Uzbekistan: 18 Years After Tony & Zamir
Dear comrades, it is time to share with you an offer I hope you can’t refuse! Gotta is the name and traveling is the game! I’m looking for my fellow peacemakers and travel enthusiasts to begin joining me around the world as part of my Gotta Travel tours.
To kick things off, I’m inviting you to join me in Uzbekistan just as Tony did 18 years ago. Although the area has not become well known through tourism yet, many of you are already aware of what this Central Asian country has to offer, in large part thanks to Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. It’s now time to explore how the country has grown since then, but also learn about its fascinating history. While the main cities do receive a good amount of tourists, they are mostly domestic rather than international.
One fun fact about Uzbekistan is that it is one of only two double landlocked countries, the other being Liechtenstein in Europe. This means that all surrounding countries are also landlocked, so one would have to cross over at least two countries before reaching a sea or ocean. Although the Caspian Sea is nearby, it is considered to be a lake, the largest on Earth to be exact. While border crossing in some areas is considered unsafe, traveling within the country is not to be of concern. Obviously, exercise caution as one normally would when traveling, but Uzbekistan is known for being a very safe and welcoming country. Don’t be surprised when you are greeted by golden smiles, as this is something unique to the area.
Something else specific to the area is the beautiful turquoise blue found on many of the buildings. Azure mineral powder is the secret behind the different shades of the painted tiles. The beautiful architecture will be a main focus of the tour, as we will be touring many of the historically significant mosques and madrasas. The Silk Road, bazaars and a local hammam are also included for a full Uzbek experience.
The food will also be a main focus with the Nowruz holiday especially, and 2 master classes to fully immerse us into the culture and deep rooted traditions hands-on. Also known as Navruz, this holiday is celebrated on the Spring Equinox and has been for centuries. Bread or lepeshka is considered sacred in the area. Plov or pilaf is the country’s main dish with many variations depending on the region. Tea is served regularly, but from bowls that are only half full, as a full cup is an invitation to leave. While Russia has been served that cup, so to speak, we can thank them for their influence on vodka availability throughout Uzbekistan.
Russian and Uzbek are the most commonly used languages, with very little English being spoken. No worries, though, as you will have the help of English speaking guides and will have Zamir by your side to help navigate this incredible tour covering Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.
The tentative dates for the Uzbekistan Tour are (10 days/9 nights) Friday, March 17th through Sunday, March 26th, 2023. We understand that some leeway may need to be taken into consideration, and this will be done on a first come first serve basis. Plans are already set in motion, but are not set in stone until the guests have paid their $200 deposits and the hotels are booked. (Deposit due by December 10th.)
The goal is to have one large group (approximately 8 people) or 2 smaller groups (of approximately 3-5 people each). The main event to plan around is the Novruz holiday celebration which will begin in Samarkand on Tuesday, March 21st. Flights will arrive in Tashkent and the high-speed trains will be our transportation between cities. Drivers will be provided otherwise.
Tentative costs for single travelers is $1,500 (not including airfare, medical insurance, or food).
This package includes all hotels (with breakfast), local transportation in 3 cities (including airport transfers), local English speaking guides, a cultural program with tickets, 2 local cuisine master classes with local chefs during the Navruz holiday, plus Zamir’s fee (as tour manager).
Traveling in pairs saves $250 per person due to hotel accommodations. So, the tentative cost per couple is $2,500 (plus airfare, medical insurance, and food). The total cost will be approximately $5,200 per couple.
Airfare and medical insurance will cost around $1,500 per person. Thus the projected total cost for the trip is approximately $3,000 per person.
The average cost of a good meal will range from $10 to $15 per person. It will vary how often one will need to make such purchases as breakfasts are included at the hotels and we will be participating in various activities in which food will be provided.
A full itinerary may be obtained upon expressing your interest in joining this “Magical Mystery Tour” with your very own “International Man of Mystery” as tour manager.
Please reach out via the addresses below and we will get you the remaining information with hopes to see you in Uzbekistan!
Thank you and stay tuned for more tour options in the future!
Zamir Gotta (Tour Manager): iazamir@yahoo.com
Jessy Niscala (Zamir’s Travel Assistant): jessygottatravel@gmail.com
Travel Itinerary
Tour duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Cities: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara
Day 1
17/03/2023 Fri: Arrival in Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. You will be met by our driver and taken to the hotel. Registration at the hotel.
Then, free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
18/03/2023 Sat: Tashkent
Excursion program with driver and guide in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. You will visit the Old City where the religious center of Tashkent (Khast-Imam complex) is located. It is here that the famous Uthman Quran (VII century) is kept. In Khast-Imam (named after Imam al-Bukhari), you will visit the Barak Khan Madrassah, the Till Sheikh Mosque, the Mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and the Islamic Institute. Then we will visit the oldest market in Tashkent, the Chorsu Bazaar. After sightseeing in the Old City, you will be driven to the center where Amir Timur Square, Independence Square, and the Museum of Applied Arts are located. Lunch will be at the Central Asian Plov center where half a ton of three different types of plov/pilaf is cooked a day. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
19/03/2023 Sun: Tashkent-Samarkand
Early breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Tashkent railway station at 07:00. The Afrosiyob high-speed train leaves for Samarkand at 8:00. Arrival at 10:10, then meet with the driver. On this day you will visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum (the tomb of Amir Timur and the Timurids), the famous Registan Square (which was the center of Samarkand for many centuries), as well as the Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque (the construction of which is associated with many folk legends). You will also visit the Siab Bazaar where you can buy oriental sweets, fresh fruits, and national souvenirs. For lunch you will have a master class on cooking Samarkand plov from the ingredients that you buy at the bazaar. In the afternoon, you will have a trip to the factory of handmade silk carpets. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
20/03/2023 Mon: Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the excursion program, visiting the observatory of Ulugh Beg (the grandson of Amir Timur), the ruler of Samarkand and the great scientist of the Middle Ages. Today will also include the Afrasiab Museum (where exhibits from the ancient part of Samarkand are stored), the Mausoleum of Khoja Daniel, and the Shakhi-Zinda complex, which is a magnificent ensemble of mausoleums of the Samarkand nobility. For lunch you will try the famous Samarkand “Nuhot hurak”, chickpeas in meat broth. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5
21/03/2023 Tue: Samarkand (Navruz holiday)
Breakfast at the hotel. Celebration of the Navruz holiday/new year with the locals on this Spring Equinox. A trip to the village of Konigil where you can observe the process of making the most ancient Samarkand handmade paper from mulberry bark. Free time then overnight at the hotel.
Day 6
22/03/2023 Wed: Samarkand-Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent railway station at 9:00. The Afrosiyob high-speed train leaves for Bukhara at 9:50. Arrival at 11:20. You will be met by a guide and driver. Transfer to the Old City. Walking excursion program with a local guide in the historical center of Bukhara, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The tour includes visiting the Poi-Kalyan architectural ensemble (XII-XVI centuries), Miri-Arab Madrasah (XVII century), Magoki-Attori Mosque (XII-XVI centuries), Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasahs (XV-XVII centuries), trade domes, the Lyabi-Khauz complex, and the Chor-Minor Madrasah (XIX century). For lunch, a young ram will be prepared for you in Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7
23/03/2023 Thu: Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the excursion program in Bukhara. Visiting the Samanid Mausoleum (IX-X centuries), Ark fortress, and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum (XII-XVI centuries). Lunch at a traditional tea house as well as a visit to a medieval hammam with massage.
In the evening, we will go to the National House and take part in a master class on cooking Bukhara pilaf (Oshi Amiri, Pilaf of the Emirs). Guests will have the opportunity from start to finish to do all the steps to prepare this dish under the strict guidance of the Oshi Amiri chef himself. We will also see the life of traditional Uzbeks in Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8
24/03/2023 Fri: Bukhara - Tashkent
The third day in Bukhara will begin with a trip out of town to the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa. This is a unique building, the architecture of which combines oriental and Russian decor elements. Continuation of the excursion to the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi and the Chor-Bakr Necropolis. At 15:00 transfer to the railway station of Bukhara. The Afrasiab high-speed train departs for Tashkent at 15:50. Arrival in Tashkent at 19:40. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 9
25/03/2023 Sat: Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will be visiting the modern part of the city with a guide and driver. Last full day and last night at the hotel.
Day 10
26/03/2023 Sun: Tashkent – End of the Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent International Airport. End of the tour. Departure from the country. Safe travels and stay hungry because there will be more!