Overall, this was an excellent trip and one of the best I have done with Explore over very many years. It was certainly helped by having a good, small group and two superb leaders (one in each country), who were extremely knowledgeable and very personable. The local guides were also outstanding. The sights were extraordinary (the Islamic architecture is simply breath-taking), the people were lovely and I did not mind the long drives (on spacious air conditioned coaches) or the 9.5 hour train journey. to Samarkand As expected, the trip’s pace was full-on. As a group we took advantage of the optional extras offered and I would recommend that others seriously consider those too, especially the spectacular Uzbek music and dance show at the Grand Hall in Samarkand. Hotel accommodation was better than I had expected and generally pretty good. If I have a criticism it is that the trip should perhaps be a day longer. It would have been nice to have spent more time in Khiva and the last day in Tashkent was too long, tiring and rushed. Thankfully, I had booked an extra day in the city, although others had early morning flights. While Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are very different, I much preferred the time we spent in the latter.
This exciting Uzbekistan tour package—considered to be one of the most attractive among Central Asia tour—will enlighten you on the history and culture of Uzbekistan and its world-famous ancient cities of Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, and Khiva. These cities, historical and cultural reserves boasting colossal architectural masterpieces of the Timurid time and earlier historical periods, still keep traces and legacies of the trade Silk Road cultural exchange and once-great empires of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and especially Timur, better known as Tamerlane, who made Samarkand the capital of his Empire.
A military genius whose conquests shook the world in the 14th century, Timur was also a great patron of the arts. Samarkand still boasts a number of magnificent world famous architectural monuments built during the reign of his dynasty, including his mausoleum Gur-e Amir, a gem of medieval Islamic architecture, where he lies under a huge jade slab.
Join us and see the most fascinating Uzbekistan’s monuments dating from different times. During this tour to Uzbekistan you will also visit exotic bazaars, taste delicious dishes of Uzbek cuisine, travel across impressive landscapes, and meet hospitable and charming locals.
