CLICK HERE to book your place on this trip.
ntroduction:
When the Silk Route was established between China and the west, there were many opportunities for Jewish merchants to thrive along the trading routes. Legend has it that Jews first came to Central Asia from Persia during the time of the Second Temple. Jewish communities, already established along the Euphrates and in Persia, rose in the great trading cities of Bukhara and Samarkand.
In the 12th century, the famous Jewish traveller Benjamin of Tudela reports that there were 30,000 Jews in Samarkand. The Jews of Bukhara lived through the ravages of Genghis Khan, the domination of Islam, the protection of Russian Tsars and the forced secularism of the Soviet Union. On this trip we will visit the World Heritage cities of Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand – with an option to extend your journey with a drive along the route of the ancient silk route to beautiful Khiva in the west of the country.
Itinerary (subject to change)
Flight leaves London on Tuesday.
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent, Wednesday 14 September.
Arrive in Tashkent. Time to rest after the night flight and then visit Independence Square and sites and the city centre to kick off our trip in Uzbekistan. Overnight: Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent – Bukhara, Thursday 15 September.
Visit the Old City of Tashkent. We will see the Oldest Koran in the world, visit the synagogues of Tashkent and the local markets. In the late afternoon we will transfer to the airport for a 1.5 hour flight to Bukhara.
Day 3: Bukhara, Friday 16 September.
Today we focus on the countryside around Bukhara. We will visit a Sufi Shrine and hear about Sufi Islam, and its influence on the development of mystical schools in Judaism. We will also visit the summer palaces of the Emir of Bukhara before returning to the city to prepare for Shabbat. Evening at Jewish community Synagogue in Bukhara including Shabbat Dinner with local community. Overnight: Bukhara
Day 4: Bukhara, Saturday 17 September.
Morning with Jewish community in Bukhara and afternoon walking tour in the old city of Bukhara. We will see the amazing old Madrasahs and mosques, including the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Finish the day with Havdalah in the old synagogue. Overnight: Bukhara.
Day 5: Bukhara-Samarkand, Sunday 18 September.
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive along the ancient Silk Route to Samarkand by bus (5 hours). Arrive in Samarkand and transfer to the hotel. Visit Ulugbek Observatory, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square. Overnight at the hotel. At night an optional Kosher or Kosher/Vegetarian dinner at Nina’s, a member of the local Jewish community. Overnight: Samarkand.
Day 6: Samarkand, Monday 19 September.
Start the second day in Samarkand with a visit to Samarkand Synagogue and guided walk in the Jewish quarter of the old city. Continue to Koni Ghil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Continue visits in Samarkand: Samarkand bazaar, Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel. Overnight Samarkand. Optional Vegetarian Lunch will be offered at the paper mill. Overnight: Samarkand.
Day 7 (for those who are not on the extention): Samarkand – Tashkent-London, Tuesday 20 September.
Morning drive to Tashkent (4-5 hours). Arrive in Tashkent. If there is enough time, lunch in Tashkent and some time in the market. In the afternoon transfer to the airport, for your flight to London. End of the tour.
Optional Extension:
Day 7: Samarkand-Tashkent- Khiva, Tuesday , Tuesday 20 September.
In the morning visit local Museum in Samarkand. We continue by train to Tashkent for some free time in the local market. Transfer to airport for nighttime flight to Khiva. Overnight: Khiva
Day 8: Khiva-Urgench-Tashkent, Wednesday , 21 September.
Full day tour in Khiva. Visit Ichan-Kala Fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour features visits to Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Try climbing Islom Khodja Minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Khiva in Kunya-Ark.
Transfer to local airport (Urgench) in the evening for flight back to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Tashkent
Day 9: Tashkent – departure , Thursday 22 September.
Transfer to the airport in the morning. End of the tour.
Flights:
Uzbekistan Airways offers direct from London to Tashkent on Tuesday nights and return from Taskent on Tuesday afternoon. The main trip has been planned around these flights.
Those choosing the extension will be able to return on Thursday via Frankfurt, Istanbul, Milan, Tel Aviv or Riga as there is no direct flight to London on a Thursday. There is also an option to return on Friday directly to London, but this option is not appropriate for those who are Shabbat Observant.
Turkish Airline offers daily flights to Tashkent via Istanbul.
The flight schedule for 2016 is not yet available, and the programme is subject to change pending confirmation of the flight times. Further details about the flights will follow as they become available.
Cost:
Basic trip: £910. Single Supplement: £170.
Extended trip: £1220. Single supplement: £210
This price includes hotels on a B/B basis. Airport transfers. Coaches, guides, Shabbat meals with the local community, entrance fees and the internal flight from Tashkent- Bukhara] [and Tashkent - Khiva (Urgench) – Tashkent for those on the extension. It does not include International Flights, travel insurance, extras in hotels, any other meals, visa fees or anything not specifically mentioned.
Dates:
Main trip: 13 - 20 September, 2016
- with extension: 13-22 September 2016.
This is 2-3 weeks before Rosh HaShana.
Extending your trip:
If you wish to extend your stay in Uzbekistan I am happy to put you in touch with my local agent to help you arrange this.
Registration:
You can book your place on this trip HERE;
Cancellation policy:
Until: 15 March 2016 - You are entitled to a full refund.
Between 15 March 2015 - 15 June 2016: - Loss of deposit.
15 June 2016 - 1 August 2016: Loss of 50% payment.
After 1 August 2016 - Loss of 100% payment.
The trip is subject to a minimum number of participants and to Standard Terms and Conditions.
This is a journey to a completely different culture and experience. Based on the experience of last year's groups it will be life changing experience. I hope you will be able to join me.
