Highlights of Uzbekistan

 Fly overnight from London to Tashkent.

Arrive and transfer to the 4-star Hampton by Hilton Hotel or similar for early check-in and overnight. Afternoon city tour includes the ensemble of buildings forming the Khasti-Imam Complex, the religious heart of the city, where two 50m high minarets flank the Hazrat Imam mosque, and the Muyi Muborak Madrasah holds the 8th-century Uthman Koran, believed to be the oldest in the world. Continue to the Museum of Applied Arts, with priceless exhibits of embroidery, jewellery, and carpets; and to the fountains and monuments of impressive Mustaqillik (Independence) Square, showcasing modern Uzbekistan and enjoy Tashkent Underground.
(B, D)

Early morning train to Bukhara (4 hrs). Afternoon tour of the ornate artistry of the grand Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah, and the smaller, older, more subtly adorned Ulug Beg; Poi Kalyan Square, its mosques, minarets and madrasahs built in the 12th to 16th centuries, and the enormous Ark Fortress, Bukhara’s Old Citadel and oldest structure, a town within the town. Spend two nights at the 3-star Devon Begi or similar.
(B, D)

Today’s tour includes historic Lyabi-Khauz Square with its madrasahs and tea houses, and the 8th-century Magoki-Attori Mosque, the oldest in central Asia and Ismail Samani Mausoleum.
(B, D)

Visit the 19th-century Emir’s Summer Palace, Sitorai Mohi-khosa (‘a star like the moon’), its original building in Oriental style, the newer in European. Continue to the small town of Gijduvon, renowned for its fine crafts since ancient times, and visit a ceramics centre for a demonstration and tea ceremony. Drive (3 hrs) to Samarkand, Tamerlane’s capital, for two nights at the 3-star Grand Samarkand Hotel (or similar).
(B, D)

A full day tour to Gur Emir mausoleum (Tamerlane’s tomb); the Ulug Beg Observatory, and the Shah-I-Zinda (Living King) complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a place of pilgrimage, and an avenue of over twenty breathtakingly beautiful mausolea, adorned with tiles in brilliant blues. Visit the most imposing of Samarkand’s magnificent monuments, the grandiose Bibi-Khanym Mosque, one of the largest in the Islamic world when it was built; and the three madrasahs which frame Registan Square, an amazing architectural ensemble of intricately tiled arches, domes, and pillars. Pilov dinner with a local family.
(B, D)

Morning at leisure. Travel by train to Tashkent for overnight at the 4-star Hampton by Hilton Hotel. (B, D)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight, arriving later the same day.
(B)