Flight to Tashkent (with HY, TK or SU)

Tashkent - Travel to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, with Turkish Airlines or other carriers, depending on your flight connection. The flight duration is approximately 7 hours. Upon arrival at the international airport, your tour guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel. Enjoy an overnight stay in Tashkent.

The Allure of Uzbekistan’s Capital - Urgench - Khiva

Khiva - Today, explore the old town and visit the historic Khast Imam complex. In the expansive square, you’ll find the Tilla-Sheikh Mosque, Barakkhan Madrasa, and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, along with the library housing the world’s oldest Koran. Next, visit the Chorsu Bazaar, renowned since the Middle Ages and located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road’s caravansaries. In the afternoon, stroll through the modern town and visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Park. In the evening, fly to Urgench and transfer to a hotel in Khiva, approximately 35 km from Urgench. Enjoy a typical local dish for dinner. Spend two nights in Khiva.

Enchanting Khiva

Itchan Kala - A highlight of your journey! The mud roads and two-wheeled donkey carts, still part of the streetscape today, offer a glimpse into the unchanged lifestyle since the Middle Ages. As you explore the historic center, admire the oriental ornaments and turquoise tiles of the richly adorned buildings, understanding why Khiva’s old town is aptly called “Ichan Kala” (open-air museum). Visit Kuhna Ark, the former residence of Khiva’s Khans, the Juma Mosque – a Friday Mosque renowned for its 212 artistically decorated wooden columns, the Pakhlavon-Makhmud-Mausoleum, the Madrasa and Minaret of Islam Khodja – the wise vizier of Khan Muhammad Rakhim Khan, and the Tash-Hovli-Palace. In the evening, enjoy the sunset over the oasis.

Khiva - Explore Kuhna Ark and Tosh Hovli Palace - the Khan’s residences; Islam Khoja Minarets - the tallest minaret in Uzbekistan, and The Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum - a pilgrimage site for locals. In this beautiful, oriental setting, you’ll find endless photo opportunities and places to linger. Overnight stays in Khiva. OPTION: Khorezm (Khiva is in the Khorezm area) has been renowned for its dances, music, and rich history since ancient times. To immerse yourself in Khorezm music, experience the beauty of fire dances, see unique musical instruments, and dance with professional dancers, visit the folklore show at Khiva Khan’s summer residence “Kibla Tozabog”.

Khiva - Bukhara

Bukhara - Today, travel along the Silk Road to the next oasis town, Bukhara. As you journey through the vast desert landscape, your tour guide will share insights about the country’s history, culture, and the traditions of Uzbekistan’s 120 different ethnic groups. Keep your camera ready for photo stops at picturesque locations. Upon arrival in Bukhara, visit the splendid summer residence of the last ruling emir – Sitorai Mohi Khosa, before heading to the hotel. Overnight stays in Bukhara.

“Noble” Bukhara

Bukhara - Bukhara today is a unique, authentic museum. Be enchanted by the magic of the old town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its grand palaces, mosques, mausoleums, and madrasahs. There’s almost everything a tourist could desire: Explore the old town on foot from the Lyabi Hauz complex in the southeast through the domed bazaars, the madrasah from Ulugbek and Abdul-Aziz Khan to the Ark and the Registan in the northwest.

Bukhara - The small Samanid mausoleum and the towering Kalon minaret are absolute highlights. In addition to relaxed sightseeing, the day is filled with strolling, exploring, and shopping. It feels like stepping into the world of fairy tales from a thousand and one nights. Later, visit the exhibition of Uzbek photographer Shavkat Boltaev, housed in an old caravanserai in his studio. If fortunate, the artist may be present to share the stories behind the pictures. Conclude your day with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stays in Bukhara.

Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand

Shahrisabz - Before departing Bukhara in the morning, visit the remarkable Chor Minor building. This ancient mosque is a city symbol, with its name meaning “four minarets,” like the four towers reaching skyward at the corners. Follow the Great Silk Road through the fertile Amudarya valley, where cotton, apricots, figs, and melons thrive in its moist, shady oases. First, reach Shakhrisabz, the “green city.” Timur (Tamerlane) constructed his magnificent AK Saray palace here, meaning “White Castle.” Even the surviving ruins offer an overwhelming sense of its grandeur. Also, visit the Kuk Gumbaz Mosque, with its turquoise dome visible from afar and incredible acoustics. After the tour, head directly to the train station to continue to Afrosiyob at 3:43 P.M. to Samarkand. Arrive at 5:52 p.m. and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stays in Samarkand.

Samarkand

Samarkand - The fairy tale of a thousand and one nights begins anew in Samarkand. At over 2,750 years old, it is one of the world’s oldest cities and a central hub of the famous Silk Road. Visit the mausoleum of the ruler Amir Timur, the Gur Emir mausoleum, during your city tour. Today, enjoy the highlight of your trip - Registan Square with three impressively massive and artistically decorated madrasahs. Then, visit the once-largest mosque in Central Asia - Bibi Khanum Mosque. To showcase his limitless technical and financial capabilities, Timur aimed to build the most beautiful mosque in the eastern world. Afterwards, visit the Siab Bazaar, immersing you in a world of 1001 nights with its hustle, bustle, and oriental scents.

Samarkand - Samarkand is renowned not only for its historical monuments but also for its wine production: Wine and cognac flow like a balm! After visiting the wine museum in Samarkand at the “Khovrenko” winery, sample 10 of the finest Uzbek wines and cognacs. After the tasting, enjoy typical dishes in a traditional Uzbek atmosphere in the evening. OPTION: In the evening, experience the theatrical performance of historical oriental costumes at the “El Merosi” theatre. This theatre showcases costumes from Central Asia’s peoples across different epochs - from ancient times to the 19th century - including the massages, Akhamanids, Anahita, Sogdian, and Timurid.

Samarkand - Tashkent

Samarkand - Samarkand is the heart of the Silk Road and one of the world’s oldest cities and cultural centers. Its architecture is majestic and inviting. Today, be impressed by the palace-like Afrosiyob Museum, offering a closer look at old Samarkand. Visit one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the Islamic world - the tomb complex of St. Daniel and Ulugbek observatory, once Central Asia’s largest research center. After a break, visit a tissue paper factory founded by the Mukhtarov brothers. Thanks to their efforts, the ancient tradition of paper production using Samarkand technology has been revived at this factory.

Samarkand - Interestingly, the entire production process is manual, and every guest can observe the production process. Then, visit the Shakhi-Zinda complex, a magnificent ensemble of various mausoleums adorned in the Timurid style with majolica and mosaic tiles. Today, prepare the Uzbek dish - Plov with a local family. This is the Sultan of national dishes in Uzbekistan. Enjoy a typical dinner with the locals. At 6:00 p.m., take the “Afrosiyob” fast train to Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stays in Tashkent.

Registan - The business card of Uzbekistan and Central Asia

Tashkent - Return Flight Home

Tashkent - Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport. End of the trip.

• Local English-speaking tour guide
• Wine tasting at ‘Khovrenko’ winery in Samarkand
• Cooking Uzbek national dish Plov with a local family
• Sightseeing program with entrance fees included
• Domestic flight from Tashkent to Khiva in economy class
• 8 nights in middle-class hotels, double room
• Daily breakfast and dinner included
• Air-conditioned modern vehicles for all transfers
• Farewell dinner in Samarkand
• Visit to a family-run paper factory in Samarkand

• Folklore show in the Summer Palace in Khiva: ≈ 25 USD per person
• Theatrical performance in the Theatre «El Merosi in Samarkand: 30 USD per person

Embark on a magical journey through the legendary towns of the ancient Silk Road, including Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent. This tour offers an opportunity to explore the stunning Islamic architecture of the Orient. Experience the vibrant colors of Central Asia and savor the region’s delightful and leisurely dining culture. Uzbekistan also boasts modernity, especially in the capital city of Tashkent, which serves as the starting point for this enchanting adventure in Uzbekistan.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.