Registan Square, Samarkand at dusk Gur-e-Amir mausoleum dome interior Kalta Minor minaret, Khiva at night

The Silk Road And Beyond Presents

Tajikistan &
Uzbekistan

An enchanting journey along the Silk Road in Central Asia

17 Days  ·  18 October to 3 November 2027 Tajikistan  3 Days Uzbekistan  14 days
Tour Leader: Gerard Brophy

Days 1 – 3

Tajikistan

Monday
18 October
Arrival in Dushanbe
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Dushanbe, Nizomi Ganchavi Street, Dushanbe or Dushanbe Serena Hotel
Arrival in Dushanbe
On arrival at Dushanbe International Airport (DYU), meet the driver for your transfer to the Crowne Plaza Dushanbe, Nizomi Ganchavi Street, Dushanbe. Check in from 1500. The rest of the day is free to relax after your journey.
Free evening
Free evening. Dinner own arrangement.
Tuesday
19 October
Dushanbe
Meals: B L D
Duration: 6 hours
Hisor Fortress
Our tour begins with a visit to Hisor Fortress, one of Tajikistan's most significant historical monuments, perched on a hill just outside Dushanbe. Though the current structure dates largely from the 18th century, the site has been fortified for well over 2,500 years, having served as a strategic stronghold along ancient trade routes through Central Asia. The complex includes the fortress gates, a madrasa, and a mausoleum, offering a fascinating window into the region's layered history.
National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
This is an extraordinary repository of artefacts, objects, relics, statuary, stonework and artwork covering 3,000 years of Tajik history. The most impressive of these is the Sleeping Buddha, or the Buddha in Nirvana, which, after the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, is the largest sculpture of Buddha in Central Asia. It is 16 metres long and dates from around 500 AD. Another highlight is the collection of Sogdian frescoes from Ancient Panjakent which we shall visit later in the week.
Wednesday
20 October
Dushanbe – Iskanderkul – Panjakent
Accommodation: Fariz Hotel
Meals: B L
Duration: 6 hours
Iskanderkul
A high alpine lake in the Fann Mountains, set at almost 2,200 metres and ringed by jagged peaks. Local legend holds that Alexander the Great passed this way, and the lake takes his name (Iskander being the Persian rendering of Alexander). We stop to walk along its shore before continuing on toward Panjakent.
Panjakent
Afternoon arrival in Panjakent. Check in at the Fariz Hotel after 1400.
Free Evening
Dinner own arrangement.

