Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand

Day 1 - UK-In flight

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Urgench via Istanbul.

Day 2 - Khiva

Arrive in Urgench and transfer to Khiva, where on arrival at the hotel we can enjoy breakfast. After a morning at leisure at the hotel, we visit the Ichan-Kala Complex for a bread-making masterclass. Traditional bread in Khiva is a light round crisp flatbread baked in a clay oven which gives a smoky aroma. We’ll spend time rolling out the dough, shaping and baking it, and then tasting this delicious bread which is standard fare in every Khiva household. Tonight, dinner is included at a local restaurant with a specially arranged folklore show.

Art Minor Boutique, Khiva (3-star)

Day 3 - Khiva

This morning explore Khiva and learn a little about its fascinating history. Return to the Ichan-Kala Complex, the walled old city of Khiva, which features 50 historic monuments and 250 homes. Once the residence of the last Khiva Khan, this old city boasts the Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madressah, Kunya-Ark Castle, Kalta Monir Tower, Tash-Hovli Palace, and the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to the Juma Mosque, a distinctive large brick building supported by 212 wooden columns. Then explore narrow streets and other sites in the city.

Art Minor Boutique, Khiva (3-star)

Day 4 - Khiva - Bukhara

After breakfast, drive seven hours from Khiva to Bukhara through the red desert landscape. Rest and recharge your batteries as you travel across the ancient Silk Route where you may spot roaming camels and horses and the Amu Darya which is Central Asia’s longest river. Stop for photos along the way, and also have lunch in a desert café – a unique rustic experience where you can savour traditional cuisine. Check into the hotel in Bukhara, and tonight enjoy dinner and a folklore show at Nodir Devonbegi Madrassah.

Day 5 - Bukhara

A sightseeing tour of Bukhara includes the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Hauz Mosque and the Ark Citadel, which is Bukhara’s oldest structure – a royal city within a city. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the old city for a puppet and miniature painting workshop. See a traditional blacksmith’s workshop and then have time to shop at Bukhara Dome Bazaars where artisans sell their wares including jewellery and silk. Visit a traditional tea house and sample a variety of herbal teas with local sweets all explained by your guide.

Day 6 - Bukhara - Tashkent

After a morning at leisure, travel to Bukhara Railways Station to board Central Asia’s fastest train, the Afrosiyob, which travels at speeds of 250 kilometres an hour. Journey to Tashkent, arriving early evening at your next hotel. Dinner is included at a local restaurant.

Day 7 - Tashkent

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan which contrasts modern and Soviet-era architecture with traditional mud-walled houses. Today uncover the secrets of the old part of the city with a visit to the Khazrati Imam Complex including Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, and Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. Explore the Chorsu Bazaar and shop for souvenirs before lunch at a local restaurant or local house. In the afternoon, visit a ceramic workshop in the old city, started by ceramist Mukhitdin Rakhimov, who wanted to document the heritage of traditional ceramic art. Here you'll see handmade ceramics and enjoy tea with traditional sweets. The day ends with a ride on the famous Tashkent Metro, an underground system famous for its themed stations featuring mosaics, chandeliers and marble, often described as an underground museum.

Day 8 - Tashkent - Samarkand

After an early breakfast, transfer to Tashkent Railway Station and board a highspeed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand. A visit to Konigil Tourism Village gives you a glimpse of the many different workshops run by artisands, and a chance to visit the ancient paper factory. Lunch today is a special occasion as you'll take a cooking class to learn how to cook Uzbek plov, the national dish of Uzbekistan which is a rice dish made with lamb, carrots, onions, garlic and cumin.

Mustafo Hotel, Samarkand (4-star)

Day 9 - Samarkand

One of the main highlights of the tour is revealed today – an unforgettable city tour of Samarkand which visits famous Registan Square. The grandeur of this incredible square hits as soon as you stand in the centre and see the three intricate madrassahs which surround you on three sides, each with their unique blue, green and gold oriental decoration and portals facing the centre. Discover more about the fascinating history of Madrasah Ulugbek, Madrasah Sher-Dor and Madrasah Tillya-Kori, and explore the Gur Emir Mausoleum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the city, and continue to the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and Siyob National Bazaar where you'll find plenty of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, sweets and local souvenirs.

Mustafo Hotel, Samarkand (4-star)

Day 10 - Samarkand

Your tour of Samarkand continues today. Visit the Architectural Complex Shakhi-Zinda, Ulugbek Observatory and the Mausoleum of St Daniel which is considered to protect Samarkand and bring wealth and prosperity to its people. Travel into the beautiful countryside for a farewell lunch at a vineyard followed by wine tasting of several wines and cognacs. The afternoon is at leisure.

Mustafo Hotel, Samarkand (4-star)

Day 11 - Samarkand - UK

Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight home. On arrival, your vehicle will be waiting to take you home.