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Silk Road holiday

country:Uzbekistan
location:Silk Road
trip type: A small group adventure
departures:2008: 13 Jun, 18 Jul, 8 Aug
price:From £899 (9 days) including flights from the UK, from £429 excluding flights
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
The fabled Silk Road wound its way from China to the Mediterranean and, all along the route, fabulous cities sprang up. Names like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have a mystical quality but, as we'll discover on this journey through the heart of Central Asia, their treasures are real enough.

Samarkand & the Registan: After seeing Tashkent's medrasa and bazaar we drive to legendary Samarkand. Here, minarets and domes are bathed in the clear light reflected by ornate blue and turquoise tiles that cover the facades of stunning buildings in the Registan Square. A comprehensive city tour reveals this pinnacle of Central Asian architecture in all its glory and gives an insight into the legacy of the great warrior Tamerlane.

Bukhara – an oriental gem: Where Samarkand dazzles with the beauty of its faience tiles, Bukhara's appeal lies in the atmosphere generated by its ancient city centre and the graceful architecture of its buildings. We can easily imagine how life was at the time of the Samanid rulers of the 10th century as we wander the mud-walled streets of the old town, where ornate carpets lend a splash of colour. Alternatively, take a step back in time and sit and drink chai in one of the many outdoor teahouses, as travellers have done for centuries.

Khiva – as old as the Bible: When the tribe of Shem (son of Noah) struck water whilst wandering in the desert, they were responsible for founding a settlement which eventually grew into Khiva. It is now the most complete Silk Road oasis city in existence – even its walls remain intact. However, Khiva is only a small town and its winding passageways and little courtyards are best explored on foot.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Overnight flight to Tashkent
Day 2:Free time; fly to Khiva
Day 3:Full day sightseeing
Day 4-5:Drive to Bukhara; full day sightseeing
Day 6-7:Drive to Samarkand; full day sightseeing
Day 8:Drive to Tashkent; explore city
Day 9:Fly to London
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
how this holiday makes a difference
As with most of our trips we try and use a local agent from the country in which we operate, and Uzbekistan is no different. Our agent books our accommodation, provides the transport and, importantly, our group leaders. This provides work for a great number of people - whether in the office or on the road and, along with our stays in small hotels and meals in local restaurants, means more Uzbeks benefit from our visit.

Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us.

Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.

Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full.

Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book.

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'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

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