Overview
Avoid the hassle of renting a car to see a beautiful landscape and historical monuments beyond Samarkand with help from 7 hours a day tour which includes transport from Samarkand, local guide in Shakhrisabz and entrance tickets to the monuments. Beyond Samarkand, the road to the south, through Zarafshan Range, a Pamiri spur, towards the Takhtakaracha Pass. Along this major Silk Road branch marched the armies of the Greats, Alexander and Amir Temur, en route to India. In 1395 Amir Temur ordered a palace and garden built here, between his imperial capital and his birthplace Shakhrisabz, 90 kilometers south. The road passes through villages, resting in the shade of white acacias, Persian walnut, pine and plane trees. The peak of the pass is more than 1620 meters in elevation and in a clear day after the peak of the pass there is a spot of fine panorama of the town Kitob of Kashkadarya province.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Entrance tickets to the monuments
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English speaking local guide in Shakhrisabz
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Photo and video charges 5 usd (for photography cameras. It is free if travelers use phone cameras)
- Gratuities
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
Beyond Samarkand, the road to the south, through Zarafshan Range, a Pamiri spur, towards the Takhtakaracha Pass. Along this major Silk Road branch marched the armies of the Greats, Alexander and Amir Temur, en route to India. Photo stop to capture unusual shape of stones and snow capped mountains (one can see snow from November to March).
Stop 2
You stop on top of Takhtakaracha Pass take picture of local market (the peak of the pass is more than 1620 meters in elevation).
Stop 3
In a clear day after the peak of the pass there is a spot of fine panorama of the town Kitob of Kashkadarya province.
Stop 4
Ak Saray Palace (āa white palaceā in Uzbek) built in 1380-1404. Amir Temur gathered its craftsmen to his hometown to build his greatest palace, similar in structure to Samarkandās Bibi Khanum Mosque. The name Ak-Serai (White Palace) symbolizes his noble descent, not the dominant colour, for blue, green and gold patterned the vast mosaics.
Stop 5
Statue of Amir Temurā there are three huge statues of Temur: one is in Samarkand, one is in Tashkent and the third is in his hometown Shakhrisabz in standing position. The bronze statue weighs 20 tons and 9 meters high built after the Independence (1991).
Stop 6
Complex of Dor-us Siyadat (āplace of sadnessā in Uzbek) from XIV century. It arose on the death of his eldest and favorite son Jahangir, killed in 1375 (aged only 22). When another son, Umar Sheikh, joined Jahangir in 1394, Temur even built himself a crypt.
Stop 7
Dor-ut Tilavat (āplace of prayingā In Uzbek) from XIV-XV centuries, contains the Kok Gumbaz Mosque (1435) built by grandson of Temur Mirzo Ulugbek, the mausoleum constructed by Amir Temur in 1373-1374 for Sheikh Shamseddin Kulyal, a Sufic leader and spiritual advisor of Temurās father , Taraghay.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adultās lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Total duration of the tour is 7 hours which includes driving to Shakhrisabz and back, also lunch time.
- On this tour you visit architectural marvels which have a rich history and important religious sites. Itās recommended to follow a specific dress code when visiting these iconic landmarks. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing tight, revealing, or transparent clothing. Women should cover their hair with a headscarf or shawl when they enter to holy places.