Day 01: Arrive Tashkent
Xush kelibsiz! Welcome to Uzbekistan. The largest city in Central Asia with a population of over 2 million, Tashkent is a mix of Russian and Uzbek style, an indication of the fact that for many years it was a key city of the Soviet Republic. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at airport & transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Tashkent
Take the day to explore Tashkent with your group leader and fellow travellers. Pass by Amir Temur Square and then visit the Khast Imam complex – one of the most well-known images of Uzbekistan, which houses Barak Khan Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi mausoleum, the Quran Library and Mosque. A highlight of today is the Chorsu Bazaar – one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia. Wandering through this giant marketplace is a great way to see locals going about their daily lives. After wandering through the stalls, explore some of the rich cultural history of Uzbekistan with a visit to the 16th-century Kulkedash Medressa – an Islamic school that sits beside the 15th-century Juma (Friday) Mosque. You’ll also pass the elaborate Navoi Theatre, built with unique character and a stunning fountain in its forecourt.

Day 03: Nukus
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take a morning flight bound for Nukus. Nukus is the capital of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, which takes up the entirety of the northwest of Uzbekistan. Once arrived, head 15 kilometres out of town to visit Mizdar Khan and Yusup Ishan necropolis. These acted as holy sites and are cemeteries for Zoroastrians – followers of an ancient religion dating all the way back to the fourth century BC. Here you’ll also find the remains of the Gyaur-Kala Fortress. Mizdar Khan town was once an important centre for handicrafts and trade, so keep an eye out for any remnants of its creative past. Later on, return to the Nukus and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, head with your group leader on a guided tour through the renowned Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art. This museum is a unique museum which houses the second most valuable Russian avant garde art collection, all collected by Igor Savitsky. Igor collected and moved the pieces to probably one of the poorest areas in the former Soviet Union – items that were faced with the fate of being destroyed by the authorities in the 1950s and 1960s. Here, you’ll also see historical relics and archeological objects that are closely related to the Karakalpakstan, and wider Central Asian cultures.

Day 04: Khiva
This morning, travel by bus to Khiva (approximately 4 hours). Khiva is beautifully preserved town and perfect for exploring on foot, with impressive walls that mark the inner boundaries of the old city – Itchan Kala. Upon entering its gates, you will see the towering turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret and the Mohammed Rahim Khan and Muhammad Amin Khan medressas. Visit the Kuhna Ark, which was the main fortress, and look over the city from the hill of the Ak-Sheikh Baba observation platform, once used as a patrol tower of the citadel. Finish at Pakhlavan Makhmud complex, the most remarkable architecture memorial complex in Khiva with its majolica tiles. You’ll feel a true sense of history here – perhaps even some you mightn’t have heard of before, and that’s the exciting bit. Uncovering lost tales of people and places far removed from the boring old encyclopaedias, this is real history.

Day 05: Khiva
Continue your historical escapade in Khiva and head to the 17th-century Djuma Mosque – a cathedral mosque with a roof that lies on 212 wooden-fretted columns, giving the structure unique acoustics and streams of lighting. Continue to the Islom Hoja Minaret and Medressa, as well the Tosh-Hovli Palace – a 19th century summer palace of Mohammed Rahim Khan II set in orchards and surrounded by walled gardens. With some free time this afternoon, why not walk up the inner city walls to get another perspective over the city, or get a couple of your travel pals together to enjoy a drink and the sunset over the ancient town.

Day 06: Bukhara
Refuel with some breakfast, then board a morning train bound for Bukhara (approximately 6 hours). Do not fear – your group leader will have organised some lunch for you on the train, but you might like to pick up some other snacks for your trip today if you get peckish. As today is a longer travel day, kick back and relax once you’ve arrived at your hotel. Later on in the evening, your group leader can take you for a short stroll in and around the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble – one of the few remaining central ponds in the heart of Bukhara’s Old Town.

