The magic of creation (Uzbek Crafts)

Tour Programme subject to change according your request

Arrival to Tashkent. Accommodation at the Hotel. Sightseeing tour Tashkent with:

• Halklar Dustligi Square
• >Abdul Kasim Sheykh Mausoleum (16 c.)
• Shamakhmedov's family sculpture
• Alisher Navoi monument
• Kukeldash Madrassah
• Jumma Mosque

The dinner. Overnight.

Transfer to Samarkand (293 km). Accommodation at the Hotel. The Lunch. Sightseeing Tour in Samarkand:

• Gur Emir mausoleum (14-15 cc.)
• Registan square (15-17 cc.)
• Bibi Khanum mosque (15 c.).

Visiting Metal chaser workshop. The art of metal chasing goes back to the beginning of Uzbek civilization. However, it was in the eleventh century that copper gained popularity and ornamental decoration became the predominant style.

Metal chasers traditionally produced water vessels, serving trays and plates, which served practical purposes, and also displayed wealth.

The dinner. Overnight.

Continuation excursion program in Samarkand:

• Shakhi-Zinda complex (9-14 cc.)
• Ulugbek observatory (15 c.)
• architectural of 12-16 cc.

The lunch. Samarkand people are well known masters of woodcarving. Woodcarving was widely used in the ancient architecture of Uzbekistan. Over time, woodcarving was used to decorate other items including doors, tables, pencil boxes, jewelry boxes, and cutting boards. Lunch.

Traditional Embroidery, is being regenerated and developed by Masters who are restoring the past glory of Samarkand needle-work.

For needle-work traditionally applied handmade unbleached calico is used and dye-stuffs are produced from everything that grows on Uzbekistan's soil: nuts, pomegranates, onions, rose petals, many beautiful Uzbek herbs and bushes of fruit trees.

A characteristic feature of the East, Uzbekistan in particular, is affection for luxurious Jewelery.
Today it is difficult to meet woman in Uzbekistan without earrings, bracelet, rings or beads in her attire.
Master-zargar, made articles basically of silver and gold, which was more uncommonly used, combing precious metals with various sparkling gem.

Diverse are the methods of traditional metal working, used since olden days by zargar - Uzbek jewelers: cutting, smiting, casting, chasing, engraving, plated and gilding, inlaid work, blackening and enameling.

The dinner. Overnight.

Breakfast. Transfer to Bukhara. On the way you will stop in Gijduvan which has been considered as important trading town and crafts center.

We will visit the Ceramic workshop where you will be able to become acquainted with the process of producing ceramics; to visit the museum of ceramics; (if you wish you can attend a special training course under the leading Gizhduvan masters). Lunch in the traditional Gijduvan chaykhana.

Accommodation at the hotel in the center of Old Bukhara. Some time for shower and dress up.

Visiting the Artisan Development center situated at the caravan- saray Saifiddin. Introducing with some Bukhara crafts:

Asian miniature painting is an ancient art. Originally used to illustrate classic texts, folk tales and epic poems, it gradually evolved into a unique art form unto itself, with its own "old masters" and different stylistic schools.

The enjoyment of this work comes in the "reading" of each small gem of art, of learning the tale that it tells, of recognizing the clues that the artist has given you, of fantasizing a bit into an exotic past in a fabled land.

We will visit the workshop of the famous Puppet maker. Two kinds of folk theater, Puppet and Shadow Theater were known from very early times in the East.

The Puppet Theater was united in a guild with musicians and other actors, whose aim was to amuse and entertain the crowds of people. The puppet actors appeared in all sorts of places, like festivals, shows, open - air parties, and in private family celebrations.

Dinner at the ancient Madrassah. Demonstration of plov cooking (popular national dish). Overnight.

Breakfast. City tour in Bukhara with it’s caravan- sarays, trade domes, bazaars and workshops.

Visiting Tim Abdullakhan, which in 16 c. was a closed bazaar of the expensive textiles. Here is also Silk-weaving workshop, where natural silk fabrics and threads are produced. Wool, flax, cotton and silk were used as raw materials in Central Asia.

The most attractive thing in Uzbek fabrics is the beauty of their colors and the pure dyes, which are applied, in delicate combinations.

From ancient times from father to son, from mother to daughter Gold-embroidery skills is passed on.
We will visit Sadbarg Center concerned with education of the youths of craft, and rebirth of old-time patterns and methods of embroidery.

Here also is golden-embroidery workshop, where accessories for weddings, decorative belongings, souvenirs, small boxes, bags, cases for glasses, wall decorations, miniatures, carpet and a great deal of other things are made.

Workshop of hand-embroidery decorates final products manufactured in sewing workshop with hand- embroidery in silk and gold; also there is: the sewing workshop, tambours workshop.

Lunch at the shore of the ancient pond.

Archeologists have recorded many items in Bukhara, which confirm the ancient origins of this craft in this timeless old city. In the 19th century there were dozens of Blacksmith's workshops in Bukhara, which later disappeared.

Currently, there are about 40 blacksmiths still working here, creating hand-made knives and scissors, hoes, shovels, sickles and special tools for other craftsmen.

Continuation of the city tour:

• architectural complex Poyi Kalyan (12-16 cc.)
• Ulugbek Madrassah (15 c.)
• >Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah (16 c.)
• Silk market (Tim Abdulakhana(16 c.)
• jewellery market or carpets market
• Ark Fortress (4-19 cc.)
• Bolo Hauz Mosque (18 c.)
• Char Minar Mosque
• Magokki-Attari Mosque (12 -16 cc.)
• Lyabi Hauz with Nadir Divanbegi Madrassah and Kukeldash Madrassah (16-17 cc.)

The dinner. Overnight.

Breakfast. The great Silk Road laid along many towns of Central Asia. Thanks to it there was a lively trade of Handmade Carpets along the Great Silk Road. The Bukhara markets sold the best carpets.
Up to the turn of the XX century weaving carpets was exclusively the domestic crafts of women living in rural areas.

However weaving carpets by hand at home still remains a popular occupation among the inhabitants of Uzbekistan. We will visit the house the of carpet maker and will see the process of silk and wool threads dyeing, producing the natural colors and weaving process.

Lunch. Transfer to airport. Flight to Tashkent. Accommodation at the Hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Breakfast.

Museum of Applied Art with refined samples of Uzbek handicrafts.

Lunch. Transfer to airport. After a clearing customs & immigration you are departure Tashkent.