Minarets, Silk and Fergana Valley

Arrive into Tashkent and transfer to your accommodation to spend the morning at leisure. In the afternoon begin exploring the city with a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts with over 7,000 samples of art, including handmade embroidery, skull-caps, jewellery and carpets, dating from the beginning of the 19th century to the present day. Also see the Khast Imam complex, home to one of the World’s oldest Koran’s.

After breakfast discover Tashkent’s metro, Central Asia’s first underground transport system which boasts some of the most ornate stations in the world. Visit the varied market stalls of Chorsu bazaar and the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, one of the largest museums in the region. Afternoon transfer to the railway station to board the train for Kokand. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Today, take an excursion to Margilan, famous for its fine silks. Chris will take you to visit three different locations (read more below).

Journey overland, stopping in Rishton to visit a ceramics studio where skilled craftsmen make and decorate pottery. Cross the border into Tajikistan and arrive into Khujand by afternoon. Begin your sightseeing with a visit to the medieval citadel and Museum of Archaeology. Stroll through the central square and on into the oriental Panjshanbe Market. Travel a short distance outside the city to see the Arbob Cultural Palace – former headquarters of the local Soviet era collective farm.

Travel overland today to Penjikent, an important town on the Silk Road. On arrival visit the UNESCO site of Sarazm before seeing some of the unearthed treasures, now exhibited in the museum. Also visit the small Rudaki Museum and some of the Soviet era mosaics that survive on the ends of various apartment blocks on the main street.

Depart Penjikent for Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and inextricably linked with the great Silk Road. On arrival take a tour of Registan Square. In addition, visit the Gur Emir and Tamerlane’s Tomb before returning to your hotel for some time at leisure. Dinner will be in a National House where you can experience local hospitality and home-cooked food.

Visit Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, built by Ulugh Beg (Tamerlane’s grandson) in the 15th century and at the forefront of astrology at the time. Continue to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, a Timurid architectural masterpiece that was returned to its original glory in 1974. Travel outside the city for a vineyard tour and tasting at the Bagizagan Winery which produces some of the best wines and cognacs in Uzbekistan.

Journey by train to Bukhara. In the afternoon visit the 2,000 year old fortress, the Ark. Continue to the Kalyan Mosque and Minaret whose beauty stopped Genghis Khan in tracks, as well as some of the other mosques, madrasas and mausoleums dotted throughout the old city.

After breakfast, travel outside the city to visit the Emir’s Summer Palace. Continue to see the 16th century necropolis of Chor Bakr before returning to the city to see the Bolo Khauz mosque. Optional visit to the Hunarmand UNDP Assisted workshops to see block printing, metal chasing, suzani embroidery, carving, miniature painting and gold embroidery.

After breakfast, leave Bukhara and travel to Khiva, a journey of around eight hours, crossing the Kyzl-Kum desert. Check into your hotel on arrival.

Take a walking tour through the Ichan Qala, Khiva’s old town; a fortified citadel packed with fascinating museums, artisan workshops and impressive architecture.

Visit a silk carpet workshop to understand the processes and work behind these handmade items. Experience the contrasting industires of silk production, from meeting skilled locals nurturing silk worms with precision in their homes to visiting a modern silk processing factory.
There is also the opportunity for those who wish, to visit the desert castle of Ayaz Qala, located around 90 minutes from Khiva.

Transfer to the airport in Urgench for your flight to Tashkent. In the afternoon take a walk along Broadway and view some of the art for sale. If time allows, visit the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan – the diverse exhibits should provide a comprehensive overview of the sites visited throughout the trip.

Transfer to the airport for flights home.