Day 07: Bukhara
Bukhara is widely regarded as Central Asia’s holiest city, being part of the ancient Silk Road and listed as a World Heritage site. With more than 100 officially preserved monuments, there is a lot to see, and you’ll have the next couple of days to check out the rich tapestry of history on offer. Much of the monuments date back over 1000 years, and their meticulous restoration of mosaics and stone ornaments have ensured the magic of this old city isn’t lost. Today, begin with a visit to the fifth century Ark Fortress, which acts as the ancient heart of the city, as well as exploring the Poikalon, comprising of the Kalon Minaret and Mosque, and the Mir-i-Arab Medressa. Take a step onto the Great Silk Road with a visit to Bukhara’s trading domes which still stand since the Shaybanides dynasty, and discover the bazaars beneath alive with a buzz of activity. Tonight, gather together with your group in town and enjoy dinner with a traditional folk music and dance show.

Day 08: Samarkand
Have another day to get under the skin of Bukhara, taking another guided city tour with your small group. You’ll see the Ulugbek and Abdul Aziz Khan medressas, the Magoki-Attori Mosque and the grand four-pointed Chor Minor Minaret – try saying any of those names after a few glasses of the local brew. In the afternoon, take a train to Samarkand (approximately 1.5 hours), arriving in the early evening for a chilled-out night.

Day 09: Samarkand
Samarkand is a city that evokes the romance and history of the Silk Road like no other. This morning, take a visit to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum – the final resting place of the mighty 14th-century ruler Timur and his sons and grandsons. Continue to the Shah-i-Zinda complex – the so-called ‘Town of the Dead’ necropolis – with more than 20 beautifully decorated unique buildings. Nearby is the Ulugbek Observatory, built in the 1420s by the Timurid astronomer of the same name. Stop in the Afrasiab Museum, which houses a seventh century fresco of the Sogdian King Varkhouman. Also, be sure to stand in the middle of the iconic Registan Square today with the three medressas – Ulugbek, Sher Dor and Tilla-Kari – towering over you. This is probably the most recognisable sight in Central Asia. Finish your day with a classic Uzbek experience – join a local family for a cooking demonstration on the traditional meal known as plov. This dish is cooked over an open flame in a traditional cauldron and is made up of meat, onions, carrots, rice, raisins, berries and chickpeas.

Day 10: Amankutan Valley/Samarkand
Drive to the nearby Zarafshan Mountain Range this morning (approximately 1 hour each way), admiring the Tahta-Karacha mountain pass and stopping for some photos at the snaking roads. Continue into the Amankutan Valley where you’ll join your leader for a short hike, taking around an hour. Refuel with a home-cooked lunch in a local house nearby, where you can get acquainted with the daily life of your hosts and learn the traditional methods of cooking bread. Afterwards, return to Samarkand for a relaxing afternoon.

Day 11: Tashkent
This morning, you’ll have some more time to check out what you’ve missed in Samarkand, perhaps heading to the Bibi Khanum Mosque or the Siab Bazaar. In the afternoon, head back on the train to Tashkent (approximately 3 hours). Tonight, why not get together with your group leader and travel pals for a celebratory dinner, sharing stories and some beers to celebrate the memories you’ve made in Uzbekistan.

Day 12: Depart Tashkent
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time of the day. Hotel check-out time is usually around 12 pm, however if you have later onward connections, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception during the day.

Day 01: Tashkent arrival
Arrive in Tashkent Airport in the afternoon. You will be met by our driver on arrival and he will transfers you to the hotel. There is no sightseeing planned for today. Depending on your arrival time you are free to take rest in your hotel or explore the city on your own. Your Uzbekistan tour begins with a welcome meeting held by our representative in your hotel at 6pm.

Your overnight accommodation in Tashkent.

Day 02: Tashkent city tour
Explore Tashkent during a city sightseeing tour. Tashkent was completely rebuilt by the Soviet government after the earthquake of 1966. Start the city tour by visiting Independence Square followed by the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan and Earthquake Monument.

