Istanbul and Uzbekistan twin centre holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Istanbul
• 1 night Tashkent
• 1 night Khiva
• 3 nights Bukhara
• 3 nights Samarkand
• 1 night Tashkent 

Day 1: UK to Istanbul

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. On arrival in Istanbul, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for three nights.

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel 

Days 2 & 3: Istanbul

On your first full day in Istanbul, you'll have a full day tour to learn about this fascinating city. At the crossroads of different cultures, Istanbul has been melting pot of people, cuisine and trading for well over 2,000 years and you'll spend today exploring this hive of activity. Marvel over the vast beauty of the Blue Mosque, gaze up at the glorious Hagia Sophia and experience the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace. Finish your day at the Grand Bazaar, where you can have Turkish coffee, try Turkish delight and shop for trinkets, jewellery and rugs. 

Your second day is yours to explore the city further at your leisure - why not take a cruise along the Bosphorus River, admire the Dolmabahce Palace and taste local baklava and simits with jam. 

Included: Breakfast, Day 2 touring, 4* hotel 

Day 4: Fly to Tashkent 

After breakfast, you'll be driven back to the airport for your fligiht to Uzbekistan. 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 

Day 5: Fly to Urgench, travel to Khiva

After breakfast, you’ll head to the airport for an early flight to Urgench in the west of Uzbekistan. On arrival you’ll be met and driven to Khiva, around 40 minutes away. You’ll spend the rest of the day exploring this fascinating city, one of the renowned capitals of old Khorezm. A gem of desert architecture, you’ll explore the inner city of Ichan Kala, with over 60 historical monuments dotted throughout, including the Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Kunya Ark and the Juma Mosque which has 218 pillars. There is so much to see here as you start to soak up the history and culture of Uzbekistan.

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, touring, 4* hotel     

Day 6: Khiva to Bukhara 

Today you’ll set off on a long train journey across the country to Bukhara. It takes around 7 hours – play cards, chat and have a rest before arriving in Bukhara in the early evening. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel

Days 7 & 8: Bukhara

You’ve got two days to soak 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 times; spend your days 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. On Day 6, you’ll head out of the city to visit the Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace, summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel                     

Day 9: 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 three nights.

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

Days 10 & 11: Samarkand       

On Day 8, you'll 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 12: 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 13: Depart Uzbekistan 

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights         

Day 14: Arrive UK