Days 4 – 14

Uzbekistan

Thursday
21 October
Panjakent – Samarkand
Accommodation: Kohinur Plaza Hotel or the Rio Hotel
Meals: B D
Duration: 4 hours
Ancient Panjakent
This morning we visit the archaeological site of Ancient Panjakent, often referred to as the 'Pompeii of Central Asia'. Founded in the 5th century, this Sogdian city flourished as an important trading hub along the Silk Road before being abandoned following the Arab conquest in the 8th century. The extensive ruins include the remains of temples, private houses and elaborate wall paintings that offer a fascinating glimpse into pre-Islamic Sogdian civilisation.
Rudaki Museum
Visit the Rudaki Museum, dedicated to the life and legacy of Abu Abdollah Rudaki, widely regarded as the father of Persian poetry. Born in the village of Panjrud near Panjakent in the 9th century, Rudaki's verses laid the foundation for classical Persian literature. The museum's exhibits showcase his poetry alongside artefacts illustrating the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Samarkand
Arrive in Samarkand and check in at either the Kohinur Plaza Hotel or the Rio Hotel after 1400.
Free Afternoon and Evening
Dinner own arrangement.
Friday
22 October
Samarkand
Meals: B L
Duration: 5 hours
Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
Visit the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, an avenue of exquisitely tiled mausoleums built up over several centuries for Samarkand's royalty and nobility. The name translates as "Tomb of the Living King" and refers to a shrine at its heart believed to hold the remains of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad who is said to have brought Islam to the region.
Bibi Khanym Mausoleum
Visit the Bibi Khanym Mausoleum, the final resting place of Timur's senior wife, after whom the mausoleum and the nearby mosque are named. This modest, domed structure contrasts with the grandeur of its neighbouring monuments but holds an important place in Samarkand's royal history.
Bibi Khanym Mosque
Visit the Bibi Khanym Mosque, once one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world. Commissioned by Timur following his campaign in India, the mosque's soaring entrance portal and vast courtyard reflect his ambition to create a monument that would rival any in the world, though its scale ultimately outstripped the engineering of the time.
Siyob Bazaar
Visit the bustling Siyob Bazaar, Samarkand's largest and most vibrant market, located just beside the Bibi Khanym Mosque. Wander among stalls piled high with the region's famous flatbreads, dried fruits, nuts and spices for a lively, colourful taste of everyday Uzbek life.
Free Afternoon and Evening
Time to relax or explore Samarkand at your own pace, or simply unwind at the hotel. Dinner own arrangement.
Saturday
23 October
Samarkand
Meals: B L
Duration: 8 hours
Guri-Amir
Visit the Guri-Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) and several of his sons and grandsons, including Ulugh Beg. Crowned by a fluted turquoise dome and richly decorated with gold-leaf muqarnas and intricate tilework, this mausoleum served as an architectural blueprint for later Mughal monuments, including the Taj Mahal.
The Registan
Visit the Registan, the heart of ancient Samarkand and one of the most magnificent public squares in the Islamic world. Flanked by three grand madrasahs, the Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori, each adorned with dazzling mosaics, majolica and gold-leaf calligraphy, the square once served as the city's main marketplace and centre of learning.
Free Afternoon/Optional Tour

Refresh, relax or explore Samarkand at your own pace, or avail yourself of an optional tour.

Optional Tour: Afrosiab Museum and Mausoleum of Daniyar. The Afrosiab Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts and objects from the Sogdian and early Uzbek civilizations that were discovered in the Afrosiab Fort and the surrounding villas. One of the highlights of this fascinating museum is the Afrosiab murals, also known as the Paintings or Hall of the Ambassadors, which depict scenes and important personages from various parts of the world and this choice of subject matter is an indication of the importance of Samarkand as a cultural and trading centre during the 7th century.

Just beyond the Afrosiab site we move on to the Khoja Doniyor which is the final resting place of the Prophet Daniel. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for the 3 Abrahamic religions as he is the one saint who is mentioned in the sacred texts of the three. Legend has it that Amir Timur ordered the construction of the mausoleum after he repatriated the prophet's remains from Susa in southwestern Iran where he had been previously buried.

Free Evening
Return to the hotel to relax or to explore the nightlife of Samarkand. Dinner own arrangement.
Sunday
24 October
Samarkand – Bukhara
Accommodation: Hotel Indigo Bukhara
Meals: B L
Duration: 4 hours
Depart for Bukhara
After a restful morning we will travel from Samarkand to Bukhara by high-speed train, a journey of around 2 hours. It is interesting to reflect on the fact that in the hey day of the Silk Road the same journey would have taken about 10 days. The Emirate of Bukhara is a magical place and its very name evokes mystery, opulence and the exotic. Legend has it that the city was founded by the Persian prince, Siyavush about 2,500 years ago. It is a gripping story with much intrigue and derring-do but whether fact or fiction, it doesn't end well. In its first 1,000 years all manner of religions and faiths flourished in the city. However after the Arab invasions of the 7th century, the city became monotheistic and an important centre of Islam (boasting hundreds of madrassas and mosques). It also continued to be an outpost of Persian culture and in fact this influence continues to this day as the Tajik language (which is closely related to Farsi) is the most predominant language in the city. Geographically speaking the location of the city was excellent, in a fortuitous position as it was so accessible to Herat, Merv and Samarkand. As a consequence Bukhara was in prime position to greatly benefit from Silk Road trade and it became both very powerful and very rich.
Free Afternoon and Evening
Refresh, relax in your room or enjoy all the wonderful facilities offered by the hotel. Dinner own arrangement.
Monday
25 October
Bukhara
Meals: B L D
Duration: 12 hours
The Ark
Visit the Ark of Bukhara, an imposing fortress that served as the residence of the Emirs of Bukhara from the 5th century until 1920. Enclosed by massive earthen ramparts, the citadel once housed the royal court, a mosque, a mint, stables and prison cells, and offers a fascinating window into the political and cultural heart of the Bukhara Khanate.
Kalyon Minaret and Mosque
Visit the Kalyon Minaret, a soaring 12th-century tower once used to call the faithful to prayer and, according to legend, so impressed Genghis Khan that he spared it from destruction. Alongside stands the Kalyon Mosque, one of the largest in Central Asia, capable of holding thousands of worshippers within its vast courtyard.
Lyabi Hauz
Visit Lyabi Hauz, a tranquil plaza built around a 17th-century pool shaded by ancient mulberry trees, long a favourite gathering place for locals and travellers alike. Surrounded by historic madrasahs and teahouses, it remains one of the most atmospheric spots in old Bukhara to pause and watch daily life unfold.
1900 – Dinner
Meet in the hotel lobby and proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.