The second half of the day involves visiting the Khast Imam complex which contains one of the oldest known copies of Koran dating from 655 AD. From Khast Imam, the tour continues to the nearby Kukaldosh Medressa, Juma Mosque and Chorsu Bazaar – one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia.

Day 03: Tashkent – Khiva
Catch the early morning flight to Urgench. From there, the journey to Khiva takes another 40 minutes by bus.

Archaeological findings testify that people have been living for two millennia in the territory of present-day Khiva. According to legend, the city of Khiva came into being after people discovered Kheivak well in present-day Ichan Qala (inner city) fortress. The name of Khiva is believed to be derived from the name of this ancient well.

Strategically located on the Silk Road, Khiva was an important trading centre as well. In the 19th century, this place was a capital of Khiva Khanate which hosted the most infamous slave market on the Silk Road.

Start exploring the Unesco World Heritage site of Ichan Qala. Find yourself surrounded by beautiful, blue-tiled medieval mosques, minarets and madrasas that take you back in time. See Mohammed Aminkhan Madrasa, Kalta Minor minaret, Kuhna-Ark citadel, Juma Mosque, Tosh-Hovli palace, Pahlavon Makhmud Mausoleum, Mohammed Rakhimkhon Madrasa and the minaret of Islom-Hoja.

*Please note: On occasions it might not be possible to secure seats for the group on the flight to Urgench. In this case we will take the flight to Nukus instead. If this happens at all, the activities on days 3 and 4 will be reversed.

Day 04: Around Khiva
Your full-day excursion starts after breakfast as you head for the ancient fortresses in the neighbouring Karakalpakistan.

Two thousand years ago, people who lived in the fertile Amu-Darya delta built many fortresses to defend themselves against the invasions of nomadic tribes who lived with their herds in the Kyzylkum Desert.

Today’s journey will take you from Khiva past the towns of Urgench, Beruni and Boston to reach Topraq-Kala. This rectangular fortress dates back to the second and the third century AD and was built on a nine-metre high platform and includes a temple, a residential area and gardens.

Continue to Ayaz-Kala, passing the nearby Kizil-Kala fortress, a small but well preserved fortresses that might have been an army base. Ayaz-Kala is one of the most spectacular fortresses of the region and consists of three fortress complexes. The view of the Kyzylkum from the fortress is stunning. Return to Khiva late afternoon.

Day 05: Drive through the desert to Bukhara
Follow the route used by caravans in ancient days and drive through the Kyzylkum Desert to fabulous city of Bukhara (450 km/ approximately eight hours). The Kyzylkum is populated by nomadic people and driving through this desert you will see odd shepherd’s huts and herds of camels.

The road to Bukhara runs alongside the Amu Darya (the Oxus) which starts far away in the snow-capped Pamir Mountains. We will have stops along the road and move at a relaxed pace.

Arrive in Bukhara and enjoy a free afternoon wandering through busy markets full of embroideries, handicrafts, jewelery and spices.

Day 06: Bukhara
With more than one hundred monuments, Bukhara was once regarded as the bastion of Islam and the holiest city in Central Asia. You will be staying in Bukhara for two days.

Start today’s city sightseeing tour with a visit to Lyab-i Hauz pool, the ninth century mosque of Magok-i-Attari and Nadir Divan-begi Madrasa. Pass by medieval trading domes to visit the madrasas of Abdul Aziz Khan and Ulugbek.

Then continue to the Kalon ensemble that consists of a minaret and a mosque. The 47 metre tall Kalon minaret was built by Bukhara’s ruler Arslan Khan in 1127 AD. The minaret is also called the “tower of death” since prisoners were once flung to their death from the top of the minaret on market days.

Opposite the Kalon Mosque is the 16th century Mir-i-Arab Madrasa which is still in operation. Proceed further west to visit the Ark of Bukhara, a massive, imposing fortress dating back to the fifth century AD. This fortress was the ancient centre of Bukhara and the scene of many historical events.

Upon leaving the fortress, continue through Registan Square towards Samani Park to visit the mausoleums of Ismail Samani and Chashma Ayub.

Day 07: Explore Bukhara
Your second day in Bukhara starts with a visit to Sitorai Mohi Hosa – the summer palace of Bukhara’s last emir who involved both Russian and local masters to build this summer residence.
Continue to the village of Kasri Orifon stopping on the way at Chor-Bakr necropolis.

Visit the complex of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband on arrival in Qasri Orifon. Baha-ud-Din Naqshband founded one of the most influential Sufi orders in Central Asia. This complex has a couple of mosques, a minaret and the mausoleum of Bakhautdin Naqshband and is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in the country.

Return to Bukhara in the afternoon. You are free for the rest of the day. Explore Bukhara on your own.

Day 08: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Nurata – yurt camp
Leave Bukhara and drive through the Kyzylkum to your yurt camp located in the desert, stopping at the towns of Gijduvan and Nurata. The small town of Gijduvan (46 km east of Bukhara) was an important trading and crafts centre on the Silk Road. Visit the workshop of the Narzullayev family. Learn more about the ceramic producing process and see the family’s ceramics museum. Continue your journey to Nurata after that.

The origin of this town’s name is often linked to the the fortress Nur built in the third century BC by Alexander the Great. Arrive in Nurata by lunchtime and, after having your lunch, start exploring the ruins of the fortress built by Alexander the Great.

Drive for another hour from Nurata to reach your desert yurt camp. There are twenty yurts (traditional nomadic felt tents) in the camp. Washing and toilet facilities are situated separate to the yurts.

Settle in the yurt on arrival (four travelers to a yurt). You have the option to take a short camel ride or just walk around to explore the surrounding dunes if you want to. Enjoy a traditional dinner and listen to the songs of a local bard (akyn) around a fire.

Day 09: Yurt camp – Aydar Lake – Uhum village
Drive via Aydar Lake to the village of Uhum located in the Nuratau Mountains, located north of Samarkand and south of Lake Aydarkul stretching across approximately 180 km. Hayotboshi, the highest peak of the mountain range, is 2169 metres above sea level.

Along with a stunning mountain landscape, you will also enjoy the overwhelming hospitality of local mountain farmers during your stay in Uhum. Your accommodation will be a mountain homestay, which provides you with the opportunity to observe the daily life of the local people.

You will be sleeping in traditional rooms (four people to a room according to your gender) furnished with beds. Like all other houses in the village, this homestay also has a large shady garden with a river nearby. Relax on tapchans (comfortable tea beds) under walnut trees before its time for lunch.

Then take a stroll through the village to see the local mosque, school and the village shop. Wandering through the village is also a fantastic way to meet friendly locals.

Join your hosts in preparing traditional Uzbek plov from home-grown vegetables and mountain spices in the evening.

Day 10: Explore Uhum
Enjoy an easy hike from the homestay up to Nuratau Nature Reserve (four kilometres one way / two hours). Hiking up through the Uhum Valley, you will see local women baking bread in tandir ovens and doing other household chores.

Women in the village spin yarns, weave carpets and make kurpacha mattresses. Also see ancient irrigation channels still used by local farmers during the hike. In two hours’ time, we arrive at the borders of Nuratau Nature Reserve and visit the petroglyph site that is an indicator of the area’s ancient history. Return to the homestay for lunch.

After having our traditional lunch in the homestay, its time to hike to the village of Hayat, three kilometres one way (one and a half hours) to see the breeding enclosures of the highly endangered Severtzov’s wild sheep. Return to the homestay late in the afternoon.

In the evening you may join the host family in preparation of manti, a traditional dish.

