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Visit Uzbekistan this Fall!!

 

Join us on an exciting trip this fall, to explore the fascinating history, the beautiful architecture, the rich cultural heritage, and the diverse ethnic/faith communities (mainly Muslim, Russian Orthodox, and Jewish) of Uzbekistan.

Throughout the trip participants will benefit from the extensive expertise of Dr. Levin. In addition to sightseeing and learning about the country and region’s history participants will be able to explore more contemporary questions. They will also meet with local Uzbeks of different ethnic/faith backgrounds, and enjoy home hospitality on more than one occasion.

 

Tentative dates: September/October 2016 (10 nights)

Cost: $2500 (based on minimum 20 participants)

 

Cost Includes:

  • Visa

  • Transportation to and from airport in Uzbekistan

  • 10 nights in good hotels, HB basis, double occupancy (add $200 for single supplement)

  • Professional guide/trip director, plus local English speaking guide in each city.

  • All transportation within Uzbekistan (group bus, one way ticket Tashkent-Urgench; one way train Samarkad-tashkent)

  • Entrance fees to the monuments, museums and sightseeing.

  • Nodir devoin begi folklore show Bukhara

  • Master class plov

  • Cable Car

 

Not included:

  • Charges in hotels for additional services;

  • Photography and video making fees at the sites;

  • Personal/international health insurance;

  • Tips and gratuities;

  • Any services not included in the above itinerary;

  • Any increase in govt. taxes / airline charge.

  • International tickets (to/from Uzbekistan)

 

 

 

 

Trip Director: Dr. Ze’ev Levin

 

Dr. Ze’ev Levin may best be described as a historian specializing in the Jewish history of the Middle East and Eurasia (The Southern parts of the Russian Empire, USSR – The Muslim Republics) in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Dr. Levin completed his doctorate at the School of History at Tel-Aviv University, the Department of Middle Eastern and African History. His PhD dissertation dealt with Jewish-Muslim relations in Soviet Central Asia. During his Post-Doctorate he conducted research on Jewish and non-Jewish refugee populations in Central Asia and Siberia during World War II, uncovering a less-studied chapter of the Holocaust and war behind the front lines.

For the last several years Dr. Levin has been teaching various courses at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. dealing with Islam in Russia, the Soviet Union and the Successor Republics, Minority relations, and Jewish History in the Soviet Union. Since 2014 he has served as a research fellow and coordinator of Central Asia research group at the Harry S. Truman Institute, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

In addition, between 2000-2002 Dr. Levin served as a Jewish Agency emissary for education to Central Asia and since 2002 I has led various tourist and research enterprises to Central Asia and to the other former Soviet republics. Among those, he has also served as an advisor of a TV program "How do you think you are" and produced a documentary about a family roots search journey of Russian Subbotniks who emigrated to Israel.

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent 
Orientation, overview, and panoramic sightseeing tour of Tashkent

 

Day 2: Tashkent

Continue sightseeing of Tashkent. Visit Old City with Khast-Imom Complex and Chor-Su bazar, continue to the center of Tashkent with Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, and monument of bravery dedicated to the victims of the earthquake in 1966. Visit the Applied Arts Museum which holds a wonderful collection of embroidery, pottery, and wood carving artifacts.

 

Day 3: Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min)
Transfer to the airport. Upon arrival flight HY1051Tashkent - Urgench
Sightseeing tour program in Khiva: Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Qala fortress. In Ichan-Qala fortress visit Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque ,Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya,  Abdullakhan, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, 

Afternoon: free time; continue city tour Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja.

 

Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara (480 km)
Drive to Bukhara through the Kyzylkum dessert. On the way stop to view the Amudarya river that flows from Afghanistan to the Aral sea in Uzbekistan. In ancient times, the river was regarded as the boundary between Greater Iran and Turan- the land of the Turkic nomads. Stop for a light lunch at a local Tea-house and continue to Bukhara.

Upon arrival, visit the  Mausoleum of the Samani dynasty, where Ismoil Samani, the founder of the dynasty and a patron of the arts and sciences in the 10th century is buried. Visit the nearby holy spring Chashma-Ayub.

 

Day 5: Bukhara
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit the Ark Fortress,  Kalon Ensemble, Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah, trade domes, Lyabi Khauz complex, Chor-Minor Madrasah.

Dinner and national folklore show at Nodir Devan Begi Madrasah.

 

 

Day 6: Bukhara

Memorial complex Nakshbandi, the center of Sufism, located out of town (15km). Visit Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, and tour Chor Bakr mausoleum complex

Free time. Dinner at local traditional house

 

Day 7: Bukhara - Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand (280 km, 4 hours’ drive). Visit a ceramic workshop in the potters’ village of Gijduvan, where currently the sixth generation of potters is carrying on its ancestors’ traditions. Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat Malik dating back to 11th century where we can see a well preserved sardoba (ancient dessert water collection system).                                                                   Arrive in Samarkand  in the afternoon, Visit spectacular Registan Square, the most famous architectural sight in Uzbekistan where three majestic Madrassas (Islamic schools ), dating back as early as the 15th century, are facing each other                                                                                Authentic dinner at a local Jewish Family’s house .

                                    

Day 8: Samarkand
Sightseeing program in Samarkand., remains of Bibi Khahum mosque, Ulugbek observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, central Samarkand bazaar and Gur Emir Mausoleum, authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Continue sightseeing: visit the Jewish cemetery and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Dinner at local restaurant.

 

Day 9: Samarkand-Tashkent

Visit to Hudjum,  a silk carpet factory and watch carpet weaving process on site, visit Khovrenko Samarkand winery Wine degustation, Winery Museum, museum of Afrasiab. Lunch at local restaurant                                                                                                                        Visit Mausoleum of Imam Al-Bukhari. Take a Bullet Train Afrasiab departing to Tashkent at 18:00 (300km).Scheduled arrival time at 20:10.                                                                               

 

Day 10: Tashkent – Chimgan – Tashkent
Drive towards  Chimgan mountain resort on the way visit  the monument for the victims of Stalinism, beautifully located overlooking a River bend.

Upon arrival in Chimgan we will have a master class in making Plov  the traditional Uzbek dish for any occasion. While our food is cooking we will go up a cable car (15min in each direction) for a view of the chimgan mountains.

Drive to Chervak water reservoir that is used as a beach resort

Return to Tashkent for farewell dinner

 

Day 11: Tashkent - departure
Early morning Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.

 

 

 

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