Uzbek Camel safari

Itinerary:

Islamabad – Peshawar – Tashkent – Samarkand – Samarkand – Camel safari – Bukhara – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent – Islamabad.

Uzbekistan is a land rich in culture, natural beauty and history. Many traders, cultures, and invaders have passed on the great Silk Road which traversed its land, connecting China and India and Central Asia with Europe.

Uzbekistan is one of the one of the most ancient centers of civilization. Numerous historical monuments give testimony to its high cultural standards and national origin. Objects founds during archeological excavations are of lasting artistic value and show the deep historical roots of Uzbek culture.

Uzbekistan, a unique, rich and interesting land with a wealth of material culture, has lured conquerors like Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Arab caliphs, Persian shahs and Russian tsars. Samarkand and Bukhara were important cities on the Silk Road between China and Europe. Ancient manuscripts refer to Samarkand as a center of science and culture, home to great scholars, painters and poets of the east. In fact, often it was often called “Rome of the East”. One of the more outstanding monuments, the Gur Emir Mausoleum with its huge tiled cupola, can be seen from all parts of the town. It is the final resting place of Tamerlane and his grandson, [MSOffice4]Elugh Beg. Ulugh Beg was a great astronomer of the Middle Ages. During the late 1420’s he constructed an observatory considered the best by his contemporaries, the ruins of which can still be seen and now contains an interesting museum. The Ragistan Square (‘sandy place’) is surrounded on three sides with magnificent the buildings of [MSOffice5]Ulubeg, Shir–Dor and Tilly–Akhari Madarshahs. These were ancient religious institutions, universities and places of worship. Ragistan Square was where all the radial streets met, the hub of trade and where the ruler’s decrees were proclaimed and justice done.

Bukhara also hosted many prominent scholars, poets, and artists who contributed to the development of world science and culture. Today, descendents of famous craftsmen, weavers, jewelers, metal chasers and gold embroidery workers still carry on with the trade of their ancestors. In Sanskrit, Bukhara signifies ‘Monastery’, and today is a ‘Town museum’ with over 140 great architectural monuments dating back to the Middle Ages. The 12th century Pol-Kalon Minaret, decorated with layers of ornamented brickwork at more then 50 meters high, seems to rule over the city. The Ismail Samani Mausoleum is made of baked bricks ornamentally laid out, so the ornamentation is never the same when light shines on it.

Khiva, although referred to less, is considered a far greater open–air museum to Central Asian architecture. This fairytale-like city has managed to retain its exotic image of an oriental town. The older part of the city, called Ichan-Kala (the inner town),has been restored to its appearance from several centuries ago.

Tashkent was one of the largest ancient cities in Central Asia; known at some time as ‘Chach’. Chach was famous on the Silk Road for exporting gold, precious stones, fruits and beautiful horses. Located at the crossroads of international trade, it was a farming oasis as well as a city of cultural arts and crafts. Today it is the capital of Uzbekistan and has a mix of old and new. It is located on the foot hills of the Tein Shan Mountains in the center of the blooming oasis in the valley of the Chirchic River. With a population of more then 2 million, Tashkent is known for its striking contrasts. It is now one of the largest agriculture and industrials centers, including aircraft and textiles Central Asia. It also has a reputation for its strength in culture, arts and science.

The most interesting part of Tashkent is its history as an old town, a lot of which surprisingly withstood earthquakes. Tashkent in Uzbek means ‘stone settlement’. Iski-Juva Bazaar, the largest market place, selling everything from cooked food to clothing, looks like it was created from the Arabian Nights! Architecture from the Middle Ages has survived, including the Unus-Khona Mausoleum, 16th century Kouldash and the Borakhona Madrashash. Buildings of the 19th century, designed by great architects in the European tradition, combine with more modern buildings of the latest architectural achievements decorated with national ornaments, local picturesque decor and oriental traditions.

Uzbekistan offers the travelers and assortment of culture, history, ancient architecture, natural beauty and scenery. The traveler will leave with a myriad of memories of this little-known destination.

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