Textiles & Treasures of Central Asia

Day 1 - Fly London to Tashkent

Depart London on an overnight flight to Tashkent.

Overnight: In flight

Day 2 - Arrive Tashkent. Transfer to hotel. Rest. Visit Madina Kasimbaeva workshop.

You will land in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, in the early morning. On arrival you will be greeted by your tour leader and transferred to your hotel where you will check in, have breakfast and then have option of a few hours welcome rest after the long flight.  Later you will meet for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon you visit the workshop of Madina Kasimbaeva - a renowned master of traditional Uzbek Suzani embroidery and an UNESCO Award-winning artist whose works have been showcased globally, including in the permanent collection of the British Museum.

The term ‘Suzani’ derives from the Persian/ Farsi word for needle. Traditionally, Suzani were the centrepiece of a young woman’s dowry, the craft handed down through the generations as the women of a family came together to embroider the hangings and bedspreads. With roots embedded in early religious and nomadic traditions, each region developed its own distinctly different patterns, motifs and specific qualities. Those of Tashkent for example had a densely stitched ground fabric, which was extremely time consuming to make. Hence, during the 2000’s when the art of suzani was being revived, most needlewomen were drawn to the less exacting techniques of other regions. Not so Madina Kasimbaeva who has dedicated over 24 years to mastering, preserving and developing the traditional processes and lost techniques of the Tashkent school.

Pursuing both ancient and contemporary design, Kasimbaeva’s works are remarkable for their complexity and attention to detail. For example an eight-metre Suzani, created together with 15 students over 3.5 years, is entirely embroidered with tiny, close packed stitches onto a base of a handmade cotton/ silk fabric with high quality silk threads, which are dyed naturally using the likes of onion skins, nut shells and indigo. In her showroom, you can observe the process of creating these unique pieces.

Dinner will be in the town.

Overnight: Al Anvar Hotel Or Similar, Tashkent

Day 3 - Tashkent city tour; visit the Khast-Imam complex, Chorsu bazaar and the Museum of Applied Arts.

In the morning you will be taken on a city tour. Tashkent claims to be the most cosmopolitan city of Central Asia and although it has been continuously inhabited for over 2,000 years, a massive earthquake in the 1960s levelled most of the city and a modern city was born. It is noted for its tree lined streets, numerous fountains and pleasant parks. On your tour you will visit the Khast-Imam complex. Khast Imam is the religious centre for Muslims in Central Asia and includes the Barak Khan Madrasah (16th century), Tilla Shaykh Mosque (the Osman Koran, believed to be world's oldest Koran, is kept in the library of this mosque) and the mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shoshi (a 13-14th century Islamic scholar).

You will also visit the Chorsu Bazaar – this huge and busy bazaar, the largest in Tashkent, is set beneath a magnificent dome decorated in traditional Uzbek style with blue tiles. A vast variety of goods are sold here and a visit is a great introduction to daily life in Uzbekistan.

For a more modern-day attraction you will take a ride on the famous Tashkent Metro. The metro was built between 1966 and 1977 and was the first metro in Central Asia. The subway stations (especially those of the first two lines built) are very beautiful and are famed for their amazing architecture. Platforms are richly decorated with glazed columns, bas reliefs, stucco and enamel, chandeliers and original art. 

After lunch at a local restaurant you will visit the Uzbekistan State Museum of Applied Arts. First created as an exhibition highlighting some of Uzbekistan’s finest work in 1927, the museum has now become a permanent fixture showcasing a superb collection of applied arts.

For dinner this evening you will be taken to a themed restaurant and perhaps have your first taste of Uzbekistan’s famous national dish, ‘plov’, a traditional dish of Central Asia which you will encounter throughout your travels of the Three Stans.  

Overnight: Al Anvar Hotel Or Similar, Tashkent

Day 4 - Early morning 2-hour flight from Tashkent to Urgench. Transfer to Khiva. Sightseeing tour of Ichan Kala architectural complex. Lunch. Visit silk carpet workshop in Khiva.

