Grand Silk Explorer

Day 1: Beijing

On arrival in Beijing you are transferred to your hotel. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant - Peking Duck is often a popular choice.

Day 2 & 3: Beijing - overnight train

Beijing offers endless opportunities for exploration. The enormous Forbidden City, built more than 500 years ago and off limits to commoners for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. Its size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. The Temple of Heaven is a fine example of extraordinary workmanship. We also travel to Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. There is also ample free time in the itinerary, allowing you to make your own discoveries. Our hotel is located in the south of the city and a walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises. There are good shopping opportunities at the various markets around the city, such as the centrally located Dashilan Market. In the evening, you have the chance to enjoy a performance of the unique Beijing Opera (optional). We leave Beijing on the overnight train, travelling in ‘soft-class’, four-berth compartments. The 14-hour trip is a great opportunity for our group to get to know each other. Meals included: 2 breakfasts

Day 4 & 5: Xian - overnight train

Xian is a wonderful place to explore. Food options are excellent here, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese cafes. Widely regarded as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is rich in history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors introduces us to these entombed statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, and even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first emperor, the great Qin Shihuang. Peasants digging a well only discovered the underground vault, which was home to this army for two millennia, in 1974. Xian also has a wonderful Muslim Quarter. A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes, and the Great Mosque, one of the most important in China. On the late afternoon of Day 5, we catch the overnight sleeper-class train to Lanzhou. Meals included: 2 breakfasts

Day 6-8: Lanzhou - Xiahe - overnight train

After an early arrival (6:30 am) in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, we transfer to a bus and travel to Bingling Temple to view some fascinating Buddhist caves. Our journey continues on to Xiahe, a major centre for Tibetan Lamaism. We spend two nights in this amazingly remote town set in a beautiful mountain valley, with the highlight being a visit to the impressive 18th century Labrang Monastery. There are many monks walking around the streets, some of who are on pilgrimage from Tibet. We travel back to Lanzhou by bus and board another overnight train bound for Jiayuguan. Meals included: 2 breakfasts

Day 9: Jiayuguan

Upon entering the Hexi Corridor, we travel on a strip of desert surrounded by mountains on both sides. We arrive in the early afternoon at Jiayuguan (Jiayu Pass), the traditional last outpost on the edge of the ancient Han Chinese Empire, and visit Jiayuguan Fort, which actually marks the end of the Great Wall. The heavily industrialised modern town stands in stark contrast to the desert scenery. We also visit the Hanging Wall (another section of the Great Wall) and the Wei-jin Dynasty’s Number 6 Tomb.

Day 10 & 11: Dunhuang - overnight train

We journey across the desert landscape by bus to the oasis of Dunhuang, another important stop on the Silk Road. After a night in Dunhuang, we get up to experience the sunrise over desert sand dunes and see Crescent Lake. Nearby are the stunning Mogao Caves, which house some of the best Buddhist murals in the world. The first cave was carved out and painted in 366 AD, but they had been largely forgotten until a Taoist monk stumbled upon them in 1907. Currently there are more than 492 caves, most containing murals, and over 2,415 coloured statues, in an area covering more than 45,000 square metres. Central in every cave are the painted murals, featuring numerous personages such as the ‘Flying Apsaras’, the goddesses of fragrance and music often depicted dancing and playing a musical instrument. After Mogao, we catch a bus to Lieyuan and transfer to another overnight train. Meals included: 2 breakfasts

Day 12: Turpan

After arriving in Daheyan, we transfer by road for 50 minutes to the delightful oasis town of Turpan. The Turpan Depression is second only to the Dead Sea in Jordan as the lowest point on earth. The temperature soars here to an average of as much as 40°C during summer, hence its name ‘Fiery Land’. It is a small city, but the surrounding area is full of interesting places such as Gaocheng and Jiaohe - once great cities on the Silk Road. Once upon a time, Gaocheng was the capital of the Uyghur people and the ruins here are very impressive, with the temples, pagodas and courtyards still distinguishable even though they were abandoned over 700 years ago. The Atsana Graves nearby are where the dead from the ancient city were buried. Another famous Buddhist site found on the western side of the Flaming Mountains is the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Unfortunately most of the artworks were removed and taken to Germany (where they were subsequently destroyed in bombing during the Second World War), so the caves are just a sad reminder of their former glories and not really worth visiting now. At 44 metres high, the Emin Minaret is the tallest in China. It was built in 1777 to honour a local general, Emin Khoja.

