Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

34 CENTRAL ASIA MEAL PLAN: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 10 dinners ACCOMMODATION Tashkent 2 nights 4 ★ Shodlik Palace Khiva 2 nights 3 ★ Qibla Tozabog or Malika Hotel Bukhara 3 nights 3 ★ Asia Bukhara Samarkand 3 nights 3 ★ Hotel Arba or Konstantin Hotel DAY 1: UK TO TASHKENT Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight. DAY 2: TASHKENT D Upon arrival, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner. DAY 3: TASHKENT TO KHIVA B/L/D After breakfast, enjoy a cultural tour of Tashkent starting with Hast Imam Square. Built on the tomb of known scientist, scholar and craftsman Hazrati Imam, the square is the religious centre of Tashkent and home to a number of beautiful mosques, monuments and madrasas. A madrasa is a centre of Islamic learning and there are some excellent medieval examples here such as the elegant blue- domed Barak-Khan Madrasa with its imposing, but no less elegant gateway, as well as the Muyi Muborak Madrasa with its intricately carved ceilings and ancient manuscripts, including the Osman Koran. As a contrast to these 16th Century sites, you’ll then visit the Chorsu Bazaar and experience the hustle and bustle of everyday Central Asian life as everything from spices, grains and fruits are sold. This is followed by a visit to the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet theatre built in neoclassical style by famous Russian architect Alexey Shchusey. Finally you’ll pay a visit to Mustaqilik (Independence Square) home to the country’s senate and government buildings, before catching a flight to Urgench for your transfer to Khiva. DAY 4: KHIVA B/D Khiva is a colourful treat for the eyes and a UNESCO-listed treasure. Today, you’ll get the chance to wander its ancient streets and discover a millennium of history on a fascinating guided tour. Gaze up at the imposing mud-brick walls of Ichan Kala, Khiva’s inner city; explore the 12th century fortress of Kuhna Ark and wonder at the intricately tiled Pahlawan Mahmud Mausoleum, built in honour of the brave Uzbek hero Pahlavan Mahmoud. DAY 5: KHIVA TO BUKHARA B/L/D After breakfast, you’ll set out by road on an epic journey across the Kyzyl Kum desert following in the footsteps of trading caravans that have been traversing this Silk Road route for hundreds of years. DAY 6: BUKHARA B/D One of the most ancient cities in Uzbekistan, Bukhara is over 3,000 years old and dates back to nearly a thousand years before Alexander the Great’s conquest of Central Asia. Like most historic cities in Uzbekistan it was an important trading post along the Silk Road, but is probably better known throughout the Islamic world as a being a great centre of learning and has even been referred to as Central Asia’s holiest city. Today, you will get the opportunity to explore some of its many architectural wonders on a guided tour of the city. The formidable Ark citadel was initially built in the 5th century and was the fortified residence of the rulers of Bukhara for centuries, containing palaces, temples barracks and even a prison. Your tour guide will escort you around the various minarets, mosques, madrassas and mausoleums of the city before leaving you to explore this architectural wonder at your own pace. DAY 7: BUKHARA B/D Enjoy the day at leisure to explore at your own pace. DAY 8: BUKHARA TO SAMARKAND B/L/D After breakfast, depart for Samarkand stopping en route at the ‘green city’ of Shakhrisabz. With a well- groomed, green and modern appearance it’s hard to believe the city is over 2,700 years old. The centre of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains an exceptional collection of monuments, including the gleaming white Ak Saray Palace built for Amir Timur or Tamerlane, famous warrior Khan, military tactician and founder of the Timurid Empire. Born in a neighbouring village, Tamerlane turned Shakrisabz into his residence after assuming power and ordered his architects to build a series of intricate mausoleums and stunning mosques, the ruins of which can still be explored today. Leaving the Timurids first city behind you’ll continue onwards to the 14th century capital of their empire, Samarkand. Uzbekistan’s place at the heart of the ancient Silk Road has attracted architects, scientists and mathematicians for centuries, as well as marauding conquerors intent on plundering the riches within. Shah i Zinda, Samarkand UZBEKISTAN & THE SILK ROUTE 12 days from £1,669pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Uzbekistan’s capital of Tashkent ✔ See the colossal Kalta Minor Minaret ✔ Discover Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city ✔ Khoresmian Folk show with dinner ✔ Visit the ruins of the gleaming white Ak Saray Palace in Shakrisabz ✔ Wine tasting at the Khovrenko Winery ✔ Follow an ancient trading route across the Kyzyl Kum desert ✔ Enjoy a cooking class with a local family PACE: To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556