It’s an early start today for you two-hour flight from Tashkent to Urgench. You will then transfer to Khiva.

Khiva is an ancient city of the Great Silk Road, once famous as a slave trading post. Nowadays the well-preserved city centre is a delightful labyrinth of narrow mud-walled alleyways and spectacular blue mosaics that will transport you back in time.

In the morning you will have a tour of the magnificent Ichan Kala architectural complex, built over the 12th to 19th centuries. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site it was the site of the residence of the last Khan and of high officials, clergy and rich merchants. The complex includes the Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassa, Kunya-Ark Castle (16-17th century), Kalta Minor Tower, Tash-Hovli Palace (19th century), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum (14-18th century), and the Juma Mosque (10th century).

Following this you will have a chance to visit the UNESCO-sponsored silk carpet manufacture a producer of  high-quality silk carpets and embroidered textile in Ichan Kala.

After lunch you will have time free for your own exploration or for shopping.

In the late afternoon you will meet your tour leader to go to the Ark Watch Tower to enjoy a wonderful sunset over the city from the roof of the tower, from where there are all round panoramic views over Ichan Kala and the mosques, minarets and city walls of Khiva.   

Overnight: Orient Star Hotel Or Similar, Khiva

Day 5 - Morning departure to Kyzylkum desert. Visit Toprak and Ayaz Kala Fortresses. Picnic lunch in the yurt. On the way back visit cotton fields.

This morning you head out to the desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm in the vast Kyzylkum Desert, which lies between the two great rivers, the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya (the Oxus River of ancient times).

The Kyzylkum Desert (in Turkic meaning ‘red sand’, although it mostly isn’t!) is one of the most extensive deserts in Asia. The crossing of this desert was an important stage on the Great Silk Road - Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane all passed through here, as did British and Russian spies in the 19th century, often disguised as holy men and horse traders, during the secret stratagems of the ‘Great Game’, when Russia and England were vying for Influence in the region. 

With the first fortified sites said to date from the 4th century BCE this extensive area of now-ruined desert castles, probably originally built to protect early agricultural settlements or to serve as border posts and lookout towers, is traditionally known Elliq Qala, translated as ‘fifty fortresses. Each has quite a distinct character; we will visit at least two of them.

Ayaz Qala, possibly the oldest and most famous of these archaeological sites, comprises three fortresses. There are towers, remains of vaulted ceilings, ramparts and battlements with crenelated tops; some surviving sections of wall are up to 10m high. The main fort sits at the top of a 100m hill, rewarding the climb with wide views over the surrounding plains of the Kyzylkum Desert.

Topraq Qala, translated as ‘clay fortress’, was an expansive walled city thought to be both the fortified administrative centre of ancient Khorezm and a royal residence. At the height of its influence it accommodated a population of 2,500. Amongst the ruins, archaeologists have identified a complex urban layout, which included palaces, temples, houses and streets, plus a fire temple.

The day will include a picnic lunch. On the way back to Khiva you will visit cotton fields before returning to your accommodation. 

Overnight: Orient Star Hotel Or Similar, Khiva

Day 6 - Cross the border to Turkmenistan. Travel to Dashoguz. Visit carpet making facility. Visit architectural monuments.

Today its onward to Turkmenistan! From Khiva it’s a just an hour’s drive to the border at Savat. You will be accompanied and assisted through the border crossing by your tour manager. They will deal with all the paperwork and formalities and you will just walk through to the Turkmenistan side with your day pack to meet your onward transport. Be prepared though, the whole process can take 3-4 hours!

Welcome to Turkmenistan! Once at a crossroads of civilization, Turkmenistan is nowadays one of the least known and least explored of the Five Stans. It is a country of extremes, of harsh landscapes and extreme climate. Much of the country is desert - the Karakum Desert, (literally ‘black sands’) a region of vast landscapes and fearsome reputation, makes up eighty per cent of the country’s area. In the past Alexander the Great passed through with his armies on his way to conquer India, and other empire builders such as Genghis Khan also left their mark. Important archaeological ruins such as Kunya-Urgench, Nisa and Merv mark major stops along the ancient Silk Road.