Day 13: Turpan - Urumqi

Turpan is well known for its seedless, white variety of grapes grown in the surrounding fields. To provide irrigation to this arid land, the local people have devised a unique subterranean waterway. The Karez Wells are fed from melted snow and conducted to the channels that wind their way beneath the city. The ancient city of Jiaohe is located 10 kilometres west of town and covers an extensive area. Dating from around 108 BC, this once-busy city was destroyed by Genghis Khan’s Mongol army in the 13th century. We the drive to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region This is a multi-national province with many languages, customs and colourful ethnic traditions. It is also China’s gateway to central Asia, with air links to all the former Soviet states, and is widely regarded as ‘the city farthest from the ocean’. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 14: Urumqi - Kashgar

From Urumqi we drive out to visit the Lake of Heaven (Tianchi), which resembles a little piece of Swiss alpine scenery with hills covered by fir trees and the area dotted with tiny Kazakh settlements. The local people live in tent-like structures made from animal skin, known as yurts. In winter the road becomes impassable due to snow. Returning to Urumqi, we visit the large and fascinating Xinjiang Autonomous region Museum, which houses an amazing collection of Silk Road artefacts and treasures including some incredibly well-preserved mummified bodies. In the evening we fly across the Taklimakan Desert to Kashgar, also known as Kashi, the ‘crown jewel’ of the Silk Road. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 15: Kashgar

Still an important trading centre, Kashgar is situated at an altitude of 1289 metres at the end of the spectacular Karakoram Highway. It first fell into Chinese hands nearly 1000 years ago when extensions to the Great Wall and explorations along the Silk Road opened the area to trade. When the Han Dynasty collapsed, an interregnum followed until the town was captured briefly for the Tang Dynasty before falling again, this time into Arab hands. The great Genghis Khan occupied the city in 1219 and Marco Polo was reputedly a visitor here in 1265. With the downfall of the Mongols, the town was incorporated into Timur’s empire before entering another period of instability, this time lasting 350 years. The colourful Sunday Market sees the town come alive as merchants from near and far bring in their wares. It is a photographer’s dream with the endless stream of fascinating faces and varied activities taking place. We also take a city tour that includes the Abakh Hoja Tomb, the Id Kah Mosque and the (fast-disappearing) old town. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 16 & 17: Torugart Pass - Tash-Rabat Caravansarai

An early start as we head up into the mountains and across the Torugart Pass (3752m). This ancient gateway takes us through some spectacular scenery. The drive takes about 4 hours with the second part on unpaved roads. This is a relatively taxing day, and you should be prepared for some bumpy, windy roads – there is no cause for concern though, our drivers are extremely experienced and will make your safety their priority at all times. Depending on the time of year you travel, there may still be snow as we approach the Pass and it’s possible there will be some delays due to poor road conditions after the winter. Please make sure you have a warm jacket to hand – the temperature will drop noticeably in comparison to the desert where Kashgar is situated. A basic packed lunch will provided before you leave Kashgar, but you may wish to prepare some additional snacks and drinks. We reach Chinese customs (at an elevation of approximately 2000m) before heading into non-man's land for a further 70kms. Your Chinese Leader will have a copy of the Kyrgyz group visa, the original being held by your Kyrgyz leader at the meeting point.. At the next checkpoint we say goodbye to our Chinese hosts as they introduce us to our Kyrgyz team who will escort us through Kyrgyz border formalities. Your Kyrgyz Leader will collect payment for the visa (please see Visa Information elsewhere in this document) at this point – please have your cash accessible. As the group visa document has many personal details, it is unfortunately not possible for us to provide travellers with an individual copy for privacy reasons. Please DO NOT obtain an individual Kyrgyz visa in advance of travel as this compromises the paperwork for the group. Today we must be patient – as you will see, this is a very remote and unsophisticated border point, and the custom and immigration processes can be tedious. There are no money changing facilities here, but this does not present a problem, as there is nowhere to spend money until we reach the next town and the bank. Once all the paperwork is completed, we continue on to the beautiful 13th century caravansarai at Tash-Rabat. There is plenty of time to relax here with a free day to enjoy trekking in the area or simply enjoy the stunning setting of our yurt camp. Please be aware that the camps are set up and dismantled (in nomadic tradition) according to weather conditions and the progress of the seasons. If there has been an especially long winter, it is possible that the first groups of the year may be accommodated at a lower altitude for comfort, however a stop at Tashrabat to visit the caravanserai will still be included. Whatever time of year you travel, we strongly recommend you pack layers and a lightweight set of thermals to ensure you are comfortable, particularly at night. Our hosts may have small souvenirs for sale, but will accept US dollars or Euros, so it’s worth having some small denomination notes prepared for this purpose. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 18 & 19: Son-Kul Lake