Highlights

A taste of what awaits

Summer palace Mokhi-Khosa, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Summer palace Mokhi-Khosa, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Siyob Bazaar, Samarkand Uzbekistan
Siyob Bazaar, Samarkand Uzbekistan
Itchan Kala walls, Khiva Uzbekistan
Itchan Kala walls, Khiva Uzbekistan
Kalyan minaret, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Kalyan minaret, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Toshhovli Palace, Khiva, Uzbekistan
Toshhovli Palace, Khiva, Uzbekistan
Pomegranates, Khiva Uzbekistan
Pomegranates, Khiva Uzbekistan
Ota Gate, Khiva Uzbekistan
Ota Gate, Khiva Uzbekistan
Traditional character in Bukhara Puppet Theatre, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Traditional character in Bukhara Puppet Theatre, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Kalan Mosque, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Kalan Mosque, Bukhara Uzbekistan
Turkmen saddle bag, Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan
Turkmen saddle bag, Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan
Roses, Khiva Bazaar Uzbekistan
Roses, Khiva Bazaar Uzbekistan
Urartian cuneiform, Yerevan Museum
Kalta Minor minaret, Itchan Kala, Khiva Uzbekistan
Toshquduq qumlari, Bustan, Karakalpakstan
Toshquduq qumlari, Bustan, Karakalpakstan
Toshkent subway station, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Toshkent subway station, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tuesday
26 October
Bukhara
Meals: B L
Duration: 6 hours
Chor Minor
Visit the Chor Minor, a small but strikingly unusual monument crowned by four distinct turquoise-domed towers, each said to represent a different faith. Originally built as a gatehouse to a now-vanished madrasah, its whimsical design has made it one of Bukhara's most photographed and beloved landmarks.
Sitorai Mokhi Khosa
Visit Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the opulent summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, built in the early 20th century. Blending traditional Central Asian craftsmanship with European influences, the palace's lavishly decorated rooms and tranquil gardens offer a fascinating glimpse into the final years of the Bukhara Emirate.
Free Afternoon/Optional Tour

Explore Bukhara further at your own pace or return to the hotel to relax or perhaps avail yourself of the Optional Tour.

Optional Tour: Since time immemorial, there has been a significant Jewish presence in Bukhara. Following the Babylonian exile and the release by Cyrus the Great, the diaspora reached Bukhara as early as 500 BC. These Persian-speaking newcomers established themselves quickly and thoroughly assimilated into the community. At its height the population may have topped many tens of thousands on occasion. Now the numbers have diminished quite significantly.

This afternoon we shall explore the old Jewish Mahallah of Bukhara and in particular, the Trading Domes, the Bukhara Synagogue and the Old Jewish House Museum.