After lunch in Dashoguz, you will visit the carpet makers of the ‘Turkmenhaly’ State Company in Dashoguz. Here, you will be able to watch in detail how the official carpet makers craft beautiful, traditional carpets using long-established techniques and designs from the area.

You continue to Kunya Urgench, where you will visit the Mausoleums of Turabek Khanym, Il Arslan, Tekesh, Najmeddin Kubra, and Sultan Ali Minaret of Kutluk Timur, as well as the remains of the second minaret and the Caravan Saray Keneurgench. Drive back to Dashoguz.

Overnight: Dashoguz Hotel, Dashoguz

Day 7 - Drive to the 'Door to Hell' at Darvaza - 270 km, approximately 6 hours.

From Dashoguz you will drive to Darvaza in the heart of the vast Karakum Desert, one of the largest sand deserts in the world. It's a long (rather bumpy journey) to get there and you may not arrive until late evening. Along the way, enjoy the stark dry landscapes and stop for photo opportunities.

The gas crater at Darvaza is one of Turkmenistan’s most unusual and surreal sights. It is known as the ‘Door to Hell’. This crater, set in the middle of the desert, has a diameter of 60–70 metres and is about 30 metres deep. It was formed when a natural gas field collapsed into a crater during gas exploration work and ignited, possibly as long ago as 1971.

In Darvaza you will stay at a yurt camp, surrounded by the vastness of the Karakum and enjoy a night of tranquillity in the desert. Away from city lights, the clear view of the stars is a breathtaking sight. After a fire-cooked dinner you will walk across to this now famous landmark and experience the eerie glow of the burning gas illuminating the floor and rim of the crater against the dark desert sky.

Overnight: Yurt Camp, Darvaza

Day 8 - Sunrise at Darvaza. Drive to Ashgabat - 280km, 4 hours. City tour of Ashgabat.

After enjoying a memorable sunrise over the desert, you will have breakfast before setting off for the drive to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. The road across this amazing desert can sometimes be a little challenging as it’s rather rough and dusty, and you should anticipate a drive of around 4 hours. On arrival in Ashgabat, you will check into your hotel.

Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan and is one of the strangest cities in the world. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records awarded Ashgabat the record for the highest number of white-marble-decorated buildings. It’s said to be the ‘marble heart of central Asia’. It is a city of grand buildings which dazzle the eye, wide, wide avenues and manicured parks and gardens. All around are immense monuments to Turkmen pride.

In the afternoon, you will have a tour to visit some of the most impressive of Ashgabat’s monuments, including the Monument of Neutrality, a huge three-legged arch, supposedly inspired by the design of traditional Turkmen tents. With a height of 95m it’s higher than the Statue of Liberty! You will also stop by the gardens of Independence Park with its monuments and statues of national heroes. There will be time to visit the Carpets Museum and the excellent National Museum of Turkmenistan, containing many of the treasures recovered from the nearby ancient fortress of Nisa, which you will also visit. Nisa was the capital of an ancient and powerful civilisation, the Parthian Empire, which flourished in the region from mid-3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD.

In Ashgabat, there will be an evening of authentic national cuisine accompanied by a vibrant folklore show where boys and girls in traditional attire perform classic dances set to local music, including the energetic "kushdepdi" dance. There may even be the opportunity to join in!

At night, the impressive buildings, monuments, statues and fountains of modern Ashgabat are illuminated in a colourful display, and you will be taken on a short drive to see the city lights – a fitting way to end your visit to this extraordinary city.

Overnight: Sport Hotel Or Similar, Ashgabat

Day 9 - Fly to Mary. Visit Merv – 40 km, 1 hour each way.

This morning, you will take an early, 40 minute flight to the city of Mary, where you will take breakfast in a local restaurant. Mary is an important city in the southeast of Turkmenistan, founded in the 19th century near the ruins of the ancient, abandoned city of Merv. 

