This three-week tour of Central Asia evokes the famous Silk Road to Samarkand and beyond. We start in the ultra-modern city of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. We visit the impressive ruins of the Parthian city of Nisa dating from the 3rd-4th Century AD, and the explore the enormous 20th Century Turkmenbashi Mosque. In the afternoon we visit the National Museum and see the excellent collection of artefacts from the main archaeological sites.

We then fly to the modern town of Mary in eastern Turkmenistan. We explore the impressive remains of the ancient Seljuk capital of Merv and see the artefacts from the site in the Mary Museum. The next day we return to Ashgabat and then head north across the Karakum Desert. We stop for the night at the Darvaza Gas Crater which has been burning for more than 45 years. The following day we head north across the desert, stopping to see the ruins of a Silk Road caravanserai. We continue to Kunya Urgench, ancient capital of the Khorezm state during the 9th and 10th Centuries. This UNESCO World heritage site is famous for its medieval tombs and enormous Kutlug Timur minaret.

The following day we cross the border into Uzbekistan, after which we head to the superb medieval walled city of Khiva. After getting settled into our hotel we explore the Kunya Arg, which was the fortified royal compound. The following day we explore the Ichon Qala, the ancient walled city of Khiva. We visit the beautiful Juma Mosque with its wooden columns, visit private residences and the Tash Hauli palace complex. In the evening we take a walk around the walls of Khiva at sunset.

The next morning, we head out into the Kyzylkum Desert north of Khiva to explore some of the impressive ancient and medieval fortresses which guarded the region of Khorezm. This includes the Ayaz Qala with walls 10m thick, located in a spectacular desert landscape.

The following day we drive across the desert to Bukhara, stopping to see an historic caravanserai. We then have two days set aside to explore the stunning monuments of Bukhara. We start at the 9th Century tomb of Ismael Samani, founder of the Samanid Empire. We explore the fortified residence of the local Emirs which was occupied up to the early 20th Century. We also see the magnificent Kalon Mosque and adjoining madrasa, walk through the covered bazaars and visit two further madrasas. The following day we explore the ruins of the ancient part of Bukhara, visit the Summer Palace of the Emirs and explore the shrine complex of Bakhauddin Nakhshbandi.

The following day we head east along the Royal Road to Samarkand, stopping to see the ancient town of Karmana. This was an important Silk Road centre. We visit a medieval caravanserai, the Khanagha (Sufi Inn) of Kasim Sheikh and the Mausoleum of Mir Said Bakhrom. In Samarkand we explore the Gur Emir tomb of Tamerlane and his family before exploring the remarkable Registan complex, consisting of three tiled madrasas of the 15th to 17th Century. We see the Ulug Beg astronomical complex, the ancient Afrosiab tell mound and its museum, the Shah-I Zinda tombs, and the enormous Mosque of Bibi Khanum.

A day excursion from Samarkand then takes us to explore the ruins of the palace of Tamerlane, the Kok Guymbaz Mosque and Dorus Siadad Mausoleum. The following morning, we take the high speed train to Tashkent where we see the excellent National Museum of Archaeology (if open). In Tashkent we explore the Hasrat Imam Complex and 16th Century Barak Khan Madrasa. In the afternoon we visit the Chorsu or 'Crossroads' Bazaar and see the Amir Timur Museum.

We next cross the border into Tajikistan and see the historic monuments of Khujand, the furthest point reached by Alexander the Great. We travel through the Zarafshan and Fann Mountains to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Here we see the archaeology museum, explore the Hisar Fortress and take a walk in the Botanical Gardens.

Day 1: Arrive in Ashgabat
You arrive in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan - a tour representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. The group will meet in the lobby of the hotel and go out for dinner at 7pm. Overnight Ashgabat.

Day 2: Nisa - Turkmenbashi Mosque - National Museum
In the morning we visit the impressive 3rd Century AD Parthian royal complex at the site of Nisa. We also see the grand Turkmenbashi Mosque in Ashgabat, one of the largest in Central Asia. After lunch we explore the National Museum of Turkmenistan which has an excellent collection of artefacts covering the history of the region. Overnight Ashgabat.


Day 3: Merv - Mary Museum
This morning we fly to Mary in the east of Turkmenistan. We explore the ruins of the ancient and medieval city of Merv. A Seleucid power base and major centre on the Silk Road, Merv was a Seljuk capital in the 12th Century. Sacked by the Mongols it still preserves rich evidence of its history. A highlight is the enormous mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. In the afternoon we visit the regional museum - this has an excellent display of finds from the area and an ethnographic collection. Overnight Mary.

Day 4: Ashgabat - Darvaza gas crater
This morning we fly back to Ashgabat where we explore some of the landmarks including the Monument of Neutrality and Independence park. After lunch we head north across the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Carter, an enormous gas pit which has been burning for more than 45 years. Overnight in a yurt at Darvaza (dinner included).

Day 5: Kunya Urgench
In the morning, we drive through desert landscapes, stopping to see a ruined Silk Road caravanserai. We then head to the ruins of Kunya Urgench, the ancient capital of the region of Khorezm. A UNESCO world heritage site, the monuments includes mausoleums and the Kutlug Timur minaret. In the afternoon we drive to Dashoguz. Overnight Dashoguz.


Day 6: Border crossing into Uzbekistan - Khiva
This morning we go through the border crossing into Uzbekistan - this requires you to wheel your luggage through the customs zone. We then drive 50km drive to the ancient walled city of Khiva. We have some lunch, check into our hotel, and in the afternoon, we explore part of the Kunya Arg, the fortified residence of the medieval city of Khiva. Overnight Khiva.

