Jewels of Uzbekistan

Day 1: Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to hotel. Our pre-departure meeting takes place this evening.

Day 2: Tashkent

With most of its historic buildings flattened in an earthquake in 1966, the Tashkent we see today is a fine a example of Soviet-era architecture and city planning. As the capital of Uzbekistan, this surprisingly green city contains many interesting examples of 1960s architectural styles and enjoys a cosmopolitan mix of cuisines and influences. The ancient heart of the city still beats in the shady squares and vibrant markets of the old town. Families still live in communities of courtyards and imams from small medrassas and mosques still call the faithful to prayer. We explore this charming city with a tour that includes the Museum of History, Amir Timur Square, Barak Khan Madrassah, Kukeldash Madrassah and the Chorsu Bazaar. In the eveing we board an overnight train to Khiva. On this train ride there is a chance to mix with the locals where you will find their stoic appearance opens up to warmth and laughter.

Day 3: Khiva

We arrive at midday to the museum-city of Khiva. As legend has it, this place has a history that dates back to the time of Shem, son of Noah. A settlement was certainly established here by the 8th Century AD and began to flourish in the early 16th Century. A colourful procession of conquering Khans, Silk Road traders, Great Game spies and Russian invaders has long captured the imagination of writers and poets. It is also a photographer's delight, particularly in the evenings when the sun begins to set. This beautifully preserved town is perfect for exploring on foot, with impressive walls that mark the boundaries of the old city. Upon entering through its gates we are greeted by towering minarets and numerous medressas. Our guide takes us through these many monuments, including the Kunya Ark (fortress), the Pakhlavan Makhmud complex, the Djuma Mosque and Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah. At night we enjoy a special meal in the Bikajon-Bika Madrassah.

Day 4: Ayaz Qala

Khiva is enchanting at dawn, with its empty streets and sense of thousands of years of history making an early-morning stroll well worthwhile. We embark on an 80km journey to Ayaz Kala, northeast of Khiva on the fringes of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert. Ayaz Qala and its sister ruins of Toprak Qala and Qavat Qala are relics of the Khorezm towns that existed here in the Amu-Darya Delta some 2000 years ago. The most impressive of the sites is Toprak Qala, which was settled in the 1st Century BC and later flourished in the 3rd Century AD, as capital of the region. Qavat Qala was a substantial oasis that fell to the brutal treatment of Genghis Khan's marauding troops. To its east lies Ayaz Qala, an impressive mud-walled hilltop fortress from the 6th-7th Centuries. We also visit Qoy Qyrylghan Qala, a temple mausoleum of Khorezm Khans dating from the 4th Century BC and home of Uzbekistan's oldest known inscriptions. Our desert adventure continues this evening as we stay in traditional Central Asian yurts and swap our own tales under the stars.

Day 5: Kyzyl-Kum - Bukhara

With the impressive sights of Bukhara and Samarkand ahead of us, this is an ideal opportunity to catch up on some reading, or simply sit back and imagine you are a trader - relieved to have made it safely through the desert! Our own journey continues this afternoon as we drive the 450km to Bukhara through the Kyzyl-Kum (meaning 'red sands') desert. Along the way we meet the Amu Darya River - once known as the Oxus. This river bubbles up far to the south-east in the Pamirs and then runs west through the area now bordering modern Afghanistan - once famous throughout the ancient world for its lapis-lazuli mines. Curling slowly northward the river bisects the Kyzyl-Kum and Kara-Kum ('black sands') deserts, before stretching toward the southern tip of the shrinking Aral Sea. It was the Greeks who named this part of Central Asia 'Transoxiana' - literally 'beyond the river' - a name that echoes through the ages in literature and poetry - and the imagination of travellers.

