In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great

On arrival into Tashkent you will be met and transferred to the group hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. This evening you will meet the rest of the group for dinner.
Overnight: Gabrielle International Hotel or similar

This morning we board the high speed train from Tashkent to the ancient city of Samarkand. We won't be able to check in to our rooms until 14:00 but we will leave our main luggage at the hotel. The rest of the day is dedicated to sightseeing of Samarkand’s major attractions such as Registan Square considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. Being the "heart" of Samarkand and city’s main square it is enclosed by three spectacular madrassah dating back to 1400s with quite inner courtyards. These huge buildings adorned with domes and minarets are intricately laid in charming azure blue glazed tiles. We will also visit the grandiose Cathedral Mosque Bibi-Khanum, nearby Siab Bazaar with its colorful stalls and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the resting place of Timurid royal family.
Train: ~2hrs
Overnight: Malika Prime Hotel or similar

After breakfast we head out for more Samarkand sightseeing, covering the remains of meridian quadrant of Ulugh Beg’ observatory which allowed Samarkand's astronomers to produce the most accurate calibration of the stars position. Their outstanding body of work comprised "Zidj -e - Kuragoni", astronomic tables featuring the most exact coordinates of 1018 stars; Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, the resting place of princesses and princes of the Timurid dynasty and aristocracy of the that period boasting unique architectural masterpieces of intricate tile patterns which turn this sanctuary into a real heaven of green turquoise and blue azure colors. Both sights are located on the ancient hill from which the city of Marakanda, once conquered by Alexander the Great, majestically dominated the area. We will also get acquainted with the Hellenistic period in the history of Samarkand exploring the exhibits of local Afrosiab Museum.
Overnight: Malika Prime Hotel or similar

This morning we check out and head to the train station to board the high speed train once again, this time to Bukhara. Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan, situated on the sacred hill, it is supposed to have been founded in the 13th Century BC during the reign of Siyavushids who came to power 980 years before the arrival of Alexander the Great. The name Bukhara originates from the Sanskrit word “vihara” which stands for “Buddhist monastery”. The city with its 140 architectural monuments was once a large commercial centre on the Great Silk Road. The old city of Bukhara consists of a maze of narrow streets, busy bazars and colorfully tailed historic landmarks mainly dating back to the Middle Age.
Train: ~1½hrs
Overnight: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or similar

Today we continue our exploration of the ancient walled city of Bukhara. During our two days in Bukhara we'll visit the mausoleum of the founder of the Samanid dynasty the plans of which are based on the geometric pattern of a Buddhist mandala, Bukhara’s citadel belted by massive defensive walls and overlooking the Old City. We will also visit ancient mosques, madrassah and ancient domed bazaars as well as the Summer Residence of the last rulers of Bukhara located in the city’s suburb.
Overnight: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or similar

Today we drive to Shakhrisabz. Along the way we will visit the sights of Nautaka (present day Karshi) located on the banks of the Limpid River (Kashkadarya). In Nautaka, Alexander the Great and his army passed two winters and planned his Indian campaign. Here we will visit Odina Madrassah, the oldest female educational establishment of the region once erected on the sight of Khan’s residence. It is now converted in little local museum. The biggest and the most beautiful mosque of the city, Kok-Gumbaz, built in XVI c. in the basement of the older Namosgokh Mosque and adorned with majolica glazed tiles. upon arrival in Shakhrisabz, we will venture out to explore the burial places of Timurid royalty in their hometown - Shakhrisabz and will explore the ruins of Tamerlan’s summer residence, the Ak-Sarai Palace (1380-1404).
Drive: ~4hrs, 265km
Overnight: Hotel Kesh Palace or similar

This morning we explore more of Shahrisabz before continuing south to Baysun. Baysun is a picturesque region situated in the grand Ketmen-Chapti massif. Its deeply rooted folk traditions were included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A visit the local bazaar and artisan centre will allow the opportunity to see first hand, the embroidery and skull cap making skills using traditional 'Janda' fabric. We can also take a short walk in Kyzyl Canyon and visit Omonkhon Spring, known for its healing properties.
Drive: ~3.5hrs, 195km
Overnight: Baysun Grand Hotel or similar

After a leisurely start we leave Baysun and begin our drive to the rarely visited city of Denau, located close to the Tajikistan border. On arrival we will take in some of the city's sights before continuing onwards Sangardak Waterfall, Uzbekistan's tallest. The falls are 150 metres in length and there are possibilities to undertake a walk in the area. We will return to Denau for the night.
Drive: ~2hrs, 100km to Denau, 1hr, 50km to Sangardak Falls
Overnight: Guliston Denau Hotel or similar

This morning we drive south to visit the well-preserved, C12 corrugated Jarkurgan Minaret. The road passes through numerous rural villages along the Baisuntau Ridge with peaks soaring up to 4000m. We cross at the Sariosiyo border point and once in the Tajik territory we visit the Hissar fortress and the medieval madrassah en route into Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.
Drive: ~5hrs, 280km
Overnight: Rumi Hotel Dushanbe or similar

With a rural hinterland of grassy pastures and snow-capped mountains visible from downtown, Dushanbe is a delightful city built around parks, lakes and fountains. Dushanbe's origins stretch back some 3,000 years though the city grew from a village into a city under Soviet rule as the capital for the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, a part of the Uzbek USSR. Today we will spend the day in the Tajik capital and enjoy a city tour taking in Dousti Square, the Samany Monument (to the founder of the Tajik Government), Rudaki Avenue and a historical museum. This evening we’ll enjoy a dinner with traditional folklore show.
Overnight: Rumi Hotel Dushanbe or similar

Today we leave the city behind and transfer to the legendary Lake Iskanderkul (Alexander's lake) via the picturesque Varzob gorge and Anzob tunnel. Iskanderkul is a mountain lake of glacial origin in Tajikistan's Sughd Province. It lies at an altitude of 2,195m on the northern slopes of the Gissar Range in the Fann Mountains. Today we will hike around the lake and to the “Fann Niagara”, a 40m high waterfall. Picnic by the lake. After lunch we will drive to Saritag village where we will be acquainted with traditions and the daily life of local people.
Drive: ~3hrs, 135km
Overnight: Local village homestay

Today we set off for Khujand our route will lay through the mountain pass “Shakhristan”. Along the way we will visit the ancient city of Kiropolis, present day Istravshan, founded by Persian King Cyrus in 7th century B.C. We will explore the old city with its bazaar Kok Gumbaz Mosque (XVI) and Mug hill. After lunch we continue the drive to Khujand (Alexandria Eshata).
Drive: ~4hrs, 221km
Overnight: Khujand Deluxe Hotel or similar

Today we will get around Khujand and visit its main sights such as Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mausoleum and Mosque (XIV-XIX c.c.), Payshambe bazaar and Country estate of Urumkhodjaev family which bears resemblance to the palace of Russian tsars in Petergof. After lunch we commence our drive to the “Oybek” border point and after completing border formalities enter into Uzbekistan.
Drive: ~3hrs, 167km
Overnight: Gabrielle International Hotel or similar

Today we will get around Tashkent and get acquainted with its main sights: Khast-Imam( Jhazret – Imam) complex including Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Barak Khan madrassah, Muyimuborak madrassah converted in library-museum and housing the world’s oldest copy of the Koran once belonging to Caliph Osman (VII).
Overnight: Gabrielle International Hotel or similar

Today after breakfast, you will be provided with transfer to the airport where your trip concludes. Hotel check-out will be at 12:00. Luggage storage will be available at the hotel should your flight depart later in the day.