Day 7: Khiva
Today we continue our exploration of the Ichon Qala, the ancient walled city at the heart of Khiva. Highlights include the historic Juma Mosque with its black elm pillars, the Tash Hauli Palace and the eastern ensemble which includes three madrasas and the Allah Kuli Khan Caravanserai. In the evening we walk along the city walls for a superb view across the historic quarter. Overnight Khiva.

Day 8: Kyzylkum Desert Fortresses
In the morning we cross the famous Amu Darya (Oxus River), into the Kyzylkum Desert to explore some of the remarkable desert castles which originally guarded the region of Khorezm This includes the enormous Ayaz Qala with its 10m walls, the Toprak Qala city fortress which accommodated 2500 people and the Guldursun Fortress. Overnight Khiva.

Day 9: Drive to Bukhara
In the morning, we leave Khiva and travel east to Bukhara. We see some of the desert landscapes of the Kyzylkum Desert and stop at a historic caravanserai. Overnight Bukhara.


Day 10: Bukhara
Today we explore the historic heart of Bukhara. This morning we visit the 9th Century Ismael Samani Mausoleum, burial place of the founder of the Samanid Dynasty. We see the beautiful Bolo Hauz Mosque and then explore the fortified Ark, the royal residence of Bukhara. After lunch we visit the magnificent Kalon Mosque and adjoining Mir-i Arab Madrasa. In the afternoon we take a walk through the covered bazaars of the old quarter and see The Ulug Beg Madrasa and adjoining Abdul Aziz Madrasa. Overnight Bukhara.

Day 11: Bukhara
Today we explore more of the historic heritage of Bukhara. We see the ruins of the Magori Attari Mosque, and the Lyab-I Hauz Complex of pools and madrasas. We also visit some of the historic sites in the countryside outside Bukhara including the Sitorai Makhi Khosa (Emir's Summer palace) the Bakhauddin Nakhshbandi Shrine complex and the Chor Bakr Complex of shrines. Overnight Bukhara.

Day 12: Royal Road to Samarkand - Karmana
In the morning, we drive along the ancient Royal Road up the Zerafshan Valley from Bukhara to Samarkand. We visit Karmana, the old Silk Road town of Karminiya where we see the Rabat-i Malik caravanserai, the Kasim Sheikh Khanagha, and the Mir Said Bakhrom Mausoleum. In the late afternoon we check into our hotel in Samarkand. Overnight Samarkand.

Day 13: Samarkand
This morning we explore some of the highlights of medieval Samarkand. We start with the magnificent Gur Emir Mausoleum where Tamerlane is buried. We then explore the remarkable assemblage of buildings of the Registan Square. This consists of three stunning madrasas erected from the 15th to 17th Century. In the afternoon we see how traditional paper was made and see the Ulug Beg Astronomical Observatory. Overnight Samarkand.

Day 14: Samarkand
Today we explore some more of the historic heart of Samarkand. We start at the Afrosiab mound, the ancient Sogdian tell of Samarkand. We visit the site and explore the stunning frescoes in the site museum. We then see the Shah-I Zinda Necropolis, a series of magnificent tombs belonging to the family and descendants of Tamerlane. In the afternoon, and explore the enormous Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane in the late 14th Century. We finish with a wander in the Russian era Bazaar. Overnight Samarkand.


Day 15: Shakhrisabz
We head south for a day excursion to the historic town of Shakhrisabz (the ancient city of Kesh), the home town of Tamerlane. We explore the historic buildings of the old city, including the remains of Tamerlane's Ak Serai (White Palace), the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and the Dorus Siadad mausoleum built by Tamerlane. Overnight Samarkand.

Day 16: Tashkent
This morning, we take the high-speed train to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. After lunch we visit the National Archaeological Museum of Uzbekistan (if open - it is closed for renovations). We also visit the Amir Timur Museum with displays about the history of Central Asia. It contains a wide ranging collection of artefacts illustrating the history of the Silk Road. Overnight Tashkent.

Day 17: Tashkent
Today we see the highlights of the ancient city of Tashkent. We see the Hasrat Imam Complex and nearby 16th Century Barak Khan Madrasa. In the afternoon we see the enormous Chorsu or 'Crossroads' Bazaar which has almost everything for sale including horsemeat. Overnight Tashkent.

Day 18: Cross into Tajikistan - Khujand
Today we leave Tashkent and cross the border into Tajikistan. We head to the ancient city of Khujand on the Syr Darya River. This was Alexandria Eschate 'the Furthest', the most remote city founded by Alexander the Great. We explore the fortress of Khujand and its museum, the markets and the Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque complex. Overnight Khujand.


Day 19: Zarafshan and Fann Mountains - drive to Dushanbe
We drive through the spectacular Zarafshan and Fann Mountains of Tajikistan. We cross the Fann mountain passes (3300m) and then descend to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Overnight Dushanbe.

Day 20: Dushanbe Archaeology Museum - Hisar Fortress - Botanical Gardens
In the morning, we visit the National Archaeological Museum which has a wonderful collection of artefacts from various sites in Tajikistan including frescos from Penjakent and an impressive reclining Buddha. In the afternoon we visit the Hisar Fortress and the Botanical gardens. Late in the evening we head to the airport for our early morning flight.

Day 21: Depart Dushanbe
We depart from Dushanbe International Airport.

* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.