Escorted Tours 2023-2024

madrassas and mausoleums before leaving you to explore at your own pace. Day 7: Bukhara B/D Enjoy a day of 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. Leaving the Timurids first city behind, continue to the 14th century capital of their empire, Samarkand. Day 9: Samarkand B/D Samarkand is the epitome of a journey along the Silk Road. A trip to Registan, the city’s Timurid heart and Central Square proves this to be a reality. A wide mosaicked square is backed by three immense madrasas, beautifully adorned in intricate blues, green and violet patterns, each one a monument to the city’s place as the intellectual capital of the region. During the middle ages, the city attracted the greatest scholars, architects and scientists around, which can be seen first hand on your visit to Ulugbek’s Observatory. See the sumptuous Gur- Emir, the ornately decorated mausoleum of the royal family. Once a marvel of the east, its influence can be seen in the style of the great architectural tombs of the Mughal dynasty of North India such as the Taj Mahal in Agra. Before dinner, visit the Khovrenko Winery and sample a range of Samarkand wines. Day 10: Samarkand B/D This morning, you’ll visit the Koni Ghil Paper Mill renowned for making paper of such exquisite quality that only sultans, emirs and viziers could afford it. This ‘royal’ paper has been exported along the Silk Road for centuries and many 9th and 10th century Arabic and Persian manuscripts were written on it. After this, you’ll explore one of the treasures of Samarkand, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque built in the late 14th century as a tribute to Tamerlane’s wife as well as his victory in Delhi. It is one of the best-known architectural wonders of Central Asia. You’ll have a chance to do some shopping at the local Siyab bazaar, before having the rest of the day at leisure to explore. This evening, experience a little modern Uzbek culture by enjoying dinner with a local family who will provide a master class in cooking Pilav, a famous rice based dish in Uzbekistan. Day 11: Samarkand to Tashkent B/L/D Take the morning at leisure, you can spend more time shopping in Siab Bazaar or relax with a coffee in the boulevards around Registan Square. Take a train to Tashkent where you can enjoy a festive farewell dinner to round off this unforgettable trip. Day 12: Tashkent to the UK B After breakfast, transfer for your return flight, or continue on your chosen extension. Ark Fortress, Bukhara Traditional Uzbek dancers Ichan Kala Fortress, Khiva Meal plan: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 10 dinners Accommodation: Tashkent, 4 H Krokus Plaza Khiva, 4 H Asia Khiva Hotel Bukhara, 3 H Asia Bukhara Samarkand, 3 H Arba Hotel Flights: London Heathrow to Uzbekistan with Uzbekistan Airways Tour pace: Intermediate Departures & from prices 14 Apr 23 £2,499 22 Mar 24 £2,199 21 Apr 23 £2,399 12 Apr 24 £2,499 28 Apr 23 £2,499 19 Apr 24 £2,399 12 May 23 £2,599 26 Apr 24 £2,499 19 May 23 £2,599 10 May 24 £2,569 2 Jun 23 £2,499 17 May 24 £2,599 16 Jun 23 £2,499 31 May 24 £2,499 30 Jun 23 £2,499 14 Jun 24 £2,449 4 Aug 23 £2,599 28 Jun 24 £2,599 1 Sep 23 £2,599 2 Aug 24 £2,669 8 Sep 23 £2,599 30 Aug 24 £2,599 15 Sep 23 £2,599 6 Sep 24 £2,599 22 Sep 23 £2,499 13 Sep 24 £2,599 29 Sep 23 £2,399 20 Sep 24 £2,599 13 Oct 23 £2,299 27 Sep 24 £2,549 27 Oct 23 £2,199 11 Oct 24 £2,399 3 Nov 23 £2,049 25 Oct 24 £2,299 10 Nov 23 £1,999 1 Nov 24 £2,199 1 Mar 24 £1,999 8 Nov 24 £2,099 • Upgrade to a Private Tour from £199 • Tipping paid locally $36 Extend your tour Fergana Valley, 3 nights, 4 H Full Board from £679 Travel through huge reservoirs and high mountain passes to visit the fertile valley, home to ancient civilisations, Mughal emperors and the third largest silk producer in the world. No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £329 37 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk Central Asia