Uzbekistan is the very epitome of intrigue and historical captivation. It is a cradle of culture from where a mesmerising collection of sapphire and gold buildings, monuments and magnificent cities have arisen reflecting the influence of a variety of cultures that have passed along the ‘Silk Road’. Some of the oldest settlements in the world conjure up images of sandy-coloured buildings adorned with turquoise domes, intricate wall tiles in magnificent rich colours that fill entire rooms, and bustling bazaars complete with patterned carpets and the smell of spices swirling through the air, all of which will transport you back to a time when these places were the centre of world trade. Situated in the heart of the Eurasian Steppe, the country boasts a dramatic geography of unforgiving deserts, sumptuous oases and fertile valleys watered by the Amu Darya, the ancient River Oxus. From its exhilarating capital Tashkent to the small oasis town of Khiva, a trip to Uzbekistan offers a truly once in a lifetime opportunity.

The ‘Silk Road’ was a series of trade routes that stretched from China to the Mediterranean, established during the Han dynasty. Not only were these routes crucial to the trade of goods including textiles, spices and, of course, silk, arguably its most important export was culture. Religion, language, philosophy and technology all travelled with the merchants and were introduced to societies all over the civilised world. The Silk Road was closed off in the mid-fifteenth century by the Ottoman Empire, which wasn’t a setback, as traders were forced out to sea, giving birth to the ‘age of discovery’. Uzbekistan played an important role on the route and flourished. After a turbulent past in which it has been conquered by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Imperial Russia as well as a period of oppressive Soviet regime, it has been left with a particularly beguiling history.

Day 0 – Depart. Fly overnight to Tashkent via Istanbul or make your own arrangements to join the tour at the hotel.

Day 1 – Tashkent. Arrive Tashkent early afternoon and check-in to our hotel. No visits are planned for the remainder of the day which can be used to rest after the flight. Welcome drinks and Introductory talk. (D).

Day 2 – Tashkent. Today we tour the marvellous city of Tashkent, one of the oldest cities of the ancient Silk Road, and bustling capital of the modern state of Uzbekistan. We start at the old city or “eski shakhar”, including its spiritual heart, Hast Imam Square, the Tellya Sheik Mosque and the striking brand-new Mosque of Hazrati Iman. There is a wealth of Islamic architecture to savour here as well as the world’s oldest Koran. In the afternoon we visit the National Museum of History with its range of informative exhibits and displays, insightful for the days ahead. (B, L, D).

Day 3 – Tashkent/Khiva. Our exploration of Tashkent continues this morning with a walk around the central area including vibrant Sayilgoh street. We travel to the airport for our early afternoon fly to Urgench then drive to Khiva to check-in to our hotel for three nights. (B, L, D).

Day 4 – Khiva. Today we explore Khiva on foot, the most isolated of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities situated on the edge of the Karakum Desert. Although it was virtually destroyed by Genghis Khan, much of what was subsequently rebuilt is impressive. Particularly its designated World Heritage inner fortress of Ichan Kala home to the Kunya Ark, the Khan’s fortress, the Kalta Minor Tower, the Djuma Mosque, the superbly tiled Pakhlavan Makhmud and many other mosques and Madrassas. (B, L, D).

Day 5. - Khorezm Oasis. We explore the well-preserved remains of four of the ancient desert castles on the edge of the Khorezm Oasis: Ayaz Kala, Kyzyl Kala, Janbas Kala and Toprak Kala, the latter known as the fortress in the wind. After lunch in a restaurant, we return to Khiva to complete our exploration of this wonderful city. (B, L, D).

Day 6 – Journey to Bukhara. Today we journey by vehicle across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara enjoying a picnic lunch en route. The journey gives us superb appreciation of the vastness of the steppes and the challenges that have faced the peoples of Uzbekistan, even up to the present day. This afternoon we visit the beautifully located Samani and Chashma Ayub mausoleums and the Bolo Khauz Mosque before we check-in to our Bukhara hotel for the next two nights. (B, L, D).

Day 7 - Bukhara. A full day to explore the ‘Noble City’ of Bukhara, once one of the most important and beautiful cities of the Muslim world with over a hundred architectural monuments, the most important being the Po-i-Kalyan religious complex and the massive Ark fortress including its infamous Zinden in which Col Stoddart and Capt Connolly were imprisoned prior to their beheading in 1842. (B, L, D).

Day 8 – Bukhara to Samarkand. Another late morning start to drive to the Palace of the Moon-like Stars, the Summer Palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. Thence take the later afternoon high-speed ‘bullet’ train to Samarkand where we check-in to our hotel for three nights. (B, L, D).

Day 9 – Samarkand. Visit the 14th Century Ulugbek Observatory, its small museum and the giant astrolabe; explore the stunning Shah I Zinda avenue of beautifully tiled mausoleums;; the lavish Regional Studies museum with its peculiar collection including furniture captured from Napoleon in 1812; Registan Square and its wondrous architectural ensemble of Tilla-Kori Madrasah; Ulugbeg Madrasah and Sher-Dor Madrasah, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. (B, L, D).

Day 10 – Samarkand. Visit the ruins of Afrosiab and the important archaeological collection found in its museum, thence to the Bibi Khoym Mosque built in commemoration of Timur's wife, buried in a tomb located in a madrasa complex nearby. Continue to the stately Gur Emir mausoleum complex where Tamerlane is interred. (B, L, D).

Day 11 – Shakhrisabz, Tashkent. Travel via the Takhta Karcha Pass to one of the oldest cities in the world and the birthplace of Emir Temur. Among the architectural monuments there are the remains of the massive portal of the Ak-Saray Palace and the Dor-us-Saodat Burial Complex, an outstanding example of Khorazmian architecture. Also here is a mausoleum built for Tamerlane himself several years before his death arranged in the shape of a tent. On our return we visit the shrine of Langar Ota with its monument to Tamerlane’s general and its wonderfully tiled 15th century mosque. Late afternoon high-speed Afrosiyob train to Tashkent where we spend our last night at our airport hotel. (B, L, D).

Day 12 – Depart. Morning return flight to London via Istanbul or perhaps extend your stay in Uzbekistan. (B).