Day 6-7: Bukhara

A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, Bukhara is widely regarded as Central Asia's holiest city. With more than one hundred officially preserved monuments, there is a lot to see and we have an extensive sightseeing program here to make the most of our time. On our explorations over two days we visit, amongst many other sites, the imposing Poikalon complex (comprising the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrassah), Samanid Mausoleum, Chor Minor and, of course, the Ark Fortress, the ancient heart of the city and the scene of several gruesome events! With its many monuments dating from the 8th to the 18th Century AD, Bukhara has a vast span of history and architecture to uncover and the meticulous restoration of many of the mosaic and majolica decorations give us a true sense of how these buildings looked in their original glory. The twilight hours lend themselves to wandering the areas around the Lyab-i-House Pool, a central gathering place where we enjoy a traditional chaikhana (tea-house) style dinner one evening. Trading domes near here still offer an intriguing and colourful array of goods including embroideries, jewellery, spices, handicrafts and all manner of Silk Road treasures. This is the place to test your haggling skills, as well as share a joke or two with friendly local merchants. This is truly a magical place and it is sure to cast its spell on us too!

Day 8-9: Nurata - Sentab Village

With regret, we leave captivating Bukhara and continue east towards Samarkand. Our next destination is Nurata, formerly known as Nur and founded in the 3rd Century BC by Alexander the Great. This ancient town was once regarded as the frontier between the cultivated lands and the steppes, and the ruins of Alexander's hilltop citadel stand testament to its ancient history. The city was also an important Muslim place of pilgrimage, reaching its peak in the 10th Century AD as devotees flocked to its many significant graves and memorials. We visit the Chashma, a complex of religious constructions that serves as the central point for such pilgrimages. After lunching in a local teahouse we continue onto the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve just south of Aiderkul Lake. We must change to smaller vehicles to navigate the narrow local roads as we climb into the mountains to reach the tiny village of Sentab. Here, as part of a UN Development Program project, local families have established small private guesthouses and welcome visitors to their homes. As our hosts are ethnic Tadjiks, this is a unique opportunity to hear another regional language, eat delicious home-cooked local specialities, and see the day-to-day life of the village. Accommodation is in the traditional style - the group will sleep on mattresses in communal rooms (usually divided by gender), a similar experience to staying in a yurt. The bathroom facilities are also basic but manageable - with very simple shower and toilet arrangements. Such things are minor inconveniences however as we lounge on tapchan (daybeds) under the walnut trees, with the sound of the stream running nearby, and an once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange unfolds. This is the perfect place to relax, or for those wanting to stretch their legs there are numerous local walks nearby which our hosts will be happy to show us. We have more time to relax the following morning, and after lunch we depart for Samarkand.

Day 10: Samarkand

We have a full day of sightseeing and exploration in Samarkand, a city that evokes the romance of the Silk Road perhaps more than any other. From its founding in the 5th Century BC, this crossroads of cultures, religions, peoples and languages has been a centre of artisans and traders, as well as the prize for many a conquering army. Alexander the Great stormed its walls in 329 BC and many other rulers chose to make it their capital in the centuries that followed. Even the Soviet occupiers declared it the original capital of the Uzbek SSR in 1924, although it only kept that honour for four years! One highlight of our visit will be standing in the iconic Registan Square, with the three medrassas (Ulugbek, Sher Dor and Tillya Kari) towering over us. Close by stands Bibi Khanum Mosque built by the 14th Century ruler Timur and often compared to the Taj Mahal, as it was built as a grand and timeless symbol of a man's love for his wife. This mosque overlooks a busy and colourful bazaar, where photographers will delight in taking photos of the many bustling stalls and huge array of produce, as well as encounter friendly greetings from the local traders. Our sightseeing also includes several more key sites including the Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum complex, Gur Amir Mausoleum and Ulugbek Observatory.

Day 11-12: Samarkand - Tashkent

This morning is left free for us to enjoy just a little more time in Samarkand. Perhaps a visit to the local bazaar where you can sample delicious fresh produce, or you might like to return to the many stalls nestled in the Registan Ensemble to find that perfect souvenir. Our adventure in Uzbekistan is almost complete as we leave Samarkand and drive 5 hours to return to the capital for our final night. Tonight we have a farewell dinner to mark the end of our travels together, and reflect on all we have seen. The trip ends in Tashkent after breakfast on the morning of Day 12.

Tour Grade: Cultural adventure

With focus on local cultures and historic sites, these trips have the perfect mix of discovery, exploration, comfort and relaxation. Some trips may include a little walking or a night or two 'roughing' it. Check the itinerary for details.