Uzbekistan and the Silk Road Tour - Solo Tour

Uzbekistan and the Silk Road Tour

Uzbekistan has amazing architecture, mesmerizing monuments, a very interesting history and the connection with the famous Silk Road. Plus make cultural connections and get under the skin of the country during a home hosted meal and an historical theatrical performance.

What's Included

• Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guides
• Return flights from London
• 9 nights in 3 star hotels plus 1 night in flight
• A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
• 19 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 8 dinners plus a welcome drink & farewell get-together
• Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage

Holiday Highlights:

• ​Guided tour of the capital's city highlights
• Walking tour of Khiva's architectural complex
• Visit an handicrafts centre of woodcarving and carpet weaving
• Explore Bukhara's highlights, the Fortress and Zindan prison
• Visit local puppet and miniature school workshops
• Silk Road Spices tea tasting with local artist performance
• Guided tour of Samarkan's highlights
• Wine tasting at a local winery
• Traditional theatrical representation
• Learn how to make traditional Uzbekistan cuisine with a cooking demostration in a local home
• Learn the ancient art of paper making

Day 1: Tashkent

Today, you fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital city.

Day 2: Tashkent

After arriving at your first hotel and freshening up after your flight, it'll be time to get your first glimpse of Tashkent on a panoramic tour. The city is a real melting pot of architectural influences, from bustling bazaars to imposing Soviet-era structures. We'll pass a handful of it's highlights before you get to know your fellow travellers over a traditional meal.

Day 3: Tashkent - Khiva

Today, we will be leaving the bright lights of Tashkent and will head to Khiva. This city is a haven for history buffs thanks to its dozens of architectural monuments which largely date back to the 19th century. Examples include the turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret and Tash-Khauli Palace, famed for its richly decorated interiors. We'll also be shown around Ichan Kala, a UNESCO open-air museum at the heart of Khiva, by a Local Guide. Afterwards, you'll be able to explore a handicraft centre known for its woodcarving and carpet-weaving wares.

Day 4: Khiva - Bukhara

Today we will take a journey by road from Khiva to Bukhara. Relax in comfortable road transport as you travel past stretches of untouched countryside and through the Kyzylkum desert.

Day 5: Bukhara

Today we'll explore Bukhara, once a major stop on the Silk Road and an important centre of Islamic culture. The city has no shortage of incredible monuments. A full day guided tour of this history city will unveil many of them, from the 288 splendid domes of the Poi-Kalyan Mosque to the Lyab-i Hauz comples of madrassahs which dates to the 16th and 17th centuries. Today's tour will also include a handful of unique heritage activities. Following this, you will sit down to try the national dish, Plov, for lunch. This delicacy will be hosted by a local in their home. In the afternoon, attend a puppet workshop where you'll learn how to craft a colourful puppet from papier mache, admire tiny works of art at the Bukhara miniature school and sip on fragrant teas at the Silk Road Spice teahouse while watching a performance from a local artist. In the evening, you'll get to sample regional delicacies at a local restaurant.

Day 6: Bukhara

Today you are completely free to explore Bukhara at your own pace. This old Silk Road city is perfect for walking and exploring ancient thoroughfares and smaller alleyways! Later this afternoon, you may choose to visit a traditional Hammam bathing complex on an optional excursion.

Day 7: Bukhara - Samarkand

You'll have another morning to explore Bukhara at your own pace. If you'd rather get out of the city, join our optional excursion to the Bahautdin Nakshbandi Necropolis (the burial tomb of Nakshbandi, the leader of Sufism) and the stunning Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace (the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara). After lunch, we'll begin our two-hour train journey to Samarkand from Kagan.

Day 8: Samarkand

The ancient city of Samarkand has a pretty turbulent history, from being captured by Alexander the Great in 329 BC to being ruled by Genghis Khan during the height of the Silk Road trade. As a result, it has an eclectic culture and fascinating mix of architectural styles, which we'll explore in detail. After admiring attractions like the huge Siab bazaar and the mix of intricately tiled mausoleums, we'll embark on a wine-tasting tour at the Hovrenko Wine Factory. Samarkand's wine culture dates back centuries and you'll get to sample several on a tour of this 19th century winery. Later, we'll enjoy a historical theatrical performance complete with traditional music at the Samarkand Theatre of Historical Costumes.

Day 9: Samarkand

Spend the day meandering around Samarkand's many majestic monuments, or sign up to our optional tour to Shakhrisbz. It's where Uzbekistan's national hero, Timur, was born in the 14th century, and it was later developed into a thriving city by his descendants. Admire the ruins of Ak-Saray Palace that are covered in gold mosaics, and the impressive Kok Gumbaz Mosque with its eye-catching blue dome. In the evening, we'll all head to a friendly local restaurant, to try some of the exceptional food Uzbekistan has to offer.

Day 10: Samarkand - Tashkent

Enjoy another morning exploring Samarkand, including a trip to the Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand that's full of ancient archaeological artefacts, and a stop at the Meros Paper Mill to learn about the historic art of papermaking. In the afternoon, we'll take another high-speed train back to Tashkent and finish the day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel.

Day 11: Tashkent to UK

Today we'll transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.