Uzbekistan Tour: Jewels of the Silk Road

Arrive at Tashkent International Airport. Private hotel transfer. Afternoon: Hazrat Imam Complex (Khast Imam), a 16th-century mosque with the world's oldest Quran. Chorsu Bazaar, an extraordinary domed market selling spices, fruits, nuts & handicrafts. Overnight in Tashkent.

High-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand (2 hrs). Afternoon: Registan Square, three magnificent 15th-17th century madrasahs (theological colleges) facing each other in one of the world's most perfect urban compositions. Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the tomb of Timur (Tamerlane), founder of the Timurid Empire. Overnight in Samarkand.

Morning: Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a lane of ornately tiled mausolea glittering in every shade of blue, the most photographed sight in Uzbekistan. Bibi-Khanym Mosque ruins, once the world's largest mosque. Afrosiyab Archaeological Museum. Afternoon: Ulugbek Observatory, a 15th-century astronomical observatory of the mathematician king. Overnight in Samarkand.

Train to Bukhara (2 hrs). Afternoon: Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Kalyan Minaret (12th century, so perfectly built that Genghis Khan refused to destroy it) & Kalyan Mosque. Lyabi-Hauz: Bukhara's historic pool square. Ark Fortress. Overnight in Bukhara.

Morning: Chor Minor & Bolo-Hauz Mosque. Ancient trading domes medieval covered markets. Drive across the desert to Khiva (5 hrs). Arrive in Khiva. Evening walk inside Itchan Kala walls. Overnight in Khiva.

Morning: Itchan Kala UNESCO inner city, Islam-Khodja Minaret, Juma Mosque (218 wooden columns) & Kunya-Ark Fortress. Fly back to Tashkent. Transfer to Tashkent Airport. Departure.