Tour of Magnificent Samarkand
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As the capital of Amir Timur's great empire, Samarkand was built by the best among local and foreign artisans to outshine all capitals of the world by its greatness and beauty. During this tour, guests will have an opportunity to visit the jewels of legendary Marakanda:
Registan Square
Guests will be amazed by the magnificence of the square that has been the central square of the city since the 14th century. The view of the square, flanked on three sides by the tremendous buildings of the madrasahs, is breathtaking.
Ulugbek Madrasah (built in 1417-1420)
On the left towers the Ulugbek Madrasah, built in 1417-1420 as a school admitting more than 100 students at a time. Guests travel back in time as they walk through the huge portal decorated with symbolic stars into the inner yard. The hujras - small rooms where the students used to live, belong to the 15th century.
Sher-Dor Madrasah (built in 1619-1636)
Across the Ulugbek Madrasah stands the Sher-Dor Madrasah that was built 1619-1636 and was meant to the complement Ulugbek Madrasah architecturally and match its magnificent dimensions and splendour. The name of the Sher-Dor Madrasah -"tiger's prey" - comes from the peculiar engraving on the portal of the main entrance: a tiger seizing a deer.
Tilla-Qori Madrasah (built in 1660)
Tilla-Qori Madrasah completes the ensemble of the Registan Square. Built in1660, the madrasah also encompassed the role of a mosque. As guests approach the glazed portal it will become apparent why the madrasah was called Tilla-Qori - "covered by gold".
Gur-Emir mausoleum (XVth century)
Next , guests will travel to Gur-Emir - "the tomb of the sovereign". Built as a crypt for Amir Temur's grandson, it subsequently became a burial chamber for the great governor himself in the year 1405. The tomb of Amir Temur is shrouded in legends associated with its unsealing in 1941.
Ulugbek Observatory (XV century)
As guests look at the remnants of the quadrant at Ulugbek Observatory, they can actually imagine how the great astronomer gazed at the stars back in the years 1428-1429 when the observatory was built. At that time it was the biggest observatory in the East and included a quadrant with a radius of 40m. Today, only a few remnants of the quadrant exist as well as works of Ulugbek and his astronomical devices.
Bibi Khonim Mosque (XIV - beginning of XV centuries)
The scale of Tamerlane's epoch makes itself felt in the enormous Bibi Khonim mosque. For the construction of the mosque, architects, artists, masters and craftsmen were brought from all over the East. It is said that Amir Temur brought 95 elephants from India to build the huge mosque.
Shokhi-Zinda ensemble (XI-XV centuries)
The 14th century surrounds guests as they climb the 36 steps into the Shokhi-Zinda necropolis. This architectural ensemble, consisting of arrays of mosques and mausoleums built in the 14th and15th centuries, is known to be the grave of Kusam ibn Abbos - the cousin of Prophet Muhammad. According to a legend, the mausoleum was built on a site where Kussam once disappeared in a well which was thought to be the entrance of an underground palace and where he continues to live even till today. This is why the necropolis is referred to as Shokhi-Zinda meaning "living king".
Special inclusions of the tour:Lunch in a national house with preparation of plov
The Uzbeks not only like to eat delicious food but they also enjoy cooking it. At the National House, in front of the guests' eyes, the host will begin the preparation of aromatic plov. Guests can witness the making of this traditional dish followed by an extensive tasting session. Plov is accompanied by various traditional supplements like fresh salads and syuzma (soured milk).
Visiting of the Traditional Bazaar
The bazaar is an indispensable part of the Uzbek culture. The Siyob Bazaar is the biggest bazaar in Samarkand and is located in the old town. Like any other Uzbek bazaar, it represents a concoction of inimitable colours, alluring odours and an amazing diversity of traditional products where the guidance of a local is essential. During the tour guests will have a chance to become a part of this buzz and leave with great memories and some memorable bargains.
Registan Square
Guests will be amazed by the magnificence of the square that has been the central square of the city since the 14th century. The view of the square, flanked on three sides by the tremendous buildings of the madrasahs, is breathtaking.