Free Evening
Dinner own arrangement.
Wednesday
27 October
Bukhara – Khiva
Accommodation: Khiva Siyovush Hotel or Oasis a K Boutique Hotel
Meals: B L D
Duration: 6 hours
Departure from Bukhara
Today's expedition to the Khanate of Khiva will trace a path between the two biggest deserts in Central Asia; the Karakum (Black sand) to our left side, and the Kyzylkum (red sand) to our right. For part of the journey we shall also track alongside the Amu Darya known by the ancients as the Oxus. This mighty river, which marks the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the latter part of our journey, is almost 2 kilometres wide at some points.
Arrive in Khiva
Arrive at either the Khiva Siyovush Hotel or the Oasis a K Boutique Hotel, check in after 1400.
Free Afternoon
After checking in to the hotel, either freshen up and relax or perhaps venture out into the fascinating Khivan streets for a bit of exploring.
1900 – Dinner
Meet in the hotel lobby and then proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.
Thursday
28 October
Khiva
Meals: B L
Duration: 6 hours
Itchan Qala
The Khanate of Khiva was one of the most important centres on the Silk Road primarily because of its slave market which was serviced by enthusiastic raiding parties of Turkmen and Kazakh tribesmen. The seemingly inexhaustible supply of human cargo ensured that over 100,000 hapless souls (mostly Persian and Russians) passed through the oasis fort each year bound for unknown destinations and uncertain fates. The Turkmen and Kazakh tribes raided centres as far away as Orenburg in Russia and Iran and brought their spoils to be sold in the fort. Considerable commerce arose around this activity and as a consequence, the city expanded and its importance grew. In essence the Itchan Qala, which is the part of the city enclosed by the mud and straw defensive walls, is one enormous museum. As we wander through its narrow twisting streets and labyrinthine alleys this morning and this afternoon, breaking briefly for lunch, we shall see and visit some of its most impressive landmarks; including the Toshhovli Palace, the Juma Mosque, the Ata Murad Matrizia Mosque, the Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassa, the Kalta Minor minaret, the Islam Khoja Madrassa and the Mausoleum of Sayyid Ala'uddin, to name but a few.
Free Evening
Continue to explore the attractions of Khiva at your leisure or return to your hotel to refresh and relax. Dinner own arrangement.
Friday
29 October
Khiva – Elliq Qala – Chiliq Dakhma – Nukus
Accommodation: Hotel Jipek Joli
Meals: B L D
Duration: 8 hours
Elliq Qala
On our way to Nukus we will stop in Bustan in the Republic of Karakalpakstan to see a few of the Elliq Qala fortresses. This is a remarkable cluster of mud-brick fortresses scattered across the edges of the Kyzylkum desert. Dating back over 2,000 years, these mud-brick citadels once guarded the oases and Silk Road trade routes of the lower Amu Darya, and their weathered walls still rise dramatically from the desert landscape. Today we shall visit 2 of the most impressive fortresses namely the Ayaz Qala and the Toprak Qala.
Chiliq Dakhma
Unlike the many forts in southern Karakalpakstan Chiliq Dakhama was built as a burial ground for the adherents of the Zoroastrian religion not as a stronghold. It was built around 200 BC and it occupies a very conspicuous position perched on the side of a bluff. Similar to other Towers of Silence found in Iran and elsewhere, the building consists of a circular raised stone structure on which dead bodies were placed for decomposition by the scavenger birds and the elements. A sky burial of sorts where the body is returned to nature in a clean and natural manner.
Arrive in Nukus
Arrive in Nukus and check in at the Hotel Jipek Joli after 1400.
1900 – Dinner
Meet in the hotel and then proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.
Saturday
30 October
Nukus
Meals: B L D
Duration: 7 hours
Journey to Moynaq
An early departure from the hotel to visit the haunting Ship Graveyard at Moynaq, once a thriving fishing port on the shores of the Aral Sea. As the sea receded dramatically from the 1960s onward due to Soviet-era irrigation projects, the coastline retreated over 100 kilometres, leaving the town's fishing fleet stranded on what is now dry, cracked desert. The rusting hulks of these abandoned vessels stand as a stark and sobering monument to one of the world's most significant man-made environmental disasters.
Mizdakhan Necropolis
