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Cox and Kings Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand

Cox and Kings Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand

Please call free – 0800 707 6229 – for Huge Extra Savings on your Cox and Kings Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand tour

Visit the most magnificent cities of the ancient Silk Road with Islamic expert Diana Driscoll. These include Uzbekistan’s second largest city, Samarkand, built by the infamous 14th-century Emperor Tamerlane; the medieval city of Bukhara, with its dazzling blue mosaic domes; the jade-green city of Khiva; and Nukus, which once protected the Russian avant-garde art collection of archaeologist and artist, Igor Savitsky from the Soviets.

  • International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
  • UK departure and overseas airport taxes
  • 3- and 4-star accommodation
  • Selected meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Local Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Fully escorted by an English-speaking guide throughout
  • Entrance fees unless otherwise stated
  • Private tour of the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art in Nukus with a local specialist
  • See traditional silk weavers at work
  • Full-day tours of Bukhara & Khiva
  • Discover the intricacies of Samarkand’s Islamic architecture
  • Visit ceramicist workshops
  • Travel by Uzbekistan’s famous Afrosiyob train from Samarkand to Tashkent

Day 1: Fly to Tashkent

Board the overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways.
(No meals)

Day 2: Tashkent • Fly to Nukus

Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to the Inspira-S Hotel (or similar) for a rest. After an introductory lecture and welcome lunch, take a city tour to see the highlights of Tashkent, including Kukeldash mosque, Muyie Mubarak library and Tillya Sheikh mosque. In the afternoon, fly to Nukus and stay overnight at Jipek Joli (or similar)
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 3: Chilpak • Khiva

Morning tour of the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art, which houses the collection of Igor Savitsky, who secreted away thousands of Russian avant-garde and post avant-garde paintings during the Stalinist Soviet period. Tour the museum with a local specialist before travelling to Khiva, stopping on route to see the Zoroastian Tower of Silence. Stay 2 nights at Orient Star Khiva (or similar).
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 4: Khiva

Full-day tour of the old walled city of Khiva, capital of Khorezm between the 16th and 20th centuries, and one of the most remote of the Silk Road cities. Visits include the Kunya Ark (old fortress), the original residence of the Khiva khans; the beautifully decorated Tash Hauli (stone palace); the Friday Mosque; and madrasas (theological colleges), which now house museum collections.
(Breakfast)

Day 5: Drive to Bukhara

Full-day drive to Bukhara (7-8 hours), through the Kyzylkum desert stopping at the Amu Darya river, known as the Oxus river in the ancient world. Stay at the Emir Hotel (or similar) for 4 nights.
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 6: Bukhara

Take a full-day walking tour of Bukhara, visiting the Persian Samanid brick mausoleum, the Chashmai Ayub, known as Job’s Well, and the Bolo Hauz mosque. Visit the trade domes, madrasas and traditional Bukharan bazaars. Continue to the Poi-Kalyan complex, which includes the towering Kalyan minaret and the twin-domed Miri-Arab madrasa.
(Breakfast)

Day 7: Bukhara

Visit the architectural ensemble around the Lyab i-Hauz pool, fed by the waters of the royal canal. Continue to the Chor Minor, a curious four-towered gatehouse, and the Sitora-i Mokhi-Khosa, the summer palace of the last emir of Bukhara. Then visit the Fayzulla Khodjaev Museum, set in the house of a wealthy Bukhara merchant showing aspects of life in the early 20th century.
(Breakfast)

Day 8: Rabat i-Malik • Gijduvan • Vabkent

Drive along the royal road to the 11th-century Rabat i-Malik caravanserai (a trading route stop-off). Continue to Gijduvan, renowned for its traditional ceramics, and see Abd-alKhalyk Gijduvani mazar.
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 9: Shahrisabz • Samarkand

Drive to Shahrisabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, where he built an enormous palace, of which part of the beautifully ornamented audience chamber remains. Drive alongside the Zerafshan mountains to Samarkand for a 2 night stay at the Dilimah Premium or Malika Diyora (or similar)
(Breakfast)

Day 10: Afrosiyob • Samarkand

Drive to the ancient deserted site of Afrosiyob on the outskirts of Samarkand, where a settlement once thrived until it was destroyed by Tamerlane. Archaeological finds are housed in the Afrosiyob History Museum. Continue to the observatory of Ulug Beg, Tamerlane’s astronomer grandson, and see the Bibi Khanum mosque, built by Tamerlane for his favourite wife. End the day with a visit to Registan Square.
(Breakfast)

Day 11: Samarkand • Tashkent

Visit the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the Samarkand Museum of History, Culture and Art. In the afternoon, travel by rail to Tashkent. After a farewell dinner, stay overnight at the Inspira-S Tashkent (or similar)
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 12: Tashkent • Fly to London

Transfer to the airport for your flight to London.
(Breakfast)

Jipek Joli Hotel, Nukus

The Jipek Joli Hotel is located in the center of Nukus across the road from the Savitskiy Art Museum.

Hotel Emir, Bukhara

The Emir Hotel is situated in the old Jewish quarter, only 50 yards from the historic complex around the Lyab i-Hauz pool and with good transport links across Bukhara.

Fergana Valley – 4 days, 3 nights

Explore Uzbekistan’s cultural heartland with visits to some of the major towns of the Fergana valley.

Day 12 – To the Fergana Valley
Drive to the Fergana region of Uzbekistan. Stay for 2 nights at the Hotel Asia Fergana or Grand Fergana (or similar)
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 13 – Fergana Valley
Take a full day tour of the region, including visits to Andijan and Fergana.
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 14 – Kokand to Tashkent
Return to Tashkent, visiting the ancient city of Kokand en-route. Overnight at the Inspira-S Tashkent (or similar)
(Breakfast)

Day 15 – Fly to London
Transfer to the airport for your flight home
(Breakfast)

Accessibility
This tour includes some long drives and requires a good level of fitness as there is walking over rough terrain and up some high, uneven steps. There are also some long road journeys.

Private Visits
Please note that the exclusive and individual nature of private visits means that they are subject to confirmation nearer the time of departure. Mosques, private houses and other buildings often have fluid opening times. If any visits have to be re-arranged, please be assured that there will be alternatives of equal interest.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.

Please call us free on 0800 707 6229 for pricing and availability

Useful Info

Location

Board Basis

Selected Meals Included

Duration

12 Days

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