7-day Uzbekistan Classic Tour

We begin in this capital city, where you are first introduced to the charming culture of Uzbekistan. City sightseeing gives an overview of Uzbekistan's capital city now visibly divided between old and new. A visit to the State Museum of History enables us to see ancient artefacts as well as the applied arts and crafts of more recent times. At the Abdul Khassim Madrassa we see artisans producing traditional Uzbek crafts of woodcarving, metalwork and miniature-painting.

After lunch visit the renovated buildings in what remains of 15th and 16th century Tashkent, as well as the large and exciting Chorsu Bazaar. Here we see typical Uzbek cradles, musical instruments, carpets, tea sets and a huge variety of other items. We also visit the wonderful food market with its splendid displays of fruit and vegetables, spices, nuts and raisins, milk products and meats. After lunch we visit the Museum of Applied Arts which is housed in a splendidly decorated building.

This morning we transfer to the train station for our fast and early train to fabled Samarkand on the very centre of the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival we start our sightseeing tour of this ancient city. We inspect the remains of the remarkable medieval observatory developed by Ulug Beg, Timur's brilliant astronomer grandson. Today, only half of the below-ground semi-circular track remains to be seen, together with the excellent small museum close by.

We check into our hotel in the late afternoon in time to freshen up and perhaps go for a short walk before dinner.

Overnight in Samarkand.

This morning we visit the spectacular Registan, Samarkand's legendary central square. Erected in the 15th and 17th centuries, the Registan's renowned madrassas were restored in 1997. We gaze upon their turquoise domes and towering minarets and visit the numerous student cells now housing gift shops.

We also visit the nearby exquisite Gur Emir, where Amir Timur is entombed, and the early 15th century Bibi-Khanum Mosque where a giant stone Qura'an stand rests in the courtyard.

Today we take a fast train to Holy Bukhara. On arrival we drive to the peaceful 16th century Chor-Bakr necropolis. We enjoy the simplicity of decoration of Khonako-Medrassah-Mosque complex typical of Bukhara and have lunch in a nearby roadside cafe which gained international fame for the kebabs it serves.

In the afternoon we visit one of Central Asia's oldest and most exquisite structures, the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, whose superb decorative brickwork has survived 1000 years of rugged history.

We then drive a little way out of Bukhara to visit the lovely Sitora-i Mohi Khosa, once the summer residence of the last Emir. Designed by Russian architects its lavish interiors are decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall paintings. Of special interest is a superb collection of large dowry embroideries, historic costumes including veiling garments once worn by women.

It is only a short distance to Bukhara and our hotel which is situated in the old Jewish quarter and decorated with traditional Uzbek crafts. After dinner, we have time to join the locals strolling around the area and visit some of the small craft studios tucked into the ancient nearby madrassas and trading domes.

Today we have a full day visiting the historic sites and remarkable monuments of Bukhara. We walk through the fascinating old city and see the impressive 2000 year-old Ark, where the Emirs once lived, the great 12th century Kalon Minaret and neighbouring Kalon Mosque.

Along the way we can observe the many master craftsmen of Bukhara and admire their wide variety of superb traditional crafts.

After breakfast we continue our sightseeing program, this time we visit sights outside the modern city. We'll start with a pilgrimage to the Memorial Complex of Khoja Bakhouddin Naqshband which is one of the most important Sufi shrines (8 km east of the city). After the tour of the complex we'll drive to the Sitorai Mohi Hosa (3 km north of the city). The former summer residence of the last ruler, it has beautiful stucco plaster interior decorations, huge banquet halls, and a large collection of costumes, silver and Ming china. You will see Bukharan textiles' exhibition situated in the building of the former Harem of the last emir.

Early this morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight home.