Thousand and One Nights

Description

Situated at the heart of Central Asia, the republic of Uzbekistan has a richness of history matched by few places on earth. A succession of conquering forces, from Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan and his descendants, have left their mark on the region's culture and architecture. Starting out in Khiva and in the magical Silk Road oasis of Bukhara, which flourished in the 9th and 10th centuries, we also travel to Samarkand, one of the undoubted wonders of the world, with its mosaic-clad and turquoise-tiled monuments. To allow us a better understanding of the region, we hike and ride camels across the steppes and into the high valleys of Zarafshan, where we have the opportunity to meet the Uzbek shepherds and farmers of this rarely-visited part of the great Pamir mountain range. With a unique blend of sightseeing and easy day-hiking, this is a superb new adventure holiday at the crossroads of Asia.

Program 12 days/11 nights

• Day 1
  1
  

  Home - Tashkent - Khiva

  Rendezvous at Tashkent Airport in the morning. A single group transfer will take the group to a hotel where shared day-rooms are provided. After breakfast, there is time for sightseeing in the Uzbek capital, at the Tchorsu spice bazaar and the Koukeldash Madrasah. After lunch in the city, we return to the airport and fly to Khiva near the border with Turkmenistan. Overnight in a guesthouse.

• Day 2
  2
  

  Khiva

  We have a day for sightseeing, with a guided tour of the city in the morning. Khiva was a major Silk Road trading centre and its historic centre is a masterpiece, with its palaces, mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs. Free time in the afternoon.

• Day 3
  3
  

  Khiva – Bukhara

  We have an early morning departure to Bukhara on a road that runs alongside the Oxus River. Here, we are following in the traces of Alexander the Great through a striking desert landscape. Arriving in the late afternoon, we check in at a guesthouse.

• Day 4
  4
  

  Bukhara

  On this first of 2 days in this city known as the 'Pearl of the Desert', we have a sightseeing tour of the most important mosques, minarets and madrasahs, many of them ornately decorated. Overnight in the World Heritage Site of Bukhara.

• Day 5
  5
  

  Bukhara

  We have a second day in Bukhara, time for some independent exploration of the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia. Highlights include the famous tomb of Ismail Samani and the Poi Kalan architectural complex. The bazaars are also great fun.

• Day 6
  6
  

  Bukhara- Nurata - Yangigazgan

  Today, we drive back towards the east, to the old oasis of Nur, now known as Nurata. We visit an Alexandrian fort and an ancient irrigation system, before continuing our drive to Yanghi-Gazgan and our overnight yurt accommodation.

• Day 7
  7
  

  Yangigazgan - Lake Aydarkul - Samarkand

  After breakfast, we have the chance to take a camel ride. We then drive north to Lake Aydarkul, where we go for a hike to meet fishermen, take a picnic lunch and maybe even have a swim. Road to Samarkand through the Khartang village where we visit the complex of monuments of Ismail Al-Boukhari great scholar of Islam, who collected the Hadith (sayings of prophet Muhammad) are considered most accurate. Arrival in Samarkand, accommodation into a guest house for two nights. Dinner.

• Day 8
  8
  

  Samarkand

  After breakfast you will be able to experience Samarkand on a sightseeing tour of the majestic monuments of the city. The first stop is the Registan, where you will find the most breathtaking historical monuments in Central Asia. This traditional town square is surrounded by mosques and madrasas, lavishly decorated with brilliant tiles and topped with bright blue domes. Travelers have marveled at the Registan for centuries and it continues to exceed the expectations of all who make the journey to Samarkand. Following the Registan you will visit the Tomb of Tamerlane. This grand structure is laden with marble and jade cenotaphs commemorating the rulers of the Timurid Dynasty. Next you will see the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, which was supposedly built for Tamerlane’s Chinese wife. Then you will have another opportunity to mingle with the local people at Samarkand’s main bazaar. And then you can visit the Observatory of Ulug Bek, the grandson of Tamerlane, who was one of the most sophisticated astronomers of his time. Afterwords, you can see Shakh-i-Zinda, a complex of grand mausoleums from the 14th century which display the various forms of well-developed craftsmenship Afternoon is free, you can spend your time visiting the favoyrite monuments of architecture. Dinner.

• Day 9
  9
  

  Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Tchunqaymish

  This morning travel along the Golden Road to Samarkand via Shakhrizabs, break up the way to see the actual birth place of Tamerlane. Visit Ak Saray (White Palace), Tamerlane’s vast residence complex built in the 14th and 15th centuries, visit Jahangir mausoleum, contin ue to Kok-Gumbaz mosque Dorus Tilavet and Shamseddin Kulyal Mausoleums. And drive to Tchunqaymish village. Dinner and overnight in homestay.

• Day 10
  10
  

  Tchunqaymish - Cave of Saint David - Samarkand

  Day hike (5 hours walking). This walk is set in the Mountains Zerafshan. We leave and go up to the neck of Tchunqaymish across a landscape of mountain and steppe. Then we visit a shrine (cave mosque of St. David). Picnic lunch. Descent into the village Oqsoy, transfer to Samarkand (45m). Accommodation in guest house. Dinner.

• Day 11
  11
  

  Samarkand-Tashkent

  The morning is free for relaxing or further independent sightseeing. In the afternoon we transfer to Tashkent by train. After checking in at our hotel, we have some time to explore this green capital, famous for its covered markets. Overnight at the group hotel

• Day 12
  12
  

  Departure flight

  Departure flight to Home.

What's Included

What's Not Included