Uzbekistan

Vast steppes adorned with blue and gold

A journey along the legendary Silk Road, in the heart of Central Asia, through the ancient cities of Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, nestled between the Kyzylkum Desert to the north and the Karakum Desert to the south. For centuries, long caravans have stopped at these three oases, in the shadow of the great mosques with their blue domes and soaring minarets. One of them, the famous Samarkand, was chosen by Tamerlane as the magnificent capital of his empire. A highlight of the trip was the stop in Nukus to explore the works at the Savitsky Museum, as well as the excursion to Moynaq, a place that symbolizes the ecological disaster of the Aral Sea.

Places to Discover

• The Savitsky Museum in Nukus: Over 80,000 works by Soviet avant-garde painters, collected by Igor Savitsky, have been described as the “Louvre of the Steppes”
• Khiva: Itchan Kala, the historic center that has remained virtually unchanged, with mosques, emirs’ palaces, and ancient madrasas
• Bukhara: the Kalyan Minaret, the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, and the madrasas that once attracted scholars from across the Muslim world
• Samarkand: Registan Square with its three madrasas covered in colorful tiles, the Shah-i Zinda necropolis, and the Bibi Khanum Mosque

Program

Day 1 — Italy > Urgench: Departure from Italy on a flight to Urgench via Istanbul (from Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa, Turkish Airlines). Overnight stay on board.

Day 2 — Urgench > Nukus: Transfer to Nukus (about 4 hours) and a visit to the Savitsky Museum, which houses over 80,000 works of Soviet avant-garde art saved by Igor Savitsky—the “Louvre of the Steppes.” Afterward, a visit to the Mizdakhan complex, a vast necropolis dating back to the 4th century B.C.

Day 3 — Nukus > Moynaq > Nukus: excursion to Moynaq, once a port on the Aral Sea: Museum of the History of the Aral Sea and Ship Graveyard, with rusted shipwrecks on the dried-up lake bed. Lunch at a local home.

Day 4 — Nukus >, Khiva: along the ancient caravan route to Khiva. Tour of Itchan Kala: Kunya Ark, Tosh Haveli, Amin Khan Madrasa, Friday Mosque, Kalta Minor Minaret, and the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud. Stop for a demonstration of Uzbek bread-making and an aperitif at sunset.

Day 5 — Khiva >, Bukhara: crossing the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara, where the Kalyan Minaret (12th century) stands as a landmark.

Day 6 — Bukhara: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chor Minor Madrasah, Po-i-Kalyan complex with the Miri Arab Madrasah. Lunch at a private home, including a traditional cooking class and tea tasting.

Day 7 — Bukhara > Gijduvan > Samarkand: a walk to Lyab-i Hauz, a visit to the summer residence of the last emir, Sitorai Mohi Xossa, and a stop in Gijduvan, a city renowned for its pottery. Arrival in Samarkand.

Day 8 — Samarkand: Registan Square with the madrasas of Ulugbek, Sher Dor, and Tillya Kori; Tamerlane’s Mausoleum; Bibi Khanum Mosque; and free time at the Siyob Bazaar.

Day 9 — Samarkand >, Tashkent: Shah-i Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory, and the Afrasiab archaeological site. In the afternoon, take the train to Tashkent (about 2½ hours).

Day 10 — Tashkent: Independence Square and Tamerlane Square, the Usman Quran Museum, the Chorsu Market, the Soviet-era subway, and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Day 11 — Tashkent >, Italy: Transfer to the airport and return flight via Istanbul.

Planned accommodations or similar

• Nukus: Hotel Pana (4*)
• Khiva: Zarafshon Boutique (4*)
• Bukhara: Amiran Boutique Hotel (4*)
• Samarkand: Grand Plaza Hotel (4*)
• Tashkent: The Tower (4*)

Turkish Airlines Flight Schedule — From Rome: October 29, TK 1864 Fiumicino 7:45 p.m. → Istanbul 12:20 a.m., October 30, TK 262 Istanbul → Urgench 7:25 a.m.; return flight November 8 TK 369 Tashkent → Istanbul 1:20 p.m., TK 1863 Istanbul → Fiumicino 6:20 p.m. From Milan: TK 1876 Malpensa 6:35 p.m. → Istanbul 11:40 p.m., return flight TK 1875 Istanbul → Malpensa 4:35 p.m.