Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Embraced

On arrival in Tashkent transfer to hotel accommodation. In the afternoon start to explore Old Tashkent, the impressive Khast Imam Square, the holy heart of the city where the Telyashayakh Mosque houses the Uthman Koran, said to be the world’s oldest. Afterwards there’s time to wander through Chorsu Bazaar, the largest farmer’s market in Tashkent, filled with the heady smell of spices. Later, just in front of the hotel, we visit Amir Temur Square, the oldest public park in Tashkent. Overnight Uzbekistan Hotel or similar.

(Approximate driving time: three-and-a-half-hours)  

This morning we head to the airport for a flight to Nukus, the isolated capital of Uzbekistan’s autonomous Karakalpakstan Republic. Here, the remarkable Art Museum founded by Igor Savitsky became a sanctuary for 40,000 early 20th century Russian paintings banned by the Soviet government. The story of the collection was detailed in an award-winning 2010 TV documentary, Desert of Forbidden Art. There’s time to view the collection which represents the second-largest gathering of Russian avant-garde art after The State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. Later we drive to the ancient khanate of Khiva. Overnight Malika Khiva Hotel or similar. (BL)

After breakfast the day is free to relax and independently explore the wealth of ancient monuments in this most remote of Central Asia’s Silk Road cities. Overnight Malika Khiva Hotel or similar. (B)

Today there’s a full day city tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ichan Kala, or inner town. Highlights include the 18th century Juma Mosque where 213 black elm pillars support the prayer hall’s roof, and the later 20th century Islam Khoja Minaret whose colourful stripes reach almost 57 metres. Afterwards we explore the 12th century Kunya Ark, a fortified residence of Khiva’s khans, and its watchtower. Elsewhere, in the tiled courtyard of the 18th century Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, there’s time to appreciate what must be one of the city’s most beautiful retreats. After lunch at a private house we visit the bazaar and a one of Khiva’s many historic caravanserais. Overnight Malika Khiva Hotel or similar. (B)

(Approximate driving time: six-and-a-half-hours)

There’s a long drive today, leaving Khiva early for Bukhara, where the city’s historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Caravan Hotel or similar. (B)

Bukhara is one of the region’s most spectacular cities, where a superbly preserved old quarter lends itself to exploration on foot. Highlights of today’s city tour include the spectacular 12th century Kalyan Minaret, one of the defining symbols of Bukhara and once the tallest building in Central Asia, and the three domed bazaars; the Jewellers’ Bazaar, the Cap Makers’ Bazaar and the Moneychangers’ Bazaar. We take a break for lunch at a local restaurant and afterwards head to the emphatic bastions of the Ark fortress, a royal town within a town and home to the city’s khans for over a millennium. Finally, just outside the historic centre we have time to see the Samanid Mausoleum, an exceptional example of early Islamic architecture, completed in 905 AD. Overnight Caravan Hotel or similar. (B)

(Approximate driving time: three hours)

This morning we drive towards the Nuratau Mountains. On the way we visit the town of Nurata, famous for its decoratively embroidered suzani fabrics. Afterwards we visit a fortress from the time of Alexander the Great, and then continue to Lake Aydarkul. Overnight Yurt Camp. (B)

(Approximate driving time: three hours)

After a relaxing morning, perhaps taking the opportunity to ride a camel ride or swim in the lake, we drive to the legendary city of Samarkand. On arrival the rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight Malika Hotel or similar. (B)

Samarkand has a spectacular collection of architecture, the most famous of which are found at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Registan. Early western travellers wrote extensively of Samarkand’s remarkable mosques, madrassas and mausoleums, all elaborately decorated by blue ceramic tiles and traditional Islamic art. Nearby, at Gur-e-Amire, lies the 15th century tomb of Amir Timur, also known a Tamerlane, one of the most effective military leaders in history, and his grandson, Ulugh Beg a visionary astronomer. Elsewhere, after admiring the impressive Bibi Khanym mosque we continue to the extensive Siab Market, before taking lunch. In the afternoon we visit Shakhi Zinda, a collection of richly tiled mausoleums for rulers and nobles of Samarkand. The site’s name translates to Living King and refers to an original shrine thought to be the grave of Qusam ibn- Abbas, a cousin of the prophet Muhammad.  Overnight Malika Hotel or similar. (B)

This morning we visit Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, constructed in 1420. Today Ulugh Beg is remembered more as an astronomer than Khan of Bukhara. He was fascinated by the stars and the universe, and as a result of observations undertaken with the naked eye he calculated the length of a year to within one minute and two seconds of the modern value. Unfortunately Beg was assassinated on the orders of his own son, and the observatory razed by religious zealots. Later we visit the Meros craft centre, where silk paper is produced from mulberry bark using water power and traditional methods. Overnight Malika Hotel or similar. (B)

After breakfast transfer to the railway station to board our train for Tashkent (0840/1240). In the afternoon we can take in some more of the city sights including Independence Square, the largest in the former Soviet Union, and flanked by public buildings and walls of fountains. In addition we will visit the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre completed in 1947 by Japanese prisoners of war, and the Museum of Applied Arts, as popular for its setting in a beautiful house, as for its many lovely exhibits. Overnight at Uzbekistan Hotel or similar. (B)

The tour ends with a transfer to the airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)

(Approximate driving time: five hours)

After a leisurely breakfast we drive to Fergana, stopping at Kamchik Pass for photos. If we arrive in good time there may be an opportunity to look around. Overnight Hotel Asia Fergana or similar. (B).

Today we visit Rishtan, famous for its traditional cobalt pottery techniques, Margilon to witness traditional silk production, and later call in at a local bazaar. Overnight Hotel Asia Fergana or similar. (B).

After breakfast drive back to Tashkent via Kokand visiting Khudoyar Khan’s Palace, the Norbuta Museum- Bia Madrassah, and the Modarikhon Mausoleum. Overnight at Shodlik Palace Hotel or similar. (B)

The tour ends today after breakfast with airport transfers departing to meet onward flights. (B)