The Silk Road Tour, Uzbekistan | 8 Days / 7 Nights

On arrival at Tashkent airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel (check-in after 14:00). Meet your local guide in the hotel lobby at 11 a.m. Spend the day exploring the capital of Uzbekistan: Independence Square, Amir Temur Square and Alisher Navoi Theatre Square; a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the former residence of the Russian diplomat Polovtsev; and the Lal Bahadur Shastri monument. In the holy heart of Tashkent, visit Khast Imam Square, with the Barak Khan madrassah founded in the 16th century by a descendant of Tamerlane who ruled Tashkent for the Shaybanid dynasty, the Tillya Sheykh Mosque, the district Friday Mosque and the mausoleum of Kafal Shashi, a local doctor, philosopher and poet (10th century). Later, continue to Chorsu bazaar, the main market of Tashkent, and ride through the most beautiful stations of the Tashkent metro.

Stay: Tashkent

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Urgench, then drive straight to Khiva (30 km). Check in at 14:00. Explore Ichan Kala, the inner old town encircled by unbroken clay walls 2 km long. The city has hardly changed since ancient times and still looks like a medieval town. Visit its most important monuments: the Kunya-Ark citadel with the Kurinish Khana, the mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmoud, the Juma (Friday) mosque with its 218 carved wooden columns and its caravanserai, the Tash Hauli palace with the beautiful courtyard of the khan's harem, and the madrassah and minaret of Islam Khodja (19th century). Take part in baking the Uzbek bread, non.

Meals: BreakfastStay: Khiva

Drive to Bukhara (450 km) across the Kyzylkum desert. On arrival, check in at the hotel.

Meals: BreakfastStay: Bukhara450 km

Start with the central Lyabi Hauz complex, built around a pool with a fountain in the 16th–17th centuries. The square is surrounded by several madrassahs, the most important being Nodir Divan-Begi, the Khanaka and Kukeldash. Then the Magoki-Attari mosque (12th and 16th centuries) and a walk under the three ancient trading domes: Toki Sarrafon (the moneychangers' bazaar), Toki Tilpak Furushon (the cap makers' bazaar) and Toki Zargaron (the jewellers' bazaar), full of traditional crafts and souvenirs. Also the Kosh Madrassah of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan. Continue to the Poi-Kalyan ensemble, the symbol of the city: the Kalyan minaret (12th century), a lighthouse for caravans for centuries; the Friday mosque (15th century); and the Miri-Arab madrassah, still an active Koran teaching centre (outside visit only). This evening, enjoy a folklore and fashion performance at the Nodir Divan-Begi madrassah (held in the open-air courtyard or at a city restaurant, depending on the weather).

Meals: BreakfastStay: Bukhara

Excursion into the countryside to Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. Return to Bukhara and continue the city tour: the Samanids Mausoleum, a masterpiece of Central Asian architecture; the Chashma-Ayub shrine, known for its curative spring; the Bolo-Khauz mosque; the Ark fortress, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara; and Chor Minor, a colourful madrassah with four unusual towers that was once used as a library for students. Transfer to the railway station for the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Meals: BreakfastStay: Samarkand

Start the sightseeing tour of the city with the Registan, where six main trade routes met in Timur's time, framed by three splendid madrassahs. The oldest, the Ulugbek madrassah with its blue-tiled facade, was built in the 15th century; two centuries later the Sher-Dor madrassah was built with a similar blue-tiled facade, and when the Tillya-Kari madrassah was finished in the 17th century the square was complete. Today the Registan is considered the most beautiful square in Central Asia. The Bibi Khanym Mosque, named after one of Timur's beloved wives, is a little further on. Then the Shakhi Zinda necropolis (9th–14th and 19th centuries), one of the holiest pilgrimage places in Uzbekistan. A huge gate and a 70 m staircase lead to an alley of nearly 20 mausoleums with the finest glazed ceramics of Central Asian and Islamic art. And the Siab bazaar.

Meals: BreakfastStay: Samarkand

A full day exploring the marvellous sights of Samarkand: the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the tomb of Timur himself and his descendants. The octagonal complex, with its marble and onyx interior and gold ceiling, was completed in 1404. Then the Afrosiab excavation site and museum, with its unique 7th-century wall paintings, and the Observatory of Ulugbek, Timur's grandson (1428–1429). Excursion to the Meros paper mill, a small family workshop in a picturesque garden. Samarkand paper has been made here from mulberry bark since the 8th century, and local artisans have restored the ancient process. Samarkand Meros paper is known worldwide for its quality. Transfer to the railway station for the train to Tashkent. On arrival, check in at the hotel.

Meals: BreakfastStay: Tashkent

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast