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Journey to Samarkand

The glory of Samarkand

Click on the name of the hotel for details

8 days from £1028

excluding international flights

DAY 1 – Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Uzbekistan Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Tashkent.  Fly to Bukhara.

On arrival in Tashkent in the morning you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs and taken by private car to your hotel,where a day room has been booked for you. In the afternoon take the shortflight to Bukhara. After checking in at your hotel there should be time to walk through the narrow lanes to Lyab-i-Hauz Square, surrounded by 3 beautifully decorated madrassahs. Hereyou may sit at a cafe overlooking the ornamental pool, sipping green tea and simply watching the world go by - the perfect introduction to this wonderful ancient city.

DAYS 3 and 4 - Bukhara.

Two days of sightseeing in Bukhara, the holiest of the ancient Silk Road cities with a history of more than 2,500 years. At the heart of the old city lies the Kalyon Mosque with its stunning 48m/155ft minaret. As well as exploring this and the nearby Islamic monuments, you will visit the infamous Ark, palace of the ruling emirs of Bukhara, including Emir Nusrallah who was responsible for the cruel treatment and subsequent beheading of the British envoys Stoddart and Connolly in 1842, an incident that caused international outrage. Just outside the Ark is a small park which is graced by the exquisite 10th century Ismael Samani Mausoleum with its intricately patterned brickwork. The unique Chor Minar with its 4 blue-tiled towers is on your itinerary, as is the unusual early 20th century Summer Palace, some miles outside the city proper, whose eclectic and somewhat bizarre decor is not to everyone's taste. One of the joys of Bukhara is simply wandering through the old city to take in the atmosphere, stop at a cafe or browse in a handicraft shop.
Meals included: Full breakfast each day.

DAY 5 - By road via Shakresabz to Samarkand.

Your journey continues eastwards through the Kizilkum Desert to arrive in time for lunch in Shakresabz, birthplace of the Emperor Tamerlane. Visit the remains of Tamerlane's Aksaray Palace and the tomb of his son Jehangir, before continuing to Samarkand.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 6 - Samarkand.

The very name of Samarkand conveys grandeur and extravagance as well as mystery and remoteness. Tamerlane's great capital city was one of the richest and most extravagant cities in the world and its remaining monuments bear clear witness to this. The Registan (pictured) is undoubtedly one of the world's wonders - ".the noblest square in the world" according to Lord Curzon in the 19th century. Its unique combination of massive but elegant mosaic facades, turquoise domes and patterned minarets creates a perfect harmony and balance. You will spend time in and around The Registan before walking to Tamerlane's awesome Bibi Khanum Mosque, once the largest mosque in the world. Other included visits are to Tamerlane's final resting place, the Gur Emir Mausoleum with its distinctive ribbed dome, and the Astronomical Observatory built in the 15th century by Tamerlane's grandson Ulug Beg.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Samarkand.  Return to Tashkent.

This morning visit one of Samarkand's less well known but most delightful treasures - the complex of tombs known as the Shah-i-Zinda, located in the old city of Afrosiab which predated Samarkand and was destroyed by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. The Shah-i-Zinda tombs (pictured) contain some of Central Asia's finest majolica tilework.  In the afternoon drive back to Uzbekistan's capital and check into your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 - Tashkent sightseeing.  Depart for home.

After breakfast your guide will take you for a morning's sightseeing in what has become the largest city in Central Asia. Visit the History Museum, the Fine Arts Museum and stroll along the main central thoroughfare of the city.  Private transfer in the afternoon to the airport for your flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights

We recommend the direct services of Uzbekistan Airways. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Tashkent. Depart at 22.05; arrive Tashkent at 09.55 (next morning)
Tashkent/Heathrow. Depart at 17.25; arrive Heathrow at 20.00

Journey to Samarkand (Tour Reference: WDUZ001)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flight by Uzbekistan Airways from Tashkent to Bukhara, including taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 6 full breakfasts and 1 lunch as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.
• Your own private guide for all included sightseeing.
• All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees.
• Porterage at airports and hotels
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing. The World Discovery representatives in Uzbekistan will be pleased to organise any additional sightseeing you may wish to include during your stay.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Uzbekistan visa. This must be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com. World Discovery will assist in obtaining your visa as documentation is required from our agents in Uzbekistan.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.