The Journey
The trip begins with an overnight flight from London on August 16, arriving in Dushanbe via Istanbul at 00:55 on August 17. You'll check into the Aram Hotel immediately and spend August 17 recovering, with light exploration and trek preparation.
On August 18, you'll drive 3–4 hours north to the Fan Mountains and begin your 4-day trek — camping three nights (Aug 18–20). The route takes you to Kulikalon Lakes on day one, over Alauddin Pass (3,860m) to Alauddin Lakes on day two, with a third day exploring higher valleys that most shorter treks miss, before walking out on August 21.
After the trek, you'll drive to Penjikent for an overnight stay at the Hotel SUGD & Guest House — hot showers and proper beds. On August 22, you cross the Tajik–Uzbek border and continue to Samarkand, where three nights allow unhurried exploration of Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-e-Amir, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
On August 25, you pick up a rental car and drive the scenic route to Bukhara, stopping at Gijduvan ceramics and historic caravanserais. Two nights in Bukhara provide time for the Ark Fortress, Poi-Kalyan complex, trading domes, plus countryside sites using the car.
On August 27, you catch an early morning train (05:42) from Bukhara to Khiva, arriving at 11:37. You'll need to drop the rental car at Bukhara station the evening before and prepare for an early start. The afternoon of the 27th plus most of August 28 gives you time to explore the walled Ichan Kala, staying one night at the Madrasah Polvon-Qori.
On the evening of August 28, you board an overnight train from Urgench at 19:00, arriving Tashkent at 08:22 on August 29 with time to freshen up at the Mirzo Boutique Hotel (day use) before your afternoon flight home (15:15), arriving London at 22:25.