After breakfast we drive to Son-Kul Lake, a beautiful spot where many nomadic herders choose to make their summer camp. With gentle pastures set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, this is the perfect place for an afternoon hike - perhaps dropping in on a local family along the way. We stay for two nights in traditional felt tents (yurts) and sample some traditional dishes from our Kyrgyz hosts. A yurt is more sophisticated than a tent, but still relatively basic accommodation. Generally, the group will share 2-3 yurts (usually 5-6 people per yurt), with the yurts allocated as ‘couples/singles’ yurts, ‘male/female’ yurts, or according to other wishes of the group. If you have a particular request or concern about the sleeping arrangements, please speak to your Tour Leader. The yurt camps do not have shower facilities, but will have access to water and a private area for washing. The toilets are ‘outhouse’ style, at a distance from the yurts – please ensure you bring a torch for nighttime visits (head-torches are particularly useful!). The bedding in a yurt consists of layers of mattresses (like thin futons) and layers of blankets/covers that are stacked during the day to give space, then built up for each person at bedtime (the camp staff will usually assist with this). You will usually be sleeping in close proximity to each other, so a pair of earplugs and an eye-mask are well worth packing. Son-Kul Lake is located off the main roads so we are subject to local conditions – it is unlikely we will be unable to reach the Lake, but should the drivers feel it is unsafe to attempt the pass needed to access the Lake area, we will stay with nomads in an area of equal beauty and interest instead. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 20: Kochkorka

From Son-Kul's pastures we wind our way across country towards the village of Kochkorka. Here we are welcomed by local families who are our genial hosts for the night. By using these homestays we are supporting a community-run initiative, but the pleasure is all ours with fabulous home-cooked meals and a unique insight into everyday life in a Kyrgyz town. The ladies take pride in their hospitality, and you should feel free to tuck into the extensive range of dishes provided – at the very least, you should try to sample all of the delicious jams and preserves on offer! According to Central Asian tradition, guests are to be treated with the greatest respect, given their freedom of the hosts’ home, and allowed total privacy – we encourage our host families to interact, but they will appreciate some encouragement! Once the family photos are brought out, it generally doesn’t take long for mothers and grandmothers to be swapping notes and admiring pictures. It’s not necessary to tip the families (they receive payment for their hosting) but if you wish to give a gift of some kind, try to think of something personalized – a postcard from your home or a photo of you and your family for example. Many of the husbands and sons of the village are working in the cities, or in Russia, to provide an income for their families – this is why you will tend to see only the very youngest and the very eldest of the men-folk around. We also have the opportunity in Kochkorka to observe the Kyrgyz art of felt making. We take in a shydak making show, shyrdak being a richly decorated Kyrgyz carpet. This method of carpet-making comprises ramming and rolling different coloured wool into felt. A traditional method, it is passed onto child from mother and has been around for many hundreds of years, seen with variations in many different parts of Central Asia. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 21: Barskoön Gorge - Tamga

A more leisurely day today as we get our first glimpses of turquoise Lake Issy-Kul and explore the Barskoön Gorge on foot. Our day is relaxed and we share a picnic lunch in these idyllic surrounds. We continue this evening to our simple guesthouse at Tamga village on the southern shore. From here it is a short stroll to the local beach, where a spectacular view of mountain peaks and clear blue water awaits. The brave might want to consider a dip in the Lake, but be warned that the locals you’ll see swimming are used to the icy temperatures, with glacial streams feeding the Lake from the high mountains we have recently left behind. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 22 & 23: Shores of Lake Issyk-Kul

