Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

Samarkand What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to Uzbekistan with Uzbekistan Airways ✔ Where you’ll stay Tashkent, 4 H Milan Hotel Khiva, 4 H Asia Khiva Hotel Bukhara, 3 H Asia Bukhara Samarkand, 4 H Konstantin Plaza Hotel ✔ 24 meals ✔ 8 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Intermediate Day 1: UK to Tashkent Depart the UK on your scheduled, overnight flight. Day 2: Tashkent D Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, before a welcome dinner. Day 3: Tashkent to Khiva B/L/D After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Tashkent starting with Hast Imam Square. As a contrast to these 16th century sites, visit the Chorsu Bazaar and experience the hustle and bustle of everyday Central Asian life. This is followed by a visit to the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet theatre. Finally, visit the Mustaqilik (Independence Square), before flying to Urgench for your transfer to Khiva. Day 4: Khiva B/D Today, wander Khiva’s ancient streets and discover a millennium of history on a fascinating guided. Day 5: Khiva to Bukhara B/L/D After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey to Bukhara. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to explore. Day 6: Bukhara B/D Today, explore some of Bukharas many architectural wonders on a guided tour. The formidable Ark citadel was initially built in the 5th century and was the fortified residence of the rulers of Bukhara for centuries. Your guide will escort you around the various minarets, mosques, and mausoleums before leaving you to explore at your own pace. Day 7: Bukhara B/D Today is at leisure to wander this fabulous city. Day 8: Bukhara to Samarkand B/L/D After breakfast, depart for Samarkand stopping en route at the ‘green city’ of Shakhrisabz. 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. Continue towards 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. See the sumptuous Gur- Emir, the ornately decorated mausoleum of the royal family. Before dinner, visit the Khovrenko Winery and sample a range of Samarkand wines. Day 10: Samarkand B/D This morning, visit the Koni Ghil Paper Mill renowned for making exquisite paper, then explore the Bibi- Khanym Mosque built in the late 14th century. Next, you’ll have a chance to do some shopping at the local Siyab bazaar, before the rest of the day is at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner with a local family. 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. Uzbekistan and the Silk Route What you’ll see ⚫ Explore Uzbekistan’s capital of Tashkent and Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city ⚫ Visit the colossal Kalta Minor Minaret ⚫ Visit the ruins of the gleaming white Ak Saray Palace ⚫ Follow an ancient trading route across the Kyzyl Kum desert ⚫ Gaze-in-awe at Registan Square 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.  Tashkent < < Shahrisabz Bukhara Khiva Urgench •      Samarkand 2 3 3 2 Coach Air Rail Nights 2 • Includes direct flights Extend your tour Fergana Valley stay, 3 nights, 4 H Full Board from £599 Visit the fertile Fergana Valley, home to ancient civilisations, Mughal emperors and the third largest silk producer in the world. Departures & from prices Mar 24 £1,999 Mar 25 £1,999 Apr 24 £2,099 Apr 25 £2,299 May 24 £2,199 May 25 £2,299 Jun 24 £2,199 Jun 25 £2,299 Aug 24 £2,499 Aug 25 £2,499 Sep 24 £2,199 Sep 25 £2,299 Oct & Nov 24 £2,099 Oct 25 £2,199 Feb 25 £1,899 Nov 25 £2,099 • Lead-in price based on 28 Feb 25 • Tipping paid locally $36 pp per tour Save £100 on selected departures with code TOUR100 P R I V A T E T O U R U P G R A D E S F R O M £249 No Single Supplement Rooms with no single supplement are available. Once sold, supplement starts from £289 34 Central Asia Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk