Worldwide 2024-25

Bukhara
Kalyan minaret • The Ark, an imposing
fortress
Lord Curzon described Bukhara as “the most
interesting city in the world”. The city offers an
amazing array of monuments covering 1,000
years of history, including the renowned Kalyan
minaret. It is 47 metres tall and was probably
the tallest structure in Central Asia when built
by Arslan Khan in 1127. The oldest monument
in Bukhara is the Ismail Samani mausoleum,
built in the early 10th century for the founder
of the Samanid dynasty. It was partially buried
during Genghis Khan's visit, and so escaped his
attentions.
Khiva & Urgench
Remarkably well-preserved ‘museum city’ of
Khiva with enormous city walls
Kalyan Minaret and mosque, Bukhara
No visit to Bukhara is complete without a
tour of the Ark, an imposing fortress that was
continuously occupied from the fifth century
until the 1920s.
The ancient city of Khiva lies around 450km
north-west of Bukhara. Another of the Silk
Road cities, Khiva has been extensively
restored and is in effect a giant open-air
museum. Many of the mosques and madrasas
located within the old city are no longer in use,
but instead contain numerous displays and
collections. The old city is surrounded by an
18th-century mud-brick wall and has four main
entrance gates.
Urgench is the capital of the Khorazm province,
wedged between the Amu Darya River and
the Turkmen border, and is mainly used by
travellers as a transport hub for Khiva, which is
around 40km away.
Traditional silks produced in Khiva
Suggested itinerary
Central Asia Explorer
14 days & 12 nights
from £4,195 (incl. flights)
Category • Discovery
Explore two of Central Asia’s contrasting
countries; discover Silk Road history in the
former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, and
experience the nomadic culture and green
open spaces of Kyrgyzstan.
Days 1 & 2: Fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Fly overnight to Tashkent and transfer to
the Miran International Hotel for 1 night.
Afternoon tour of the old city. (N)
Days 3 & 4: Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand and explore the city,
including Registan Square. Stay at Emirkhan
Hotel for 2 nights. The next day, continue your
exploration on a full-day city tour. (B) (B, D)
Days 5 & 6: Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara and visit the silk market,
the Jewish Quarter and Poi-Kalyan complex.
Sample a range of herbal teas in the old part
of the city. Stay 2 nights at Malika Bukhara.
Continue your exploration the following day.
(B, D) (B)
Day 7: Tashkent
Morning at leisure. Take the Afrosiyob train
to Tashkent and transfer to the Miran
International Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 8: Fly to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Fly to Bishkek, via Almaty, and transfer to the
Plaza Hotel for 2 nights. (B)
Day 9: Ala-Archa National Park • Bishkek
Drive south to Ala-Archa National Park, which
offers a range of walking options, from gentle
strolls to more strenuous hikes. Return to
Bishkek for a city tour. (B)
Day 10: Burana Tower • Issyk-Kul lake
Visit the Burana Tower and its surrounding
ruins, an important Silk Road trading post.
See the Bronze Age petroglyphs at
Cholpon-Ata. Overnight at Karven Issyk-Kul
Hotel. (B, D)
Day 11: Karakol
Drive to Karakol and visit the museum
dedicated to the Russian explorer Nikolai
Przewalski. Stay 2 nights at Hotel Amir. (B)
Day 12: Djety-Oguz
Walk through Djety-Oguz Gorge, with its
impressive red-rock formations and spruce
forests. See a golden eagle hunting show and
join a Uyghur family to learn how to cook
traditional dishes. (B)
Day 13: Bokonbaevo • Bishkek
Short walk at Fairy Tale Canyon then continue
to Bokonbaevo village. Visit a local handicraft
centre before driving to Bishkek and staying
overnight at the Plaza Hotel. (B)
Day 14: Fly home
Transfer to Bishkek airport and fly home. (B)
Tailor-made travel
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020 3930 5211
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