Over the next two days we follow the shore of this impressive lake - so large it never freezes, hence the name Issyk-Kul - meaning 'hot lake' in the local language. From Tamga via the iconic red sandstone formations of Jeti-Öghüz Canyon to Karakol, where traditional wooden houses are laid out European style. Tonight we stay in a local guesthouse, before continuing the next day along the north shore to Cholpon-Ata, site of ancient petroglyphs – if time permits, we will stop to look, but we do have a lengthy drive to arrive at our final destination tonight at Chong-Kemin. This long valley lies at altitudes of between 1400m and 2800m above sea level and reaches over 80km deep into the mountains between the Kungey Ala-Too and Zailii ranges, parallel to the Kazakh border. It has verdant pastures, woodland (of Tian-Shan firs), mountain lakes (Jamalysh, Kogor, Tor, Almaty and Kichi-Kemin amongst them) and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. We overnight at a small guesthouse in this beautiful setting. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 24 & 25: Chong-Kemin - Bishkek

After breakfast we start on the road to Bishkek. Along the way we stop at the 11th century Burana Tower, a minaret in the old city of Balasagun. This was the centre of state during the reign of the Karakhanids, once-great feudal rulers of Central Asia. After joining a local family for lunch, we arrive in Bishkek. The following morning we have an introductory city tour to show us the sights of the capital iincluding the National Museum and Gallery. The afternoon is left free for you to shop, explore or simply relax. Bishkek is a small but very pleasant capital, easily explored on foot, or using local taxis. We will also find plenty of internet cafes, something rarely found in the countryside. It is a good idea to advise friends and family that you will be out of contact between Kashgar and Bishkek so they are not concerned if they don’t hear from you for a few days. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Day 26: Tashkent

We fly from Bishkek to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, this morning. On arrival at Tashkent, be ready for hustle and bustle and prepare some assertiveness as this airport is infamous for being exhausting in its arrival formalities! There is no cause for concern, however it can take quite some time for the whole group to make it through so please be patient. We will need to complete two customs declaration forms, one will be kept by the Customs Officer on arrival, the second must be kept for your departure, when we will fill out a third one for comparison, having spent our money and hopefully bought some souvenirs that we will now declare. If the forms are in Russian, we will find an example in English on display somewhere in the area. Match the fields up – the Customs Officer will check it and clarify if necessary. Please keep this form somewhere safe as it will be required when you exit the country, as will the small ‘Registration’ slip that your Tashkent hotel will give you. Although these registration slips may appear inconsequential (often just a rubber stamp on a small bit of paper) they form a record of where you have been staying and failure to present them can result in difficulties with Immigration on departure. Having met our Uzbek Tour Leader at the airport, we make the short journey to our hotel, and the rest of the day is free. In this cosmopolitan city there is a plentiful choice of restaurants and activities for an evening's entertainment. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 27: Tashkent

We spend a full day exploring charming Tashkent on a city tour. Next to the Old Town and under the green dome of Chorsu Bazaar lies a farmers market that is one of the largest and oldest in central Asia. It is also a great place to buy Uzbek souvenirs including the ubiquitous skull caps. On a hill behind the bazaar is the 16th century Kulkedash Medressa – an Islamic school that sits beside the 15th century Juma (Friday) Mosque. The History Museum of the People of Uzbekistan gives us a great introduction to the country and the region in general, from the Silk Road era to Soviet times. Amir Timur Square is the main square in town and use to contain a statue of Karl Marx, but he has been replaced by a statue of Uzbekistan’s 14th century national hero, Timur, on horse-back. A tour of Tashkent’s metro system reveals to us some strikingly beautiful stations, but please note that you are not permitted to take photos in the subway. The Bara-Khon Medressa is the headquarters of the Sunni Muslim religion in the region and has interesting mosaics and Arabic calligraphy that dates back to the late 16th century. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 28: Khiva

This morning sees a very early start as we get up and leave our hotel before dawn and are transferred to the airport. A box breakfast will be given to each of us as we catch a flight at first light to Urgench, where we are met and driven to the fabled city of Khiva. As legend has it, this place has a history that dates back to the time of Shem, son of Noah. A settlement was certainly established here by the 8th century AD and began to flourish in the early 16th century. A colourful procession of conquering khans, Silk Road traders, Great Game spies and Russian invaders has long captured the imagination of writers and poets. It is also a photographer's delight, particularly in the evenings when the sun begins to set. This beautifully-preserved town is perfect for exploring on foot, with impressive walls that mark the boundaries of the old city. Upon entering through its gates we are greeted by towering minarets and numerous medressas. Our guide takes us through many of these monuments including the Kalta Minor Minaret and Mohammed Rakhim Khan Medressa, the 17th century Juma Mosque, the Islom-Hoja Minaret and Medressa (built in 1908 and the highest structure in Khiva), the Kuhna Ark, which was the main fortress, the Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum complex (the Persian-style resting place of Khiva’s patron saint) and Toza Bog Palace, which between 1893-1913 was the summer palace of Mohammed Rakhim Khan II. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 29: Khiva - Ayaz Qala

