Upgraded - Treasures of Uzbekistan

Our tour starts today in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Its tree-lined boulevards, museums and galleries along with the many Soviet buildings set the scene for the remarkable tour ahead of us. For those arriving in time, your tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 12pm for the welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Tashkent at any time (note, hotel rooms are not available until after 3pm). A transfer from Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS) to the named start hotel is included on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your arrival day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 10 days before departure. The airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information at 9am on day 2. If you'd like to add on extra days in Tashkent before our tour starts, contact us to book accommodation.

This morning, our city tour starts with the Monument of Courage dedicated to the victims of the 1996 earthquake. We then move on to Independence Square with its fountains, impressive buildings and flower beds and we even have a go at travelling like a local and take the Tashkent Metro which boasts some ornately decorated stations. Finally, we head to Amir Timur Square to admire its historical buildings and we finish with a stroll on the broadway, a lively pedestrian alley right in the heart of the city. The rest of the day is free at leisure, and you can choose to further explore Tashkent or to relax and unwind by the pool or at the spa of our hotel. Tonight, dinner is included, and we have the opportunity to sample some of the local specialities at a traditional restaurant.

We rise early this morning for our short flight to Nukus - the capital of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, which makes up much of Northwest Uzbekistan. A once-thriving region, the Aral Sea disaster that started in the 1960s and 70s, devastated this rich delta leaving it all but dried up when the sea receded far to the north. By the end of the 1980s, the Aral Sea had shrunk to just 10% of its original size. Consequently, present-day Nukus has been half-deserted, creating an atmosphere that some describe as like being at the very edge of the world. Hidden in this forgotten city is what is widely regarded as one of the best collections of Soviet art, housed in the Savitsky Museum, sometimes referred to as the 'Louvre of the Steppe'. Here we spend some time appreciating the world's second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde art, which Mr Savitsky helped to keep hidden here, away from the far-reaching eyes of the KGB. In the afternoon we head to the suburbs and take a guided tour of the fascinating Mizdahkhan Necropolis and here we will learn about the mystery surrounding it. Founded in the 4th Century BC, Mizdakhan is one of Karakalpakstan's oldest and holiest sites and is thought to be the burial place of Adam according to local legend. One of the crumbling mausoleums is known as the Apocalypse clock, where every fallen brick brings us closer to the end of the world, so Muslim pilgrims return a brick to the structure just in case. Later in the day, we return to Nukus for our night at a comfortable hotel. Despite the lack of choice of Premium hotels at this location, visiting Nukus adds depth and gives a better insight to the overall experience, hence we have chosen to include it in the itinerary.

We start making our way to Khiva after breakfast and the approximate overall driving time today is 3 hours with parts of the journey on slightly bumpy roads. Along the way we drive through the so-called Valley of 50 Kalas (fortresses), stopping to admire the mystical ruins from the Zoroastrian era. Chilpik Dakma or the Tower of Silence and the ancient palace city remains of Toprak Kala are some of the wonders we see while in the valley. The early history of the walled city of Khiva and the surrounding area is uncertain. By the time the Arabs arrived in the 8th century, Khiva was one of three important cities which dominated the region. The city's strategic location on the Volga branch of the Silk Route made it a much sought-after imperial asset, with the British and Russians vying for sovereignty throughout the 19th century as part of the 'Great Game'. In 1873, it fell to the Russians as both Samarkand and Bokhara had already done. A 1970s Soviet conservation programme restored much of the city, turning it into what is effectively an open-air museum. On arrival in Khiva, we check-in to our hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free for independent sightseeing. Just before sunset, we reunite with our tour leader for a visit to the Nurullabay Palace which dates back to the early 20th Century - a unique mixture of European and Oriental architecture and décor styles created by local and German Mennonite masters, who found refuge in Khiva in the late 19th century. Our tour of the old citadel takes us to the Ichan-Kala fortress and the Kunya-Ark Palace. Finally, we ascend to the top of the city walls to take in the beautiful colours of sunset making the view over ancient Khiva an even more mesmerising experience.

On this morning's guided walking tour, we may well feel like we are stepping into a scene from the film 'Arabian Nights' as we explore the majestic Old Citadel on foot. This 12th-century fortress dominated the city before a palace, harem, barracks and mosques were constructed over the following centuries. Khiva, also known as Ichan-Kala, is the only remaining inhabited fortress along the Silk Road. Our sightseeing includes a visit to the Kalta Minor Minaret, a recognisable highlight of Khiva's skyline, the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum - which hosts the tomb of the city's patron saint - and the Islam Khodja Madrasah complex including its museum rich in ancient artefacts. Moving on, we visit Ak Mosque and Juma Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques within the walled city with its intricately carved columns that gained it the status as a World Heritage site. Our final visit before lunch is to another UNESCO treasure the Tash Hauli Palace and its intricate blue, white and golden-tiled decoration. For lunch today, we'll attend a cooking demonstration of a local speciality called Shivit Oshi. These handmade noodles are bright green in colour thanks to a dill infusion. After our delicious meal, the rest of the day is free to explore Khiva further, relax or go on a hunt for the perfect souvenir.

