Regent Central Asia Explored

• Visit Independence Square in Tashkent
• Discover Khiva’s Jumma Mosque
• Drive through the Kyzyl-Kum desert
• Explore Bukhara’s Poi-Kalan complex
• Take an overnight train to Turkestan
• Shop for souvenirs at Osh Bazaar

• Return flights with Turkish Airlines from London Heathrow via Istanbul
• All airport taxes
• Accommodation in three/four-star hotels with breakfast
• Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• All transfers and transportation throughout
• Sightseeing with English-speaking guide as specified
• Entrance fees on sightseeing tours

Day 1: Fly to Tashkent

Day 2: Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy a half day walking tour of Tashkent, taking in the Old City, Brak-Khan Madrassah, Yunus-Khan mausoleum, Museum of Applied Art, Independence Square, Friendship People’s Square and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. (B)

Day 3: Tashkent to Khiva

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Urgench. On arrival transfer to Khiva and check in to the hotel for two nights. (B)

Day 4: Khiva

Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Khiva including Ichan-Kala, Mohammed-Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya Ark, Paklavan Mahmud complex, Islam Khoja Madrassah and the Jumma Mosque. (B)

Day 5: Khiva to Bukhara

Drive through the Kyzyl-Kum desert to Bukhara, which takes around 7 hours. En route stop on the banks of the Amu Darya River, which hugs the Uzbek-Turkmen border. Arrive in Bukhara and transfer to the hotel for three nights. (B)

Day 6: Bukhara

Enjoy a full day tour of Bukhara including the main highlights: Samanids Mausoleum; Chashma Ayub Mazar; Poi-Kalan complex; Ulugbek Madrassah; Lyabi-Hauz complex; Bolo Khauz Mosque and the Ark Citadel. (B)

Day 7: Bukhara

Continue sightseeing in the ancient city of Bukhara. (B)

Day 8: Bukhara to Samarkand

Depart from Bukhara to Samarkand (a journey of around 5 hours) stopping en route in Shakhrisabz, once a major city of Central Asia and primarily known today as the birthplace of the 14th century conqueror Timur. Arrive in Samarkand, transfer to the hotel and check in for two nights. (B)

Day 9: Samarkand

Full day tour of Samarkand including the Guri-Emir Mausoleum, Rukhabad Necropolis and the Registan Complex, Ulugbek Observatory, Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque, Shakhi Zinda Mausoleum and the bazaar. (B)

Day 10: Samarkand to Turkestan

Free morning in Samarkand before the transfer to Tashkent and the overnight train from Tashkent to Turkestan in Kazakhstan (please note that there are trains on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays). (B)

Day 11: Turkestan

Arrive in Turkestan and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy a tour of Turkestan, an important stop on the Silk Road, which was founded over fifteen centuries ago. The Hodja Ahmed Yasavi Mausoleum in Turkestan is a place of pilgrimage for Central Asian Muslims. (B)

Day 12: Turkestan to Taraz

Take the morning excursion to the ghost city of Otrar, an ancient town on the Silk Road near the current town of Karatau in Kazakhstan. Otrar was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1219 on one of his many vicious rampages. After a brief stop in Chimkent continue journey to Taraz. Overnight stay in Taraz. (B)

Day 13: Taraz to Almaty

This morning transfer across the Kazakh steppe to the former capital of Kazakhstan; Almaty. On arrival check in to the hotel for three nights. (B)

Day 14: Almaty

Full day tour of Almaty including the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, see the golden armour of a Scythian warrior, Zenkov Cathedral and the Museum of National Musical Instruments. In the afternoon visit the Medeo Ice Skating Rink high in the mountains overlooking Almaty. (B)

Day 15: Charyn Canyon

Take a day excursion to Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s finest natural wonders. Here, walk in the valley with its extraordinary Grand Canyon-style rock sculptures and multi-coloured gorges.(B)

Day 16: Almaty to Bishkek

In the morning visit the Green Bazaar, which not only offers all manner of food produce, it is an excellent place to purchase any last minute souvenirs. In the afternoon transfer to Bishkek and on arrival transfer to the hotel and check in for two nights. (B)

Day 17: Ala Archa National Park

Spend the day at Ala Archa Valley National Park. This stunning national park with its alpine meadows and flowing brooks, is located some 35 kilometres from Bishkek. (B)

Day 18: Bishkek

Enjoy a morning city tour of Bishkek including the National Historical Museum and Ala-Too Square. Spend some free time in the afternoon and perhaps visit Osh Bazaar – the biggest, brightest and busiest of the city’s markets and a true taste of Central Asia. (B)

Day 19: Fly to the UK

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK (B)

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.