Holy Week in Uzbekistan, from Malaga

Flight from your hometown to Malaga Airport - Costa del Sol.

Depart on a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, where you'll connect with another flight to Samarkand. Overnight on board.

Arrival at Samarkand International Airport, customs and passport control, luggage collection and meeting with your local guide outside the airport for transfer to the hotel. Arrival and early breakfast. Then, departure to begin the panoramic tour of the city: Registan Square, the most emblematic square and symbol of the city, surrounded by three majestic madrasas that reflect the grandeur of Timurid architecture, Ulugbek Madrasa (15th century), built by the astronomer and ruler Ulugbek, is famous for its tiled facade and its school where scientific and religious knowledge were imparted; Shir-Dor Madrasa (17th century), stands out for its impressive facades decorated with golden lions, unique in Islamic architecture, and its majestic arches and domes; Tilla-Kori Madrasa (17th century), which functioned as both a madrasa and a mosque, features a richly decorated interior in gold and tiles, giving it its name "Tilla-Kori," which means "covered in gold." We then visit the Bibi-Khanum Mosque (15th century), built by order of Tamerlane's favorite wife, Bibi Khanum, after his victorious return from his campaign in India. Considered one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the Islamic world of its time, it stands out for its monumental entrance, enormous domes, and elaborate mosaics that showcase the mastery of Central Asian artisans. Stroll through the Siab Bazaar, Samarkand's oldest and most vibrant market, where colors, smells, and sounds mingle. Here you can find everything from spices, nuts, and traditional fabrics to handicrafts and typical sweets. It is a perfect place to feel the pulse of the city and experience the local culture firsthand. Lunch at a local restaurant. We conclude our magnificent tour with a visit to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (14th–15th centuries), whose name means “Tomb of the King” in Persian. This majestic monument houses the tomb of Amir Timur (better known as Tamerlane) and several members of his family. The mausoleum, with its spectacular turquoise dome, elaborate mosaics, and interior decoration, represents a jewel of Timurid architecture and a symbol of the power and grandeur of this empire that changed the course of history. Return to the hotel and rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure to complete the visit to Samarkand with the Ulughbek Observatory and Museum, founded in the 15th century by Ulughbek, Tamerlane's grandson and recognized as one of the most influential astronomers and mathematicians of his time. Ulughbek compiled a star catalog that became known in Europe only after its publication in 1648, marking a milestone in the history of astronomy. His legacy is so important that a lunar crater and an asteroid bear his name. The observatory has a museum dedicated to his life and work, where astronomical instruments and historical documents are exhibited. We also visit the Shakhi-Zinda Complex, a complex of mausoleums and tombs built from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Here is the tomb of Qusam Ibn Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, responsible for spreading Islam in Central Asia. This site is an important pilgrimage site for the Uzbek people, and its care and preservation are exceptional despite the large number of daily visitors. Lunch at a local restaurant and departure by road to Bukhara. Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a city tour. In the morning, we will visit the Samanid Mausoleum (9th-10th centuries), where Ismail Samani, the emir who renounced Zoroastrianism and converted to Islam, is buried. Bukhara became one of the great religious and cultural centers of the region. We will visit the Chasmai Ayub Mausoleum and Holy Spring (14th century), also known as "the Spring of Saint Job." It is a sacred site that, according to tradition, was visited by the prophet Job (Ayub). We will visit the Bolo-Hauz Mosque (19th century, outside visit), built by order of Emir Shah Murad outside the Ark Citadel for exclusive use as a Friday mosque. We will visit the Ark Citadel (5th-19th centuries), the former residence of the emirs of Bukhara, representing a fortress of power and strength. It is the oldest architectural and archaeological monument in the city, located on a 20-meter-high hill and covering an area of 4.2 hectares. According to popular legends, the epic hero Siyavush, who was treacherously assassinated and resurrected, is considered the founder of this citadel. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we continue our visit to Bukhara with the Lyabi Hauz Architectural Complex (16th-17th centuries), considered the historical heart of the city. This complex includes the Kukeldash Madrasa (exterior visit) and the Nodir Devon Begi Madrasa, buildings that surround the largest pond in Bukhara, an emblematic and beautiful space. Afterwards, we visit the Magoki Attory Mosque (exterior visit), the oldest in the city, whose construction dates back to the 12th century and is a living testimony to the rich religious and cultural heritage of the region. We visited the Three Markets, a remarkable 16th-century dome complex known for its commercial and craft functions: The First Dome (Toki-Sarrafon) was the money changers' market; the Second Dome (Toki-Telpakfurushon), where traditional hats were sold; and the Third Dome (Toki-Zargaron), dedicated to jewelers. These domed domes are connected by numerous galleries, which housed artisans' and merchants' workshops, forming a bustling economic and social center that still retains its historic atmosphere. We visited the Ulugbek Madrasa (15th century, exterior visit), built by the famous astronomer and ruler Ulugbek, notable for its sober and functional design, which reflected the importance of religious and scientific education in the region; The Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa (17th century, exterior visit), known for its rich tile and mosaic decoration, is a magnificent example of Shaybanid-era architecture and a symbol of the power and prestige of the Khanate of Bukhara. We conclude the day at the Poi Kalon Architectural Complex, the city's most emblematic complex. This complex includes: the Kalon Minaret, built in 1127, which, at 45.6 meters high, was once one of the tallest minarets in the Islamic world and a symbol of Bukhara's greatness; the Poi Kalon Mosque (12th century), one of the largest and oldest mosques in Central Asia, with an impressive capacity for thousands of worshippers and an architecture that combines strength and elegance; Miri Arab Madrasa (15th century, exterior visit), which remains a functioning Koranic school to this day, is notable for its refined ornamentation and central role in the city's religious development. Return to the hotel and rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure to explore the city of the "Thousand and One Nights." We will pass by the Kalta Minor Minaret, a minaret that was supposedly the tallest in the Islamic world at the time, but was left unfinished after the death of Khan Mohamed Amin Khan; the Mohamed Amin Khan Madrasa, built between 1845 and 1855 next to the Kalta Minor Minaret, the largest madrasa in Khiva that once housed more than 250 students. It currently operates as a local hotel. Afterwards, we will visit the Kunya Ark Castle, a 17th-century fortress palace surrounded by a wall to protect the khans; the Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrasa, built by a khan with a passion for the arts, poetry, and science; and the Juma Mosque ("Friday Mosque"), originally built in the 10th century but rebuilt in 1788. It is one of the oldest mosques in Khiva. The Islom Khodja Madrasa and Minaret (exterior visit), the tallest minaret in Khiva, is an imposing symbol that dominates the cityscape and stands out for its elegant tile decoration. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we continue with visits to: Allakuli Khan Madrasa and Caravanserai, a historical complex that reflects Khiva's commercial and educational importance, where religious teaching and lodging for merchants on the Silk Road mingled; the Tash Hovli architectural complex (harem), a second palace commissioned by Allakuli Khan, where you can visit the courtyards, the concubines' quarters, and the khan's private chamber, offering an intimate view of court life. After the city tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we will visit the old part of Tashkent: Khasti Imam Architectural Complex (16th–17th centuries), the spiritual center of Tashkent, which includes: Barak Khan Madrasa; Kafal Shohi Madrasa; Tilla Sheykh Mosque and the Osman Quran Museum (7th century), which houses a unique relic: the oldest Quran in the Islamic world. Its pages bear the blood of Caliph Osman, who was assassinated while reading it. The Quran was brought to Samarkand by Amir Timur, then transferred by the Russian tsars to St. Petersburg, and finally returned to Uzbekistan in the 1990s. Afterwards, we will visit Chorsu Bazaar, the most traditional market in Tashkent, famous for its turquoise dome and lively atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we will visit the modern part of the city: Amir Temur Square, dedicated to the great conqueror and national symbol of Uzbekistan; Opera and Ballet Square, home to the Navoi Theatre, designed by Soviet architect Alexei Shchusev and built between 1942 and 1947. The theater seats 1,400 and is one of the country's main cultural centers; and Romanov Palace (exterior visit), built in 1891 by architects Geyntselman and Benois. It is also known as the Palace of Grand Duke Nikolai Romanov, who was exiled there in 1874 after being accused of stealing jewels from the Russian imperial family. We continue to Independence Square (formerly Lenin Square), a 12-hectare esplanade that represents the country's new identity. Here you'll find the Monument of Independence and Humanitarianism, inaugurated after independence in 1991. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Early morning transfer to the airport for a Turkish flight to Istanbul, where you'll connect with your return flight to Malaga.