Day 1 Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport. You will be met by your personal guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at the Tashkent Palace or Intercontinental Hotel.
Today we will discover Tashkent – the cultural and economic heart of Uzbekistan.
Enjoy a tour hosted by a local professor at the Museum of History and then visit the Kukeldash Medreseh with its gorgeous blue mosaic portal and the Hast Imam Complex. Traditional Islamic architecture is typified here by the Barakkhan Medreseh, the Tello Shayh Friday Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi.
Meet the main Imam of the Tilla Shayh Mosque and see the 7th century Osman
Koran, the subject of a colorful history. Visit the bustling old Chorsu bazaar, largest in Uzbekistan to see the huge displays of food, to people watch and to and observe traditional craftsman at work. Before our welcome dinner we will enjoy a brief tour of Independence Square, with its wide open spaces, fountains, and gardens.
Evening at the Central Asia Pilaf House and Sharshara Restaurants

Day 2 Tashkent – Nukus – Khiva

Morning transfer to the airport to take your flight to Nukus and a sightseeing tour. This is a fabulous opportunity to see a purpose-built Soviet style city – in the middle of the desert! Here we will visit the incredible Savitsky Museum which hosts the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art. Learn the amazing story of how how it came into being and explore its wide-ranging collections including Central Asian archeological objects, and folk, applied and contemporary art. ( http://www.savitskycollection.org).
After a special picnic lunch in Nukus, enjoy a sightseeing drive to Khiva, one of the most popular World Heritage Sites of the Silk Road. Enjoy the romance of the desert oasis and the rich history and legend of the area. Accommodation at the Malika Keyvak, Asia Hotel, or Khorezm Palace. Dinner and a panoramic view of Khiva by moonlight.

Day 3 Khiva

Tour the fairy-tale city Khiva. Another jewel amongst the legendary cities of the Silk Road, Khiva is a medieval architectural marvel on the edge of the Kyzyl Kum desert.
Explore the antiquities of the Ichan Kala (Old City): the Ata Darvaza, majestic blue-tiled Kalta Minar tower from the XIX century, the Mohammad Aminkhan Medreseh, Khodja Islam, Kunya Ark (Ancient Citadel), Tash Hauli Palace (Stone yard, with view of the palace’s harem), a caravanserai (traditional inn for traveling merchants), the Juma mosque with its 200 beautiful wooden pillars, and the Zerafshan and Bir Gumbaz Chaikhana (tea house) in the ancient part of Khiva.

Day 4 Khiva – Bukhara

Bukhara is one of the most incredible cities along the ancient Silk Road, power base of the traditional Bukhara Khanate, and a major UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Nadir Divan Begi Khanaka (old caravansarai for merchants) and the Labi Khaus Complex around the pond. Once the principal source of water and surrounded by shady mulberry trees, it dates from the 17th century and is the heart of the old city. Enjoy tea in an ancient chaikhana near the sculpture of the legendary local humorist Khodga Nasriddin. He is the fellow riding backwards on a donkey!
There will be a picnic lunch along the way in the desert and dinner at the Minor Restaurant near the Great Minaret.

Day 5 Bukhara

Explore the Poi-Kalon Ensemble, home of the greatest minaret in Central Asia. Then the sightseeing continues in the ancient trade domes of the money changers, hat sellers, silk, carpet, puppet and jewelry vendors. In the very center of the historical section of Bukhara stands the Magoki Attari, originally the site of a Zoroastrian temple. At the Abdulazizkhan Madreseh we can see traditional home sandali heating. Enjoy a traditional lunch and fashion show of national costumes from the 18th century at the elegant house museum of Fayzullo Khodjaev. He was the first president of the Independent State of Bukhara in the early 20th century. Lunch at Minzifa restaurant
The winter residence of the traditional rulers and the magnificent summer residence – the Palace of Moon and Stars, of the last emir of Bukhara gives us insight into the lifestyle of the local emirs.
A Wine tasting at the ancient Nugai caravanserai is followed by a visit to the Bahauddin Nakshbandi Sufi center. This evening’s dinner and folklore show features local dancers and singers.

Day 6 Bukhara – Samarkand

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient travelers and traders on the 300 km Golden Road to Samarkand through the Malikchul desert. We will stop at the remains of the ancient Rabati Malik caravanserai with its impressive portal, once the entrance to an impressive fortified inn along this desert route.
Samarkand is a city with more than 3000 years of history and the site of the marriage of Alexander the Great to the local princess Roxana. The sightseeing tour begins at Registan Square; the main attraction of Samarkand and an impressive venue for the world’s finest music festivals and holiday celebrations. We will visit the mausoleum of one of the world’s most famous medieval rulers – Amir Timur (Tamerlane).
Lunch and Dinner at Karim Bek & Platan Restaurants. Accommodation at the Registan Plaza Hotel.

Day 7 Samarkand

Full day exploration of ancient Samarkand. Visit the medieval astronomer Ulugbek’s Observatory and Museum, the Shahi-Zinda Ensemble of the ancient necropolis, the Bibi Khanum Complex (named for the wife of Tamerlane) and the Gur Emir Mausoleum, built in 1401 originally for Tamerlane’s grandson.
Enjoy a wine tasting at the oldest wineries of Uzbekistan.
Dinner/Lunch at Besh Chinar and the hotel restaurants.

Day 8 Samarkand – Tashkent

Photo opportunities today are from the highest point of Samarkand followed by a scenic drive back to Tashkent. We will stop near the “gate” of Amur Timur, the place where two mountain ranges meet,
Visit the museum of Uzbek Art this afternoon, the Alisher Navoi Opera Theatre, and Abul
Kasim medreseh handicraft center. A show at this beautiful opera theatre can be
arranged upon request.
Lunch/farewell dinner Karavan/Tashkent Palace Restaurants. Accommodation at the Lotte Tashkent Palace.

Day 9 Tashkent

Morning transfer to the Tashkent International Airport for return flights home