26 August. Kin Mun and I fly to Singapore.
28 August. Beo Lan and I fly to Tashkent via Bangkok.
29 August. Beo Lan and I fly to Urgench
Day 2 : Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva
Enjoy a late breakfast at a local restaurant before flying to Urgench
and transferring to Khiva for two nights at the Asia Khiva (3Q) or a
similar hotel. B,D
30 August. Day 3 : Khiva
Today's included morning walking tour will reveal Khiva's inner fortress, Itchan Kala, an architectural treasure trove of carefully restored mud-walled monuments. Highlights include the Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, the 16th-century Kunya-Ark Castle and 19th-century Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and dinner with a folk show at the 19th-century Kibla Tozabog, the summer residence of the Khiva Khans, or at an alternative venue between November and March. B, L, D
3 August. Day 4 : Khiva to Bukhara
A long day's journey will take you across the Kyzyl-Kum or Red Desert, a route that once took camel caravans laden down with silk, spices and other exotic goods a month to make. You'll pause en route for a packed lunch before continuing to Bukhara, where you stay three nights at the Asia Bukhara (3Q) or a similar hotel. B, L, D
1 September. Day 5 : Bukhara
A centre of trade and education for more than 2,000 years, Bukhara is the best example of a medieval city in Central Asia. Seek out its key sights on an included three-quarter day walking tour of its old town, including the 10th-century Samanids Mausoleum. Later this afternoon, perhaps visit the 15th to 16th-century domed bazaars where merchants still ply their trade. Look forward to an included dinner at a local guest house, including a class on Bukharian cuisine. B, D
2 September. Day 6 : Bukhara
Journey beyond the heart of the city today to the magnificent 16th to 19th-century Naqshbandi Mausoleum, built for the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order, on an included morning tour. Beautiful blue-glazed tiles adorn the facade of this domed, multi-arched masterpiece. Also visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Sitorai-Mokhi-Hossa, a reminder of Uzbekistan's era of Russian rule. After an embroidery masterclass, enjoy lunch in a guest house, then this evening stroll through the atmospheric streets of Bukhara to a local restaurant for an included dinner and a folk and fashion show. B, L, D
3 September. Day 7 : Bukhara to Samarkand
After breakfast, relax on a morning coach journey to Samarkand where you stay two nights at the Grand Samarkand (4Q) or a similar hotel. This afternoon, join an included visit to the Afrosiyab Museum before dinner at a local restaurant. B, D
4 September. Day 8 : Samarkand
Admire the colourful mosaics, blue domes and lofty arches of Registan Square on today's included tour. This grand plaza is bordered on three sides by a group of splendid structures spanning the 14th to 16th centuries, built by the Timurid dynasty. Afterwards enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. B, D
5 September. Day 9 : Shakhrisabz and Samarkand to Tashkent
This morning, travel through the Tahta-karacha Pass to Shakhrisabz to discover 14th to 15th-century Timurid mosques, mausoleums and the ruined gateway of Ak-Saray Palace. Enjoy a taste of local cuisine during an included lunch at a guest house before returning to Samarkand for the two-hour Afrosiab high-speed train journey to Tashkent. Stay two nights at Lotte City Palace (4Q) or a similar hotel. B, L, D
6 September. Day 10 : Tashkent
Explore modern Tashkent on an included sightseeing tour, and visit the Museum of History, the Museum of Applied Art and the Khast-Imam complex. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B, D
7 September. Day 11 : Tashkent
Enjoy the morning at leisure before your return flight to the UK and your included UK door-to-door travel service home. B9 September. Arrive Singapore.
10/11 September. Singapore.
12 September: Kin Mun and I fly back to Sydney. SQ241 arrive 16:40.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.