The Khiva Retreat - A Journey Through Uzbekistan . . with me!!

 

There is pattern and colour everywhere you turn in Uzbekistan.

  

 The Khiva Retreat - A Journey Through Uzbekistan . . with me!!

17th - 30th October 2026 

I am so looking forward to going back to Uzbekistan. Having led 2 x 14 day trips there in 2025, I know what wonders are in store for us on this exciting trip. This tour is particularly special as we will be staying longer in Khiva. There will be time to sketch, stitch, take photos, wander . . .

This will be the first retreat style tour with Aahilya Holidays, I will be leading 4 more next year in Delhi, Spain, Morocco and Uzbekistan. 

After all my tours last year, I felt there was a place for a slightly slower paced tour, spending longer in one city, giving us a chance to take in more, maybe develop some designs to stitch or get out and sketch. On this tour we will be traveling through Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and ending in Khiva for 5 days. I adore Khiva. It is small, everything is contained within the walls of this beautiful city. And it is traffic free, so you can wander unhindered by having to dodge cars . . 

We will visit Operation Mercy. The workshop was originally set up with funding from Operation Mercy and the British Council, and produces carpets and suzanis using traditional Uzbek designs and natural dyes.

 
Enjoying a coffee in Khiva

     
Sitting by the hotel pool in Khiva working on our journals

This mosque in Khiva is created from wood, so beautiful

Exquisite tile work in the harem

Sunset on our evening walk around Khiva

I have grown up hearing tales of the mysterious Silk Road. Watching the actress Joanna Lumley walk through the beautiful cities of Uzbekistan in her documentary whet my appetite for this exotic place even more. Uzbekistan has really opened up for tourism now. It is easier to get there, one of the safest countries to travel in, and you don't need a visa. The people are very welcoming and friendly. Always helpful, and even playful!! There is a good transport system across the country and from what I have seen, everything is very clean. And the Uzbeks love animals, even leaving food and water on most street corners for the stray cats. Some of the streets even have cat houses . .  

A cat palace 

Guests on this trip will be escorted by Isha, owner of Aahilya Holidays, Khurshid our wonderful guide and myself. Nothing is left to chance. Your comfort and care is our priority.

Have a look at the exciting itinerary here - https://www.aahilyaholkhiva-retreat---a-journey-through-uzbekistan-with-kim-thittichai-2026

Standing in Registan Square in Samarkand is an amazing experience, it is huge and so - other worldly. Most of us have seen pictures of it, but standing there and doing a slow circle taking in all 4 sides of the square, is just amazing. I found it very hard to believe I was actually there, both times. I am very much looking forward to going back again. After we get over the wonders of the square, then things get really exciting. I didn't realise there was SO much more to discover behind the beautiful buildings on the square.

A very happy Kim in Registan Square 

 
Even the rain can't subdue the excitement of seeing these incredible buildings
 
Khurshid our guide is an expert on the history and architecture of this fascinating country, he will help us to understand the context of Islamic architecture and how it all fits in to The Silk Road that spans central Asia. Understanding the context of what we see really makes this tour come alive.
 
Inside the Tillya - Kari Madrasah in Samarkand

Just wait until you step inside the Tillya-Kari Madrasah. The entire interior of this remarkable building glows in blue and gold. It truly is one of the most splendid interiors in Uzbekistan, and there is a lot of competition.
 
 You might be surprised to know that my favourite building on the entire trip, has no colour. It is the The Ismail Samani Mausoleum in Bukhara.
 
The Ismail Samani Mausoleum in Bukhara

The inside of this beautiful building. Architecturally fascinating to see how a square can become a circle and then a dome, in brick.

You can read a previous post about this stunning building here.
 
Bukhara is a big bustling city with so much to see and do. We take part in several workshop and visit artisan studios throughout the tour. Several of them are in Bukhara. You can see from the itinerary just how many and where they are.
 
In Tashkent we will visit one of the most beautiful museums I have been to. The Museum of Applied Arts is small compared to most museums, but it's collection of Suzani and Ikat weaving, as well as metal work, jewellery and everything in between, is just wonderful.
 
And then there is Khiva . . sigh. You will understand my love of this place when you wander this beautiful, small city's streets. Everything is close by and more . . accessible.
This tour in now booking so don't leave it too long to check out the itinerary/book.
 https://www.aahilyaholikhiva-retreat---a-journey-through-uzbekistan-with-kim-thittichai-2026
 
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