Authentic Uzbekistan & Tajikistan

Meet at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
After a short connection we continue to Central Asia on an overnight flight, arriving early the next morning in Uzbekistan, land of the legendary Silk Road caravans.

Overnight on board.

Arrival in Urgench, where our local partner meets us at the airport, and we drive straight to enchanting Khiva.
After check-in there is time to rest and freshen up.

We then start our tour of the old town, a living museum under the Uzbek sun: the Kunya-Ark fortress, the Islam Khodja minaret, the Tash Khauli palace, the great Juma Mosque, the Muhammad Amin Khan madrasa and the Pahlavan Mahmud mausoleum, all the iconic monuments that make Khiva unique.

In the evening, dinner at a cosy local restaurant with an authentic atmosphere.
Overnight in Khiva.

After breakfast, free time for one last walk through the lanes of the old town.
Check-out at 12:00 and drive to Bukhara across the vast Kyzylkum Desert, one of the most impressive routes in Central Asia.

Arrival in Bukhara and check-in, with time to rest after the journey.
In the evening we enjoy a wonderful folklore show at the Nodira Divan Begi madrasa, a magical welcome to the spirit of the city.

Dinner and overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast we tour the historic centre of Bukhara, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, where every corner breathes history and mystery.

We visit the Po-i-Kalyan complex, the Mir-i-Arab madrasa, the Magoki Attori mosque, the Ulugbek madrasa and lovely Lyabi-Hauz square, before wandering through the colourful market with its handicrafts and the scent of spices.

We enjoy a ceremonial tea tasting in a traditional chaykhona and then visit the home of a local Suzani craftsman for a hand-embroidery workshop and a short cooking class of plov, one of the signature dishes of Uzbek cuisine.

An experience of genuine hospitality we will long remember.
Overnight in Bukhara.

Today is a very special day: 21 March, Nowruz Bayram, the ancient Persian New Year and one of the best-loved festivals in Central Asia. Throughout the day we will see a festive atmosphere, traditional costumes, music and crowds in the squares and parks.

In the morning we continue our tour of Bukhara with the Ark Fortress, the oldest building in the city and the seat of the emirs, and the Zindan prison. We then drive just outside the city to the Emir's Summer Palace, a fine example of 19th-century architecture, and the Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, a sacred pilgrimage site dedicated to one of the great Sufi masters of Islam.

In the afternoon, transfer to the station and train to Samarkand, the emblematic city of the Silk Road.
Arrival, dinner at a local restaurant and check-in.

In the evening we see Registan Square magically lit up in the festive Nowruz atmosphere, an image that stays in your memory.

Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast we spend the day discovering Samarkand, one of the most important cities of the Silk Road and for centuries a centre of culture and science.

We visit the famous Registan Square with its three majestic madrasas, Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kori, the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, Ulugbek's Observatory and the imposing Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, one of the holiest places in the city.

In the afternoon we join a cooking class at the home of a local family, where we also have dinner and experience the warmth of Uzbek hospitality.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Early breakfast and departure for the border with Tajikistan.
After passport control we meet our Tajik guide and driver and continue to Panjakent, in the heart of historic Sogdiana.

We visit the archaeological site of Sarazm, a UNESCO site more than 5,500 years old, the Rudaki Museum (dedicated to the great Persian poet) and have time for a stroll through the local market.

We then head into the Fann Mountains to discover the famous Seven Lakes, a chain of alpine lakes whose colours change with the light, from deep blue to turquoise. We visit six of them, with stops for photos and short walks.

Traditional lunch at a local family's home near the fourth lake, with home cooking and genuine hospitality.

In the afternoon we return to the border, cross back into Uzbekistan and return to our hotel in Samarkand.
Overnight in Samarkand.

Morning visit to the Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, followed by free time at the bustling Siab bazaar, ideal for souvenirs and local delicacies.

In the afternoon, transfer to the station and train to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Arrival, dinner at a local restaurant and check-in.

Overnight in Tashkent.

After breakfast we tour the bright capital of Uzbekistan, which combines Soviet architecture with a modern urban pace.

We visit Independence Square, Amir Timur Square, the Hast-Imam complex and the colourful Chorsu bazaar, where daily life is in full swing.

We also take a short ride on the Tashkent metro, famous for its ornate Soviet-era stations, and visit the Greek Cultural Centre.

Dinner at a local restaurant and back to the hotel to rest.
Overnight in Tashkent.

Morning transfer to Tashkent airport for the return flight with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and on to Athens.

Afternoon arrival in Athens, full of images, stories and experiences from a journey of a lifetime on the legendary Silk Road, this time with a bonus taste of Tajikistan.