Glories of Uzbekistan

Day 1 London to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Fly by scheduled indirect flight to Tashkent.

Day 2 Tashkent.

Arrive early this morning and transfer to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, our base for the next two nights. Later in the morning we will explore Tashkent Old City, a labyrinth of narrow streets, low buildings and famous mosques and madrassas. At the heart is the Hast Imam Complex, the spiritual centre of Tashkent. Within the complex is the Barak Khan Madrassah built in the 16th century and the Taillya Sheikh Mosque, the largest mosque in the city. Continue to the Chorsu Bazaar which is over 100 years old. Its large domed building is filled with traders selling everything from fresh fruit and nuts to freshly baked bread, meat and handicraft stalls, and it is the heart and soul of the area. After lunch at a local restaurant we will explore the more modern history of Tashkent with a visit to Mustaqillik Maydoni, or Independence Square. The area was developed during the Soviet Era and once housed a large monument to Lenin. After Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991 Lenin Square became Independence Square. The area is filled with large marble and glass Soviet-era buildings, vast fountains and gardens. There will also be an opportunity to see one or two of the exquisitely decorated Metro stations before a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts. Return to the hotel and meet this evening for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 Chimgan.

Today we head out of the city to the Ugam-Chatkal National Park. We will explore the Chatkal Valley and one of its highlights, the artificial Charvak Lake which is surrounded by peaks of the Chimigan Mountains. On arrival in the picturesque Amirsoy Resort take the gondola cable car into the mountains for beautiful views of the area. Lunch will be at a local restaurant where you will be able to try the famous Uzbek pilaf better known as Plov. After lunch visit the Hodjikent petroglyphs which were discovered in 1949/50 by a sacred spring. The petroglyphs are carved on vertical limestone and depict animals as well as three female figures. They date from the 4th to the 1st millennium BC and are unique for the area. Return to Tashkent taking in the beautiful scenery. There will be free time to explore at your own leisure before dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Day 4 Tashkent to Khiva.

This morning there will be an early start for the flight to Urgench and a short transfer to Khiva, the ‘Pearl of Uzbekistan’. On arrival at Zarafshon Boutique Hotel we check in for our two night stay and enjoy breakfast and the opportunity to rest and freshen up in your room. After lunch we start our exploration of the UNESCO Old City of Khiva. Located in the Kyzlkum desert, this preserved city was once a stopping point for caravans of the Great Silk Road. Walk the cobbled streets of this Medieval city with its clay brick mosques, elaborate patterned tiles and majestic fortress walls. Our tour this afternoon will take in the Kalta Minor Minaret with its blue, green and white majolica and tiles making it one of the most beautiful minarets in Central Asia. We will also see the Kunya Ark Fortress which served as a residence of the Khans of Khorezm, the Ak Mosque built in the early 19th century which has foundations from 1647, and the Madrassah of Muhammad Amin Khan, the largest Madrassah in Khiva. Dinner this evening will be in a local restaurant.

Day 5 Khiva.

Today we continue our exploration of the Museum City, starting with a visit to the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, a sacred place for the people of Khiva. It was built for Pahlavan Mahmud, a hero of the 12th and 13th centuries. See the Islam-Khoja complex which unites the Madrassah and minaret of the same name, built in the 19th century but built in the style of the 14th century. After lunch visit the Djuma Mosque which, first built in the 10th century, has over the years been added to and rebuilt with the latest version being built in the 18th century. It is unique in that it has no domes and 213 columns supporting the ceiling made of wood. The oldest carved doors here date back to 1316. The Tash-Hovli Palace, the main palace for the rulers of Khiva was built in 1838 and is beautifully decorated with frescoes and carvings. Explore the lavish rooms and courtyards before finishing the day at the colourful bazaar. Meet later this evening for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6 Khiva to Bukhara.

After breakfast follow in the footsteps of the Persians, Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as we cross the Kyzylkum desert. From Khiva to Bukhara we cross the Red Desert, as it is locally known, and along the way take in the Khorezm fortress ruins, the changing landscapes of sand dunes, petrified forests and we may even spot a wild camel. Arrive in Bukhara and check in to Hotel Mercure for our three night stay where there will be time to relax before dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7 Bukhara.