You will drive the short distance to visit Merv, formerly an important oasis city in the Karakum Desert. Merv is nowadays a little-known cultural gem, but its importance in the ancient world should not be underestimated. In the 12th century, it is thought to have been one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world, with an estimated population of over half a million. As well as acting as a stopping place for traders on the Silk Road, Merv was famous for its textiles, notably silk and cotton, and was an important intellectual centre for cultivating notable poets, mathematicians, astronomers, physicians, musicians and physicists. Merv was destroyed by the Mongols, under the son of Genghis Khan, in 1221 AD, with an estimated 700,000 deaths, and it never recovered fully. Merv is one of the world’s great vanished cities. In 1888, George Curzon, future viceroy of India, wrote of Merv, “In the midst of an absolute wilderness of crumbling brick and clay, the spectacle of walls, towers, ramparts and domes, stretching in bewildering confusion to the horizon, reminds us that we are in the centre of bygone greatness”. You will have plenty of time to explore the numerous ruins and archaeological sites.

Planned for the afternoon is a visit to the Historical Museum in Mary, where you will see many of the archaeological artefacts from Merv and the surrounding areas. Exhibits include ancient manuscripts, pottery and weapons from the medieval period. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Margush Hotel Or Similar, Mary

Day 10 - Drive to border with Uzbekistan at Farap – 240 km, 5 hours approximately. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to Bukhara – 120 km, 1½-2 hours.

Today you will make the long drive to the border at Farap. Again at this crossing into Uzbekistan, you will be looked after by your Tour Leader.

After the crossing you will make the drive to Bukhara, a key city of the Silk Road. Bukhara was for many centuries important to merchants and traders as well as being a major intellectual centre of the Islamic world, renowned for its scholarship and culture. The city is a wonderful example of well-preserved Islamic architecture and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  The writer Fitzroy Maclean visited Bukhara in 1938 and called it an enchanted city, whose buildings rivalled "the finest architecture of the Italian Renaissance". 

Overnight: Rayyan Hotel Or Similar, Bukhara

Day 11 - A day exploring the architecture and artistry of Bukhara.

As a crucial trading hub along the Silk Road, Bukhara’s origins can be traced to the 6th century BCE. Dating largely from the 9th to the 17th centuries, well-preserved mosques, bazaars, madrasas and caravanserais abound.

Caravanserais became ubiquitous across much of the Islamic world by serving as staging posts providing safe respite for the merchants and caravans travelling on the early, landlocked, long-distance trading routes. Roughly a day’s journey (20–25 miles) apart, they were typically a square or rectangular structure with a large central courtyard enclosed by stables for the horses and camels, plus many small rooms for storage and lodging. Sometimes they included a hammam, prayer room or mosque. Both in the cities and across the land, these caravanserais were significant in supporting the flow of commerce, information and people. From east and west, travellers from different religious backgrounds and speaking discrete languages traded not just merchandise but also stories and ideas; exchanges that seeded the cultural co-existences evident in this part of Central Asia.

Today and tomorrow will be spent soaking in the atmosphere of Bukhara’s finest ancient architectural gems and exploring its sumptuous cultural heritage and artisanal treasures. Much of the latter is to be found within Bukhara’s iconic historic Caravanserais and Trading Domes in the old city. These hives of activity, dating back to the 16th century, house colourful markets displaying textiles, costumes, carpets, spices, jewellery and other Silk Road treasures. There will be time to meander and explore.

Architecturally, we are spoilt for choice.  Among the many places you will visit in this fascinating city are:

• The Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt over the years. A place of great spiritual significance with a sacred spring at its centre, this mausoleum is said to be the site of Job's well, a holy spring connected in legend to the Prophet Job (Ayub's Well in the Koran) and known for its pure water and healing properties.

• Nearby is the fabulous Samanid Mausoleum, the tomb of Ismail Samani and other members of the Samanid dynasty who ruled central Asia in the 9th and 10th centuries.

• The Bolo Haouz Mosque, an example of one of Bukhara’s gems from more recent times, built in the early 18th century and the official place of worship for the Emir at that time. The complex consists of a beautifully decorated Friday mosque, a small minaret, and a pond (hauz), which gave the name to the whole.

