View of Mir-i-Arab Madressa, Bukhara
From the blue-tiled splendour of Tamerlane’s Samarkand to the holy city of Buhkara, boasting a mosque for each day of the year, and beyond, the romantic desert-girdled khanate of Khiva, Uzbekistan lays claim to a breathtaking architectural legacy. Such splendours have attracted and astonished visitors since ancient times and this detailed journey is planned to allow time to relax and fully appreciate these awe inspiring fabled cities of the Silk Road. Time is spent in the beautiful Ferghana Valley, in the heart of Uzbekistan, home to distinctive local architecture and traditional crafts from silk-weaving to pottery.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly to Tashkent
Evening departure from Heathrow Terminal 4 with Uzbekistan Airways for our direct flight to Tashkent.
Day 2 In Tashkent
Morning arrival in Tashkent and transfer to the Dedeman Silk Road hotel for two nights. We spend the afternoon in Uzbekistan’s capital, the largest city in Central Asia, at the impressive History museum and the grand Independence Square. Welcome dinner in a smart city restaurant (B,D)
Day 3 In Tashkent
We start the morning with a visit to the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, the largest in Tashkent before continuing to the Museum of Applied Arts housed in a delightful building in traditional Uzbek style. The afternoon is spent in the old city of Tashkent to view its impressive complex of ancient madressahs. Dinner in the hotel (B,D)
Day 4 Fly to Urgench. In Khiva
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Urgench. Drive to Khiva for two nights at the comfortable Malika Khiva hotel, located close to the main gate of this most complete of the Silk Road cities. Afternoon tour of Khiva with its stunning array of medieval mosques, madressahs and palaces. Dinner in hotel (B,D)
Day 5 In Khiva
Morning tour of the ancient monuments of Khiva including the stunning Jummi or Friday mosque and the elaborate Khiva Ark. After lunch you will have time to explore this fabled city at one’s own pace. Dinner in a local restaurant (B,D)
Day 6 Drive to Bukhara
A full day of driving today through the Kizilikum desert, crossing the ancient Oxus River before arriving at Bukhara. Three nights stay at the Amelia Boutique hotel, perfectly located in the heart of the historic old city, part of the architectural complex known as Lyabi-Khauz . Dinner at a local restaurant (B,D)
Day 7 In Bukhara
This morning’s tour visits one of the great Asian cities of antiquity. Starting at the vast Arg Citadel, fortress of the Bukharan Khans before a short drive to the stunning Summer Palace of the Last Emir. The afternoon is spent at leisure to visit the bazaars and soak up the atmosphere of this fabled city. Dinner in an ancient madrassa accompanied by a folkloric show (B,D)
Day 8 In Bukhara
A second morning of sightseeing to the heart of the city’s historic centre to marvel at the huge Kalyan minaret, and nearby mosque, the unique Chor Minor and an array of jade domed and elaborately tiled madrassas. A further free afternoon at leisure to wonder at Bukhara’s stunning ancient architectural past. Dinner in ancient madressa accompanied by classical recitals (B,D)
Day 9 Drive to Samarkand
We visit Gijduvan Museum of Ceramics and nearby ceramics school, which has deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son from generation to generation. Today Gijduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters of Narzullayevs family who made Gijduvan school ceramics famous all over the world. Visit to Hazora village to see the oldest mosque in Central Asia dating back to Omayyad period. We also pause at the ancient caravanserai, Rabat Malik, on the Golden Road to Samarkand. Three night stay at the Malika hotel situated very close to the famous Registan Square. Dinner in the hotel (B,D)
Day 10 In Samarkand
This morning’s sightseeing starts at Tamerlane’s tomb, a jewel of Islamic art, before arriving at the magnificent Registan Square, the noblest square in Central Asia. We finish the morning tour at the beautifully decorated Bibi Khanym or Friday Mosque and old local bazaar. This afternoon we visit Ulug Beg’s Observatory and the Afrosiyab Museum. Dinner at a local restaurant (B,D)
Day 11 In Samarkand
Spending the morning in Samarkand, we visit the beautiful 14th century mausoleum complex of Shah-I-Zinda and Samarkand Paper Mill “Konigil Meros” where you can observe the traditional way of production of silk paper in traditional paper mill with a water-wheel on the banks of the river Siab.
Afternoon free at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant (B,D)
Day 12 Day trip to Shahr-I-Sabz. Rail journey to Tashkent
Morning drive across Zerafshan mountains to Shahr-I-Sabz, Tamerlane’s birthplace and his second capital where we visit the remains of his colossal Summer Palace, the blue domed 15th century Kokgumbaz Mosque and Mausoleum of Janangir with remains of royal necropolis. Return to Samarkand. Boarding the Afrasiab fast train to Tashkent arriving in late afternoon. Overnight at the Dedeman Silk Road hotel. Dinner in smart local restaurant (B,D)
Day 13 Fly London
We have a leisurely breakfast and morning at leisure before our lunchtime transfer to the airport for our afternoon flight with Uzbekistan Airways arriving into Heathrow Terminal 4 in the evening (B)
Price includes –
Tour accompanied by Patrick Syder FRGS
Specialist Uzbek guide throughout the tour
One Uzbekistan Airline domestic flight
All transportation – private a/c minibus and train
Full sightseeing programme including entrance fees
Quality local 3+/4 star hotels on a half board basis with many dinners in traditional restaurants
All airport transfers
Porter, hotel and restaurant staff gratuities