World Journeys Golden Eagle - Treasures of Uzbekistan

From the palace, visit Chor Minor Madrasa. Translating to ‘Four Towers’, the Chor Minor continues to create architectural interest with its creative and unique design. Interestingly, each of the 17-metre towers feature a different design said to represent the four different religions.

Your morning of architectural exploration concludes with the other-worldly Ismail Samani mausoleum and the Bayland Mosque. The Ismail Samani is the oldest building in Bukhara. Believed to have served as the family tomb for the Samanid dynasty (819-1005), the mausoleum features an intricate baked brick, wickerwork pattern. Whilst the Bayland Mosque represents a distinctly different style – modest white exteriors and interiors adorned with floral patterns and gilded tiles.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, visit Shukhov Tower, a water tower erected in 1929. Ascend by lift to reach the top of the observation tower and enjoy the best view of the Old Town of Bukhara. The afternoon concludes with a trip the breath-taking Ark Fortress. This “Noble Abode” perfectly captures the oriental exoticism of Uzbekistan.

In the evening, sample the finest Bukharian cuisine dining in the rooftop restaurant of the Minorai Kalon Hotel. From this magnificent spot, enjoy the finest views of the Kalyan Square at sunset.

Day 6: Nukus
the city of Nukus boasts a captivating setting, surrounded by three magnificent deserts: the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum, and Ustyurt. Here, a pristine and untouched landscape unfolds before your eyes, adorned with endless stretches of sandy vistas, enchanting dunes, and towering peaks that beckon adventure.

Day 7: Khiva
Our day begins in the ancient city of Khiva. Traced back to the 10th century, Khiva is a “city-museum”, magnificently adorned in majestic buildings, spiraling columns and beautifully carved doors.

Rooted in its ties with the Silk Road, Khiva has an eclectic culinary identity – heavily influenced by Chinese, Turkish and Persian traditions. After a walking tour of the city, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and taste the Khorezmian cuisine. We recommend the famous green pasta ‘shivit oshi’, tuhum-barak (a fluffy dough-filled dish) and fresh fish sourced from the Amu Darya river with freshly baked bread.

After lunch, we will continue explore Khiva – including a visit to the Palace of Nurrullah Bai. Built in 1912, the Palace is extravagantly bedecked with bronze chandeliers, crystal pendants, and Venetian mirrors. Before returning to the train, visit the Photography Museum. Along with other artists, the museum features the work of Khudaibergen Devanov – the pioneering photographer and cinematographer of Uzbekistan.

Day 8: Shakhrizabz
The city of Shakhrizabz is believed to be the birthplace of Amir Timur, the military prodigy who modelled himself on Genghis Khan and used similar violent methods to conquer and control his Empire, we visit the UNESCO-honoured statue of Amir Timur and his Ak-Saray Palace. This majestic palace in Shakhrizabz took over a quarter of a century to build, and was originally decorated with colourful, highly detailed mosaic but also included delicate calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur’an.

Later, prepare to savour an open-air barbecue feast that will tantalize your taste buds. You will also be treated to a time-honoured folklore performance. This enchanting cultural display is a poetic expression of Central Asia’s vibrant heritage, with its hauntingly ritualistic melodies, a captivating window into the soul of this land.

Days 9 & 10: Samarkand
Samarkand, the ‘Crossroad of Culture’, has an awe-inspiring history of over two and a half millennia. Fascinatingly, the town is a living museum to the famous dynasties who have passed through including Genghis Khan, Temurids, and Russians. As such, mudbrick houses shoulder structured neighbourhoods of painted and decorated homes, whilst opulently bedecked Mosques loom on the horizon.

Fascinatingly, such influences span beyond architecture to astronomical discovery. Ulugh Beg, the Ruler of Transoxiana (1409-49) had been interested in astronomy from childhood, continuing to build the largest Observatory in the pre-modern era, to support his studies. The incredible feat of engineering centres of a huge sextant (40m radius), embedded in a 2m trench. The magnificence of this construct is not limited to its interiors spanning three stories, the exterior is exquisitely decorated with glittering, glazed tiles, mosaics and majolica.

From a study of the stars, then move to the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis – a building framed by a constellation of glimmering turquoise domes. The necropolis consists of 11 mausoleums, individually decorated with majolica tiles, carved mosaics, and porticos. As we wander through the gilded avenues, it is clear to see why the site has served as an important pilgrimage centre.

Before lunch gain further insight into the intertwining identity of the ‘Crossroad of Culture’, Samarkand. Until the Middle Ages, Samarkand served as the main supplier of paper to the Arab world and Europe. With a visit to the Meros Paper Mill, learn about this ancient art with an up-close lesson of the laborious process, ancient machines, and centuries old methods.

Cuisine is at the very core of a culture. Continue your immersion into Uzbek identity with an interactive cooking class and Plov lunch. Considered Uzbekistan’s national dish, Plov is intrinsic to the national identity and a staple dish at social gatherings. Representative of Uzbekistan’s rich history, Plov is shaped by the Mediterranean, Chinese and Russian cultures who have settled in the region. After lunch there will be the opportunity to explore Samarkand at your leisure before returning to the train to make preparations for the spectacular evening that lies ahead.

Evening celebrations begin with cocktails and dinner at the Oriental Sweets Caravan Sarai. The 300-year-old restaurant boasts a beautiful open air dining space, shaded by lush mulberry trees, and framed by ornate arches. After dinner cross over to the famous, now illuminated, Registan Square to enjoy a fabulous gala dance performance and fashion show. Soak up the magical atmosphere as the setting sun seeps down the world’s most recognised Mosque.

Day 11: Tashkent
After your arrival in Tashkent, your private transfer will be waiting to transfer you to Tashkent Airport for your return flight home.