ABOUT THE TOUR
This fascinating tour follows the legendary Silk Road across the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan exploring the turbulent history of the region and the exquisite architectural highlights – fortresses, palaces, and spectacular mosques with dazzling turquoise tiles and soaring minarets.
Beginning in the capital, Tashkent, we fly west to Nukus, known for its remarkable art museum, before continuing to the beautifully preserved walled city of Khiva. From Khiva, we will spend a day in the Kyzyl Kum Desert to visit settlements dating back to as early as the 1st century.
We journey on to the fabled city of Bukhara stopping at the border of Turkmenistan, the isolated country known for its authoritarian government, which is one of the least visited countries in the world. Bukhara has been a spiritual, intellectual and cultural centre of Islam from the 9th century but reached its zenith in the 16th century with its university, 360 mosques and 80 madrassas. It was famous as a wealthy centre of trade, for its slave market and its splendid architectural monuments.
Finally, we visit Samarkand, once considered amongst the most important and magnificent cities in the world during medieval times, which was conquered in turn by both Genghis Khan and Tamerlane the Great.
TOUR LEADER
Chris Caldicott
Since travelling to some of the most remote parts of the world as Photographer-in-Residence to the Royal Geographical Society, Chris Caldicott has continued his globetrotting lifestyle as a freelance photographer, writer and lecturer specialising in food and travel. He has had several books published about food, travel and the spice trade and visited 118 countries on assignments to capture evocative images and write about memorable experiences for publications such as Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, The Sunday Times, Harpers Bazaar, Tatler, House and Garden and The Telegraph.
12 days from £4,440 per person
TOUR DATE: 9 – 20 APRIL 2027
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £785
Price Includes
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 8 lunches; 7 dinners
- All entrance fees, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
- All group transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- Gratuities to driver/s; gratuities to guide/s; gratuities in restaurants; porterage
- The services of your tour leader throughout
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
- Visa fees
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 05/03/2026
TRUSTED BY FELLOW TRAVELLERS
The destinations were fabulous, but what really stood out was the care and patience Tania showed as she guided me and my sister through every question and hesitation. Nothing felt rushed or too much trouble. The result? A truly wonderful holiday. Thank you.
We’ve travelled with The Ultimate Travel Company many times. Their care and attention to detail are second to none. We always feel well looked after and completely confident in their hands.
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