Visit Uzbekistan, India and the Maldives: 3 weeks culture & beach

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Tashkent
• 2 nights Bukhara
• 2 nights Samarkand
• 1 night Tashkent
• 2 nights Delhi
• 1 night Agra
• 3 nights Jaipur
• 1 night Delhi
• 6 nights Maldives

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Tashkent 

On arrival in Tashkent, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for one night. In the afternoon, you’ll head out on a city tour of Tashkent, exploring the old and least Soviet part of the city, the Khast Imam Complex, which dates back to the seventh century. It is home to the Quran of Caliph Uthman, one of the oldest in the world. You’ll explore the bustling Chorsu Market, which has been selling spices and handicrafts to locals since the Middle Ages, before heading to the Museum of Applied Arts, the Amir Temur Square and the Earthquake Monument. You’ll explore on the Tashkent Metro, which is famous for it’s ornately decorated stations. 

Included: Transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Days 3 & 4: Bukhara 

After breakfast in Tashkent, you'll hop on the train to Bukhara, which will take around 3 hours. Spend these two days soaking up the architectural heritage of Bukhara, with public baths, mausoleums, trading domes, mosques and madrassahs just waiting to be explored. It’s an enchanting city that really takes you back in time; spend your time strolling between the local bazaars, learning about the history of the Silk Route and trading domes and soaking up different museums, mosques and madrassahs with your guide. As you explore the city, you’ll stop in a local tea houses to enjoy fresh tea and coffee flavoured with different spices. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel

Day 5: Train to Samarkand

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a morning at leisure to do some shopping or explore on your own, before heading to the train station for the fast train to Samarkand, around 2 hours away. On arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel and check in for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, train tickets, 4* hotel

Day 6: Samarkand

Spend the day learning about the architectural history of Samarkand. The city has witnessed a lot of upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great, the Arabic conquest and the Ghengis-Khan conquest. This has allowed Samarkand’s culture to develop and mix together with Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and Eastern cultures. Marvel at the spectacular Registan Square, one of the most iconic views in Uzbekistan, before admiring the incredible mosaics of Bibi-Khanum Mosque. You'll learn from your guide about the history of Timur and his presence in the region, finishing the day at the Siab Bazaar, where you can try local street food and get lost amongst the colourful stalls.

Included:  Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 7: Train to Tashkent

Today you’ll continue to enjoy the masterpieces of Samarkand, including the Ulugbek's Observatory, where you will be amazed by the Timurid dynasty's advanced understanding of astronomy. You’ll also visit the Old Paper Mill near Samarkand, where you’ll learn about the lost art of paper-making that was once famous throughout the East. After a morning of exploring, you’ll hop on the train to Tashkent, which is around a 2.5 hour journey. Enjoy your final evening in Uzbekistan – why not head out for a traditional meal, your guide will be able to recommend somewhere fantastic, where you can toast to a wonderful holiday in Uzbekistan.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, train tickets, 4* hotels     

Day 8: Fly to Delhi

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport in time for your flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for two nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel  

Day 9: Delhi

You’ll spend your first morning in India exploring Old Delhi, a maze of crowded markets and tiny shops, crammed with some of the oldest businesses in the city. You’ll explore with a renowned chef, visiting around 8 different food spots, tasting some of the city’s best street food and learning about the different cultures and traditions that have created such delicious cuisine. 

Spend the afternoon in the contrasting New Delhi, an area designed by the British in the 1920s - it’s home to government buildings set along wide boulevards and green parks and gardens. Visit monuments including the Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb, and drive past the impressive India Gate, a popular hangout for locals.

Included: Breakfast, guiding, 4* hotel     

Day 10: Delhi to Agra 

After breakfast in Delhi, you’ll be driven to Agra where the Taj Mahal awaits. In the afternoon you’ll visit Agra Fort, where you’ll wander through the chambers of this ancient royal residence. The country was once governed from here, as well as containing the largest treasury and mint. Dignitaries and ambassadors from far off lands would be brought here, each one participating in the history of India. 

In the evening you’ll head off on a Mughal Heritage walk, followed by a visit to Mehtab Bagh. You’ll walk though the village and meet the locals who live in the shadow of the Taj Mahal. You’ll chat to one of the village boys, enjoying chai and a pakora on the rooftop of a nearby house overlooking in the monument and learn about how tourism has benefited the local community. The money from this tour all goes to the village, providing education for women, initiatives for children and sanitation for the whole community.