After an early breakfast, we wave Khiva goodbye and start making our way to Bukhara. The road to this ancient Persian city is scenic and we will stop along the way of this 6-hour journey to stretch our legs or buy refreshments. The fabled city of Bukhara is more than 2,000 years old and is one of the most exceptionally preserved Islamic cities in Central Asia, considered by some to be the 'Bastion of Islam'. The town retains much of its Uzbek character and has more than 140 unique monuments. On arrival, we'll check in to our centrally located boutique hotel, whose remarkable décor is a feast for the eye. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to have lunch at one of the many chaikhanas (tea houses), cafes and restaurants on the charming Lyabi Khause Square, located only a few steps from our hotel. Later this afternoon, we meet up to wander through the narrow alleys of the old town and take a lift to the top of Shukhov Tower, where we enjoy a stunning bird's eye view of the city's outline. We then visit one of the most outstanding and iconic buildings in Bukhara; Kalyan Mosque and its towering minaret dates back to 1127, one of the few buildings in the city to pre-date Genghis Khan's invasion.

This morning, we go on the first part of our full-day guided exploration of Bukhara. Our exploration starts with the Ark, a massive citadel that served as a fortress from the 5th century until its capture by the Russians in 1920. Today, the Ark houses several small museums dedicated to Bukhara's history. Bukhara was the site where two British soldiers were imprisoned during 'The Great Game,' a significant race for Imperial power between Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia across Central Asia. Next, we visit the Bolo Khauz Mosque with its peaceful pond and façade before taking a short drive to the Samanid Mausoleum, an iconic example of early Islamic architecture and a pilgrimage site housing the tomb of the Samanid dynasty's founder. After lunch, we carry on with our tour and head to the 9th-century Magoki Attar Mosque which used to be the Temple of the Moon during the Zoroastrian era, and we finish by visiting the largest surviving shopping arcade of Bukhara dating back to 1569. The rest of the afternoon is free and there is an option to either visit the ancient Hamam Bozori-Kord (for men) or Kunjak (for women) and enjoy an oriental bath and spa experience. Completing the end of a great day of discovery and wonder, we have included dinner at a historic rooftop restaurant.

This morning has been left free for you to relax and there is the opportunity to briefly leave the city to go and visit the summer residence of Bukhara's Emir: Sitoria-Mokhi-Hosa. Later in the morning, we embark on our high-speed Afrosiyob train journey, and we cover a distance of 265 kilometres/164 miles in just 90 minutes. Samarkand, stormed by Alexander the Great and reduced to ashes by Genghis Khan, was transformed into the most dazzling city in Transoxiana by Tamerlane the Conqueror, who turned it into his capital in the 14th century. The monumental scale of its buildings is astonishing and is a continued source of wonder for its visitors. On arrival, we check in to our centrally located hotel where we have a few hours to ourselves to either wander around Alisher Naboi Central Park, surrounding the hotel's grounds, or relax by the beautiful outdoor pool. In the evening, we start exploring Samarkand by visiting the majestic Gur-e-Amir (in Persian, Tomb of the King) mausoleum and the final resting place of Tamerlane. Finally, we head to the iconic Registan Square to enjoy a show of lights over its exceptionally patterned madrassahs.

We start our last day of sightseeing by visiting a local workshop of handmade silk carpets. Here we learn about the ancient local art of making carpets, using traditional techniques and top-quality materials. To follow, we head to Shakhi-Zinda - a stunningly tiled necropolis of tombs, mosques and mausoleums belonging to Tamerlane's family and the prophet Mohammad's cousin, Kusam ibn Abbas. Before lunch, we admire Bibi-Khanym Mosque built by Tamerlane and named after his favourite Mongolian wife. We then head to the National House Adras where we will first see a cooking demonstration and then sample pilov, the delicious Uzbek national dish made with long grain rice, chunks of lamb, onions and carrots. In the afternoon, our guided tour finishes in Registan Square and from here the rest of the day is free for further relaxation at the hotel, more sightseeing at your own pace or a last round of handmade souvenir shopping.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Samarkand. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Samarkand at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. A transfer to Samarkand International Airport (SKD) from the main end hotel is included on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your departure day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 10 days before your tour. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. If you'd like to add on extra days in Samarkand at the end, contact us to book accommodation.