A Classic Silk Road Trip to Uzbekistan - Visit Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Khiva (SR-04)

Departure to Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent. Khush Kelibsiz – welcome to Uzbekistan! Transfer to a hotel.

Unremarkable at first, Tashkent requires closer examination to reveal its charm. The ever-growing hub of Central Asia will surprise you with its cosmopolitan way of life, the contrasts between old and new.

During a panoramic city tour of Tashkent we will visit the main sites of the city: the History Museum; the main city square Mustakillik - Independence Square - the largest city square in the former Soviet Union, which once held the tallest statue of Lenin (30 m); the ancient Khazret Imam Square with the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum; the Barak Khan Madrasah the Namazgokh Mosque, and the Tillya Sheikh Mosque. We also visit Chorsu square - the centre of ancient Tashkent with the Kukeldash Madrasah, the Jammi (Friday) Mosque and the Chorsu bazaar – the oldest city market rebuilt in the ancient style and a delightful place to spend a few hours.

We leave the Uzbekistan capital and head to Samarkand (350 km).

Samarkand - often called the Gem of the East – is the city which evokes romance just with its name! The city is as old as Rome and reached the height of its fame under the rule of Timur. He made Samarkand the capital of his grand Empire which stretched from southeastern Turkey through the Middle East and Central Asia including North-Western India to the approach to Kashgar in China. During his reign Timur built a new city and populated it with artisans and craftsmen from the places he had conquered. They created striking harmonies of perfection between the mausoleums, madrassahs, mosques and city squares. Conquered and destroyed many times Samarkand has risen from the ashes each time like a Phoenix.

You can feel the grandeur of the old city, when you catch a sudden view of the Bibi Khanum Mosque (15th century), the largest of its time in the world, standing beside a noisy and crowded oriental market. Registan Square -”Sandy Place” - was the heart of ancient Samarkand, the centre of trade and cultural life, a breathtaking oriental masterpiece with three blue madrasahs. Shah-i-Zinda – “tomb of the living king” - is a burial complex, often referred to as “the street of the dead”. It is considered one of the holiest places for Muslims, an important place of pilgrimage. The Gur-Emir Mausoleum is the resting place of the military genius Amir Temur who is buried here along with several of his sons and one of his grandsons. It is a fine example of Timurid architecture; simplicity and harmony of shapes together with a sumptuously decorated interior.

We will have two days to explore wonders of Samarkand, its splendour and glory. Once you discover Samarkand you will be enchanted by its magic forever!

We will leave the enchanting Samarkand and drive to Bukhara.

Bukhara is one of holiest cities in Central Asia and was once the intellectual and spiritual centre of Islamic world. Bukhara entered history in 500BC as a vassal state of the Persian Empire. When Islamic armies arrived in 650AD, they found a multiethnic and multireligious state; after their conquest in the next century, Islam became the dominant religion and remains so to the present day. Owing to its strategically important location Bukhara was one of the main trading centres of the Silk Road. During its heyday it had 365 mosques – one for each day of the year. Later it became a pawn in the "Great Game" between Russia and Britain. Bukhara is in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

We will have full day city tour to discover all the hidden treasures of this magnificent city. Our guide takes you to the Kalyan minaret – once the tallest minaret in the Islamic world, the Kalyan mosque – one of the ancient mosques, the famous Mir-i Arab Madrassah, and Samanid's Mausoleum - pearl of the East, and many other astonishing places.

You will be overwhelmed by Bukhara’s elaborate mosques, winding alleys, caravanserais and splendid madrasahs. Improve your bargaining skills in the numerous bazaars and relax at famous chaikhana house with a cup of green tea while chatting with locals.

In the afternoon we drive towards Khiva via the Kyzylkum (translated Red Sand) desert (435 km). Watching the hypnotising desert landscape it’s easy to immerse yourself in the region’s mysterious history and to imagine yourself a Silk Road trader, or an ancient warrior or maybe even a great explorer. This seemingly endless and uninhabitable land gives you a good insight into the ancient way of life when journeys between the Silk Road cities were measured in days and weeks rather than hours as nowadays.

Often called an “open air museum”, Khiva today is a well preserved and restored town thanks to a conservation programme in 1970 - 1980. This enchanting town with its towering minarets and domed roofs will capture your imagination as soon as you enter its gates. You will enjoy getting lost wandering through its maze of narrow streets passing mosques, madrasahs (Islamic religious schools) and caravanserai (old overnight stops for caravans) and becoming engulfed in its mystical past.

Khiva consists of two parts. The outer and more modern town - Dichan Kala, was formerly surrounded by a fortified wall with 11 gates.

The inner town, or Itchan Kala, is protected by 2.2 km long brick wall, whose foundations are believed to have been laid in the 10th century. The old town boasts more than 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses, mostly dating from the 18th or the 19th centuries. The Kalta Minor or Short Minaret - was built in 1852: one of the most ambitious projects of the ruling Khan. It was intended to be the tallest minaret in the Islamic world so that the Khan could see all way to Bukhara. Its construction was abandoned at 26 metres because of the Khan’s death.

The Islam Khodja Madrasah and Minaret both built in 1910 are the newest monuments in Khiva. The madrasah houses what is probably Khiva’s best museum - the museum of handicrafts. Here you will find fine wood carving, hand embroidery, carpets, household utensils, pottery and traditional Uzbek clothes.

Tash Khauli (Harem) has the most striking architectural decoration in the city: ceramic tiles, carved marble and painted wood.

Our guide will take us through Khiva’s inner city introducing us to its remarkable history and rich culture. Khiva is beautiful at dawn or at the twilight – don’t miss your chance of capturing the best pictures of your journey! The town is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Tashkent.

Flight to Tashkent.

Our Silk Road adventure is over. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.