Join us on the ancient Silk Road as we travel through this remote Central Asian landscape. Highlights include the walled city of Khiva, where we discover a maze of twisted alleyways, medieval mosques and tombs. Following the old caravan route south, we see the fine Islamic architecture of Bokhara and Samarkand. Along the way we will experience the nomadic lifestyle and stay in traditional felt yurts.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Tashkent
Arrive Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, which has been on this site for over 2000 years. Although much of it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1966 it has been rebuilt as a modern model city, with spacious avenues and ever-present fountains to cool the air. Our sightseeing tour includes various points of interest around the city, like the Independence Square, Navoi Theatre, Old City, Abu Khasim Madrassah and the Earthquake Monument.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
Fly to Urgench and drive to Khiva
This morning we have an early flight to Urgench here we pick up our bus and drive on to the remarkable ancient city of Khiva. The early history of the area is still sketchy but by the time the Arabs arrived in the 8th century there were three important cities in the region of which Khiva was one because it was strategically located on the Volga branch of the Silk Route. Khiva was conquered in 1740 by the Persians, then in the 18th century the British and Russians vied for sovereignty. In 1873 it fell to the Russians as both Samarkand and Bokhara had already done. The city has hardly changed since ancient times, with all the interest focused within the unbroken, clay city walls which are studded with 40 bastions. Exploring the old citadel is like stepping back in time to a scene from the Arabian nights. Originally the 12th century fortress dominated the city but later a palace, harem, barracks and mosques were constructed and the Khan built a second outer wall to make the citadel even more secure. It is worth climbing the steps of the Dzhuma Minaret for a panoramic view of the maze of streets below.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Drive to Bokhara
Today we have a long drive south across expansive brown plains to the fabled city of Bokhara. Considered by some to be the ‘Bastion of Islam’, Bokhara was home to the famous Islamic poets Firdausa and Rudaki. The town retains much of its Uzbek character and has more than 140 unique monuments.
Please note that todays drive to Bokhara is a long drive of approximately 11hrs due to the bad road condtions in this area. We will attempt to break up the jounrey as much as possible with stops along the way.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
In Bokhara
Today we make our sightseeing tour of the city on foot and by bus. The walking part of our tour includes the Labi Hauz blue tile decorated Abdul Khan Madrassah and Mghoki Arrar Mosque, and the tallest monument in town, the Kalyan minaret, or the ‘Tower of Death’, from which prisoners were once hurled to their death on market-days. There are a number of dome shaped trading areas typical of Bokhara where textiles and pottery are sold. We drive to visit the Emir’s Palace, the Royal Ark and the Char Minar Mosque. Also known as the ‘Palace of Moon-like Stars’, the Emir’s palace contains the famous White Hall which took the Emir’s 30 architects two years to construct.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
In Bokhara
Free day for your own exploration of Bokhara.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
Drive to Yangikasan; overnight desert camp
This morning we will drive to Karmana stopping en route at the Gijduvan ceramic centre for a short break. We then go on to Karmana and visit the 10th century Mir-Said Bakhram Mausoleum. Now turning off the main highway we head north across the desert to Nurata where we aim to have lunch in a local house and see the remains of Alexander the Great’s Karazy Fortress which affords excellent views. We will also visit Chashma Spring before arriving in Yangigazgan where we stay overnight in yurts (nomadic felt tents) in a desert camp. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to ride camels (optional).
Overnight Yurt (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
In Yangikasgan; drive to Samarkand
This morning we drive to Lake Aydarkul where we spend time at leisure around the Lake with further opportunity to simply relax and swim . This afternoon we head back to the main highway and continue across the steppe to Samarkand, arriving late afternoon.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8 to 9:
In Samarkand
Stormed by Alexander the Great and reduced to ashes by Genghis Khan, Samarkand was nevertheless transformed into the most glittering city in Transoxiana in the 14th century by Tamerlane, who made it his capital. We take a sight seeing tour on both mornings to include monuments such as the Registan, a majestic square formed on 3 sides by huge blue tiled madrassahs (ancient centres of religious learning); the Shah-i- Zinda, with its double row of jewel-like mausoleums; and the Gur Emir, the tomb of Tamerlane himself, with its ceiling of gold. It was in Samarkand that Ulug-Beg, the great medieval astronomer, built his gigantic sextant which enabled him to calculate the length of a year to within just 10 seconds. The ruins still stand 11m high. Much is left to do and see during your free time in the city. The old town still holds considerable medieval charm. Along it’s sunbaked, winding, narrow alleys traditionally dressed locals perform their daily rituals or relax in the shade drinking ‘kokchai’ their traditional tea. Alternatively, visit ancient Afrosiab the original site of the town in north east Samarkand which dates back to the late Stone Age.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Drive to Tashkent
Drive to Tashkent.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11:
Tour ends Tashkent
Included meals: Breakfast
