Architectural Highlights of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

An unforgettable journey exploring the architectural delights of Central Asia, taking in the key cities of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Highlights:

• Visit two of central Asia's most fascinating countries
• Explore the architectural monuments of Samarkand
• See Old Nisa and the Anau ruins of Ashgabat

7th - 18th September 2012
Tashkent (1nt)  - Samarkand (2nts) - Bukhara (2nts) - Mary (1 nt) - Ashgabat (2nts) - Khiva (1nt) - Tashkent (1 nt)

Saturday 8th September 2012 -Tashkent
After your overnight flight from London, arrive in Tashkent in the morning. Take an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city including Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Alisher Navoi Square, Amir Temur Monument and Independence Square.

Sunday 9th and Monday 10th September 2012 - Tashkent/Samarkand
Enroute to Samarkand stop in the Djizzakh region where you will visit a local family. The following day take a full day tour of Samarkand including visits to the Shahi-Zinda necropolis, the Ulugbek observatory, the Ruins of Afrosiab, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shir Dor, Tillya-Kari Madrassahs and the Bibi Khanum Mosque.

Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th September - Samarkand/Shakhrisabz/Bukhara
Enroute to Bukhara a stop will be made at Shakhrisabz where you will visit the Ak Saray Palace and the mausoleum of Jahangir. Spend the next day exploring Bukhara including visits to Ismael Samani Mausoleum, Chor-Minor and the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums.

Thursday 13th September 2012 - Bukhara/Mary
Today you will leave Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan where you will spend the night in Mary.

Friday 14th September 2012 - Mary/Merv/Ashgabat
Take in ancient Merv before flying to Ashgabat.

Saturday 15th September 2012 - Ashagabt
A full day to explore the sites of Ashgabat including the National Museum of History and Ethnography of Turkmenistan, Old Nisa and the Anau ruins.

Sunday 16th September 2012 - Ashgabat/Dashoguz/Kunya-Urgench/Khiva
Fly across the Karakum Desert to Dashoguz. On arrival transfer to Kunye Urgench to take in Dash Kala Caravanserai, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum and the II-Arslan Mausoleum. Transfer to the Uzbek border to Khiva.

Monday 17th September 2012 - Bukhara/Urgench/Khiva/Tashkent
Full day sightseeing tour of Khiva including visits to the Kunya-Ark fortress, the Palvan-Kari and Abd Al Bobo complexes, Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan, Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum. Uch Avlioli Mausoleum and the Jami Mosque. This evening you will fly to Tashkent where you will overnight before flying back to the UK the following day.