Day 11: Uhum village – Samarkand
Leave the Nuratau Mountains and drive to the majestic city of Samarkand (four hours). Arrive in Samarkand and settle into your hotel. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Registan ensemble that also includes Ulugbek, Sher Dor, Tilla-Kari Madrasa and the Registan Square.

Among the world’s oldest surviving madrasas, these three edifices were medieval academies from where the region’s renowned scientists graduated. Wander through blue tiled and majolica decorated madrasas of Registan, probably Central Asia’s most captivating monument.

Leave Registan to pay a visit to the Gur Amir Mausoleum, originally built by Timur for his grandson that later became the resting place for himself and sons.

You are free in the evening.

Day 12: Samarkand city tour
Go out on a sightseeing tour of the legendary Samarkand. Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siob Bazaar, Sha-i-Zinda necropolis, Afrosiab Museum and Ulugbek’s bbservatory.

Start with the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, located near the Siyob Bazar. Legend has it that it was Bibi Kahanym, Timur’s beloved wife, who ordered this grand mosque with its huge cupola to be built in order to surprise Timur, who was far away in the battlefield. The mosques was biggest in the empire and was meant to accommodate over 10,000 worshippers.

On the opposite side of the bazar is Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, home to a row of beautiful mausoleums decorated with blue tiles and majolica. Your tour then continues to Ulugbek’s observatory with a stop at the Afrosiab Museum en route. Timur’s grandson Ulugbek was more famous as astronomer than as a ruler. This great medieval astronomer built an extraordinary observatory that enabled him to calculate the length of a year to within one minute of what we now know it to be.

Your Samarkand city tour comes to an end with a visit to Ulugbek’s observatory.

Day 13: Samarkand – Tashkent
Drive to the village of Konigil to see the traditional way of producing Samarkand silk paper in a small family workshop. Explore local markets, artisan shops, etc, in Konigil before taking a high speed train from Samarkand to Tashkent late in the afternoon.

Please note that due to a limited number of daily departures, high speed train tickets cannot be guaranteed. In case the tickets are not available, we will drive to Tashkent instead.

Day 14: Tashkent
Our tour ends after breakfast on this day.

Day 01: Arrive Tashkent
Welcome to Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital and Central Asia’s main hub. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting where you’ll meet-assit by our representative and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Bukhara
Travel from Tashkent to Bukhara by train this morning (approx 4 hours). Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was an important regional and world hub for many, many years and has a long, fascinating history featuring invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. The majority of the town centre is filled with beautiful old buildings and, after checking into the hotel on arrival, you’ll explore these on a guided tour. Visit the spectacular Ark buliding, a fortress that was occupied from the 5th century right up until its bombing in 1920, the Bolo – Hauz Mosque with its most elegant wooden carvings, and thousand – year old Ismail Samani Mausoleum. This shrine, built around the 10th century, was spared destruction during Genghis Khan’s invasion as it’s thought to have been buried as a result of flooding. It was discovered and excavated in the 20th century, and became a popular spot for pilgrims and local residents who considered it sacred.

Day 03: Bukhara
With over 100 architectural monuments scattered throughout the city, there’s plenty to be seeing in the well-preserved ancient town. Today, enjoy a full day city tour through sites and places that are steeped in history. Visit the iconic Kalon Mosque and Minerat, one of the most impressive with a view of the city. Stop at the Lyabi – Hauz Plaza, built about 400 years ago around a pool, still full of the old world feel with its picturesque backdrop. Chor Minor, the 4 cornered Minerats stand right behind it too. Don’t miss Maghoki – Attar Mosque, which is the oldest mosque in Central Asia built in the 12th century, but was once a Buddhist and a Zoroastrian temple before that. And Ulugbek Madrasah, the first in the city.

Day 04: Yurt Camp
Depart Bukhara and drive to Gijduvan. Here you’ll visit a ceramic workshop, where sixth-generation ceramicists Abdulla and Alisher Narzullaev make some truly beautiful pieces. Spend an hour or so at the workshop then continue to Nurata, a drive of approximately 2.5 hours. The city proper was founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, though archaelogical remains date the first inhabitants of the area many thousands of years earlier, and the ruins of his fortress can still be seen today. From Nurata, the group will head into the Kyzylkum desert to spend the night sleeping in yurts.

