TASHKENT is the capital city of Uzbekistan. Travelling to Samarkand from Tashkent and back in 48 hours has been made possible by the impressive high speed train – Afrosiyob. Why impressive? International travelers are surprised having experience the train ride for the first time, with many giving positive feed back on its punctuality, facilities and most importantly the scenery flashing by intimately before your eyes. The journey take about two hours by train per way. The usual journey by car usually takes you up to 4 hours per way.

The Afrosiyob High Speed Train steward and stewardess. They do offer full service of selling drinks and meals from carts.

What can you do in Samarkand within 48 hours?

After all Samarkand is one of the UNESCO Heritage Site and was once the jewel city of the Silk Road route 2,500 years ago ……

Koni – Gil ❦ Famous Silk Paper Manufacturing Village of Samarkand.

Visit the famous Koni-Gil village which has been making silk paper famed in Uzbekistan for centuries. Using ancient craftsmanship in days of bygone eras, recreating the prized silk paper. The revered 15th century Uzbek poet, thinker and scientist Alisher Navoi called Samarkand paper “the wings that spread the thoughts of wise people to the world”. Visitors can get a chance to view the silk paper making process by hand. Don’t forget to bring home the experience ….

The silk paper of Koni-Gil

You can try a hand through this ancient technique of making paper.

Ulugh Beg Observatory ❦ Built in the 1420s by the Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg, descendant of the great Amir Timur the first ruler of the Timurid Dynasty.

The stars have always played a significant part as early as Ptolemy’s time. It holds secret of a multitude of knowledge. For it is with reading the stars explorers are able to navigate the world by land and by the ocean. Ulugh Beg Observatory was a great example of the advancement for astronomical study at its time. Only invited scholars study at the university whom he personally approved of and respected academically and at its peak had between 60 and 70 astronomers working there.

Ulugh Beg Observatory

Registan bronze statue of Islamic scholars

Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand ❦ Name of Afrasiab, mythical king and hero of Turan.

The opening of the museum was dedicated to the 2500th anniversary of founding the city of Samarkand, it presents the ancient history of Afrasiab Samarkand. The museum’s exhibits illustrate the history of Afrasiab and Samarkand development from the times of Alexander the Great. Known as one of the largest archaeological sites in the world and the ancient city that was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century.

Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand

Afrasiyab executes Nauzar

In 48 hours you are able to visit seven iconic destinations (Part i, ii & iii) in Samarkand and still arrive safely back to Tashkent. Having covered two cities in one go – the capital city of Tashkent and Samarkand, the jewel of Uzbekistan. All thanks to the comfortable High Speed train Afrosiyob

Apple Vacations has put together an exotic 10 Days 8 Nights itinerary taking you across three countries in Central Asia, where in-between you get to experience a two days one night stay in Samarkand, from Tashkent to Samarkand and back by Afrosiyob high speed train.

Full Itinerary: GEMS OF CENTRAL ASIA