Ferghana Valley Art & Craft Tours
Note: 2019 Ferghana tour prices and itineraries will be published here in August.
In 2018, Uzbek Journeys will offer a range of optional excursions to the lush Ferghana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan, famous for its silk ikats, ceramics and applied arts. (The Ferghana Valley is not visited during the 16-day Uzbekistan tour). These independent excursions can be taken before or after an Uzbek or Kyrgyz tour, on dates which suit you.
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Tour #1 3 days/2 nights
Tour #2 4 days/3 nights
Tour #3 5 days/4 nights
Tour costs, inclusions and exclusions
Terms and conditions
References on the Ferghana Valley
How to book
Tour #1: 3 days/2 nights Ferghana Valley tour
Day 1: Begin with an early departure from Tashkent, around 8:00 a.m. to drive to the Ferghana valley via the Kamchik pass, (2267 metres). The drive is beautiful. After 4 hours drive, stop in Kokand, centre of the Khanate of Kokand that was toppled by the Russians. Visit the incredible Khudayarkhan Palace, Juma mosque, Dahmai Jahon and the Royal cemetery. There is an excellent halva maker in the mosque grounds! Lunch in Kokand.
Visit the wood carving centre at the house of Master Haidarov in Kokand. It is a in beautiful setting and there is a small, family museum showcasing the seven generations of this family's work. The great-grandfather made special pieces for Lenin.
Day 2: Ferghana-Kumtepa bazaar, Margilan and Rishtan.
Start the day at the Kumtepa bazaar, one of the best places to buy ikat silks. (only on Sundays and Thursdays). Visit the training centre of Rasuljon Mirzaahmedov, at the Sayyid Ahmad Huja Ishan Madrassah, Margilan. This is the renowned ikat weaver mentioned in my post on Oscar de la Renta's love affair with ikat. The setting of the centre, with its own canal, is lovely. There is also a master woodblock printer, Abdullaev Solidjon, at the centre.
Visit workshops of master potters Alisher Nazirov and Rustam Ustmanov (and also the Japanese school there) in Rishtan. Their works are made from unique red Rishtan clay, and are painted with the ishkor glaze giving the pottery a distinctive blue-green colour.Overnight in hotel in Ferghana.
Day 3: Ferghana-Tashkent
Drive back to Tashkent via Margilan. Time to return to any of the other artisans visited on Day 2 in Margilan. Evening arrival in Tashkent.
Back to top Tour #2: 4 days/3 nights Ferghana tour
Day 1: Tashkent-Kokand-Rishtan-Ferghana
Begin with an early departure from Tashkent, around 8:00 a.m. to drive to the Ferghana valley via the Kamchik pass, (2267 metres). The drive is beautiful. After 4 hours drive, stop in Kokand, centre of the Khanate of Kokand that was toppled by the Russians. Visit the incredible Khudayarkhan Palace, Juma mosque, Dahmai Jahon and the Royal cemetery. There is an excellent halva maker in the mosque grounds! Lunch in Kokand.
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| Khudayarkhan Palace detail, Kokand |
Day 2: Ferghana-Kumtepa-Chust-Ferghana
After breakfast visit Kumtepa bazaar near Margilan. (The bazaar is open on Thursdays and Sundays). Drive to Chust, famous for its skull caps, where you will visit a master skull cap maker’s home. Lunch at a six-storied chaikhana, a favourite plov spot for locals.
On the way back stop at the right bank of Syrdarya river (formerly the Jaxartes). Take in the panoramic view of the ruins of mediaeval Ahsikent city. Parts of the ancient, underground water collection system kyariz (developed in Persia) still remain. Return via Margilan and visit the workshop of hereditary weaving master Fazlitdin Dadajanov. He specialises in bakhmal – silk velvet ikat. Overnight in hotel in Ferghana.
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| Bakhmal - silk velvet ikat |
Start the day with a visit to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan (open Monday – Friday only and closes at 4:00 p.m.). Here you will see the entire process from cocoon to finished ikat. Later drive to Andijan, the birthplace of Babur. Babur was the great-grandson of Timur and founder of the Mughal dynasty in India. Visit the literature museum of Babur then lunch at a local restaurant, which serves excellent fish.
Stop at the Andijan Handicraft Centre, situated in a rambling, old madrassah. Artisans there include doll and puppet masters, weavers and a national costume maker. Later visit a 14th-generation ceramic master in Andijan, followed by a basket maker's workshop. Overnight in hotel in Ferghana.
Day 4: Ferghana-Margilan-Oltiarik-Kokand-Tashkent
Visit Said Ahmad Hodji's mausoleum in Margilan and then the workshop of musical instruments master Rahmonali aka. Visit the wood carving centre at the house of Master Haidarov in Kokand. It is a in beautiful setting and there is a small, family museum showcasing the seven generations of this family's work. The great-grandfather made special pieces for Lenin.
Lunch in Kokand and drive back to Tashkent. Evening arrival.
Back to top Tour #3: 5 days/4 nights Ferghana tour
Day 1: Tashkent-Kokand-Rishtan Ferghana
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| View of Juma mosque, Kokand |
Drive to Rishtan and visit two renowned ceramic masters’ workshops. Their works are made from unique red Rishtan clay, and are painted with the ishkor glaze giving the pottery a distinctive blue-green colour. Overnight in hotel in Ferghana .