Day 05: Nuratau Mountains
Drive into the Nuratau Mountains for our stay in a Tajik village (2-3 hours). These villages are serene, hidden away in the hills with paths shaded by greenery and buildings made of stone. The region is a desert oasis, with irrigation channels watering crops and giving life to trees. Spend the day hiking to waterfalls or petroglyph sites, possibly seeing the endemic mountain sheep called argali. Learn to bake traditional tandir bread and spend the night in a homestay, learning about the local traditions and culture.

Day 06: Samarkand
Marco Polo described Samarkand as a ‘very large and splendid city,’ and after a four hour drive you’ll find out for yourself. This is a truly breathtaking place that conjures up images of ancient splendour, and there’s perhaps no more well-known sight in Central Asia than the magnificent Registan in the heart of the city. This public square was once a gathering place for locals, where they would hear royal announcements and watch public executions among other things. Also visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Timur who was the first ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. His crypt was opened in 1941 by a Soviet anthropologist, who found an inscription on Timur’s gravestone essentially saying that ‘He who opens this will be defeated by an enemy more fearsome than I’. On the following day, the Soviet Union was attacked by Hitler. After a day of sightseeing, overnight in a hotel in town and enjoy a free evening.

Day 07: Samarkand
Spend a full day in Samarkand continuing to take in the ancient sights and modern sounds. Don’t miss Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning avenue of mausoleums decorated with beautiful blue tiles. Its holiest, most loved shrine is built around what’s thought to be the grave of Quasam ibn-Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Mohammed and the man who brought Islam to the region many centuries ago. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque is an incredible example of Islamic architecture, built for Timur by Bibi Khanym, his Chinese wife, while he was away. As the story goes, the architect of the mosque fell deeply in love with her and his kiss left a trace on her cheek. Timur saw the kiss on his return and this, of course, led to the architect’s execution. Another highlight is a visit to the workshop of Zarif Mukhtarov, one of the few people producing handmade paper in Central Asia as per a 1000-year-old process, the result of which should, he believes, last for 2000 years. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 08: Tashkent
Depart early this morning return to Tashkent by high-speed train, taking a packed breakfast for us to enjoy on board (approx 2 hours). Enjoy a city tour after arrival. Visit the Amir Timur Square in the center of the city, spend time wandering Chorsu Bazaar. The main building is topped by an impressive dome, and the market sells pretty much everything you could imagine, and plenty of things you couldn’t.There maybe the option to catch a performance at the Navoi Ballet & Opera Theatre tonight.This theatre is just one of three that were given the status of ‘Grand’ within the Soviet Union, the other two being located in Moscow and Minsk. It’s housed in a beautiful 20th-century building with a fountain at its entrace, and has played host to classic productions like Swan Lake and some incredible artists. Perhaps get your group together for a final dinner tonight before saying your farewells tomorrow morning.

Day 09: Depart Tashkent
You will transfer to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Start Tashkent; city tour.
Flights arrive this morning in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel for a rest. 

In the afternoon we will start our sightseeing of this Central Asian capital. This will include visiting Independence Square flanked by public buildings and water fountains and also the Old City with its mausoleums and bazaar. Tashkent was largely destroyed by earthquakes in the 60’s and was rebuilt in true Soviet style with pleasant leafy boulevards and lots of fountains to keep the heat down in summer. There are some very interesting museums as well as mosques.

Day 02: Fly to Urgench; transfer to Khiva; city tour.
In the early morning we fly to Urgench, our base for our visit to Khiva and the Desert sites. On arrival, we transfer to Khiva and visit the living museum of the perfectly restored old city. We will see the khan’s old residence, the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress, the tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (which was originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara) and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva’s patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard.

