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19-Nights Kingdoms & Cultures: A Tour By Luxury Private Jet

Price: $134,950 - # of Days: 19 days
Kingdoms & Cultures Trace the histories of old and encounter enduring cultures on this journey for adventurous travelers across Europe and Central Asia by luxury private jet. Travel off the beaten path to follow in the steps of Marco Polo in Baku, Azerbaijan, balloon above Cappadocia’s ...

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15-Nights The Silk Road: Discovering the Five ’Stans of Central Asia - Signature Land

Price: $9,295 - # of Days: 15 days
Follow in the footsteps of merchants, Mongols and princes as you travel to 5 Central Asian countries, discovering the towns and cities of the legendary Silk Road. From elegant Almaty to eclectic Tashkent and timeless Khiva, wander beneath tile-covered mosques, venture to age-old bazaars that evoke t...

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25-Nights The Five Stans of the Silk Road - Classic

Price: $5,399 - # of Days: 25 days
The Five Stans of the Silk Road See all the 'stans (well, most of them) on this comprehensive 26-day tour through Central Asia. Learn about nomadic life in Song Köl, explore natural landscapes like Kaindy Lake's sunken forest, and witness the hustle and bustle of capital cities and their bazaars, ca...

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22-Nights Multi-Stan Adventure - Bishkek to Tashkent - Classic

Price: $4,499 - # of Days: 22 days
Multi-Stan Adventure - Bishkek to Tashkent With their reputation for welcoming visitors and their unique cultural footprint, the countries of Central Asia will remind you why you travel. This comprehensive 23-day tour will take you through nearly all the 'stans we visit, offering a fascinating glimp...

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9-Nights Highlights of Uzbekistan - Classic

Price: $1,699 - # of Days: 9 days
Highlights of Uzbekistan While it doesn't get a lot of attention, Uzbekistan is a life-changing destination for those who visit. These 10 days will take you through some of the greatest cultural highlights the country has to offer. Marvel at the gorgeous mosques in Samarkand, experience a one-night ...

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12-Nights Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - Classic

Price: $2,599 - # of Days: 12 days
Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Cross two 'stans off your travel map with a 13-day tour through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This well-rounded tour takes you through bustling bazaars and beautiful city mosques in Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as bucket-list natural landscapes like the Darvaza g...

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15-Nights Caspian Odyssey: Golden Eagle - Luxury Tailor Made Travel

Price: Please call for rates - # of Days: 15 days
Caspian Odyssey: Golden Eagle Exploration by rail is an inspiring addition to a Luxury Tailor Made Journey. The Golden Eagle offers a variety of alternative routings and departure dates. Speak to your A&K Travel Consultant or your travel advisor to create a customized journey including a rail e...

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11-Nights The Great Silk Road Adventure

Price: Please call for rates - # of Days: 11 days
Experience the best of East and West on this extraordinary journey through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Delight in the natural beauty of the northern Silk Road route's immense deserts and rich cultural heritage. Explore some of the region's most stunning ancient and modern cities, from Tashkent and ...

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Overview

Introduction

Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is an inhabited museum of a city, resplendent with impressive architecture spanning many periods. It's not as compact and easy to explore as Khiva, and its monuments aren't as gigantic and colorful as those in Samarkand, but in our opinion Bukhara is the most fascinating Silk Road city in Uzbekistan.

At the heart of the city are the Kalyan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, whose intricately decorated portals face one another across a broad square—it's ground zero for busloads of tourists and hawkers. With a capacity of around 10,000 worshippers, the Kalyan Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. But even it is towered over by the Kalyan Minaret with its bands of decorative brickwork—the height of the tower is said to have impressed Genghis Khan, no less. Take time to walk around the mosque's courtyard and arcaded galleries, then head up to the roof where there's an entrance to the minaret. The climb up the narrow circular stairway is not easy, but you'll be rewarded with good views. The Mir-i-Arab Madrasa is one of the most prestigious Islamic colleges in the country, but it's generally not open to tourists.

Throughout Bukhara, you'll notice that monuments are often arranged in pairs, called a kosh. This not only creates a nice visual space; its two-for-one offering also makes sightseeing easier. Just east of the Kalyan Mosque is one of these ensembles. The Ulug Bek Madrasa is one of the oldest theological colleges in the country (one of three commissioned by Ulug Bek, Tamerlane's grandson). Opposite it, the Abdul Aziz Khan was the last of the large madrassas built in Bukhara.

The social heart of the city is the Laub-i-Hauz, a large pool lined with very old mulberry trees—it's about a 15-minute walk southeast of the Kalyan Mosque. The Laub-i-Hauz is a great spot to take a break from sightseeing and simply people-watch. The several chaikhana (teahouses) next to the pool are also a popular spot for a drink or a meal. The area is especially romantic in the evening when the pool's lights and fountains are turned on and music is pumped out of the speakers.

On opposite ends of the pool are a khanaga (a guest house for pilgrims) and a madrassa, both named for Nadir Divanbegi. Take note of the madrassa's portal with its unusual images of herons and a sun with a human face. Vendors set up shop in the courtyard and interior of both buildings. Just north of the pool is the Kukeldash Madrasa, a large theological college. South of the Laub-i-Hauz is the Jewish Quarter. Stroll through the neighborhood and past the synagogue if you have time.

The Ark, the citadel on the western edge of the old city that was the fortified residence of Bukhara's rulers, is really more impressive from the outside—especially the entrance gate—than it is on the inside, where you can see some of the fortress rooms. Across the street, through a tree-shaded square, is the Bolo Hauz Mosque. Though not completely restored, it has intricately carved wooden columns and a brightly painted ceiling. About a 10-minute walk away is the Ismael Samani Mausoleum, the oldest surviving building in Bukhara. It has beautiful, decorative brickwork—tile-covered facades had not yet come into fashion when it was built.

The list of notable buildings in Bukhara goes on and on, but the best advice we can give is this: After you've seen the highlights, stroll the streets and explore at your own pace. When you feel like you've seen all the madrassas you care to see, take a break at the Laub-i-Hauz and soak in the atmosphere. But if you still have time and energy, make your way to the Balyand Mosque, which is in a quiet residential neighborhood southwest of the old city. It's a nice example of a smaller district mosque.

Plan to spend more time in Bukhara than any other city in Uzbekistan—we suggest three days. Bukhara is 135 mi/220 km west of Samarkand.