Uzbekistan - the Heart of the Silk Route

Day 2 Arrival in Tashkent

Day 3 Tashkent

Tashkent is a modern metropolis with a fascinating history and we'll explore it together on a sightseeing tour this afternoon. One of the oldest settlements on the Great Silk Road, its ancient spirit lives on in the medieval Old City. We’ll visit Chorsu Bazaar, a bustling market with stalls selling everything from colourful spices and freshly baked bread to ceramics and hand-made souvenirs. A ride on the Tashkent metro, Central Asia's oldest tube, is also included and you’ll see mosaics, portraits and magnificent columns dazzling at every stop.

Day 4 Tashkent - Samarkand

This morning, the high-speed Afrosiab train whisks us to one of the most prominent cities on the Great Silk Road, Samarkand. From the eras of Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan to the artistic legacies of the Turkic ruler Tamerlane, this ancient city has seen some history! The latest research indicates that Samarkand was founded an incredible 2,750 years ago.

On a sightseeing tour, we'll visit the magnificent, blue-domed Gur-Emir Mausoleum, home to the grave of Tamerlane, along with the impressive remnants of the vast Mosque Bibi-Khanum. You’ll also visit the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a collection of tombs decorated with elaborate tiles. An important site for pilgrims, this is the alleged gravesite of Qusan ibn-Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.

Day 5 Samarkand

Your day begins with a visit to Registan Square, one of Samarkand’s most impressive sights. It is surrounded on three sides by grand madrasas, beautiful buildings adorned with mosaics and ornate minarets, that are some of the greatest works of the Islamic world. After admiring the awe-inspiring architecture, we’ll join a local family for a home-cooked meal and have a go at making our own bread.

The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure, you can spend more time uncovering the city’s incredible history or just relax with a drink at the hotel. Alternatively, join us for an optional excursion to three incredible destinations. The first, the Meros Silk Paper Factory, has revived the ancient tradition of papermaking in Samarkand, once renowned for its use in Persian and Arabic manuscripts. Second is the famous Ulugh Beg Observatory, which produced advanced astronomical discoveries before it was destroyed by religious extremists in 1449 - we'll visit the museum here. Thirdly, we'll discover the Tomb of Prophet Daniel.

Day 6 Samarkand - Bukhara

Settle in for a scenic drive over the spectacular Takhta Karacha Pass, as we follow the Silk Route to Shakhrisabz, the hometown of Tamerlane, founder of the Timurid Empire. A traditional centre for folk art, the city is dotted with ruins and medieval buildings. We'll explore the crumbling Ak Saray Palace, Kok Gumbaz Friday Mosque and the mausoleum of Dorut Tilavat, then enjoy some free time for lunch if you wish.

After a relaxing afternoon drive, you can look forward to a traditional dinner in Central Asia's holiest city, Bukhara.

Day 7 Bukhara

Highlighting more than 2,000 years of history, medieval Bukhara offers a visual feast of architectural wonders and photogenic streets. Our full-day tour shows you the very best of the UNESCO-listed historic centre, including the atmospheric Old Jewish Quarter, Poi-Kayalan Ensemble and Kalyan minaret.

We'll delve into tradition at puppet and miniature painting workshops, and sip spicy teas flavoured with fragrant cardamom, anise, cinnamon and oregano. Then you can hunt for souvenirs at the city’s trading domes and browse market stalls piled high with handwoven carpets, silk scarves and unique jewellery.

Day 8 Bukhara

There's so much more to discover in Bukhara and today our sightseeing begins at the Zindan, an old jail complete with a grisly torture chamber. Close by is the spectacular Fortress Ark, Bukhara’s oldest structure and former residence of the city’s emirs. We'll walk along the Old Town walls and stop at Samanids Mausoleum, a 9th-century architectural treasure. After a busy morning, we’ll have lunch together at a local restaurant and then you can take your time and explore at your own pace this afternoon. Perhaps head to Lyabi Hauz Square and relax under the shade of a tree, watching the world go by.

Another possibility is an optional, countryside excursion which starts with a visit to Bahauddin Naqshbandi, the burial tomb of the Sufism leader. You’ll then continue to the exquisite summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace. Step back in time and learn about the lifestyle of the city’s past leaders as you explore opulent rooms, courtyards and the harem. On our return, we'll stop for a look at Chor Minor and its four quirky, turquoise-topped turrets.

Day 9 Bukhara - Khiva

You'll get a well-deserved rest today on our drive to Khiva through spectacular desert landscapes. The Kyzylkum Desert stretches for hundreds of miles and once presented sun-scorched dangers for traders traversing the legendary red sands. Luckily for us, we'll get to experience it in comfort!

Day 10 Khiva

A living museum, Khiva's twisting alleyways, glistening mosaics and ornate minarets are a stark contrast to its brutal history of barbaric slave trading. A walking tour of the town’s UNESCO-listed and fortified Old Town, Itchan Kala, showcases ancient Islamic structures and dwellings. We’ll see majestic mosques, madrasas and caravanserais – guesthouses where travelling merchants once rested. As Khiva is well-known for handicrafts, we’ve also allowed plenty of time here to admire and buy woodcarvings, woven carpets and fleece hats.

Tonight offers a treat for the senses, with dinner and a folklore performance. A captivating form of dance combining Arabic, Persian, Turkic, Indian and Chinese elements, Khorezm features dazzling spins, sensual undulations and lavish Oriental costumes.

Day 11 Khiva - UK

Your adventure in Central Asia comes to an end as we drive you to the airport in good time for your flight home to the UK.

Additional Information