Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Silk Road Cultural Discovery
Day 1 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 Tashkent
(D)
Day 2 Scenic Drive to Samarkand
4-hour private van transfer
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. Take a brief photo stop near the second-largest river in Central Asia, Sir Darya, and then proceed to 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 see how Samarkand's fabled flatbread is created. Visit Alexiy Cathedral, followed by a traditional dinner at a historic UNESCO-protected home. After dinner, step outside to an enchanting nighttime view of Registan Square and marvel at the glowing monuments.
Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Explore the Legendary City of Samarkand
City touring
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, he site of Central Asia's most sacred Islamic shrine. See 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 former mansion of Abram Kalandarov, a wealthy Jewish man, which is now a museum of local lore. Before dinner enjoy a wine tasting at Khovrenko Winery.
Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Take the Train to Bukhara and Visit its UNESCO-Listed Sites
2-hour high speed train transfer
City touring
This morning, transfer to the train station for a trip on the Afrosiyob high speed rail line to Bukhara. Explore the city, 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: Omar Khayyam
(B, D)
Day 5 Stroll the Streets of Old Bukhara
City touring
Step back in time as you wander 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: Omar Khayyam
(B, D)
Day 6 Cross into Turkmenistan & Discover Historic Mary
6-hour private van transfer
City touring
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 Turkmenabat. An important hub on the ancient Silk Road, Turkmenabat 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. Today Merv is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site with the remnants of walled cities containing mosques, monasteries, and mausoleums in its historic center. Explore some of these sights before enjoying a hearty dinner.
Accommodation: Mary Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Spend the Morning in Merv & Fly to Ashgabat
40-minute flight
City touring
This morning delve into more of ancient Merv, the oldest and best-preserved of the oasis-cities along the Silk Route in Central Asia. Visit 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
(B, L, D)
Day 8 Tour Ashgabat’s Tombs & Sanctuary of Parthian Kings
City touring
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. After you've had your fill, see 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 some of the city's modern sights. 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
(B, D)
Day 9 Arrive in the Ancient City of Khiva
1-hour flight & 1.5-hour private van transfer
City touring
This morning, transfer to Ashgabat Airport for a flight to Dashoguz. Upon arrival, take a 35-minute drive to wht was once 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, leaving Turkmenistan, 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 music. The Khorezm people are an ethnic group with their own dialect, known for their musical traditions. There will be time to rest before dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Orient Star Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Tour Old Khiva
City touring
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: Orient Star Hotel
(B, D)
Day 11 Explore the Wonders of Tashkent
1.5-hour flight
City touring
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 Tashkent
(B, L, D)
Day 12 Depart from Tashkent
After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport, bid farewell to your travel companions, and depart on your homeward-bound flight.
Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Tashkent
(B)