*Please Note:* On occasion, it may not be possible to secure seats for the group on the flight to Urgench. In this instance, we will buy flights to Nukus instead, and the activities on days 2 and 3 (land only) will be reversed.

Day 03: Visit the desert castles of Toprak Qala, Qizil Qala and Ayaz Qala.
After breakfast, we head off to the arid plains of Khorezm. These plains were once densely populated marshland, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These horseback archers were nomadic and fought to retain the land, even defeating Cyrus The Great, a Persian emperor in BC 529. We visit the 2000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak- Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais Mountains acting as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BC under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. There are still three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel that still remain, but the parchments and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress dating from the Sixth century. We later return to Khiva to spend the night.

Day 04: Drive across Central Asian Plateau and through desert to Bukhara.
A long day’s drive on bad roads to Bukhara (approx 10/11 hours); first we cross the fabled Amu-Darya (Oxus) River and then the Kizilkum Desert. If time allows we may have the chance to make a first visit to old Bukhara and have a cup of green tea at the fascinating chai-khana (tea-house) at ‘Laby Khauz’ (one of the water-filled stone pools).We will break up the journey today with stops en route.

Day 05-06: Bukhara
Two days to explore Bukhara, including the 12 Century Char Minar, Bolo Khauz Mosque and the old Summer Palace of the Emirs.

We have two days sightseeing in Bukhara, the next of our great Central Asian cities. Bukhara boasts over 900 historical monuments, here we will spend time visiting many sites and wandering at leisure amongst the old city streets. Unlike Samarkand, the district of the old town has remained separate from the rest of Bukhara and has undergone lots of restoration and preservation in recent years. In addition to its importance as a trading centre, it is the perfect setting to just sit and watch the world go by much as it has done for hundreds of years. Of particular interest is the Fortress Ark where, in the 19th century, the Emir of Bukhara had the English officers Stoddart and Connolly imprisoned and killed and the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a beautiful example of early Islamic architecture dating back to the 10th century. We will also visit the Emir’s rather kitsch Summer Palace, the old town with its domed bazaars and khauz (stone pools which used to be the city’s only water supply), and the attractive 12th century Char Minar. One of the great landmarks of Bukhara is the Kalyan minaret, known as the death tower, where many an unfaithful wife has met a sticky end.

Day 07: Drive via Gijduvan and Rabad Malik to our yurt camp in the desert.
From Bukhara we transfer to Gijduvan, which is renowned for its ceramics school. The skills have been passed from generation to generation and today Gijduvan is home to the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family. There will be a chance to visit the Museum of Ceramics and perhaps you might like to pick a souvenir at the potter’s shop. We’ll be treated to some tea and Uzbek sweets here too!

Next, we drive to Rabat-i-Malik (a few kilometres before Navoi city) – mediaeval ruins of the Karakhanid epoch, where we make a short stop. This site was a portal of the caravanserai but sadly much of the rest of the rabat was destroyed in the 1968 earthquake. We’ll stop for lunch in Navoi and then drive to our Kazakh yurts. These are traditional round felt tents, which are spacious, colourful and comfortable inside. The Kazakh nomads still use them today. Our camp offers a glimpse into what life was like on the Silk Road in times gone by and with a bit of luck we will watch a wonderful sunset, and then sit around the fire listening to a local musician (akyn).

Day 08: Free time at Aidarkul Lake; visit Nurata, then continue to Samarkand.
Today we walk and there is also the chance to ride camels for a short time towards Aidarkul Lake. The lake stretches through the desert within sight of the Nuratin Mountains and once there we are free to explore the shoreline or swim. 

Later, we transfer to Nurata, formerly known as Nur and founded in the 3rd Century BC by Alexander the Great. This ancient town was once regarded as the frontier between the cultivated lands and the steppes, and the ruins of Alexander’s hilltop citadel stand testament to its ancient history. The city was also an important Muslim place of pilgrimage, reaching its peak in the 10th Century AD as devotees flocked to its many significant graves and memorials. We stop at a 10th-century mosque and holy sites that have attracted pilgrims from all over Central Asia. Afternoon we will drive to Samarkand.