Ulugbek Madrasah (built in 1417-1420)
On the left towers the Ulugbek Madrasah, built in 1417-1420 as a school admitting more than 100 students at a time. Guests travel back in time as they walk through the huge portal decorated with symbolic stars into the inner yard. The hujras - small rooms where the students used to live, belong to the 15th century.
Sher-Dor Madrasah (built in 1619-1636)
Across the Ulugbek Madrasah stands the Sher-Dor Madrasah that was built 1619-1636 and was meant to the complement Ulugbek Madrasah architecturally and match its magnificent dimensions and splendour. The name of the Sher-Dor Madrasah -"tiger's prey" - comes from the peculiar engraving on the portal of the main entrance: a tiger seizing a deer.
Tilla-Qori Madrasah (built in 1660)
Tilla-Qori Madrasah completes the ensemble of the Registan Square. Built in1660, the madrasah also encompassed the role of a mosque. As guests approach the glazed portal it will become apparent why the madrasah was called Tilla-Qori - "covered by gold".
Gur-Emir mausoleum (XVth century)
Next , guests will travel to Gur-Emir - "the tomb of the sovereign". Built as a crypt for Amir Temur's grandson, it subsequently became a burial chamber for the great governor himself in the year 1405. The tomb of Amir Temur is shrouded in legends associated with its unsealing in 1941.
Ulugbek Observatory (XV century)
As guests look at the remnants of the quadrant at Ulugbek Observatory, they can actually imagine how the great astronomer gazed at the stars back in the years 1428-1429 when the observatory was built. At that time it was the biggest observatory in the East and included a quadrant with a radius of 40m. Today, only a few remnants of the quadrant exist as well as works of Ulugbek and his astronomical devices.
Bibi Khonim Mosque (XIV - beginning of XV centuries)
The scale of Tamerlane's epoch makes itself felt in the enormous Bibi Khonim mosque. For the construction of the mosque, architects, artists, masters and craftsmen were brought from all over the East. It is said that Amir Temur brought 95 elephants from India to build the huge mosque.
Shokhi-Zinda ensemble (XI-XV centuries)
The 14th century surrounds guests as they climb the 36 steps into the Shokhi-Zinda necropolis. This architectural ensemble, consisting of arrays of mosques and mausoleums built in the 14th and15th centuries, is known to be the grave of Kusam ibn Abbos - the cousin of Prophet Muhammad. According to a legend, the mausoleum was built on a site where Kussam once disappeared in a well which was thought to be the entrance of an underground palace and where he continues to live even till today. This is why the necropolis is referred to as Shokhi-Zinda meaning "living king".
Special inclusions of the tour:Lunch in a national house with preparation of plov
The Uzbeks not only like to eat delicious food but they also enjoy cooking it. At the National House, in front of the guests' eyes, the host will begin the preparation of aromatic plov. Guests can witness the making of this traditional dish followed by an extensive tasting session. Plov is accompanied by various traditional supplements like fresh salads and syuzma (soured milk).
Visiting of the Traditional Bazaar
The bazaar is an indispensable part of the Uzbek culture. The Siyob Bazaar is the biggest bazaar in Samarkand and is located in the old town. Like any other Uzbek bazaar, it represents a concoction of inimitable colours, alluring odours and an amazing diversity of traditional products where the guidance of a local is essential. During the tour guests will have a chance to become a part of this buzz and leave with great memories and some memorable bargains.
- Duration: 7 hour(s)
- Location: Samarkand
- The "time travel" tour will begin with meeting up at the hotel at 9:00 AM
- Guests will then be driven to the Registan Square where they can visit the Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah and Tilla-Qori Madrasah
- Next stop on the route is the Gur-Emir Mausoleum
- Final stop before lunch is visiting of the Ulugbek Observatory
- Lunch at a national house where guests will take part in the preparation and tasting of "plov" - the national Uzbek dish
- Excursion to the grand Bibi Khonim Mosque
- Visit to the national bazaar, Siyob Bazaar
- Finishing the "time travel" tour with the visit to the Shokhi-Zinda necropolis built in the 11th to 15th centuries
- Return to the hotel.
Note: Starting from pick-up at the hotel and including return to the hotel, guests will be transported to every site listed by car.
Meet your local connection in Samarkand, Shoista Saydaminova and the team of 
