Along the Golden Road from Samarkand. A Journey through Central Asia’     

18 April - 2 May, 2024

Destination:
Uzbekistan Tajikistan

Trip Dates:
18 April - 2 May, 2024

Trip Length:
15 days

Trip Price: £3740

Originally caravanserais on the Golden Trade route across Central Asia, these fabled cities developed into thriving centres of commerce and culture. Under the ferocious medieval warriors Genghis Khan and then Tamerlane and their descendants they assumed inimitable power and splendour. These great cities were once so remote behind barriers of deserts and mountains that until the demise of the Soviet Union, it was almost impossible to visit them.

Fly to Tashkent the capital of Uzbekistan and continue onto Khujand which is the western gateway to the Fergana Valley, a fertile, populous and prosperous area surrounded by mountains, steppe or desert. The Fergana Valley was historically on the main Silk Route through Central Asia from Western China to Samarkand. Visit the ancient Khujand Fortress and the bustling Panjshanbe Bazaar, where local crafts and traditions come alive and learn more about the city's Silk Road past. From Khujand drive to Dushanbe the capital of Tajikistan.  Tajikistan unlike Uzbekistan is mainly a mountainous country with a dense river system and the many fertile valleys making habitation possible. Tajikistan exemplifies the complexities of Central Asia perhaps more than any other surrounding country, since, unlike other ethnic groups in the region, the Tajiks were not nomadic but sedentary, and their language was Persian, not Turkic. Spend two nights Dushanbe and visit the National Museum, showcasing Tajik history, art, and archaeology. The striking Haji Yakoub Mosque and the ornate Navruz Palace offer glimpses into Islamic and modern Tajik architecturein Continue on to Panjikent sometimes referred to as ‘Oriental Pompei’ given it is Central Asia’s greatest treasure trove of valuable Sogdian artefacts. The Sogdian civilisation was an ancient Persian civilization which developed from around the 5th century BC to as late as the 10th century AD, maintaining a strong cultural continuity over this time.

From Panjikent cross the border into Uzbekistan and make the short drive to Samarkand, chosen by Tamerlane as the capital of his great empire and he transformed it into the most beautiful city in Central Asia. New buildings rose out of the desert, built of mud brick, and faced with ceramic tiles in every imaginable shade of blue. Explore this remarkable city of soaring minarets and domes of glistening turquoise and cobalt blue. In the 14th century Samarkand’s observatory and mosques became intellectual gathering places for astronomers, poets, theologians and architects. The city contains some of the finest examples of Islamic art and many of its architectural styles became models for the rest of the Islamic world. Continue onto Bukhara which was an important staging post on the network of caravan trails which criss-crossed Central Asia. Although famous for its rugs, it was as ‘Divine Bukhara’ with its hundreds of mosques, madrasas and minarets that the British diplomat-poet, James Elroy Flecker and the Muslim world remembers it. Crooked alleys wind irregularly between the walls of clay-built houses and the men still wear colourful striped coats, knee high leather boots and patterned turbans.

From Bukhara, the party will cross the great Kyzl Kum desert and visit the marvellous city of Khiva, an ancient walled city. This is an open-air museum is more intact than either Samarkand or Bukhara. It is a maze of mosques, palaces, religious schools and homes, most of them enclosed within an area less than one mile square. Return to Tashkent for one last night before taking a direct flight back to London. 

The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their friends and family. Please note that Distant Horizons has sole responsibility for the operation of this tour. The Universities have no direct control over the operation of any tours.

 

Maximum Party Size: 20

Trip Leader: Professor Charles Melville

Professor Melville is a Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge and has recently retired as Director of Studies in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. His special interest is the history of Central Asia, the Middle East and Iran especially the Mongol and Safavid periods (the 13th – 17th centuries) Since 2001, Professor Melville has accompanied seven several very successful Alumni journeys to Central Asia.

Along the Golden Road from Samarkand. A Journey through Central Asia’      . Trip Comments:

‘I have nothing but praise for every aspect of the trip... The cities we visited were utterly fascinating, allowing us to understand much about the history of the region and to appreciate many features of its architecture. This was our first taste of the Alumni Travel Programme, and it has certainly encouraged us to consider taking part in another trip.’

‘All the guides were excellent. Fatima was both knowledgeable and very competent as well as being very charming. Meals at pottery workshop, private houses in Samarkand and in Mary very enjoyable.’

‘A fascinating and memorable journey for all the right reasons. Extremely comfortable and a friendly, interesting party.’

‘We were very impressed with the management of the journey both on the ground and with pre-departure support.’

‘Professor Melville was just fantastic and really assisted in the smooth operation of the trip’

We did some incredible things – our night at the winery turned out to be a local party night (Teacher’s holiday) so we saw far more of the culture than otherwise.

‘An excellent holiday. Our fellow travellers were a diverse and interesting party and Fatima managed everything very skilfully. Misha was a highly competent ‘fixer’ when required to be.’

‘In conclusion this was a wonderful journey of discovery. We are extremely grateful to you for having the courage and commitment to organise such an imaginative and challenging itinerary. Not many other companies seem to tackle the road frontier crossings which although tedious gave us great insights and also enabled us to experience such exciting landscapes – the Karakum desert, crossing the Oxus etc.’

‘Professor Melville was an excellent lecturer and a charming travelling companion.’