Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Silk Road Cultural Discovery

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• Day01

  Welcome to Uzbekistan

  Welcome to Tashkent! Meet your MT Sobek guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. This evening, the group convenes for a brief orientation and a welcome dinner.

  • Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel Tashkent
  • Meals: Dinner
• Day02

  Scenic Drive to Samarkand

  After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Samarkand, a historic and central part of the old Silk Road. En route stop for a small picnic with beautiful mountain views near the legendary gate of the 14th-century nomadic ruler Tamerlane, for a brief photo op near the second-largest river in Central Asia, Sir Darya, and then at a famous local market where the region's best melons are sold. If melons are in season, you'll try some! On arrival in Samarkand, visit the Koni Ghil Silk Paper Center to learn the process of silk paper production and bread baking process. Visit Alexiy Cathedral, followed by a traditional dinner at a historic UNESCO-protected home. After dinner, view Registan Square from the outside and marvel at the glowing monuments.

  • Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior
  • Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day03

  Explore the Legendary City of Samarkand

  Begin today's tour of legendary Samarkand at Guri Emir, the mausoleum and burial place for Amir Temur and his family, and regal Registan Square, with its intricately designed and vibrantly colored blue-tiled mosques and madrassas (Muslim schools). Also visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda, site of Central Asia's most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of Bibi Khanum, and the adjacent colorful market, where the original "spice girls" sell saffron at unbelievably low prices. This afternoon, visit the the home of Mr. Kalandarov, a wealthy Jewish man, which is now are museum of local lore. Before dinner enjoy wine tasting at Khovrenko Wine Factory.

  • Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day04

  Take the Train to Bukhara and Visit Bukhara's UNESCO-Listed Sites

  Transfer to the station and take Afrosiyob train to Bukhara. Explore Bukhara, with its bustling trading domes and active mosques, including Kalyan Minaret, one of Central Asia's tallest towers, and the ancient Silk Market. Taste splendid herbal teas at Retro-Saloon Timur. Tonight enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner of plov, a local lamb and rice pilaf dish.

  • Accommodation: Lyabi House or Omar Khayyam Hotel
  • Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Day05

  Stroll the Streets of Old Bukhara

  Tour Old Bukhara: stroll the old town center, where locals chat endlessly while drinking tea around a natural oasis spring. Bukhara's UNESCO recognition has resulted in restorations of some of its 11th- to 15th-century mosques, including Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chashmai Ayub and Magokki Attori Mosque. Visit Bukhara's massive fortress, the Ark, and Ismail Samani's beautiful 10th-century mausoleum. Tonight, enjoy a festive folklore and national dress show at the historic Nodir Devonbegi Madrassah.

  • Accommodation: Lyabi House or Omar Khayyam Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Day06

  Cross into Turkmenistan & Discover Historical Mary

  After breakfast, drive to the Turkmenistan border and on to Mary - known as Merv in ancient times - a city on an oasis in the Karakum Desert. En route, stop for lunch in the ancient Silk Road crossroads of Turkmenabat, which once connected Bukhara with Khiva and Merv. For about 300 years, Merv was the largest city in Central Asia and the Khalifat capital for eight years. During the 12th century, it was said to be the world's biggest city. Take in Old Merv's historical sites before enjoying a hearty dinner.

  • Accommodation: Mary Hotel
  • Transportation: 6-hour private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day07

  Explore the Historical Sites of Merv

  This morning we explore more of ancient Merv, the oldest and best-preserved of the oasis-cities along the Silk Route in Central Asia, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We explore the history museum and other sites, before transferring to the airport for an evening flight to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Its gleaming domes, monuments, minarets, and lavish palaces make it feel like an enchanted city.

  • Accommodation: Grand Turkmen Hotel or Yyldyz Hotel
  • Transportation: 40-minute flight
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day08

  Tour Ashgabat's Tombs & Sanctuary of Parthian Kings

  Today browse the city's famous Sunday bazaar, a truly medieval experience! Everything from camels to auto parts to world-famous Bukhara rugs - both new and old - are sold. Later, we'll tour more of Ashgabat, including the majestic Turkmenbashy Ruhy Metjidi, one of the biggest mausoleum complexes in Central Asia, containing the tombs of Turkmenbashy (the former ruler of Turkmenistan) and his family. Visit the ruins of Nissa, the former seat of the Parthian kings and an important Silk Road trading town, then take a city tour. After dinner, drive Ashgabat's main avenues to take in its brightly lit buildings and monuments. This exquisite city is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble than any other in the world!

  • Accommodation: Grand Turkmen Hotel or Yyldyz Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Day09

  Arrive in the Ancient City of Khiva

  This morning, transfer to Ashgabat Airport for a flight to Dashoguz. Upon arrival, take a 35-minute drive to one of the most impressive fortresses of the Middle Ages: the ruins of Yzmukshir Fortress, birthplace of famous scientist and philologist As Zamahshary. Return to Dashoguz for lunch and then drive into Uzbekistan and on to Khiva, a very ancient city said to be founded by Shem, the son of the biblical Noah. Visit a Khorezmian singer's house and enjoy traditional, ethnically Khorezmian music. There will be time to rest before dinner at the hotel, the largest in Khiva.

  • Accommodation: Malika Khiva or Orient Star Hotel
  • Transportation: 1-hour flight & 1.5-hour private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day10

  Tour Old Khiva

  After breakfast at the hotel, set off on a walking tour of old Khiva, visiting Kunya-Ark fortress, several mosques, madrassas, and minarets. The walled city of Khiva hosts more than 50 monuments, making it a true archaeological treasure. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own before convening for dinner tonight at a local family's restaurant for traditional regional fare.

  • Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel Tashkent
  • Transportation: 1.5-hour flight
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Day11

  Explore the Wonders of Tashkent

  Enjoy an early breakfast, before transferring to the Urgench Airport for your flight back to Tashkent. On arrival, explore the bustling and cosmopolitan city of Tashkent, with its tree-lined boulevards, verdant parks, and elaborate monuments. Take in many of the city's highlights, including the Khast-Imam Complex and its architectural marvels; the world-renowned Uthman Qur'an Friday Mosque, which houses an early copy of the Quran; the Chorsu Bazaar, a traditional market set beneath a vibrant, blue dome and the Applied Arts Museum. After lunch, visit the newer part of the city: Independence Square, Amir Temur Museum, Alisher Navoi Theater. In the late afternoon, visit ceramist Akbar Rahimov's workshop and take a tea break. This evening, enjoy a festive farewell dinner at a local Georgian restaurant.

  • Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel Tashkent
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day12

  Depart from Tashkent

  After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport, bid farewell to your travel companions, and depart on your homeward-bound flight.

  • Meals: Breakfast