IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD
A grand journey through the legendary cities and caravan routes of the ancient East. Imperial architecture, living culture, nature, and crafts — an itinerary where history comes alive at every step.
Meeting and hotel check-in. City tour of Tashkent: the Old City, Chorsu Bazaar, the Khast-Imam complex with the ancient Quran of Uthman, Barak-Khan Madrasa, and Tillya Sheikh Mosque. In the afternoon — modern Tashkent: the Monument of Courage, Independence Square, an art gallery, and Minor Mosque. Free evening.
Journey to the mountains: ancient petroglyphs, the turquoise Charvak Reservoir, the Chinorkent cable car, and the Chimgan and Amirsoy resorts. Lunch at an atmospheric mountain restaurant. Return to Tashkent.
Transfer to Samarkand by high-speed train. Sightseeing tour: Ulugh Beg Observatory, the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and Siab Bazaar. Free time, evening walk around Samarkand.
Registan Square — the heart of the city, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Craft gallery and the Konigil silk paper workshop with master classes. Free evening.
Transfer to Bukhara. Tour of the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Samanid Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub, Ark Citadel, Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading domes, and the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble. Free time.
Transfer to Gijduvan, the center of Uzbek ceramics. Visit to the Nurzullayev family home, introduction to the ishkor technique and traditional craftsmanship, lunch at the artisans’ house. Then journey through the Kyzylkum Desert along the Amu Darya to Khiva. Hotel check-in.
Walking tour of Ichan-Kala: the Kunya-Ark Fortress, Tash-Hovli Palace, the Pahlavan Mahmud complex, the Kalta Minor and Islam Khoja minarets, Juma Mosque, and ancient madrasas. Free time.
Excursion to the ancient fortresses of Khorezm: Ayaz-Kala — a fortress of the caravan routes, and Toprak-Kala — the former residence of the Khorezmian kings. Return to Khiva.
Transfer to the airport. End of the program.