This tour will introduce you to the fantastic sights of these two interesting Central Asian countries as you travel through ancient sites and bustling cities. Visit Tashkent and Khiva in Turkmenistan before heading onto Turkmenistan where you will explore the world-class archaeological sites of Kunya-Urgench and Merv. Then it is back into Uzbekistan where you will be guided through the history of the stunning Islamic cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, without doubt among the great cities of the ancient Silk Road.
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.
Morning flight to Urgench, close to Khiva and on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Khiva, a delightful, small walled city, is often overlooked on tours through the region but its labyrinth of side streets and small squares have a very particular charm that evokes the centuries of history the city has witnessed. Stroll through the main gate Ota-Davaza and some of the highlights include Madrassah of Mukhamad Amin-Khan, Kalta-Minor Minaret, the Emir’s Palace and Harem as well as the Kunya Ark or old citadel where the Emir lived. In the afternoon visit the Friday Mosque with its 200 carved wooden pillars, the Tash Khauli Palace – built as a royal palace in the 19th century – and a local silk carpet workshop. Finally visit a local silk carpet workshop, currently under UNESCO sponsorship. Overnight in the hotel.
Today, leave Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kunya-Urgench, once a glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire, the largest Muslim empire of the late 12th and early 13th century. With your guide, visit the 15th century mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum, Central Asia’s tallest minaret of Kutlug Temur, measuring 62 metres in height. The 12th century mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh with a turquoise cone of a dome and the 12th century mausoleum of Il-Arslan, the founder of the pre-Mongol Khorezmshah empire. Return to Dashoguz and catch an evening flight to Ashgabat, which is where you’ll be spending your first night in a city hotel.
This morning visit Tolkuchka Bazaar, located on the outskirts of the city and the largest in the country, which sells everything from camels to intricately-handcrafted swords. Next, take a trip to Old Nisa fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the foothills of nearby mountains. After lunch return to the city and with your guide go on a sightseeing excursion including visits to the Park of Independence, Neutrality Square and the National Museum of History and Ethnography, which is home to more than 300,000 objects from ancient archaeological sites of Turkmenistan.
Today fly to Mary and then drive to Merv. Spend the day with your local guide discovering this magnificent archaeological site, once one of Central Asia’s most civilised cities and referred to as the Pearl of the East. In the 11th century the Seljuk Turks appropriated Merv and made it the centre of a dominion that stretched from Afghanistan to Egypt. This is a vast site of 125 square kilometres and due to its ideal location along the Great Silk Road Route, several cities have existed here. In the afternoon visit the local History Museum and drive back to Mary where you will spend the night.
Journey North crossing the border back into Uzbekistan, arriving in Bukhara, Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan, situated on a sacred hill, the place where sacrifices were made by fire-worshippers in springtime. Plenty of time is set aside today for the border formalities. Arriving late afternoon, you will have some time to relax in your centrally located hotel. This evening visit a local family-run restaurant and learn about the hospitality that the Uzbeks pride themselves on. Drink tea and have dinner with them where you will be able to try lepyoshka – unleavened bread – and rich mutton dishes.
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. A full day tour through the narrow streets of the old Bukhara, where you will have the opportunity to explore the main sites with your local guide. Visit the stunning Chor Minor Madrassa, the Ark Citadel, residence of the Emirs of Bukhara and the Zindan prison in which two 19th century British officers were kept before being executed in the Registan Square. Continue to Bolo-Khauz Mosque, the Ismael Samani Mausoleum dating from the 10th century. Highlights also include Kalyan Square with its great minaret, Miri Arab and a mix of ancient mosques and trading domes.
Travelling onwards towards Samarkand visit Rabbat Malik Caravanserai, Ulug Beg Madrassah and the shrines and tombs of Vabkent, which towers above to an impressive 39 metres and was built by the Karakhanids in 1196 and is also 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.
The historic town of Samarkand is a crossroad and melting pot of the world’s cultures. It was Tamerlaine’s capital and contains some of Asia’s most stunning architecture. On today’s full-day tour, visit the ancient settlement of Afrosiab and its museum as well as Ulugbek’s observatory and Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlaine for his favourite wife. Later, see Gur Amir, the mausoleum of Tamerlaine and of course the famous Registan Square, which has extraordinary blue tiled madrassas, minarets and shimmering mosaics on three sides. No trip to Samarkand would be complete without a stop at the colourful Oriental Bazaar- Siya. There may also be time to visit the Shah-i-Zinda mausoleum complex that was built in the 14th and 15th century.
This morning continue your journey overland driving through small towns and villages surrounded by cotton fields to Tashkent, arriving in time for your onward flight. You may prefer to spend more time sightseeing in Samarkand and take the afternoon train to Tashkent and stay overnight.
This morning we will ensure you are taken to the airport in good time for your onward flight.
DETAILS:
This itinerary costs from £3390 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.
You can get flights from £750 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
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