Uzbekistan – Unravelling The Silk Road
24 Sep – 06 Oct 2022
Unravel the Silk Road at its heart, Uzbekistan; a meeting place of East and West, conquered by Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan, and influenced by Mohammed and Marx. Be dazzled by the architecture, humbled by the hospitality, unravelled by the fabulous textiles, and fascinated by the rich history of this unique and upcoming travel destination.
This small group tour is led by Chris Aslan who has lived and worked for many years in Uzbekistan. He will bring to life the history, arts and crafts of Uzbekistan with his lectures and insights into the culture and traditions of the local people.
Trip Scholar: Chris Aslan Alexander
Chris was born in Turkey (hence the name Aslan) and spent his childhood there and in war-torn Beirut. After school, Chris spent two years at sea before studying Media and journalism at Leicester University. He then moved to Khiva, a desert oasis in Uzbekistan, establishing a UNESCO workshop reviving fifteenth century carpet designs and embroideries, and becoming the largest non-government employer in town. After a year in the UK writing A Carpet Ride to Khiva, he moved to the Pamirs in Tajikistan, training yak herders to comb their yaks for their cashmere-like down, spending three years there. Next came two years in Kyrgyzstan living in the world’s largest natural walnut forest and establishing a wood-carving workshop. Since then, Chris has studied and rowed at Oxford, and is now based in Cambridge and focussed on writing fiction, including Alabaster, Manacle and Mosaic, and currently completing The Broken Hexapus. He also lectures for the Art Society and leads tours to Central Asia whenever he can because he’s missing a large chunk of his heart, which will forever remain in the -stans.
13 days
- Have your breath stolen as you marvel at the Registan, easily rivalling the city squares of Europe.
- Wander through the ancient streets of Bukhara’s old quarter, haggling for unique, locally-produced handicrafts.
- Get off the beaten track exploring Urgut’s famous Sunday bazaar.
- A moonlit stroll through the walled inner city of Khiva.
- Visit the UNESCO silk carpet workshop which Chris Aslan founded and enjoy supper with his Uzbek host family.
- Stay in converted madrassahs and 19th century Jewish merchant’s houses.
- Travel the Silk Road in style using Uzbekistan’s fastest and smartest train.
Day 1 : To Tashkent
Departure London Heathrow Airport by Turkish Airlines flights TK1980 at 16:30 arriving Istanbul same day at 22:20.
Day 2 : Tashkent
Connect to your onward flight TK368 at 01:05 and arrive Tashkent at 07:25. Transfer to Hotel. At leisure until lunch. Visit Tashkent Museum of Applied Arts, followed by a metro trip, taking in the amazing themed architecture of the stations. Visit the bustling Chorsu bazaar and see how trade is in the blood of Central Asians. Then a visit to Independent Square and Amir Timur Square. Stay at Lotte Palace Hotel. B, D
Day 3 : To Samarkand
Early morning transfer to Tashkent train station to board the fast train to Samarkand. On arrival take coach to Urgut Sunday market, famous for its handicrafts, in particular suzani, with lunch locally. Also visit Chinar Shrine. Afternoon in Samarkand visiting the AfroSiyab Museum, home of pre-Islamic frescoes, and Ulug Beg’s observatory, one of the beacons of scientific discovery during the Middle Ages. Stay at Sultan Hotel. B, D
Day 4 : Samarkand
Walking tour of the Gur Amir complex, one of the world’s most impressive mausoleums, followed by the Registan and Ulug Bibi mosque, all examples of magnificent Timurid architecture. After lunch, a trip to Konigil village to see mulberry paper-making. Stay at Sultan Hotel.
B, D
Day 5 : Day Trip to Shakhrisabz
Day trip in shared taxis to Shakhrisabz, taking in broken heart rock and the mountain pass. In Shakhrisabz, a visit to the Ak Saray palace, built by Timur, and Kok Gumbaz complex. Afternoon in Samarkand visit the Shah-i-Zindah complex, a sublime necropolis, place of pilgrimage and possibly the most breath-taking use of tiles in Asia. Stay at Sultan Hotel.
B, D
Day 6 : To Bukhara
Train to Bukhara in the morning to arrive at Bukhara at lunch time.
Afternoon visit to the Naqshbandi Mausoleum complex, where the sufi founder of the whirling dervishes is entombed, and locals come to seek blessings on their marriages. This is followed by a visit to the Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa – the Emir’s Summer palace, a fusion of Eastern and Western influence.
Stay at Merchant Houses of Mizifar or Komil’s.
B, D
Day 7 : Bukhara
Morning: : Walking tour of the old city, starting with the Ismail Samanid Mausoleum, and then the tomb of Job, known as Chashma Ayub. This is followed by a visit to the Ark, the Emir’s fortress complex, and then a grisly detour to take in the bug-pit where British spies languished before their execution. The walk finishes at the pool of Labi Hauz in the Jewish quarter, with a visit to a unique synagogue.
Afternoon at leisure or an optional visit to hammam . Stay at Merchant Houses of Mizifar or Komil’s.
B, D
Day 8 : To Khiva
Morning at leisure. Fast train from Bukhara to Khiva (14:10- 19:19) through the Karakum desert, including onboard lectures from your resident expert. Moonlight tour of the Ichan Kala. Stay at Hotel Orient Star. B, D
Day 9 : Khiva
Tour of Khiva’s Ichan Kala, according to UNESCO, the most homogenous example of Islamic architecture in the world, including the Friday Mosque with its forest of carved wooden pillars, several museums, and the silk carpet workshop Chris founded, with an opportunity to meet the weavers, dyers and embroiderers.
Dinner with Chris’s Uzbek host family at Meros. Stay at Hotel Orient Star.
B, D
Day 10 : To Nukus
Morning at leisure in Khiva. After lunch, drive to Nukus, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, visiting the ancient desert Kalas, or fortresses, along the way, and learning more about the nomadic way of life. Stay at Hotel Jipek Joli. B, D
Day 11 : To Tashkent
Morning at the Savitsky Museums. Far from the watchful eye of Moscow, Igor Savitsky amassed one of the largest collections of Russian Avante Garde art in the world at a time when these paintings were banned, including artists who were sent to gulags for their work.
Afternoon visit to Hojaili and the impressive necropolis there. Evening flight to Tashkent. Stay at Lotte City Palace Hotel.
B, D
Day 12 : Tashkent
Morning: Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by the Hast Imom Complex, home of the world’s oldest Koran.
Stay at Lotte City Palace Hotel.
B, D
Day 13 : To London
Morning transfer to airport for departure by Turkish Airlines TK369 departing Tashkent at 09:05, arriving Istanbul at 12:15 connecting TK1971 at 14:45, arrival London at 16:45 same day. B, D
Itinerary map
Prices
| Price per person
(Double/Twin share) |
Single room supplement |
|---|---|
| £2,592.00 | £332.00 |
- International & internal flights in economy class with Turkish Airlines.
- Accommodation with en-suite facilities.
- Daily breakfast and dinner throughout.
- Services of Trip Scholar Chris Aslan Alexander.
- Services of English-speaking guide during sightseeing.
- Transfers as per the itinerary by air-conditioned coach and trains.
- Excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary.
- Full ATOL & ABTA bonding.
- Tips & Gratuities
- Visa Fee (although most European countries are visa-free).
- Any optional Excursions.
- Any expenses of a personal nature.
- Travel Insurance*
*Travel Insurance
It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
• Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
• Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
• Make sure it covers you for all activities.
• Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
• Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact numbers with you.
If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer. Please note Covid-19 cover is now available.
For a competitive quotation please visit https://www.indusexperiences.co.uk/insurance/
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