Khiva is enchanting at dawn, with its empty streets and sense of thousands of years of history making an early-morning stroll well worthwhile. We enjoy a free morning to further explore Khiva before embarking on an 80 kilometre journey to Ayaz Qala (Ayaz Kala), northeast of Khiva on the fringes of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert. Ayaz Qala and its sister ruins of Toprak Qala and Qavat Qala are relics of the Khorezm towns that existed here in the Amu-Darya Delta some 2000 years ago. The most impressive of the sites is Toprak Qala, which was settled in the 1st century BC and later flourished in the 3rd century AD as capital of the region. Qavat Qala was a substantial oasis that fell to the brutal treatment of Genghis Khan's marauding troops. To its east lies Ayaz Qala, an impressive mud-walled hilltop fortress from the 6th-7th centuries. We also visit Qoy Qyrylghan Qala, a temple mausoleum of Khorezm Khan dating from the 4th century BC and the site of Uzbekistan's oldest known written inscriptions. Our desert adventure continues this evening as we stay in traditional central Asian yurts and swap our own tales under the stars. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 30: Kyzyl-Kum - Bukhara

We leave very early today and drive 450 kilometres to Bukhara. Along the way we travel through the Kyzyl-Kum (Red Sands Desert), the largest desert area in central Asia and inhabited by various nomadic people. We also meet the Amu Darya River, which was once known as the Oxus. This river bubbles up far to the south-east in the Pamirs and then runs west through the area now bordering modern Afghanistan - once famous throughout the ancient world for its lapis-lazuli mines. Curling slowly northward the river bisects the Kyzyl-Kum and Kara-Kum (Black Sands Desert), before stretching toward the southern tip of the shrinking Aral Sea. It was the Greeks who named this area ‘Transoxiana’ – literally ‘beyond the river’ – a name that echoes through the ages in literature and poetry and also in the imagination of travellers. With the impressive sights of Bukhara and Samarkand ahead of us, this journey is an ideal opportunity to catch up on some reading, or simply sit back and imagine you are a trader - relieved to have made it safely through the desert! We arrive in the holy city of Bukhara and enjoy a free afternoon to absorb its ambience. Trading domes near here still offer an intriguing and colourful array of goods including embroideries, jewellery, spices, handicrafts and all manner of Silk Road treasures. This is the place to test your haggling skills, as well as share a joke or two with friendly local merchants. This is truly a magical place and it is sure to cast its spell on us too! Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 31: Bukhara

A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, Bukhara is widely regarded as Central Asia’s holiest city. With many monuments dating from the 8th to the 18th century AD, there is a vast span of history and architecture to uncover and the meticulous restoration of many of the mosaic and majolica decorations give us a true sense of how these buildings looked in their original glory. With more than one hundred officially preserved monuments, there is a lot to see and we have an extensive sightseeing program here spread over two days to make the most of our time here. We start by visiting the ruins of the Ark Fortress. Dating back to the 5th century AD, it is the ancient heart of the city and the scene of several gruesome events. Opposite the fortress is the Bolo-Khauz Mosque, which dates back to 1718 and was the emirs’ official place of worship. We continue to the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, resting place of the founder of the Saminid Dynasty, the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the imposing Poikalon complex (comprising the Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque and Mir-i-Arab Medressa) and Ulugbek and Abdul Aziz Khan Medressa. The twilight hours lend themselves to wandering the areas around the Lyabi-Hauz Pool, a central gathering place you can enjoy a traditional ‘chaikhana’ (tea-house) style dinner (optional). Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 32: Bukhara

