Uzbekistan: Journey Along The Silk Route

Discover the capital Tashkent, a fascinating mix of modern, post-Soviet city and traditional Uzbek town with leafy avenues and mud-walled houses. In the far West, visit the impressive Savitsky Art Museum housing thousands of banned avant-garde Russian art pieces. A drive across the desert takes us to the beautifully intact architectural ensemble of Khiva and then onward to the living museum of Bukhara where we stay for three nights to explore this still very much lived-in old centre filled with medrassahs, minarets, a royal fortress, and a mulberry tree-shaded oasis in its heart. The markets are a photographic delight and the flourishing arts and crafts enticing. In Samarkand, discover a cornucopia of magnificent monuments, including Registan Square, possibly the most awesome single sight in Central Asia.

The incredible sky-blue tile work, woven brick constructions, and brilliant fabrics of the Silk Road form a mosaic of vivid snapshots enhanced by warm Uzbek hospitality. An optional post-tour extension to Kyrgyzstan comprises the epic poem of the Manas, the vibrant mix of Soviet power and Asian traditions, and the stunning scenery of this mountainous country.