Samarkand & Shakhrisabz in 3 Days

Pickup from the airport, train station, or hotel and transfer to the start of the route. The route begins at the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of Amir Timur and his descendants, known for its turquoise dome. Next is Registan Square with its three madrasas — Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya-Kori — covered in majolica mosaics. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque impresses with the scale of its portal, and nearby is the lively Siyob Bazaar with local fruit and souvenirs. The Hazrat Khizr Mosque on the hill offers a panorama of the old city. The day ends at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, an "avenue of mausoleums" with blue tilework.

On the way to Shakhrisabz, a stop at Teshik-Tash, a natural and historical landmark, and at a scenic reservoir among the mountains. The mountain road through the Shakhrisabz range is part of the experience itself. In Shakhrisabz you'll see the Ak-Saray — the grand ruins of the palace Amir Timur built as a symbol of his power. Next is the Amir Timur monument and the park of the same name in the city center. The Dorus Saodat complex, the mausoleum of the Timurid dynasty, and the neighboring Dorut Tilovat ensemble, a religious and architectural complex, round out the day's program. In the evening, return to the hotel in Samarkand.

The memorial complex of Imam al-Bukhari honors the memory of one of the greatest hadith scholars in the Islamic world. The Ulugbek Observatory introduces the achievements of medieval astronomy — in the 15th century, star positions were measured here with remarkable precision. The village of Konigil preserves the traditional production of Samarkand paper — you'll see the entire handmade process, from fiber to finished sheet. The day continues with workshops on local crafts and cuisine (the exact selection depends on the program). A transfer to the train station or hotel concludes the route.