and led world heritage tours in various countries, including seven previous excursions in Southern Spain.
Itinerary in uzbekistan
(Subject to change)
The first day of the tour is Sunday, April 21. In order to arrive by this date, travelers will depart from North American gateways on Friday, April 19. Travelers from other origins will depart on Saturday, April 20.
Bayan has been offering faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations since 2017, with recurring tours to Southern Spain, Malaysia & Singapore, Uzbekistan, Jerusalem & Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Bosnia-Herzegovina, with exciting new destinations being planned for the coming years.
WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?
Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as well at various points in time. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is typically up to 35 participants.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Tashkent
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Khast Imam Complex / oldest Qur'an manuscripts
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Kukeldash Madrasah and Imam Bukhari Islamic Institute
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Chorsu Bazaar traditional market
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Amir Timur Square, Independence Square
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Domestic flight to Urgench (Khiva)
Khiva
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Ichan Kala preserved medieval city
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Mohammed Amin Madrasah
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Kunya-Ark Castle
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Train or bus through Kyzyl Kum desert to Bukhara
Bukhara
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Bukhara old quarter and markets
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Citadel Ark
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Po-i-Kalyan Complex
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Naqshbandi memorial complex
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Samanid Mausoleum
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Sitorai-Mokhi0Khosa summer palace
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Traditional pottery market
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Bukhara tea house
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Jumah prayer
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Train to Samarqand
Samarqand
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Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (resting place of Timur and Ulugh Beg)
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Registan Square
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Mausoleums of Al-Muturidi and Al-Bukhari
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Shah-i-Zinda Complex
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Ulugh Beg Observatory
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Bibi-Khanum Masjid
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traditional paper mill
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Train to Tashkent
Along with visiting these sites, we will encounter the people and make friendships, sample various Uzbek cuisines, appreciate cultural programs, and enjoy the natural landscapes that we pass through.
TOUR INFORMATION
tour pricing
Double-occupancy:
Adult $2,595
Additional Adult $2,295
Minor $1,895
Single Supplement $500
Land Package Inclusions
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8 nights hotel (5* in most cases)
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Ground transportation by private A/C coach
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Airport transfers
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All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - included!
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Internal flight from Tashkent to Khiva
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Train journeys between several cities
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Bayan scholar providing daily talks and guidance
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Local English-speaking professional guides throughout the trip
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Local professional guides
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Entrance fees for sites
exclusions
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International airfare to Uzbekistan via Instanbul (budget about $1,500 round-trip per person from US gateways)
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Tourist visa (may or may not be required based on nationality) - approx. $40 USD
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Gratuities for driver(s) and guide(s)
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Personal items
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Hotel incidental charges, hotel porters and other individualized services
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Covid-19 testing, treatment and/or quarantine costs (if applicable)
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Urgent care, medical treatment and testing, related expenses
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Travel insurance (recommended)
hotels
Our tour group will stay at the following hotels, or ones of comparable quality:
Tashkent Hilton Tashkent City Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Samarkand Zarafshon Parkside Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Bukhara Sahid Zarafshon Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Khiva Farovon Hotel or similar (1 night)
With a $500 Deposit
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Registration closes march 4!
Arriving to Uzbekistan
We recommend reaching Uzbekistan via Turkish Airlines, although other airlines may be used. Travelers from the US are encouraged to depart on Friday, April 19 from their origin city and transit in Istanbul. Many tour participants may be on the same flight from Istanbul to Tashkent (TK 370) that leaves around 6:30pm on the evening of Saturday, April 20, and reaches Tashkent around 1:00am on Sunday, April 21.
Participants from other origin points may join the flight from Istanbul to Tashkent mentioned above, or use alternative flights to arrive in Tashkent on the morning of April 21.
Upon arrival on April 21, participants will be able to check-in to their hotel rooms early, and rest during the day or explore a bit on their own, before an evening walking tour. When booking travel, participants can consider adding extra days in Istanbul before the tour until April 20 or 21, or after the Uzbekistan tour concludes on the morning of April 29.
Departing from Uzbekistan
Our group will check out of the hote in Tashkent on the morning of Monday, April 29 and be provided a transfer to the international airport. A flight on Turkish Airlines (TK 369) departs at 9am for Istanbul, and travelers can connect to on-going flights from Istanbul in the afternoon hours. Participants can explore other departure times, destinations and flights.
Booking Your Flights
Once you've paid you deposit to Bayan Tours, you should research and book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings and layovers. You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you. We recommend that you choose routes with layovers of not less than 90 minutes.