This morning we explore the beautiful and historic city of Bukhara which is over 2,000 years old. It is the most complete example of an Islamic Medieval city in Central Asia. Bukhara was an important economic and cultural centre in Central Asia and this is displayed in the wealth of buildings and architecture that remain. There will be a visit to the Mausoleum of Ismail Samnid, the burial site for the Samanid dynasty that once ruled Bukhara and was constructed in the 9th and 10th centuries, along with a stop at the Chasma Ayub Mausoleum, a sacred site for both Muslims and Christians. The site features a well with holy water which was created by Job and referenced in the Old Testament. There will also be time to explore the Ark Fortress which is the oldest monument in the city and an architectural gem. Before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant we visit the Poi Kalyan, an architectural ensemble at the heart of the city and the local bazaar. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore Bukhara further. Dinner this evening will be at Madrassah Devon Begi which will include traditional folk dancers.

Day 8 Bukhara.

Today we continue our exploration of Bukhara. The first stop will be the picturesque Lyabi Hauz, one of the most popular spots in the city. The large pond, which once was a source of drinking water, continues to be a gathering place with cafes and trade shops located around its edges. Continue to the Tilpak Frusham covered market to see local craftsmen sell their wares as has been done since the days of the Silk Road. From here there will be stops at the Mohgaki Attari Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bukhara. There will also be a visit to the Usto Shagird miniature painting school and gallery where artists learn the beautiful Bukharan style of miniature painting. See some examples of the delicate jewel coloured art in the gallery of Davlat Toshev before visiting his house for lunch. After lunch visit Madrassah Abdulaziz Khan and Ulugbek Madrassah, built opposite each other. Explore both buildings with their peaceful courtyards, stunning tile work and architectural grandeur. Return to the hotel and enjoy some time to relax before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9 Shakhrisabz & Samarkand.

After breakfast we will depart Bukhara for Samarkand. Along the way we will stop at Shakhrisabz, a beautiful and colourful city that is over 2,700 years old. It was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 BC and over the millennium has been reigned over by various dynasties. Today the city is famous because Tamerlane was born in the neighbouring village of Hodja-Ilgar. He made Shakhrisabz his residence and ordered the building of a palace, Ak Saray – the White Palace. We will visit the ruins of the palace and observe the interesting contrast to the pristine architecture seen previously. There will also be a chance to see the prominent Amir Temur (Tamerlane) Monument. We continue on our journey to Samarkand, the same route Tamerlane would have taken through the stunning Tahtakaracha Pass. On arrival in Samarkand we check in to Hotel Movenpick for our three night stay. Should time allow, we will watch the sunset from Registan Square before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10 Samarkand.

Today we explore the jewel of the Silk Road, Samarkand. As the capital of Amir Timur’s (Tamerlane) Empire, it flourished being a hub for scientific and cultural advancements in the East. The city’s well preserved Medieval architecture has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Samarkand is now a city that blends its ancient past with modernity. Throughout its long history the city was admired and prized by invaders and these different cultural influences can be seen in its architecture and food. We will explore Samarkand’s main historical sites, one of the highlights being the Registan complex. The Registan showcases three 15th to 17th century Madrassahs that individually are beautiful but together create one of Uzbekistan’s iconic images. Continue to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the largest of its kind in Central Asia it is able to hold up to 10,000 worshippers. The mosque was built from the spoils of Timur’s invasion of India, including 95 elephants used to transport materials. Close by is the Shahi Zinda Necropolis, a unique ensemble of ancient tombs of royals and nobles from the 14th and 15th centuries. These richly decorated mausoleums resemble palaces due to their size. Lunch will be a chance to try a local dish called damlama before an afternoon at leisure. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.

Day 11 Samarkand.

Today we continue to explore Samarkand. We will start with a visit to the Afrosiab, a site located within modern Samarkand but first mentioned in written records in the 8th century BC. The excavations of the site have revealed artefacts from the 8th century BC all the way through to the city’s Medieval period. From here we explore the Observatory of Ulugbek, built in the 15th century and used for observing the movements of the Moon, Sun and Stars and the Gur Emir Complex, the Mausoleum of Tamerlane. After lunch enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Samarkand further and perhaps visit one of its many museums. Dinner this evening will be at a traditional Uzbek house where you will be able to taste local delicacies, including manti dumplings.

Day 12 Samarkand to Tashkent.

This morning after breakfast we depart for Tashkent. En-route we will drive through Djizzak to pass by the Gates of Tamerlane, a narrow passage between the rocks that Tamerlane would use as a raiding point during his early years. On arrival in Tashkent there will be lunch at a local restaurant followed by an afternoon at leisure for a final exploration of Tashkent or souvenir shopping. We will overnight at the Hyatt Regency and this evening we will meet for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 13 Tashkent to London.

Rise early to transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.