E&OE
When the Silk Route was established between China and the west, there were many opportunities for Jewish merchants to thrive along the trading routes. Legend has it that Jews first came to Central Asia from Persia during the time of the Second Temple. Jewish communities, already established along the Euphrates and in Persia, rose in the great trading cities of Bukhara and Samarkand.
In the 12th century, the famous Jewish traveller Benjamin of Tudela reports that there were 30,000 Jews in Samarkand. The Jews of Bukhara lived through the ravages of Genghis Khan, the domination of Islam, the protection of Russian Tsars and the forced secularism of the Soviet Union. On this trip we will visit the World Heritage cities of Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand – with an option to extend your journey with a drive along the route of the ancient silk route to beautiful Khiva in the west of the country.
Itinerary (subject to change)
Flight leaves London on Tuesday.
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent, Wednesday 14 September.
Arrive in Tashkent. Time to rest after the night flight and then visit Independence Square and sites and the city centre to kick off our trip in Uzbekistan. Overnight: Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent – Bukhara, Thursday 15 September.
Visit the Old City of Tashkent. We will see the Oldest Koran in the world, visit the synagogues of Tashkent and the local markets. In the late afternoon we will transfer to the airport for a 1.5 hour flight to Bukhara.
Day 3: Bukhara, Friday 16 September.
Today we focus on the countryside around Bukhara. We will visit a Sufi Shrine and hear about Sufi Islam, and its influence on the development of mystical schools in Judaism. We will also visit the summer palaces of the Emir of Bukhara before returning to the city to prepare for Shabbat. Evening at Jewish community Synagogue in Bukhara including Shabbat Dinner with local community. Overnight: Bukhara
Day 4: Bukhara, Saturday 17 September.
Morning with Jewish community in Bukhara and afternoon walking tour in the old city of Bukhara. We will see the amazing old Madrasahs and mosques, including the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Finish the day with Havdalah in the old synagogue. Overnight: Bukhara.
Day 5: Bukhara-Samarkand, Sunday 18 September.
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive along the ancient Silk Route to Samarkand by bus (5 hours). Arrive in Samarkand and transfer to the hotel. Visit Ulugbek Observatory, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square. Overnight at the hotel. At night an optional Kosher or Kosher/Vegetarian dinner at Nina’s, a member of the local Jewish community. Overnight: Samarkand.
Day 6: Samarkand, Monday 19 September.
Start the second day in Samarkand with a visit to Samarkand Synagogue and guided walk in the Jewish quarter of the old city. Continue to Koni Ghil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Continue visits in Samarkand: Samarkand bazaar, Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel. Overnight Samarkand. Optional Vegetarian Lunch will be offered at the paper mill. Overnight: Samarkand.
Day 7 (for those who are not on the extention): Samarkand – Tashkent-London, Tuesday 20 September.
Morning drive to Tashkent (4-5 hours). Arrive in Tashkent. If there is enough time, lunch in Tashkent and some time in the market. In the afternoon transfer to the airport, for your flight to London. End of the tour.
Optional Extension:
Day 7: Samarkand-Tashkent- Khiva, Tuesday , Tuesday 20 September.
In the morning visit local Museum in Samarkand. We continue by train to Tashkent for some free time in the local market. Transfer to airport for nighttime flight to Khiva. Overnight: Khiva
Day 8: Khiva-Urgench-Tashkent, Wednesday , 21 September.
Full day tour in Khiva. Visit Ichan-Kala Fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour features visits to Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Try climbing Islom Khodja Minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Khiva in Kunya-Ark.
Transfer to local airport (Urgench) in the evening for flight back to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Tashkent
Day 9: Tashkent – departure , Thursday 22 September.
Transfer to the airport in the morning. End of the tour.
Flights:
Uzbekistan Airways offers direct from London to Tashkent on Tuesday nights and return from Taskent on Tuesday afternoon. The main trip has been planned around these flights.
Those choosing the extension will be able to return on Thursday via Frankfurt, Istanbul, Milan, Tel Aviv or Riga as there is no direct flight to London on a Thursday. There is also an option to return on Friday directly to London, but this option is not appropriate for those who are Shabbat Observant.
Turkish Airline offers daily flights to Tashkent via Istanbul.
The flight schedule for 2016 is not yet available, and the programme is subject to change pending confirmation of the flight times. Further details about the flights will follow as they become available.
Cost:
Basic trip: £910. Single Supplement: £170.
Extended trip: £1220. Single supplement: £210
This price includes hotels on a B/B basis. Airport transfers. Coaches, guides, Shabbat meals with the local community, entrance fees and the internal flight from Tashkent- Bukhara] [and Tashkent - Khiva (Urgench) – Tashkent for those on the extension. It does not include International Flights, travel insurance, extras in hotels, any other meals, visa fees or anything not specifically mentioned.
Dates:
Main trip: 13 - 20 September, 2016
- with extension: 13-22 September 2016.
This is 2-3 weeks before Rosh HaShana.
Extending your trip:
If you wish to extend your stay in Uzbekistan I am happy to put you in touch with my local agent to help you arrange this.
Registration:
You can book your place on this trip HERE;
Cancellation policy:
Until: 15 March 2016 - You are entitled to a full refund.
Between 15 March 2015 - 15 June 2016: - Loss of deposit.
15 June 2016 - 1 August 2016: Loss of 50% payment.
After 1 August 2016 - Loss of 100% payment.
The trip is subject to a minimum number of participants and to Standard Terms and Conditions.
This is a journey to a completely different culture and experience. Based on the experience of last year's groups it will be life changing experience. I hope you will be able to join me.
E&OE