Visit the ancient Mizdakhan Necropolis, one of the largest and most significant burial sites in Central Asia. In use for over two millennia, the site holds layers of Zoroastrian, Christian, Jewish and Islamic graves and mausoleums spread across three low hills, alongside the ruins of an ancient settlement. Local legend holds that a crumbling wall of stacked mud bricks at the site, said to be counting down the days until the end of the world, has been slowly falling for centuries.
Kungrad Bazaar
The Kungrad Bazaar is literally an oasis with its colourful selection of fruits, vegetables and other edibles. It is a very welcome sight and the surrounding cafes and chaikhanas offer a choice of Karakalpak dishes to sate your hunger.
Free Afternoon
Refresh, relax and enjoy some down time.
1900 – Dinner
Meet in the hotel lobby to proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.
Sunday
31 October
Nukus – Tashkent
Accommodation: Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace or Crowne Plaza Tashkent
Meals: B L
Duration: 5 hours
Igor Savitsky Museum
Visit the remarkable Igor Savitsky Museum in Nukus, home to one of the world's finest collections of Russian avant-garde art. Savitsky, an artist and archaeologist, spent decades quietly amassing tens of thousands of paintings that had been banned or suppressed under Soviet rule, smuggling them to this remote corner of Karakalpakstan where they escaped destruction. The collection, sometimes referred to as the "Louvre of the Steppe", also includes an extensive array of Karakalpak folk art, costumes and archaeological artefacts.
Flight to Tashkent
After lunch we shall proceed to Nukus Airport to board a short afternoon flight to Tashkent. On arrival at Tashkent Airport, meet your driver for your transfer to either the Crowne Plaza Tashkent or the Europe Hotel Tashkent. Check in from 1400.
Free Afternoon and Evening
Refresh, relax in your room or enjoy all the wonderful facilities offered by the hotel. Dinner own arrangement.
Monday
1 November
Tashkent
Meals: B L
Duration: 6 hours
City Orientation
A guided orientation tour of Tashkent, introducing the layout of the city and its key landmarks, such as the Amir Timur Monument and Independence Square, blending Soviet-era architecture, wide boulevards and leafy parks with older neighbourhoods that survived the 1966 earthquake.
The State Museum of Temurids History
After lunch we will visit the State Museum of Temurids History, an elegant domed building dedicated to the life and legacy of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) and the Timurid dynasty. The museum's exhibits, including manuscripts, miniatures and artefacts, trace the golden age of Timurid art, science and architecture that shaped much of Central Asia.
State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
Visit the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, one of the oldest and largest museums in Central Asia. Its extensive collection spans from prehistoric times through the Silk Road era to the Soviet period, offering a comprehensive overview of the region's rich and layered past.
Free Evening
Dinner own arrangement.
Tuesday
2 November
Tashkent
Meals: B D
Duration: 3 hours
Tashkent Metro
After the devastating earthquake of 1966 which wiped out most of the Old City, a team of Soviet architects and engineers descended upon Tashkent. Among other projects they were charged with the task of building a metro system that was above all earthquake proof but that should also reflect the beauty of the Moscow system but through an Uzbek lens. The metro has yet to be challenged seismically but on an aesthetic level they excelled themselves. This morning we shall visit some of the more impressive stations on our way to the churning Chorsu Bazaar.
Chorsu Bazaar
Visit Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent's oldest and most vibrant market, housed beneath a distinctive turquoise-domed roof. Wander among stalls piled high with spices, dried fruits, bread, textiles and local handicrafts for a lively taste of everyday Uzbek life and perhaps a glimpse of what the Silk Road markets might have been like.
Free Afternoon
Refresh, relax or perhaps take in a little more sightseeing and the purchase of some last minute souvenirs.
1900 – Farewell Dinner
Farewell dinner at Cafe 1991 or similar.
Wednesday
3 November
Depart Tashkent
Meals: B
Departure
Meet the driver in the lobby of your hotel for the transfer to the Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport for your onward journey home.