The Silk Road - Uzbekistan - A central Asian adventure. 
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city walls of khiva

The gold room in the registan, samarkand

life at the yurt camp

the registan at night. samarkand

Chorsu bazaar

September 5 - 16,  2021

11 days on the Silk Road in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan. Central Asia. The Silk Road. Think Genghis Khan, Marco Polo and Aladdin and his magic lamp. Their second largest city, Samarkand, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on the planet. Deserts, mountains, grassy steppes, modern cities, spice bazaars and nomads. All in all it's an amazing and intriguing place. Magical and mystical with tons of history.

$2878 includes direct non-stop round trip air fare from JFK to Tashkent, Uzbekistan and all fuel surcharges and departure taxes*, four nights in Tahskent, Uzbekistan's capital city,  one night in a Yurt camp in the desert,  a night inside the ancient city walls of Khiva, two nights in the historic center of Bukhara, three nights in the ancient capital city of Samarkand, private motorcoach transfers, domestic air flights and modern trains throughout Uzbekistan, full breakfast each morning, all tours and entrance fees in the itinerary, wine tasting, one lunch and one dinner, an English speaking guide for our entire journey and a pre-departure orientation before we go!
*(small print)Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement available for solo travelers $399.  All fuel charges and taxes are included but are subject to change until time of ticketing. Round trip transportation to the airport available for an additional charge. A visa is required to visit Uzbekistan. They are very easy to obtain. You can apply directly online and the cost is only $35. 

Book this trip.  No money due now.

Uzbekistan is an intriguing place. They gained their freedom from the USSR in 1991 and have made amazing strides to become a modern country while maintaining the traditions and culture of their ancient past. It's very safe. The younger generation speaks English. Their craft shops and craftsmanship is unparalleled, whether you're looking for wood carving, metalsmithing, weaving or embroidery.  The country is mostly Muslim, yet very western, welcoming and tolerant. You won't see any burquas; in fact many of the women wear traditional dresses made from crazily colored fabrics with gold hems. The food is delicious. Tea is an art form. And you can get good beer and wine anywhere. It's simply a place you have to experience to understand. Come with us and see for yourself!

Itinerary

Sept 5th, Sunday Departure
We'll be flying Uzbekistan Airways direct non-stop from JFK to Tashkent. Our flight departs 1:00 pm. 

Sep 6th, Monday Day 1 : Tashkent
Arrive at Tashkent international airport at 10:00 AM , meet our guide and driver and transfer to our hotel. Spend the day in Tashkent. Guided city tour of Tashkent including the Hasti Imam complex with Barakhan madrasa  and Uthman Koran. Shop in the dazzling and ancient Chorsu bazaar. Overnight Tashkent

Sep 7th Tuesday Day 2: Tashkent
After breakfast at our hotel we'll continue touring the city on their ultra modern and spotless metro and take in a museum. Afterwards we'll have plenty of free time to wander and explore this friendly and fascinating city. Overnight Tashkent.
 
Sep 8th, Wednesday Day 3 : Tashkent to Urgench 
At 6:00 AM transfer to local airport for our flight across the country (about an hour and a half) to Urgench.  We'll head out into the desert to see some ancient mud brick fortresses before heading to our camp. Lunch and Dinner with a folk music show around the campfire. Overnight or stay in Yurt.
 
Sep 9th, Thursday Day 4: Khiva full day
After breakfast we'll head over to the ancient city of Khiva and tour the Ichan Kala within the walls. We'll visit mosques, palaces,  harems and mausoleums and have some free time in the afternoon and evening to wander around the city walls. Overnight Khiva.
 
Sep 10th , Friday Day 5 : Khiva to Bukhara 
After breakfast we'll head to the station to catch our train to Bukhara. We'll arrive in the afternoon and check into hotel, have dinner and go for an evening stroll through the city, taking in some beautiful night time sights like the Kylan minaret and the central meeting place, the Laby Hauz, Overnight Bukhara
  
Sep 11th, Saturday Day 6: Bukhara
After breakfast we'll tour the summer Palace, Ark Citdel, have some lunch and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening free to shop and explore the city.
OPTIONAL – Folk dance with dinner.
Overnight Bukhara
 
Sep 12th, Sunday Day 7: Bukhara to Samarkand  
This morning we'll catch a super early train to Samarkand, and have the city to ourselves (well, almost) upon arrival. First stop breakfast, then start we'll begin the tour of this ancient city: Gur Emir Mausoleum, Registan square, Bibi Hanum mosque and bazar, Khorvenko Wine Museum tour and tasting. Overnight Samarkand.
 
Sep 13th, Monday Day 8 : Samarkand.
There's so much to see in this amazing city; Shahi Zinda, Observatory of Ulughbek,  Afrosiab musuem. Today we'll continue with our guided tour in the morning and have the rest of the afternoon and evening free at your leisure. Overnight Samarkand
 
Sep 14th, Tuesday Day 9 : Samarkand to Tashkent
Begin the day with buffet breakfast and then visit an truly amazing multi generation carpet factory. This is not a tourist trap. It's a real functioning factory where it can take up to a year to produce a single hand made silk carpet. We'll also see a paper factory ( a little more touristy but pretty cool).  At 4:30 pm we'll head to the railway station for our Tashkent fast train. 2 hours to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.
 
Sep 15th, Wednesday Day 10 : Tashkent
Free day in Tashkent. Our last day in Uzbekistan to do whatever you like. Enjoy! Overnight in Tashkent.
 
Sep 16th, Thursday Day 11 : Departure
Early check out from hotel and transfer to airport for our return flight home. Uzbekistan Air flight departs 7:05 AM and arrives at JFK before noon. We should be back in Easton in the early afternoon.

Book this trip.  No money due now.