The Golden Road to Samarkand

You will stay in hotels such as the Hotel Uzbekistan or similar in Tashkent, the Orient Star Hotel or similar in Khiva, the Sasha & Son or similar in Bukhara, and the Orient Star Hotel or similar in Samarkand. There is a restaurant and bar in each hotel. All bedrooms have private facilities, TV and telephone.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Day 1: UK/Tashkent

Depart on your scheduled flight to Tashkent.

Day 2: Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent, where you will check in to your hotel before enjoying a city sightseeing tour. Sadly, much of Tashkent’s historic architecture was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1960s, but the buildings we will see on our tour are a fascinating combination of Soviet and Muslim design. Highlights of Tashkent include Independence Square, with its fountains and statues, Opera House Square, Khast Imam Square, known as ‘the holy heart of Tashkent’ and the Tashkent Metro. Enjoy lunch at one of the many city restaurants. Overnight accommodation has been arranged in Tashkent.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 3: Khiva

This morning, take a flight to Urgench, then drive to Khiva for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is spent enjoying an included sightseeing tour of the city. The walled heart of Khiva, Ichan-Kala, has been fully restored and is now a fascinating open-air museum, dedicated to the history of this fascinating city. The wonderful architectural monuments include palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets and mausoleums. Many of the buildings we will see are decorated with the stunning blue and turquoise tiles that you will see in towns and cities all across Uzbekistan, often inscribed with Islamic verse. We include lunch during the tour.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 4: Bukhara

Today, you will take the long drive from Khiva to the former Silk Road city of Bukhara, one of the most ancient cities in the country. Your drive takes you through the Kyzylkum desert, which translates as ‘Red Sands’. A lunch stop will be made en route. Two nights’ accommodation has been arranged in Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 5: Bukhara

Full-day included sightseeing tour of Bukhara, said to be the holiest city in Central Asia. The tour begins in the city, where you will visit the Citadel Ark, now home to a museum. You will visit many of the monuments, mosques and madrassahs (schools) of the city, including the Poi-Kalyan complex, where you’ll see the impressive 16th century Kalayan minaret. After lunch at a local restaurant we will head to the former country residence of Bukhara’s Emir - Mokhi-Khosa Palace. After dinner this evening you will be treated to a folklore performance at one of the ancient madrassahs (weather permitting).

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 6: Samarkand

Leave Bukhara behind today for the drive to Samarkand, where two nights’ accommodation has been arranged. En route, you will stop at Gijduvan, a town famous for its ceramics. You’ll visit a local family-run ceramic workshop, where you will be able to see the manufacturing process and possibly even take the opportunity to purchase a pot or two, before continuing on your journey. When you arrive in Samarkand, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon visit the impressive Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Gur Emir Mausoleum and the bazaar. You will also have time to explore at your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 7: Samarkand

Today we include further sightseeing in Samarkand. This ancient city is situated at the heart of the Silk Road between China and the west. We will visit Registan Square, the official centre of Samarkand in the 14th and 15th centuries, and lined on three sides by turquoise-tiled buildings.

Known as the heart of ancient Samarkand, Registan Square is an inspiring open space surrounded by shaded avenues built in the mid-20th century by the occupying Russians. We then move on to the Ulugbek Observatory, built by the renowned astronomer in the 15th century before visiting the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, a series of mausoleums from the 11th to 15th centuries. We include lunch today, as well as a theatrical performance at the Samarkand Theatre. Dinner is included tonight.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 8: Tashkent/UK

Drive to Tashkent this morning, where you will have lunch before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch