Arrive in Dushanbe on suggested flights and transfer from the airport to the hotel (transfer included in tour price). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel) and accommodation either before or after the tour.

The evening is at leisure.

Begin the day with a talk by your tour leader Stefano Carboni, before an orientation tour of Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan. Long before it was established as a city, it was a centuries-old settlement, named after its well-known Monday market, Dushanbe, meaning “Monday” in Persian.

Then, explore the National Museum of Antiquities, which houses a collection of archaeological finds that represent key pieces of Central Asian history, and visit the National Museum, which features an extensive collection of natural history, archaeology and contemporary fine arts.

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Depart Dushanbe and drive through the northern Tajikistan mountains stopping to see Iskanderkul Lake, an opal-blue mountain lake formed by glaciers millennia ago.

Arrive in Penjikent in the afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner at a local restaurant.

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Begin the morning with a visit to the site of ancient Penjikent and see the ruins of the once-bustling city, which formed one of the major stops along the Silk Road.

Continue to the Rudaki Republican History and Regional Study Museum, named after the renowned Penjikent-born Persian poet, which holds a significant collection of ancient frescoes of hunting scenes and statues of mysterious Zoroastrian deities.

After lunch, cross the border into Uzbekistan and continue to Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. On arrival in the city, pass by Registan Square and glimpse its three decorated Islamic madrasahs before checking in to the hotel.

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Begin the morning with a talk by Stefano before visiting the Shah-i-Zida necropolis, a complex of stunning 14th and 15th century Timurid tombs mostly of female family members of Timur Leng. Lavishly decorated with tile work, the necropolis is protected by a portal built by the renowned Timurid sultan, astronomer and mathematician Ulugh Beg and ends at an Islamic shrine built over the remains of a centre of a pre-Islamic cult.

After lunch, visit the remains of the observatory built by Ulugh Beg in the 14th century. Continue to the Afrosiab Museum and the extraordinary, preserved frescoes painted by a Sogdian ruler just before the city of Afrosiab was destroyed by Muslim armies.

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This morning, visit Registan Square and explore the three lavish madrasahs – Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah and Sher-Dor Madrasah – which surround the square. Built between the 14th and 17th centuries, these schools hosted some of the most important poets, philosophers and astronomers in Islamic history.

Continue to the Gūr-i Amir, the tomb of Emperor Timur Leng, and explore one of the most important buildings in Persian-Turkish Central Asian architecture.

After lunch, visit Siab Bazaar, Uzbekistan’s most famous market, which once formed a vital point on the Silk Road.

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Transfer to Samarkand Railway Station and board the high-speed train to Bukhara, the well-preserved example of a medieval Islamic city (train ticket included in tour price). Founded in the 6th century BC, Bukhara was a powerful Islamic centre for trade, scholarship, culture and religion. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a glimpse into its Persian past through its mosques, madrasas and bazaars.

On arrival in Bukhara, check in to the hotel, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

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This morning, visit the Samanid Ismail Mausoleum with its exquisitely patterned brickwork, one of the oldest monuments in the Bukhara region. Then, visit the Chashma Ayub Shrine, where, according to legend, the biblical Job made a spring of healing water by striking the ground with his staff.

After lunch, continue to the Ark of Bukhara, a massive military structure built in the 5th century CE. Visit the citadel and explore the nearby old Zindon Prison. Then, transfer to Bolo Hauz Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed mosque featuring a lavishly decorated façade with delicate columns and ornamental vaulted ceiling. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

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Today, visit the summer palace of the last emirs of Bukhara, a unique blend of European and Oriental architectural features originally completed in 1917 just before Soviet forces occupied Uzbekistan. Continue to the memorial complex of Bahauddin Nakshbandi, founder of one of the largest Sufi Muslim spiritual orders, which is now a place of Islamic pilgrimage.

After lunch, visit the Chor Minor, the historic gatehouse for a now-destroyed madrasah which features four iconic, blue-domed minarets.

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Depart Bukhara and drive to the 2,500-year-old walled city of Khiva. Historically a Silk Road trading post, the city is renowned for its well-preserved Islamic architecture constructed from clay-coloured mud brick and straw.

Arrive at the hotel with some time to relax before dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

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Following a morning talk by Stefano, enjoy a walking tour of Khiva. Explore the historic inner quarter, Ichan Kala, featuring mazes of clay buildings, mosques, minarets and palaces dating from the 10th century CE.

After lunch, visit Tash-Khovli Palace. Built between 1830 and 1841 for the ruler of the Khiva Khanate, it served as the residence for Allah Kuli Bahadur Khan and his four wives. With beautifully decorated interiors, it offers a glimpse into Khiva’s royal history.

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Depart Khiva and transfer to Nukus, situated in the Kyzylkum desert region near the Amu Darya River. Originally established as a small settlement in 1932, the city grew rapidly and, by the 1950s, had become a large modern Soviet city with broad avenues and large public buildings.

Arrive at the hotel in the afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner at a local restaurant.

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This morning, visit the renowned Igor Savitsky Museum, home to the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde artworks, as well as galleries of antiquities and Karakalpak folk art. The museum was founded in 1966 by Russian collector Igor Savisky, who became the museum’s first curator.

After lunch, continue to Nukus Airport for a flight to Uzbekistan’s capital city, Tashkent (flight included in tour price).

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

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Begin the morning with an orientation tour of Tashkent to view the sights of this remarkable city, including Independence Square, Amir Timur Square and the Opera House.

Then, visit the Uzbekistan State Museum of Applied Arts, housed in an exquisitely carved wooden building, which contains an extensive collection of textiles and ceramics.

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The morning and afternoon are at leisure to further explore Tashkent at your own pace.

Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Stefano and fellow travellers.

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In the very early hours of the morning, transfer to the airport for suggested flights to Australia and New Zealand (transfer included in tour price). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).