• The iconic buildings of the Poi Kalyan complex, which are considered the central architectural ensemble and possibly the most recognisable landmark of the old city.

• And indeed not forgetting the impressive earthen ramparts of the Ark of Bokhara, a massive fortress building which now houses museums about its history.

At some point we will find time for lunch in a local restaurant. Both today and tomorrow will be full and stimulating days!

Overnight: Rayyan Hotel Or Similar, Bukhara

Day 12 - A second day exploring the architecture and artistry of Bukhara.

Bukhara is famed for Zardozi, the ancient art of gold embroidery using gold thread. Masters of this traditional craft use it to decorate men’s and women’s caftans, dresses, turbans and skullcaps. You will visit the home of a renowned Bukharian artist, Bakhshillo Jumaev and his son is Nodir Jumaev, from the Djumaev family. With over 50 years of expertise as a 6th-generation master—honoured with the title ‘People's Master of Uzbekistan’—he has written the book "Golden Embroidery Art," which details a 2000-year history of golden embroidery in Bukhara and presents more than 30 types of stitches. His house, workshop, and museum, located in the heart of the old city, are a living showcase of five distinct crafts: golden embroidery, silk embroidery, miniature painting, jewellery making, and national women's clothing design. He will explain the production of gold threads, the design of ornaments, and the creation and cutting of embroidery templates, while demonstrating various stitching techniques. You will be encouraged to closely observe the processes, ask questions and be invited to try your hand with this intricate embroidery. 

A visit to one of Bukhara’s master jewellers is also planned, where we will learn of the splendid traditions of local craftsmanship and discover the art behind exquisite designs such as tumar, zevar, shampush, and kamar — each of which carry deep cultural significance and a storied history.

Overnight: Rayyan Hotel Or Similar, Bukhara

Day 13 - Suzani masterclass in Gijduvan. Drive to Samarkand – 230 km, 4 hours approximately.

This morning we drive the 50 km to Gijduvan for an immersive one-day masterclass on Gijduvan Suzani Embroidery, hosted by the renowned Abdullaev family, famous for their artisanal ceramics and embroidery. You will gain a keen insight into the distinctive design qualities of the Gijduvan embroidery school, which employs natural plant-dyed colours from the region.

We start with an introduction & tour of the Gijduvan ceramics museum and textile workshops, where we learn about the rich history and cultural significance of these craft practices and their symbolic meanings. This is followed by an overview of the tools, materials and pattern selection required for Suzani embroidery. Traditional stitching methods: "Bosma" and "Yurma" will be demonstrated before you participate in hands-on practice to master these techniques.

We break for a lunch featuring traditional Gijduvan dishes.

Later, the natural silk dyeing process, using ingredients like marena (from the madder family), usma (woad), onion skin and pomegranate rind, will be demonstrated before we embark on a small sample of our own. Choosing a small traditional pattern, you will transfer the design onto fabric and complete it with detailed stitching.

Later, you will drive to Samarkand (230 km, around 4 h). Check-in and dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Reikartz Amar Hotel Or Similar, Samarkand

Day 14 - Full day tour of Samarkand. Evening visit to the El Merosi Theatre.

Samarkand is located in the magnificent region of the Oxus and Syr Darya rivers and historically occupied a strategic and advantageous geographical position on the Great Silk Road. It is one of the world's most ancient cities, with a history that stretches back over 2,750 years, making it as old as Rome, Athens and Babylon. It served as the capital city for Tamerlane. There are magnificent examples of medieval architecture preserved in Samarkand, striking in their shape and rich colours

You will have a full day’s sightseeing. Firstly, you visit Registan Square, one of the most impressive squares in the world. It was the heart of the ancient city of Samarkand - a public square where people gathered to hear royal proclamations and to enjoy celebrations, as well as having a grislier role as a place of public executions. The square is bounded by three madrasahs, masterpieces of Islamic architecture, the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Sher-Dor Madrasah and the Tilya-Kori Madrasah.

