Uzbekistan & the Silk Route

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - Tashkent

  Depart from London Heathrow on your scheduled flight to Tashkent.

• Day 2 • Tashkent

  On arrival into Tashkent, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. After a few hours to refresh and settle in, your cultural exploration of Uzbekistan’s capital begins. Your tour starts with a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, home to exquisite Uzbek craftsmanship and design. Continue to the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, one of Central Asia’s oldest museums, where an extensive collection of archaeological artefacts and historical items offers an insight into the rich history of the region, from the Stone Age through to the present day. The building is also part of a collection of buildings recently added to the UNESCO world heritage list for its modern architecture. Next, explore the Old City, home to the revered Khast-Imam Square, the religious heart of the city, built on the tomb of the scholar, craftsman and scientist Hazrati Imam. The square is home to some of Tashkent’s most important Islamic architecture and heritage, including the Barak-Khan Madrasa, an elegant blue-domed structure with an intricately detailed facade, and the Muyi Muborak Madrasa, known for its finely carved ceilings and ancient manuscripts, including the famed Quran of Caliph Uthman, considered one of the oldest surviving Quran manuscripts. After exploring these 16th-century treasures, enjoy a change of pace with a visit to the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar and along Tashkent’s Broadway Street, which leads you to the statue of Amir Temur and Independence Square. Pass by the grand Alisher Navoi Theatre Square and experience the artistry of the Tashkent Metro.

• Day 3 • Tashkent to Khiva

  Start you day with a morning flight to Urgench and transfer to Khiva. An important trading post on the Silk Road for centuries due to its position halfway between China and Rome, Khiva is a colourful treat for the eyes and a UNESCO-listed treasure that feels more like an open-air museum than a functioning city. Upon arrival take a walking tour of Ichan Qala where you will walk past some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Kalta Minor Minaret and Kunya-Ark Citadel. Enjoy lunch before checking in to your hotel.

• Day 4 • Khiva

  Today, you’ll have the chance to wander through Khiva’s ancient streets and discover a millennium of history on a fascinating guided tour. Gaze up at the UNESCO-listed Ichan Kala, surrounded by towering mud-brick fortifications. Explore the 12th century fortress of Kuhna Ark and wonder at the intricately tiled Pahlawan Mahmud Mausoleum, built in honour of the brave Uzbek hero Pahlavan Mahmoud.

• Day 5 • Khiva to Bukhara

  After breakfast, enjoy the vastness of the Uzbekistan Desert views as you drive from Khiva to Bukhara. Upon arrival, you will have time to explore the local area.

• Day 6 • Bukhara

  One of the most ancient cities in Uzbekistan, Bukhara is over 3000 years old and dates back to nearly a thousand years before Alexander the Great's conquest of Central Asia. Like most historic cities in Uzbekistan it was an important trading post along the Silk Road, but is probably better known throughout the Islamic world as a being a great centre of learning and has even been referred to as Central Asia's holiest city. Today, you will get the opportunity to explore some of its many architectural wonders on a guided tour of the city. The formidable Ark citadel was initially built in the 5th century and was the fortified residence of the rulers of Bukhara for centuries, containing palaces, temples barracks and even a prison. It has been destroyed and subsequently rebuilt many times, including by Genghis Khan who ransacked Bukhara in 1220 AD. Your tour guide will escort you around the various minarets, mosques, madrassas and mausoleums of the city before leaving you to explore this architectural wonder at your own pace.

• Day 7 • Bukhara

  Today is at leisure to wander this fabulous city, exploring its bazaars, stone pools and ancient streets without a guide.

• Day 8 • Bukhara to Samarkand

  After breakfast, depart for Samarkand stopping en route at the 'green city' of Shakhrisabz. With a well-groomed, green and modern appearance it's hard to believe the city is over 2700 years old. The centre of the city has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site and contains an exceptional collection of monuments, including the gleaming white Ak Saray Palace built for Amir Timur or Tamerlane, famous warrior Khan, military tactician and founder of the Timurid Empire. Born in a neighbouring village, Tamerlane turned Shakrisabz into his residence after assuming power and ordered his architects to build a series of intricate mausoleums and stunning mosques, the ruins of which can still be explored today. Leaving the Timurids 1st city behind you'll continue onwards to the 14th century capital of their empire, Samarkand.

• Day 9 • Samarkand

  Samarkand is the epitome of a journey along the Silk Road. The name alone conjures up romantic, almost mythical images of vast tiled squares; huge blue domes sparkling in the sun and patterned minarets reaching into the sky. A trip to Registan, the city's Timurid heart and Central Square proves this to be a reality and showcases the fine work of Tamerlane's master craftsmen and builders, acquired from throughout his sprawling empire. A wide mosaicked square is backed by three immense madrasas, beautifully adorned in intricate blues green and violet patterns, each one a monument to the city's place as the intellectual capital of the region. During the middle ages the city attracted the greatest scholars, architects and scientists around, which can be seen first hand on your visit to Ulugbek's Observatory. Grandson of Tamerlane, Ulugbek was a famous astronomer, scientist and architect whose observatory helped him to produce the most comprehensive catalogue of stars since the 2nd century and greatly advance the world's understanding of the solar system. You can pay your respects to both him and his famous conquering grandfather at the sumptuous Gur- Emir, the ornately decorated mausoleum of the royal family. Once a marvel of the east, its influence can be seen in the style of the great architectural tombs of the Mughal dynasty of North India such the Taj Mahal in Agra. Before dinner, visit the Khovrenko Winery and sample a range of Samarkand wines.

• Day 10 • Samarkand

  This morning, you'll visit the Koni Ghil Paper Mill renowned for making paper of such exquisite quality that only sultans, emirs and viziers could afford it. This 'royal' paper has been exported along the Silk Road for centuries and many 9th and 10th century Arabic and Persian manuscripts were written on it. After this you'll explore one of the treasures of Samarkand, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque built in the late 14th century as a tribute to Tamerlane's wife as well as his victory in Delhi. It is one of the best-known architectural wonders of Central Asia. You'll have a chance to do some shopping at the local Siyab bazaar, before having the rest of the day at leisure to explore this UNESCO listed city at your own pace. This evening you will have the chance to experience a little modern Uzbek culture by enjoying dinner with a local family who will provide a cooking demonstration of Pilav, a famous rice based dish in Uzbekistan.

• Day 11 • Samarkand to Tashkent

  Take the morning at leisure, you can spend more time shopping in Siab Bazaar or relax with a coffee in the boulevards around Registan Square. Take a train to Tashkent where you can enjoy a festive farewell dinner to round off this unforgettable trip.

• Day 12 • Tashkent to UK

  Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK or onto your chosen extension.