Day 1: First Steps In Tashkent, Crossroads Of Ancient Routes
Welcome and discovery of the capital.
Morning arrival and transfer to the hotel. After breakfast, exploration of Tashkent, historical crossroads between the Silk Road and the Gold Road. Visits: Museum of Applied Arts in the former residence of Prince Polovtsev • Colorful Chorsu Bazaar • Metro, unique in Central Asia.
Overnight stay at the InspiraS hotel or similar.
Day 2: Journey To Samarkand, The Millenary Pearl Of The Silk Road
Train towards the Pearl of the Orient.
Departure by train for Samarkand, a mythical city over 4000 years old. The capital of Tamerlane's empire in the 14th century, it remains one of the jewels of the Silk Road.
Visits: Registan Square and its dazzling madrasahs • Bibi Khanum Mosque • Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis • Gur-Emir Mausoleum (Tamerlane's tomb) • Ulug Beg Observatory Evening: Sound and light show on Registan Square.
Overnight stay at the Grand Samarkand hotel or similar.
Day 3: Excursion To The Cradle Of Tamerlane The Conqueror
Excursion to Tamerlane's birthplace.
Drive to Shakhrisabz, "the green city," Tamerlane's birthplace and a major cultural center of the 14th-15th centuries.
Visits: Ruins of the Ak Sarai Palace • Kok Gumbaz Mosque with the blue dome • Gumbazi Seidan Mausoleum.
Return to Samarkand at the end of the day.
Overnight stay at the Grand Samarkand hotel or similar.
Day 4: Tajik Incursion And The Mystery Of Ancient Sogdiana
Tajik incursion on Sogdian traces.
Transboundary excursion to Penjikent, birthplace of the Persian poet Rudaki.
Visits: Rudaki Museum • Ruins of the Sogdian city (5th-8th centuries) • Sarazm site, UNESCO listed (5500 years of history). Traditional lunch included. Return to Samarkand in the late afternoon. Overnight stay at the Grand Samarkand hotel or similar.
Day 5: En Route To Bukhara, Discovery Of Labi Khouz Square
Train towards the holy city. Transfer by train to Bukhara. Check-in at the hotel and first discovery of Labi Khouz Square.
Overnight stay at the Wyndham hotel or similar.
Day 6: From Lively Markets To Majestic Madrasahs
Immersion in the ocean of turquoise domes.
Full day in one of Central Asia's oldest cities, a religious and intellectual center under the Samanids (10th century).
Visits: Ark Citadel • Ismail Samani Mausoleum • Kalian Mosque and its imposing minaret • Ulug Beg Madrasah • Tok Sarrafon and Tok Telpakfurushon (ancient markets) • Chor Minor Madrasah • Lyab-i Hauz Complex.
Evening: Folk show at the Nodir Divan Beguim Madrasah.
Overnight stay at the Wyndham hotel or similar.
Day 7: Getaway Around Bukhara, From Pilgrimage To Concert
Bukhara surroundings
Visits: Bahauddin Naqshbandi Pilgrimage Site • Summer Residence of the Last Emirs • Usto Davron Craft Center. Free afternoon to stroll around the city.
Evening: Classical music concert at the Madrakhim Madrasah.
Overnight stay at the Wyndham hotel or similar.
Day 8: On The Road To The Red Desert Of Kyzyl Kum
Crossing the red desert of Kyzyl Kum.
Long day driving through the arid steppe and former collective farms (kolkhozes). Spectacular view of the Amu Darya, a blue ribbon winding through the desert. Arrival in Khiva in the late afternoon. First walk through the alleys of this preserved museum-city.
Overnight stay at the Darwaza hotel or similar.
Day 9: Khiva, Preserved Oasis Of The Silk Road
The museum-city with pink clay ramparts.
Full day in the most isolated oasis of the Silk Road, which has remained intact. Home of Al Khawarizmi (father of logarithms) and close to Avicenna. Visits: Kalta Minor Minaret with blue ceramics • Djuma Mosque and its 218 wooden columns • Tash Khauli Palace and its harem • Kounia Ark Ramparts.
Overnight stay at the Darvaza hotel or similar.
Day 10: End Of The Uzbek Adventure
Morning transfer to the airport and return flight.