You will also visit the Gur-i Amir Mausoleum. Built in the 15th century, this mausoleum is a masterpiece of medieval Islamic architecture. The great Turk-Mongol conqueror Timur (also known as Tamerlane) is buried here along with his two sons and two grandsons. The Gur-i Amir is a fine example of medieval craftsmanship and is important architecturally as being the prototype of much Mughal architecture found in buildings in India, such as the Taj Mahal.

During the day, we will travel the 13 km to Konigil village to visit the Meros (which means ‘heritage’) Paper Mill where paper is made using the bark from mulberry trees. This is a family-run institution that has preserved the ancient art of handmade paper-making over several generations. The Konigil team combines traditional techniques with locally sourced natural fibres and dyes to create paper with a distinct texture and exceptional quality. Visitors are welcome to observe the entire production process from raw material preparation to final finishing—and even participate in a hands-on workshop, where the master artisan shares fascinating insights into this centuries-old craft.

And if time permits, you may explore Samarkand’s famous bazaar. The Siyob bazaar is normally packed with locals, and you can mingle with them as you browse the vast range of fantastic local wares and produce.

Later, before you go to dinner, you will visit the El Merosi Theatre – the theatre of historical costume – where you will see a show demonstrating the traditional costumes of Uzbekistan through the ages, along with classical Uzbek music.

Overnight: Reikartz Amar Hotel Or Similar, Samarkand

Day 15 - Full programme in Urgut.

Urgut is a small town approximately an hour southeast of Samarkand and situated in the beautiful foothills of the Zeravshan Range at an elevation of roughly 1,000m.

The Urgut bazaar is a large, vibrant event where rural Uzbeks traditionally come to sell their wares. You can find most anything in the three venues, however, the smallish jewellery, textiles and antique section towards the back of the main market may hold particular interest. Be prepared to hone your bargaining skills!

By contrast, just outside the town is the extensive Chor-Chinor garden. ‘Chor-Chinor’ is Uzbek for ‘four plane trees’. Thought to be over 600 years old, the four plane trees, which grow within the garden’s mud-brick wall boundaries, are believed by the local population to be sacred. Legend has it that when the first trees were planted, a clear, cool spring emerged. Many consider this to have healing properties and be holy. Visitors to the garden describe a peaceful, magical atmosphere.

Urgut’s ceramics are instantly recognisable by their distinct decorative style. Vessels such as jugs, bowls and storage containers are adorned with archaic engraved ornaments (chizma) featuring dynamic spiral curls and multi-petaled rosettes in golden-yellow and green hues. Today you will meet the Ablakulov family of ceramists, descendants of the famous master Abdullo Ablakulov, who established the Urgut ceramic school in the 17th Century. The Ablakulov dynasty, now in its seventh generation, continues these celebrated traditions, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into their craft through live demonstrations and detailed discussions of their techniques.

After enjoying a traditional lunch in this cultural heartland, you journey back to Samarkand, breaking en route to visit the Hudjum Silk Carpet Factory. Samarkand, once famous along the Silk Road as a centre of silk production, has a fertile history of intricate carpet weaving. Renowned for its exquisite silk carpets, this enterprise preserves centuries-old weaving methods—from preparing fine silk threads with natural dyes to the meticulous hand-weaving of elaborate patterns—providing guests with a fascinating insight into the whole creative process.

Overnight: Reikartz Amar Hotel Or Similar, Samarkand

Day 16 - Drive to border with Tajikistan at Jartepa - 45 km. Cross the border and continue to Panjakent - 10km. Sightseeing at Sarazm. Visit Rudaki Museum and Panjakhent Centre of Folk Crafts.

Tajikistan is the smallest of the five Central Asian states and shares borders with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the north and west, China to the east and Afghanistan to the south. It has more and higher mountains than any other country in the region - nine tenths of the country is mountainous, and more than half of the country is over 3,000m. In the east are the Pamirs and, in the west, the stunning Fann mountains. The capital is Dushanbe, which you do not visit on this trip.

From the border, you drive the short distance to the town of Panjakhent, a UNESCO World Heritage location, built on the site of an ancient city dating back over 2,000 years and another important centre on the Silk Road. From the higher ground of the original city ruins, there is a beautiful view of the current city, river and mountains beyond.

From Panjakent, you will visit the nearby important but little-visited archaeological site of Sarazm, the location of one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia. Sarazm dates back over 5,000 years to the Bronze Age, when it was especially important for its local mines, especially for copper and tin, key components in the making of bronze. The most important find to date from this site is the so-called ‘Lady of Sarazm’, who was buried in the 4th century BC wearing beautiful jewellery of lapis beads and bracelets of seashells.  You will also visit the Rudaki Museum which houses finds from Sarazm as well as from ancient Penjakent.

Later, you will visit the local bazaar and Panjakent’s Centre of Folk Crafts, dedicated to showcasing and teaching handmade crafts created by the women of the Zarafshan Valley. The centre offers a vibrant collection of locally made items, including intricate embroidery, delicate needlework and colourful patchwork quilting. Here, visitors can explore authentic artefacts and learn about the traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations in the Zarafshan Valley, while also having the opportunity to engage with the artisans and perhaps even try their hand at some of these customary techniques.

Overnight: Panjakent Plaza Hotel Or Similar, Panjakent

Day 17 - 4 x 4 day tour to the Fann Mountains, 2,139m/7,018ft. Explore the Seven Lakes. Take tea at local tea house.

It is just a short drive of about one hour from Penjakent to reach the beautiful Fann Mountains. The Fann Mountains are an extension of the Pamir-Alay range and feature about a hundred peaks, with several over 5,000 meters, including the highest peak of the region Chimtarga at 5,489 m. In these mountains Tajik shepherds graze their flocks on remote upland pastures and mountain villages are home to friendly local people with unique traditions, customs and language.

Though relatively unknown, these lovely mountains are becoming better known as (for Tajikistan!) they are more easily accessible and as well as spectacular landscapes, they offer excellent opportunities for some fine hikes and trekking. Here are numerous beautiful snowcapped summits and glaciers, as well as many dazzling blue and green lakes – known as the Marguzor Lakes (the Seven Lakes).

You will explore the Seven Lakes area and also have the opportunity to meet some local people and enjoy their hospitality when you take tea at a local tea house.

After your exploration, you will return to Panjakent to overnight. 

Overnight: Panjakent Plaza Hotel Or Similar, Panjakent

Day 18 - Drive to Khujand - 275 km, 4 hours - passing through the Shakriston Tunnel, 3,378m/11,083ft. Bazaar in Istaravshan. Sightseeing in Khujand.

Your journey today takes you from Panjakent to Khujand through a scenic landscape of mountains and valleys and through the famous Shakriston Tunnel. At five kilometres long this tunnel, which was built with funding from China in 2012, is the longest road tunnel in Central Asia.

You break in Istaravshan to visit the bazaar, an authentic, bustling and vibrant oriental market where it is said you can find everything. Its intricately patterned arches and domes reflect the city’s Persian heritage, under which the narrow alleys and stalls display a vivid array of goods from fresh produce, aromatic spices and breads to handcrafted jewellery, intricate wood carving, ceramics and metalwork.

You finally arrive at the city of Khujand, strategically set on the banks of Syr Darya River and lying at the mouth of the verdant Fergana Valley. Khujand was once an important Silk Road city, dating back about 2,500 years to the days of the Persian Empire, and said to have been founded by Alexander the Great. It is Tajikstan’s second-largest city and is nowadays a bustling metropolis. One of the most impressive buildings in Khujand is the magnificently restored Khujand Fortress, which houses an interesting museum. Also in the historical centre of Khujand, you may visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin, named after Muslihiddin Khujandi, a poet and ruler of the town who lived in the 12th century. His mausoleum has been rebuilt and extended many times since the 12th century.

Across from this complex is the Panjshanbe Bazaar, one of the largest and most interesting covered markets in Central Asia. It is especially busy on Thursday, after which it is named – ‘panchshanbe’ being Tajik for Thursday. It’s worth climbing the stairs to the top landings to experience the vista and energy of this large, airy market. A picturesque, buzzing and colourful view of laden stalls stretching in every direction.

