ABOUT THE TOUR
This fascinating tour follows the legendary Silk Road across the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan exploring the turbulent history of the region and the exquisite architectural highlights – fortresses, palaces, and spectacular mosques with dazzling turquoise tiles and soaring minarets.
Beginning in the capital, Tashkent, we fly west to Nukus, known for its remarkable art museum, before continuing to the beautifully preserved walled city of Khiva. From Khiva, we will spend a day in the Kyzyl Kum Desert to visit settlements dating back to as early as the 1st century.
We journey on to the fabled city of Bukhara stopping at the border of Turkmenistan, the isolated country known for its authoritarian government, which is one of the least visited countries in the world. Bukhara has been a spiritual, intellectual and cultural centre of Islam from the 9th century but reached its zenith in the 16th century with its university, 360 mosques and 80 madrassas. It was famous as a wealthy centre of trade, for its slave market and its splendid architectural monuments.
Finally, we visit Samarkand, once considered amongst the most important and magnificent cities in the world during medieval times, which was conquered in turn by both Genghis Khan and Tamerlane the Great.
TOUR LEADER
Nick & Iris Van Gruisen
12 days from £4,085 per person
TOUR DATE: 14 – 25 APRIL 2026
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £830
Price Includes
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 8 lunches; 7 dinners
- All entrance fees, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
- All group transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- Gratuities to driver/s; gratuities to guide/s; gratuities in restaurants; porterage
- The services of your tour leader throughout
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
- Visa fees
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 31/04/2025
DAY-BY-DAY OVERVIEW
Tuesday, 14 April – London to Tashkent via Istanbul
Depart from London Heathrow on Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul to Tashkent via Istanbul (not included in the cost of the tour). Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight in transit.
Wednesday, 15 April – Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer to Hyatt Regency Hotel where two nights are spent. Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour including earthquake memorial, Khast Imam, Chorsu Bazaar, and Metro ride. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tashkent
Thursday, 16 April – Tashkent to Nukus to Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel. Domestic flight to Nukus. Visit Savitsky Museum. Light lunch at local restaurant. Drive to Khiva. Check in at Farovon Hotel where three nights are spent. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Farovon Hotel, Khiva
Friday, 17 April – Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage citadel of Ichan-Kala. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue walking tour. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Farovon Hotel, Khiva
Saturday, 18 April – Khiva to Ayaz-Qala and Toprak Qala
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning excursion to Ayaz Qala and Toprak Qala. Lunch at Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Farovon Hotel, Khiva
Sunday, 19 April – Khiva to Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bukhara via the Turkmenistan border. Lunch en route. Check in at Mercure Hotel where two nights are spent. Visit Chor Minor and Lyabi Khauz Square. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Mercure Hotel, Bukhara
Monday, 20 April – Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Visits to Ulugbek and Abdulaziz-Khan madrasahs, Lyabi Khauz Square, Zindan, Fortress Ark, and Bolo-Khauz Mosque. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Mercure Hotel, Bukhara
Tuesday, 21 April – Bukhara to Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Lunch under own arrangements. Afternoon visit to Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace. High-speed train to Samarkand. Check in at Kosh Havuz Hotel where three nights are spent. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kosh Havuz Hotel, Samarkand
Wednesday, 22 April – Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Visits to the Registan Square (meaning ‘place of sand’). Continue to Bibi-Khanim Mosque, Siab Bazaar and Shah-I-Zinda, Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Khovrenko Winery, one of the oldest wineries in Central Asia. Dinner at Platan Restaurant.
Overnight: Kosh Havuz Hotel, Samarkand
Thursday, 23 April – Samarkand and Shahrisabz
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Ulugbek Observatory. Excursion to Shahrisabz via Chor Chinor Gardens. Visits to Ak-Saray Palace and the local bazaar. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Samarkand via the Tahakaracha Pass. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Kosh Havuz Hotel, Samarkand
Friday, 24 April – Samarkand to Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to Gur-Emir. Time at leisure. High-speed train to Tashkent. Check into the Hyatt Regency Hotel where a further one night is spent. Farewell dinner.
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tashkent
Saturday, 25 April – Tashkent to London via Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for Turkish Airlines flight to London Heathrow via Istanbul.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
"*" indicates required fields