Upon arrival in Tashkent, head straight to the hotel for an early check-in. Take the morning to relax and unwind before setting out on an exciting afternoon sightseeing tour of this vibrant city. Explore the Old City, visit the historic Brak-Khan Madrassah, marvel at the stunning Yunus-Khan Mausoleum, admire the intricate Kaffal-al Shashi Mazar, and learn about the rich cultural heritage at the Kukeldash Madrassah. End your day with a visit to the Museum of Applied Art, Independence Square, Friendship People’s Square, and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Take the morning high-speed train to Samarkand, a city that’s super famous for being on the Silk Road and being the capital of the Timur Empire way back in the 14th century. Spend the rest of the day exploring Samarkand with your guide. We’ll check out the Registan Complex, the Mausoleum of Amir Timur, and the Bibi Khanum Mosque (B). It’s going to be an amazing day!

On your second day of sightseeing in the city, you’ll visit the Shah I Zinda Necropolis, an observatory built by Ulug Beg in the 15th century. You’ll also explore Afrosiab, the ruins of the ancient city of Samarkand (B).

Take the train to Bukhara and explore this ancient city. It’s been around for at least five millennia, and the historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the people in Bukhara are Tajiks, but it’s been a melting pot of cultures throughout history. When you get there, check into your hotel for three nights and spend the afternoon exploring the old city.

Spend the day with an English-speaking guide. This 2,000-year-old Silk Road city is the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia. You’ll want to see the famous tomb of Ismail Samani, a masterpiece of 10th-century Muslim architecture, and a bunch of 17th-century madrassahs.

This morning, let’s start our day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the Summer Palace of the Bukharan Emirs. Next, we’ll head to Bolo Khauz Mosque and the Bakhoutdin Nakshbandy Complex and Mausoleum, which are located outside the city. After that, we have the whole afternoon to explore Bukhara further or just relax and enjoy a refreshing drink in a traditional tea house.

Let’s hit the road from Bukhara to Khiva! It’s about an 8-hour drive, but we’ll make it fun with some stops along the way. We’ll take a break on the banks of the Amu Darya River, which is right next to the Uzbek-Turkmen border. It’ll be a beautiful sight! Once we reach Khiva, we’ll check into our hotel for two nights. Can’t wait to explore this amazing city! (Depending on the schedules it may be possible to take the train to Khiva) (B)

Khiva is an ancient city in Khorezm, a true gem of eastern medieval architecture. It’s about 25 kilometers south of Urgench. Take a day trip to explore this charming small city. You’ll see amazing sights like Ichan-Kala, Mohammed-Amin Khan Madrassah and Minaret, Kunya Ark, Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex, Islam Khodja Madrassah and Minaret, Jumma Mosque, Tash Hauli Allakuli-Khan Palace, and the bustling Bazaar.

Take a flight from Urgench airport to Tashkent. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a night’s stay. Then, meet up with your local guide and explore the city. Tashkent is often overlooked, so this is a great chance to see some hidden gems. The last evening is yours to relax and enjoy.

Head to the airport for our flight back to the UK. (B)