Home > Destinations > Uzbekistan > Land of the Kushanas
LAND OF THE KUSHANAS
Day 1 London to Tashkent
This morning make your own way to London Heathrow in good time to
catch your flight with Uzbekistan Airlines to Tashkent. (N)
Day 2 Arrive Tashkent
Arrive into Tashkent where you will be met and transferred to the
InterContinental Hotel where you will stay overnight. (B)
Day 3 Tashkent to Termiz – by air
Morning transfer back to Tashkent Airport for the flight to Termiz.
On your arrival you will be met and transferred to your Meridien Hotel.
Modern-day Termiz bears few traces of its cosmopolitan history, however,
there are a number of ancient monuments and sites set beyond the city
that point to Termiz’s past as a religious and cultural centre.
Later visit the ruins of the 2nd Century Buddhist monastery of Fayz
tepe, Hakkim al Termizi – the Mausoleum of the revered Islamic
philosopher, the Sultan Saodat Complex, Kokil Dara Khanagha and Kyrk
Kyz Kala. (B)
Day 4 Termiz to Dushanbe
This morning depart for Dushanbe stopping en-route to visit the ruins
of an ancient Kushan town of Dalverzin Tepe – one of a number
of Kushan sites currently being excavated in the region. Later continue
onto Dushanbe where you will stay for two nights at your Tajikistan
Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 5 Dushanbe
Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan. Archaeological finds date the
settlement back to the 5th Century yet it was only in the 1920s that
the city grew from a provincial market town to the capital of the
new Soviet Tajik Republic. The main points of sightseeing lie on,
or close, to the tree lined Prospekt Rudaki. The road stretches throughout
the city centre and is the ideal base from which to explore the capital.
(B)
Day 6 Dushanbe to Samarkand
via Penjikent
This morning depart for Samarkand. En-route visit Penjikent once an
important Sogdian town that dates backs to the 5th Century. Visit
the governor’s palace, homes, and temples and after move onto
the Rudaki Museum to see more of the artefacts found at the site.
Afterwards continue onto Samarkand where you will stay for two nights
at the Regal Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 7 Samarkand
Today commence your sightseeing of this famous city. Samarkand is
situated in the valley of the River Zarafshan and is the second largest
city of Uzbekistan roughly the same age as the city of Babylon or
Rome. The history of Samarkand is about 2,500 years old and has witnessed
the times of Alexander the Great, the Arabic Conquest, Genghis-Khan
and Tamerlane. Majestic and beautiful Samarkand has attracted poets
and historians and to this day is known as the ‘Rome of the
East’. (B)
Day 8 Samarkand to Bukhara
via Shakrisabz
This morning leave Samarkand and drive to Bukhara stopping en-route
at Shakrisabz. Remains of Ak Saray Palace and old city walls can be
found in just north of the city centre, however, the most beautiful
historical part of Shakrisabz is the Kok Gumbaz mosque and Dorut Tilovat.
Afterwards continue onto Bukhara where you will stay for two nights
at the Asia Hotel. (B)
Day 9 Bukhara
This morning commence your sightseeing tour of Bukhara. One of the
most ancient cities of Uzbekistan Bukhara is believed to have been
founded in the 13th Century BC during the reign of Siyavushids who
came to power 980 years before Alexander the Great. There are more
than 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges in the city and sights
such as the Poi-Kalon, Kos Madras, Ismail Samani Mausoleum and Kalian
Minaret are not to be missed. (B)
Day 10 Bukhara to Tashkent – by air
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent. On your arrival
transfer to the InterContinental Hotel where you will stay overnight.
Later today enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tashkent. Places of interest
include the 16th Century Kukeldash Madrassah which is being restored
as a museum and the Kaffali-Shash Mausoleum. Tashkent also houses
many museums of Uzbek and pre-Uzbek culture. These include the State
Art Museum, which houses a collection of paintings and ceramics as
well as the Bukharian royal robes. The Museum of Decorative and Applied
Arts exhibits embroidered wall hangings and reproduction antique jewellery.
(B)
Day 11 Depart Tashkent
Depart Tashkent on your onward flight to London Heathrow with Uzbekistan
Airlines. (B)
STAYING ON
Extend your sojourn in Central Asia with a once in a lifetime journey into China following the great Silk Road. Travel from the markets of Kashgar to the Imperial cities of Xi’an and Beijing through a myriad of stunning landscapes and world famous sites.
Kyrgyzstan is but a short flight from Uzbekistan and, like its neighbour, is blessed with beautiful natural scenery, a relatively undeveloped tourism and hospitable friendly natives.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – LAND OF THE KUSHANAS
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £2,420. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
For further important information please click here.