We start our second full day of sightseeing in Bukhara by visiting the Tim Abdulla Khan. Built in 1577, this is one of the most elegant medressas. All manner of things can be found on sale in the covered bazaars. There are three of these trading domes left and we wander through Taqi-Sarrafon, Taqi-Telpak Furushon and Taqi-Zargaron in search of bargains and experiencing the spirit of trade which has driven this region since the halcyon days of the Silk Road era. In the midst of these bazaars is the Maghoki-Attar, reputed to be the oldest mosque in central Asia. Sitorai Mohi Hosa means Star and Garnet Garden and was the summer palace of the last emir. Its opulence is also reflected by its combination of local and European influences in its designs and furnishings. The halls are richly decorated with carpets and paintings. Char Minar is a unique structure with four minarets – one on each corner. It was built in 1807 by Turkmen merchant, Khalif Niyazkul. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 33 & 34: Nurata - Sentab Village - Samarkand

With regret, we leave captivating Bukhara and continue east towards Samarkand. Our next destination is Nurata, formerly known as Nur and founded in the 3rd century BC by Alexander the Great. This ancient town was once regarded as the frontier between the cultivated lands and the steppes, and the ruins of Alexander’s hilltop citadel stand testament to its ancient history. The city was also an important Muslim place of pilgrimage, reaching its peak in the 10th century AD as devotees flocked to its many significant graves and memorials. We visit the Chashma, a complex of religious constructions that serves as the central point for such pilgrimages. After lunching in a local teahouse we continue onto the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve just south of Aiderkul Lake. We must change to smaller vehicles to navigate the narrow local roads as we climb into the mountains to reach the tiny village of Sentab. Here, as part of a UN Development Program project, local families have established small private guesthouses and welcome visitors to their homes. As our hosts are ethnic Tajiks, this is a unique opportunity to hear another regional language, eat delicious home-cooked local specialities, and see the day-to-day life of the village. Accommodation is in the traditional style - the group will sleep on mattresses in communal rooms (usually divided by gender), a similar experience to staying in a yurt. The bathroom facilities are also basic, but manageable - with very simple shower and toilet arrangements. Such things are minor inconveniences however as we lounge on ‘tapchan’ (day beds) under the walnut trees, with the sound of the stream running nearby, and an once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange unfolds. This is the perfect place to relax, or for those wanting to stretch their legs there are numerous local walking trails nearby which our hosts will be happy to show us. We have more time to relax the following morning. After lunch we depart on our drive to Samarkand. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Day 35: Samarkand

We enjoy two days of sightseeing and exploration in Samarkand, a city that evokes the romance of the Silk Road perhaps more than any other. From its foundation in the 5th century BC, this crossroads of cultures, religions, peoples and languages has been a centre of artisans and traders as well as the prize for many a conquering army. Alexander the Great stormed its walls in 329 BC and many other rulers chose to make it their capital in the centuries that followed. Even the Soviet occupiers declared it the original capital of the Uzbek SSR in 1924, although it only kept that honour for four years! We visit the Gur Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the mighty Timur and his sons and grandsons. For a man of his stature, it is quite a simple tomb. One highlight of our trip will certainly be standing on the iconic Registan Square with the three medressas (Ulugbek, Sher Dor and Tilla-Kari) towering over us. We complete our tour for the day with a visit to a handicraft centre before enjoying a free afternoon to wander around by ourselves and make our own discoveries in this special place. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 36: Samarkand

After breakfast we embark on another half-day sightseeing tour. Close to the Registan is the Bibi-Khanym Mosque built by Timur and often compared to the Taj Mahal, as it was built as a grand and timeless symbol of a man's love for his wife. This mosque overlooks the busy and colourful Siob Bazaar, where photographers will delight in taking photos of the many bustling stalls and huge array of produce, as well as encounter friendly greetings from the local traders. Our next stop is the Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum complex. Also known as the ‘Town of the Dead’ this is a row of more than 20 mausoleums, some of them with stunningly colourful tilework. Ulugbek was an emir in the early 15th century, but he was also a renowned astronomer. The discovery of the ruins of his observatory tells of an amazing story from a bygone era. This afternoon is left free for us to enjoy just a little more time in Samarkand. Perhaps a visit to the local bazaar where you can sample delicious fresh produce or you might like to return to the many stalls nestled in the Registan Ensemble to find that perfect souvenir. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 37 & 38: Samarkand - Tashkent

Our Grand Silk epic adventure is almost complete as we leave Samarkand and drive five hours to return to the capital for our final night. We enjoy a free afternoon in Tashkent and tonight we can gather around for an optional farewell dinner to mark the end of our travels together and reflect on all we have seen. The trip ends in Tashkent after breakfast on the morning of Day 38.