Included: Breakfast, guiding, transfers, 4* hotel                

Day 11: Agra to Jaipur 

An early start this morning will get you to the Taj Mahal for sunrise. Spend the morning exploring this mighty building. As you learnt a lot about the history of the mausoleum last night, today you’ll be free to wander through the complex alone and really soak up this awe-inspiring wonder of the world. Built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen, it took 18 years to complete, with craftsmen working around the clock on the intricate and romantic design. 

With perfect proportions and distinct femininity, legend says that once the construction was completed, Shan Jehan ordered the architect’s hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. 

Leaving Agra behind, you’ll be driven towards Jaipur, stopping to visit Fatehpur Sikri, an incredible imperial city built during the Mughal dynasty. The majestic building is made of red sandstone and is completely abandoned, but in amazing condition considering its age. After exploring, you’ll arrive in the Pink City, checking in for three nights. 

Included: Breakfast, guiding, transfers, 4* hotel                

Days 12 &  13: Jaipur 

You’ll have two days to enjoy and explore beautiful Jaipur. On your first morning, you’ll head out to visit the Amber Fort, which you’ve just seen from the sky. This marvellous example of Rajput architecture is made up of terraces and ramparts, all a rich terracotta colour that is reflected beautifully in the lake below. Each room within the royal halls is decorated with intricate ivory artwork and exquisite murals, really showing off the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom that was never conquered.

In the afternoon you’ll take a tour of the city – starting at the City Palace Complex, you’ll learn about the local styles of paintings as well as the royal family that still lives in parts of the palace. In the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, you’ll find the Mubarak Mahal. Built in the nineteenth century, you’ll be able to view a huge range of textiles and costumes, including rare pashmina shawls, Benaras silk saris and folk embroidery. Across the road, you’ll look around the famous Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories in India. Built to indulge the passionate hobby of astronomy by the king, they created complex astronomical instruments made of stone, which still provide accurate information on the heavens above, to this day. It’s a fascinating place to explore and learn about the twinkling skies above.

In the evening you’ll head to the spice market, exploring the narrow lanes and tiny shops, with colourful heaps of spices found round every corner. Stock up on spice mixes to make sure your curries at home are the best around. 

On your second day you’ll explore Jaipur at dawn on an early morning tour, meeting locals as they start their day in the flower and vegetable markets. You’ll taste chai by the roadside, feast on tasty street food and visit a temple to enjoy a morning prayer ceremony, with hundreds of devotees from all walks of life. After breakfast back at the hotel you’ll head off for a block printing experience before spending the rest of the day at your leisure. 

In the evening, you’ll be welcomed by a local family to learn the subtle art of Indian cooking, tasting some delicious specialties and experiencing famous Indian hospitality. 

Included: Breakfast, guiding, 4* hotel     

Day 14: Drive to Delhi

Today you’ll head back to Delhi, arriving in the early afternoon. You can spend the rest of your day at leisure in the hotel before your flight to the Maldives tomorrow. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel                  

Day 15: Fly to the Maldives

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport to catch the flight to paradise! You'll arrive in the Maldives before hopping in a seaplane to fly out to your idyllic island. Check in for six nights, then kick back and relax.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, seaplane transfers, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi 

Day 16 - 20: Maldives

Welcome to the Maldives, a lush nation with a big heart made up of nearly 1,200 tiny islands. We’ve booked you a Deluxe Beach Villa at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, so you can run into the turquoise water for a quick snorkel before breakfast or catch a magnificent sunset from your deck.

Spend your days kayaking through the crystal-clear ocean or learning to dive on the colourful reef. In the evening, settle down for a sumptuous meal, whether you fancy a relaxing cocktail at the bar or a private candlelit dinner on the beach. This is a week in paradise – just lie back and soak it all up. 

Included: All inclusive, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi 

Day 21: Depart Maldives 

This morning, you'll say farewell to the Maldives, enjoying one last breakfast before hopping back on the seaplane to the airport, where you'll catch your international flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, seaplane transfers, international flights 

Day 22: Arrive UK