Uzbekistan towards Samarcanda

The Journey

Discover this fascinating ancient Arab country rich in history.

Khiva, a caravan city still enclosed by its mighty clay walls, Bukhara, an ancient religious and cultural centre, and Samarkand, the legendary capital of Tamerlane's Empire.

A place, this, so fascinating that Alexander the Great said: 'Everything I have heard of Marakanda is true, except that it is more beautiful than I imagined'.
Three cities entered the UNESCO World Heritage list for their historic centres.
To be discovered on a tour through the entire country, cradle of various civilisations.
A land that experienced its heyday during the golden age of the Silk Road and was then cut off from trade when people preferred to go to India and China by sea.
First annexed to Tsarist Russia and then to the Soviet empire, it became independent in recent times with the dissolution of the USSR.
Today, it is an open-air museum with fortresses, mosques and royal palaces, telling of its former glory.

Scheduled departures

DAY 1
Departure from Milan Malpensa in the evening and arrival in Tashkent in the morning. Subject to availability, it is also possible to depart from Rome Fiumicino airport without a fare supplement and with airport assistance. For departures from other Italian airports, subject to availability, there is always a fare supplement.

DAY 2
Upon arrival at the airport, after customs clearance, meet with our correspondent and private transfer to the hotel for a few hours' rest after the trip. The rooms will be immediately available for 3-4 hours of rest before starting the visits and breakfast will be provided. In the late morning, we then begin our sightseeing of Tashkent. Quick lunch during the visit. In the late afternoon, transfer to the railway station and departure on the 'Afrosiab' fast train to Samarkand in business class. Packed dinner on board the train. On arrival, private transfer to the hotel and overnight stay. For those who wish, possibility of an evening walk in the company of the tour leader to admire Samarkand by night.

DAY 3
Breakfast and full day dedicated to discovering this legendary city. Mirror of the World, Garden of the Soul, Jewel of Islam, Pearl of the East, Centre of the Universe. Dinner in a local restaurant, overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4
Breakfast and early morning departure by minibus to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane.Tamerlane was born in 1336 in the village of Kesh; he never forgot it and, having risen to power, transformed it into a monumental city, whose fame rivalled that of neighbouring Samarkand. Lunch in a local restaurant. We then drive to the village of Langar Ota (130 km from Samarkand), located in the Hissar region. Return in the evening to Samarkand, dinner in a restaurant and a last evening walk in Registan Square. Overnight stay in a hotel.

DAY 5
Breakfast and transfer to the station for the fast train to Bukhara. Arrive in the morning and start sightseeing. 'If Samarkand is the wonder of the earth, Bukhara is the wonder of the spirit'. Lunch in a restaurant, special dinner in a beautiful house-museum with a cooking demonstration. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 6
Breakfast at the hotel and full day dedicated to Bukhara, with the continuation of the visits and in the second part of the afternoon some free time to experience the magical atmosphere of the city from another point of view. Lunch during the visit. Free time in the second part of the afternoon (about two hours) with tour leader at disposal to deepen some visits or take the group to a typical Bukhara Tea House, where to sip a tea or herbal tea and then enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the city. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7
After breakfast, we have a busy day ahead of us to reach the last caravan city of our journey and perhaps also the best preserved, although substantial renovations change its atmosphere, in its architectural layout. We set off towards Khiva. Lunch is provided in a local restaurant, packed or in a tented camp on arrival at Ayaz Qala, depending on the actual time of arrival. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel with the possibility of an evening walk around the city. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 8
The whole day is dedicated to visiting Khiva. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants, overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9
Breakfast (depending on your departure time, either at the hotel or packed) and private transfer to Urgench International Airport for your flight back to Italy, arriving in the afternoon.

Price per person from 2850 €