Overnight: Hotel Parliament Palace Or Similar, Khudjand

Day 19 - Drive from Khujand to Kokand in Uzbekistan - 140 km, 5-6 hours. Tour Kokand. Visit a ceramic workshop in Rishtan and drive to Fergana.

Today, you drive for about 80 km to the border near the town of Koni Bodom, where you cross back into Uzbekistan. This is a very quiet border, and it should be a relatively quick and painless process. You then continue to the town of Kokand, situated in the western part of the Fergana Valley, the most fertile region of Uzbekistan.  

Kokand city is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan and was an important trade centre on the Silk Road up to the time of its destruction by the Mongols in the 13th century. It came to fame again in the 18th and 19th centuries as the capital of the rich and powerful Kokand Khanate, becoming again a cultural and trading centre. It was also famed as a religious centre and had a reported 300 mosques as well as countless madrassahs. Today, Kokand is known as the ‘City of Artisans’ and is famed for its artisan workers and fine traditional handicrafts. You will visit the Khudoyar Khan Palace, once the opulent residence of the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate and known as one of the most extravagant oriental palaces in Central Asia. Nowadays, the remaining façade, courtyards and rooms are still immensely impressive.

From Kokand, you will drive in an hour to the city of Rishtan, a city famous for its brilliant blue and white ceramics. Here you will visit the house and workshop of ceramic master Rustam Usmanov. Master Usmanov hails from a family of renowned Rishtan artisans whose legacy spans several generations, and he is celebrated for his expert glazing techniques and intricate hand-painted designs. Guests are invited to explore his workshop and observe the traditional ceramic production process firsthand.

From Rishtan, you drive to the town of Fergana (about 45 minutes).

Overnight: Tantana Hotel Or Similar, Fergana

Day 20 - Explore Margilan’s master artisans. Visit Yodgorlik Silk Factory.

Margilan (adjacent to Fergana) is known as the silk capital of Uzbekistan. It is where generations of skilled craftsmen and craftswomen uphold long respected traditions developed from the 10th century onwards when stunning silks were traded along the ancient silk routes into the Middle East and Europe. Here you will see all the silk hand weaving processes and gain a full understanding of the production of traditional silk fabrics such as Khan Atlas, Adras and Ikat.

You will visit the Yodgorlik Silk Factory, renowned for its exquisite Ikat patterns and learn about the cultural significance of Ikat in local heritage. Here skilled artisans preserve traditional resist-dyeing and weaving techniques that have been passed down through generations, producing vibrant and intricately patterned silk fabrics. You will have a tour of the factory to witness the entire meticulous production cycle from sericulture and the unravelling of the silk thread from the cocoons, through to the tying and natural dying of the long lustrous warp threads, to the final weaving and finishing of this stunning cloth.

Overnight: Tantana Hotel Or Similar, Fergana

Day 21 - Visit the Kumtepa Bazaar. Batik workshop with master Sobirjon Umarov. Visit the Madrasah of Sayib Ahmad Khodja (time permitting. Train to Tashkent.

Today we will visit the Kumtepa Bazaar and wonderful local market with a substantial area solely focused on textiles and fabrics.

You will then continue on to the house of the renowned master Sobirjon Umarov to witness the delicate art of traditional batik and suzani embroidery - an opportunity to observe his expert techniques and perhaps even try your hand at these intricate crafts.

If time allows, you will conclude your journey at the historic Madrasah of Sayib Ahmad Khodja, where you discover exquisite Kolip and Bakhmal (a silk velvet weave on silk and cotton base) fabrics, each piece reflecting the legacy of meticulous textile craftsmanship.

You will then bid farewell to Fergana to take the afternoon train to Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. There will be a farewell meal in the evening with the chance to reflect on your adventures and share your memories of this amazing part of the world.

Overnight: Al Anvar Hotel Or Similar, Tashkent

Day 22 - Transfer to the airport. Fly to London.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home. You will most likely go via Istanbul if you are landing in London.