Your Itinerary
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO TASHKENT (UZBEKISTAN)
Upon arrival you will be met by your private driver and guide who will then drive you through the bustling capital to your centrally located hotel where you can relax after your flight. Today with your guide you will explore the Old Quarter of Tashkent with the impressive Khast Imam Complex and see Barak Khan Madrasah, Till Sheikh Mosque and mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. There is also time to wander around Chorsu Bazaar, before taking the Metro to the city centre and walk around Tamerlanes’s central square, Independence Square and visit the Museum of Applied Arts.
DAY 2 - HIGH SPEED TRAIN TO BUKHARA
This morning transfer to Tashkent north train station for the Afrosiyob passenger train to Bukhara. After checking into your accommodation and lunch, enjoy a guided city tour walking through the narrow streets of the old Bukhara. One of the great trading cities along the Silk Road, Bukhara’s layout and architecture bring its past to life and make for a truly fascinating visit. Visit the stunning Chor Minor Madrassa, the Ark Citadel, residence of the Emirs of Bukhara and the Zindan prison in which two 19 th century British officers were kept before being executed in the Registan Square. Continue to Bolo-Khauz Mosque, the Ismael Samani Mausoleum dating from the 10 th century and Chashmai Ayub.
DAY 3 - GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF BUKHARA
Spend the morning continuing your exploration of Bukhara. Discover the Poi Kaslyan complex featuring the Kalyan mosque, the 17th Century Kalyan minaret and Miri Arab madrassah. The minaret was used as a ‘lighthouse in the desert’ for camel caravans arriving from the sands of the Kyzyl Kum. Also visit Ulugbeg and Abdulazizkhan madrassah, Trade Domes, ancient Silk Market, and Magokki Attori mosque. This afternoon head to the last Emir’s Summer Palace, known by the poetic name Sitora-I Mokhi -Khosa, which dates from the beginning of the 20th century. Return to Bukhara and see Lyabi-Khauz Square surrounded by madrassas and crowded tea houses. This evening enjoy a traditional Uzbek dinner and painting at Davlat Toshev’s house. Davlat Toshev is one of the most exciting and in-demand contemporary masters of Bukhara miniatures and calligraphy.
DAY 4 - TRAVEL EAST TO GLOURIOUS SAMARKAND
Travelling onwards towards Samarkand visit Rabbat Malik Caravanserai, Ulug Beg Madrassah and the shrines and tombs of Vabkent, which towers an impressive 39 metres, built by the Karakhanids in 1196 and a sister tower to the Kalyon Minaret in Bukhara. Then it is on to Gijduvan which is famous for its crafts, particularly its pottery. Visit the ceramic centre and a family workshop where five generations have been producing finely crafted pottery. Arrive in Samarkand and check into your centrally located hotel.
DAY 5 - DISCOVER SAMARKAND
Samarkand is one of the Silk Road’s most evocative cities, at one time Tamerlaine’s capital and full of architectural masterpieces. Today’s full day tour includes the ancient settlement of Afrosiab and museum which is situated on the spurs of Chupan-Ata hills to the north-east of present-day Samarkand. According to the legend, it was here, on the banks of the river Siab, that the Turanian king and hero Afrosiab, a character of the folk epic ‘Shahnama’, founded the town that became the capital of Sogdiana. Then continue to Ulugbek’s observatory, Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlaine for his favourite wife. Gur Amir the mausoleum of Great Tamerlaine and the famous Registan Square, with gleaming mosaics, detailed minarets, and with blue tiled madrassas on three sides. There will also be time to make a stop at the noisy and colourful Oriental Bazaar-Siya.
DAY 6 - DRIVE SOUTH TO TERMEZ
Today drive to the remote city of Termez, crossing the Takhtakarcha mountain pass and stopping off at Shakhrisabz, Timur’s birthplace. Visit Dorus Saodat Memorial complex, which contains the Tomb of Jahangir, Timur’s eldest and favorite son, Ak Sarai Palace, planned as the most grandiose of all Timur’s constructions and Dorut Tilavat complex. Finally see Kok Gumbaz mosque and the burial vault of Temur the Great. In the afternoon continue driving south to Termez and upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
DAY 7 - GUIDEDE CITY TOUR OF TERMEZ
Today go with your local guide on a tour of the city. During the course of your sightseeing, you will visit Termez Fortress Kyrk-Kyz – a summer residence of the Samani rulers, Sultan Saodat Ensemble, Kokildor-Ota Khanaka, the Buddhist archaeological sites of Kara-Tepe, Fayaz-Tepe and the Mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termezi. Later drive north-east to see Kampyr-Tepe, a Greco-Bactrian Kingdom fortress.
DAY 8 - CONTINUE OVERLAND TO BAYSUN
Leaving Termez, travel to the small town of Baysun. Lying in the foothills of the Gissar range, Baysun feels as if time has passed it by and retains a very traditional feel. It is the regional capital of Surkhandarya and the area has retained its culture, customs and folklore over generations. Spend the afternoon learning more about this remote region from the local Tajik and Turkic people. Overnight in a basic guesthouse.
DAY 9 - CROSS THE BORDER TO DUSHANBE (TAJIKISTAN)
Today cross the border into Tajikistan and drive on to Dushanbe, a green leafy capital full of cultural monuments, parks, gardens and museums. Visit the National Archaeological Museum of Tajikistan, with its famous Buddha statue and rich collection of archaeological artefacts and collections of fine art, before moving on to the splendid Navruz Palace. Hundreds of skilled artisans were appointed to work on the building, with it initially being planned to be built as the largest teahouse in the world. This evening head out to a Tadjik restaurant to taste the local cuisine.
DAY 10 - TRAVEL TO ISKANDER-KUL & SARYTAG
Drive through steep mountain passes to Iskander-Kul, the largest and arguably the most beautiful lake in the Fann Mountains. This beautiful glacier lake takes its name from Alexander the Great, as it is said he passed by its waters on his way to India. Spend some time walking around the lake and visit a 40 metre high waterfall that flows out of the lake. After a picnic by the shore, continue to the remote mountain village of Sarytag. Overnight in guesthouse.
DAY 11 - DRIVE TO ISTARAVSHAN
Drive to Istaravshan located in the northern foothills of the Turkistan Mountain range. This small historic town has one of the best preserved old towns in Tajikistan and you will get to explore the maze of alleys that make up the old city of Shahr-e-kuhna. Walk around the colourful central bazaar and the blue domes of the Abdullatif Sultan Medressa which date from the 15th century. Visit Mug Teppe, the site of a Sogdian fortress which was stormed by Alexander the Great in 329BC Overnight in a guesthouse.
DAY 12 - CONTINUE TO KHOJAND
After breakfast drive to Khojand, capital of Tajikistan’s Sughd province and the second largest city in the country. It is thought to have been founded by King Cyrus in the North-East boundary of his empire. Go with your guide on a tour of Khujand. Visit the Soghd Museum of History and Archeology, Shaikh Muslihiddin Mosque, Panjshanbe Bazaar – the biggest bazaar in the country, and Arbob Palace, the former headquarters of a Soviet collective farm, built in the 1950s and modelled on the winter gardens of St Petersburg. This afternoon you may want to head to the Kayrakkum Hydro Power Station, built in 1968 and sometimes referred to as the Tadjik Sea and take a dip in the reservoir. Overnight in your hotel and enjoy a traditional Tadjik meal.
DAY 13 - DRIVE TO TASHKENT (UZBEKISTAN)
Travel back to Tashkent, crossing the Tajik-Uzbek border at Oybek. In the afternoon your guide will take you to the Old Quarter of Tashkent with the impressive Khast Imam Complex and see Barak Khan Madrasah, Till Sheikh Mosque and the mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. There is also time to wander around Chorsu Bazaar, before taking the Metro to the city centre and walk around Tamerlanes’s central square, Independence Square and visit the Museum of Applied Arts.
DAY 14 - DEPART TASHKENT
This morning after some free time transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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DETAILS:
This itinerary costs from £2890 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.
You can get flights from as little as £670 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
What's included?
INCLUDED:
- Prices start from £2890 per person
- 13 nights accommodation on B&B basis
- Accompanied by an English speaking guide throughout
- Private vehicle and transfers
- Internal flights (three)
- All entrance fees for excursions
- Lunch on Day 3
- Dinner on Days 3, 8, 10 & 11
- Local taxes
- Meals for guides and drivers
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are financially protected
