Central Asia and the Caucasus

Arrive early this morning in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and transfer to our hotel to rest and relax. Then embark on a tour of the city beginning in modern Tashkent at Independence Square. Stop at the Courage Monument, dedicated to the survivors of the major earthquake that devastated the city in 1966. In Old Tashkent, stroll through a labyrinth of mud-walled houses from the 19th century to Khast Imam Square, where some of Tashkent’s oldest monuments remain. In the library of the Muy Muborok Madrasah, view the Uthman Koran, believed by Sunni Muslims to be the oldest true Koran in the world. This evening enjoy a welcome reception and dinner.

Begin the day with a ride on Tashkent’s metro, the first in Central Asia. Adorned with granite and marble, chandeliers and mosaics, the stations on Tashkent’s three lines are meant to be “art galleries for the people” and each has a different theme. Next visit the State Museum of Applied Arts, housed in a mansion built in 1898 by Alexander Polovtsev, a wealthy czarist diplomat who invited artisans from Samarkand, Bukhara and Fergana to decorate the interior. Exhibits include the Uzbek-embroidered wall coverings called suzanis, ceramics, jewelry, rugs and musical instruments. Pay a visit to the private art studio of a sixth-generation Uzbek ceramicist whose family has been making pottery since the 1790s.

Transfer to the railway station or the airport this morning for an express train or flight to Bukhara. A storied city of mosques and madrasahs, Bukhara has Central Asia’s only intact, still-inhabited historic core. Begin our tour at Lyabi-Hauz Square, the center of the Old Town, and the nearby Kukeldash Madrasah, the largest Koranic school in Central Asia. Stroll through colorful bazaars to the Kalon Mosque and Minaret. At the Ark Citadel, meet with the museum’s senior advisor, then explore Bukhara’s old Jewish Quarter.

This morning admire the Ark Citadel, the original fortress of Bukhara dating back over 2,000 years. Stop at Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, which is not a true mausoleum, but a qadamdjoy, a site visited by a holy person. Witness the preparation of traditional plov and enjoy the savory meat-and-rice dish for lunch. The afternoon is free for independent exploration or relaxing in the Old Town. Visit a madrasah to enjoy a performance by local artists before heading to dinner.

This morning travel by express train to the desert city of Samarkand, located at the midpoint of the Silk Road. Visit its famed Registan (“Place of Sand”) Square and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, final resting place of Tamerlane who conquered Central Asia in the 14th century. Be dazzled by the mausoleum complex’s brilliant blue mosaic and tile work. Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Today in Samarkand, visit a mosque designed by Tamerlane and dedicated to his favorite wife and wander among the nearby mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinde, or “place of a living king.” Next explore the Ulug Bek Observatory, built by Tamerlane’s grandson, a remarkable astronomer-king, then visit a UNESCO-sponsored workshop that uses traditional methods to produce fine paper and stationary by hand.

Today experience village life in Uzbekistan with a visit to Ohalik village, about 30 minutes from Samarkand. Visit with a local family and embark on a hike along sheepherder trails in the surrounding hills. Head back to Samarkand and witness a demonstration of traditional Uzbek bread-making at a local home. Also stop at the Uzbek-Afghan Silk Carpet Factory, where artisans use natural vegetable dyes to color the threads used in the carpets they make. Tour the gardens outside the factory, where the weavers grow indigo, coleus and dahlias to use for dye. Observe the entire process of dying the thread and weaving the carpets. This evening, catch the express train back to Tashkent to transfer to our hotel and enjoy a late dinner.

Spend the morning at leisure before this afternoon heading to the airport for the flight to Baku, Azerbaijan. Upon arrival enjoy dinner at a restaurant featuring authentic Azeri dishes and traditional mugham music.

Explore Baku’s Old City, encircled by the old city walls with medieval gates. Tour the winding streets and alleyways, home to private residences, mosques and madrasahs, carpet merchants and tiny shops. Pass by the UNESCO-listed Maiden’s Tower and visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Enjoy a tour of the State Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Applied Folk Art, which beautifully displays the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri, Caucasian and Iranian carpets dating back to the 16th century. Stop at the Martyrs’ Cemetery then spend some free time in the pedestrian area around Fountains Square or along the waterfront boulevard. At the end of the day, rejoin the group for a tour and reception at the Nobel Brothers Museum. Afterward return to our hotel for the evening and enjoy dinner independently.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. A highlight of exploring multiethnic Tbilisi is its red-roofed Old Town. Also view the Narikala Fortress and the Metekhi Church of the Virgin, wander down Rustaveli Avenue, and tour the 6th-century stone Anchiskhati Basilica, the city’s oldest church. Enjoy visits to a bakery and a craft studio before dinner this evening at one of many wonderful Georgian-cuisine restaurants.

Today we visit Tbilisi’s prized museums, including the Georgian National Museum, the Museum of Soviet Occupation and the National Art Gallery. Conclude the day with a private tour and reception at the House of Blue Laces, one of the most striking Georgian homes and the only one of its kind in Tbilisi. Return to our hotel for a free evening and an independent dinner.

Today depart Tbilisi on a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site Mtskheta, the former Georgian capital. Stop on the way at the Jvari Monastery, an imposing structure atop a hill overlooking the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers. Mtskheta was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BCE until the 5th century CE. Returning to Tbilisi in the evening, enjoy a musical performance and a dinner of delicious Georgian specialties.

Following breakfast depart for the Armenian border by coach. After the usual border crossing formalities, continue to Yerevan. The drive today takes us across the Armenian countryside, stopping at Sevanavank Monastery, located on a peninsula in Lake Sevan. The monastery was founded in 874 CE and was an important center of pilgrimage for Armenian Christians throughout the Middle Ages; visitors to the site should note the carved green khachkars (stone crosses). Arrive in Yerevan in the evening and check in to our centrally-located hotel before dinner.

This morning head out on a guided tour of Yerevan. In Victory Park, visit the Mother Armenia statue, its base was first used as a museum dedicated to World War II. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts, built around the extensive collection of Gerard Cafesjian, is located inside and focuses on sculpture, glass and paintings by contemporary artists. Next visit the Matenadaran, one of the world’s oldest book depositories, in existence since the 5th century. Tonight enjoy a farewell reception at our hotel, followed by a festive dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport for flights home.