Day 2: Ferghana-Kumtepa-Chust-Ferghana
After breakfast visit Kumtepa bazaar near Margilan. (The bazaar is open on Thursdays and Sundays). Drive to Chust, famous for its skull caps, where you will visit a master skull cap maker’s home. Lunch at a six-storied chaikhana, a favourite plov spot for locals.
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| Ikat stall, Kumtepa bazaar |
Day 3: Ferghana-Namangan-Margilan-Ferghana
After breakfast drive to the Namangan region, known for two distinctive architectural sites. First, visit the 18th century mausoleum of Khodji Amin. It is built in terracotta, following the style of the 11th century. Then visit the pentagon-shaped Mullo Kyrgyz mosque – classical mosques are quadrangles.
On return to Ferghana stop in Margilan and visit Yodgorlik Silk factory. (Open only Monday - Friday; closes at 4:00 p.m.). Margilan weavers are the most skilful ikat weavers in the world. Here you will see the entire process from cocoon to finished ikat. Overnight in hotel in Ferghana.
Day 4: Ferghana-Kuva-Andijan-Akbarobod-Margilan-Ferghana
After breakfast drive to Kuva, the ancient archaeological site from the Kushan period. Then drive to Andijan, the birthplace of Babur. Babur was the great-grandson of Timur and founder of the Mughal dynasty in India. Later visit Akbarobod village and the home/workshop of a savatchi (basket maker).
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| Woodblock tablecloth at training centre, Margilan |
Day 5: Ferghana-Oltiarik-Kokand-Tashkent
Today you will return to Tashkent, first visiting Oltiarik village where instrument maker Rahmonali lives. He makes Uzbek traditional musical instruments like rubab and dutar.
Stop in Kokand again to visit the wood carving centre at the house of Master Haidarov in Kokand. It is a in beautiful setting and there is a small, family museum showcasing the seven generations of this family's work. The great-grandfather made special pieces for Lenin. Evening arrival Tashkent.
Back to top Tour costs, inclusions and exclusions
Prices are listed per person based on the number of people travelling together.
Tour #1: 3 days/2 nights
1 person travelling solo: US$1080; 2 people: US$690; 3 people: US$660; 4 people: US$630; 5 people: US$570; 6 people: US$525
Single room supplement: US$110 per person.
Tour #2: 4 days/3 nights
1 person travelling solo: US$1435; 2 people: US$960; 3 people: US$910; 4 people: US$820; 5 people US$725; 6 people: US$675
Single room supplement: US$160
Tour #3: 5 days/4 nights
1 person travelling solo: US$1750; 2 people: US$1120; 3 people: US$1075; 4 people: US$975; 5 people: US$910; 6 people: US$840
Single room supplement: US$215
Inclusions for all tours:
- Twin share hotel accommodation with private facilities
- Transport: driver and sedan car for up to 2 people for the whole trip. More than 2 passengers, then a mini-van will be used from and back to Kokand. (Note - minivans are not permitted to cross the Kamchik Pass. Also it may not be possible to hire an air-conditioned mini-van in the Ferghana valley).
- Breakfasts in Ferghana
- Services of a local guide
- Entrance fees
- One bottle of mineral water per person per day
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| Woodblocks used in the above tablecoth |
- Personal charges in hotels
- Meals except where specified
- Photo and camera fees
- Tips for guides and drivers
Terms and Conditions
The Terms and Conditions for these Ferghana tours are very similar to those outlined in the general Terms and Conditions section. A specific, separate terms and conditions file will be sent prior to booking. By booking a trip with Uzbek Journeys (ABN: 72818242110 , Travel Agents Licence 2TA0882) you are deemed to have agreed to those Terms and Booking Conditions and, provided there is availability, your booking will be accepted on this basis.
The Terms and Conditions for these Ferghana tours are very similar to those outlined in the general Terms and Conditions section. A specific, separate terms and conditions file will be sent prior to booking. By booking a trip with Uzbek Journeys (ABN: 72818242110 , Travel Agents Licence 2TA0882) you are deemed to have agreed to those Terms and Booking Conditions and, provided there is availability, your booking will be accepted on this basis.
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References on this website about Ferghana Valley ikats
Ferghana Valley Silk Ikats: Tying the Clouds
Oscar de la Renta's Love Affair with Uzbek Ikat
Uzbek Ikat as Interior Design Element
Basso & Brooke Meet Ikat on the New Silk Road Project
Blue Ceramics of Rishtan, Ferghana Valley
Ferghana Valley's BIG Tea Set
Uzbek Ikat as Interior Design Element
The Story of Uzbek Silk Production Step-by-Step
How to book
Please contact me if you are interested in a Ferghana optional excursion. I will forward you a pdf file containing the terms and conditions, booking form and participant declaration. The Ferghana tours are separate excursions and therefore require a separate 25% deposit.
To keep costs low, Uzbek Journeys is an online travel agency only. There is no facility to accept bookings from participants who do not have internet access. All documentation, updates, visa forms etc are sent and received electronically.
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