Please note that it is not possible for the whole group to ride camels at the same time due to camel numbers.

Day 09: Full day tour in Samarkand
Full day tour in Samarkand visiting Registan Square, Ulugbek Observatory and Mausoleum of Tamerlane.

Samarkand is truly a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. We have a busy full day taking in all the sights. There is the exquisite jade mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the resting place of Tamerlane, who is now being rapidly reinstated by the Uzbek government as a national hero. Perhaps the greatest treasure is Registan Square, Tamerlane’s outstanding creation, a vast complex of domes and minarets, mosques and medrassas. We will also visit the equally beautiful necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda and the old observatory of Uleg Beg, the greatest Muslim astronomer. Samarkand is still a major centre for textiles, carpets and works of art and is the perfect city to try out bargaining skills and explore the ancient site of the bazaar.

Day 10: Free morning; return to Tashkent.
This morning is left free for us to enjoy just a little more time in Samarkand. Perhaps a visit to the local bazaar where you can sample delicious fresh produce, or you might like to return to the many stalls nestled in the Registan Ensemble to find that perfect souvenir. Our adventure in Uzbekistan is almost complete as we leave Samarkand and take a high-speed train back to Tashkent in the late afternoon (please note that the train cannot be 100% guaranteed as occasionally it is booked out by government officials or is unavailable, in which case we will drive instead). Tonight we have a farewell dinner to mark the end of our travels together and reflect on all we have seen.

Day 11: End Tashkent
Flights will be taken to the airport for their flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrive Tashkent
You will be received at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, there is a Tashkent city tour. The tour includes visits to: Old City, Hazrati Imam Complex, Kafelsashi Complex, Barak Khana, Tila Shaikh Mosque, Chorsu Bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah, Navoi Theatre Square, Fine Arts Museum and Amir Timur Park.

Day 02: Tashkent to Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning journey by train to Samarkand (330 km). The journey takes 2 hours.

On arrival at Samarkand transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 03: Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel and a then a full day Samarkand city tour. The tour includes visits to Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, The Silk Road Bazaar, Shahi Zinda Necropolis, Afrosiab Museum and site, Ulugbek`s Observatory, Gur Emir and the Mausoleum of Tamerlane.

Day 04: Samarkand to Bukhara by road
Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for Bukhara (408 km). En route visit Shakhrisabz. This tour includes visits to Ak Saray Palace ruins, Dorus Tilavat seminary, Kok Cumbas, Dorus Saidat, Friday Mosque, and Hazrati Imam.

On arrival at Bukhara transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 05: Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day Bukhara city tour. The tour includes visits to Lyabikhauz, Tim Abdullah Khan, Madrassah Nadirrkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Museum, Madrassah Ulugbek, Madrassah Abdulaziz Khan, Chor Minor, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Khanaka, Magoki Attari Mosque, Ark Fortress, Bolohauz Mosque, Chasma Ayub and the local bazaar.

Day 06: Bukhara to Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will cross the Kizilkum (red sands) Desert by road (435 km).
The barren countryside is the home to ground squirrels and tortoises. Enroute stop to see the Amudarya River, known to explorers as the Oxus. Due to irrigation of the cotton fields started during the Soviet times, the river is rapidly drying. The journey takes around 6 hours.

On arrival at Khiva transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 07: Khiva & Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day Khiva excursion. The tour includes visits to: Ichan Kala, Kalta-Minor, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhomkhon, UNDP workshop of local handicrafts, Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, Islam Khodja Minaret and Museum, Friday Mosque, Tashauli Palace Harem and the Caravan Sarai Bazaar.

Later afternoon transfer to the airport at Urgench for an evening flight to Tashkent. On arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 08: Tashkent departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.