Arrival in Tashkent

Tashkent - Travelers are greeted by a driver outside the airport terminal and transferred to their hotel. Visitors should exit the terminal building, where a metal fence marks the meeting area for those awaiting passengers. The driver will be holding a name board.

Fly Tashkent-Urgench, transfer from Urgench to Khiva and sightseeing in Khiva

Tashkent - The driver collects travelers from their hotel in Tashkent at 5 am for a 7 am flight.

Urgench - Upon exiting the airport terminal, travelers will find a metal fence where people wait to meet passengers. The driver will be there with a name board to transfer guests to Khiva city, located 35 km away.

Itchan Kala - Ichan Qala Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990, is an open-air museum representing the old city, enclosed by walls and transformed into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. Covering 26 hectares, the Inner Fortress transports visitors to a past era with its narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums, and madrassahs (Quran schools).
The sightseeing in Ichan Qala Fort includes:

• Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa (1855)
• Kalta Minor
• Zindon (city jail)
• Kunya Ark (“Kuhna Ark” in Uzbek)
• Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassa (1871)
• Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum
• Islam Khoja Madrassa
• Islam Khoja Minaret, the tallest in the city (Note: climbing the minaret costs 100,000 sum per person and is not included in the tour price)
• Juma Mosque (1788)
• Tash Hauli Palace (“Stone Palace” in Uzbek) (Note: separate entrance) to the reception court (ishrat hauli).

Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara with a private driver

Bukhara - The journey from Khiva to Bukhara takes 7 hours, crossing the Amu Darya river (historically known as Oxus) and the Kizilkum desert. A lunch stop at a tea house—chayxana is optional.

The sightseeing in old town Bukhara

Bukhara - This walking tour covers art, history, the old town, architectural monuments, and food. Bukhara, a UNESCO-listed city, is one of Central Asia’s oldest cities with a 2500-year history. Known by various names such as Bumichkat “New Castle”, Al Madina as-sufriyya “Copper City”, Madinat at-tujjor “City of Traders”, and Foxira “Honorable City”.

Moschea Bolo-khauz - Bolo Hauz mosque (XVIII century) is a functioning Friday mosque consisting of a reservoir, mosque, and minaret. (Note: visitors can view the mosque from outside as it is a functioning Friday mosque)

Ark of Bukhara - The Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries) dates back to the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. The fortress has been destroyed and restored multiple times, with most reconstructions occurring during the XVIII-XX centuries.

Great Minaret of the Kalon - Poi Kalon complex (“The foot of tall” in Uzbek) from XII-XVI centuries includes a mosque, madrassah, and minaret, serving as a major center of trade and scholarship along the Silk Road. The minaret’s beauty even amazed Genghis Khan (Temuchin or Temujin).

Magoki Attori Mosque - Magoki-Attari Mosque is Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque. Before the Arab invasion, a Buddhist monastery and a Zoroastrian temple stood on this site. It now houses the Museum of the History of Carpet Weaving.

Lyab-i-Hauz - Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) was constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, the Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620.

Bukhara Synagogue - The XVI century Synagogue is located south of Labi Hauz Square in the Jewish Quarter of the old town. Jews have been a significant minority in Bukhara since their forced migration from Merv and Shiraz in the 14th century, with many emigrating to Israel and the US since the 1970s. (Note: the synagogue is often closed, but if open, travelers can visit inside and see the old Torah)

Monument to Hodja Nasreddin - The statue of Hodja Nasruddin, the homespun philosopher and humorist on his donkey, is claimed by Uzbeks to have been born in Bukhara, despite being generally accepted as Turkish elsewhere.

Free time in old town Bukhara or take optional sightseeing outside of old town. Afternoon catch a train to Samarkand

Bukhara - Explore the city independently or opt for a half-day tour of top attractions outside Bukhara, including Chor Minor—an unusual madrassah with four minarets, Naqshbandi Sufism complex—where the founder of a Sufi order was buried, the summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs—featuring Soviet and Bukharian architecture, and Chor Bakr Necropolis—the resting place of Imam Sayid Abu Bakr and his brothers Fazl, Ahmed, and Hamed, all direct descendants of the Prophet.

Samarkand - In the late afternoon, transfer to Bukhara train station, 15 km away, and catch the train to Samarkand (subject to availability). Upon arrival, travelers are met by a driver outside the Samarkand train station and transferred to their hotel.

The sightseeing in Samarkand

Samarkand - Samarkand, a fairy tale city along the ancient Silk Road, is known by names such as “The Mirror of the World”, “The Garden of the Soul”, “The Jewel of Islam”, and “The Precious Pearl of the Moslem World”. In ancient Greece, it was known as Marakanda.

Shah-i-Zinda - The Shahi Zinda complex (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries is the burial place of royals and nobles, and one of Uzbekistan’s most spiritual sites.

Bibi Khanym Mosque - The XV century Bibi Hanim mosque was built in honor of Temur’s chief wife, Saray Mulk Khanum.

Gur Emir Mausoleum - The Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) dates back to the XV century.

Registan - Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVII centuries is a stunning architectural ensemble with intricate Islamic designs and calligraphy on its mosques and madrassahs.

Siab Bazaar - The local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek).

Free time or take optional sightseeing. Afternoon catch a train to Tashkent

Samarkand - Explore the city independently or choose an optional tour in Samarkand, including the Ulugbek Observatory, built by astronomer-king Ulugbek, Amir Temur’s grandson, in the XV century, the Samarkand Handmade Paper Centre—renowned for its durable mulberry paper, the Museum of Afrasiab (Samarkand’s history museum featuring original frescos of the Turk Khanate from the VII century), and the Mausoleum of Daniyar—known for the story of Daniel and the lion’s den.

Tashkent - In the late afternoon, transfer to Samarkand train station and catch the train to Tashkent (subject to availability). Upon arrival, travelers are met by a driver outside the Tashkent train station and transferred to their hotel.

Tashkent

Tashkent - The adventure concludes after breakfast today. For those wishing to extend their stay in Tashkent, additional accommodation can be arranged in advance (subject to availability), or a day trip in Tashkent can be purchased.

• Entrance tickets to the monuments
• Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara in a private vehicle
• Domestic air ticket from Tashkent to Urgench
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Train ticket from Samarkand to Tashkent
• Train ticket from Bukhara to Samarkand
• Breakfast
• English speaking local tour guide for sightseeing in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
• Accommodations (double or twin shared) in high rated Hotel 3* or central located boutique hotel

• Lunch and Dinner
• Photo and video charges (for photography cameras. It is free if travelers use phone cameras)
• Single room supplement 30 usd per night/single room
• Personal travel insurance
• Hotel extra services
• Gratuity/Tips for guide/drivers

Discover Uzbekistan, a gem along the Great Silk Road. This eight-day tour is perfect for travelers who want to avoid the hassle of planning. Explore the open-air museum of Khiva, the enchanting city of Samarkand, and the bustling trade hub of Bukhara. Each city offers guided sightseeing at your own pace on this private tour. Enjoy internet access in all hotels, with breakfast, train and domestic flight tickets, and entrance fees included.
Accommodation with breakfast is provided.
The itinerary can be tailored to your interests.
Explore each city at your own pace with a local guide.
Border pick-up is available upon request.

• Check in to the hotels is after 14:00
• Note: In a high tourist season when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train
• The itinerary might be changed according domestic air ticket availability
• After booking send copy of passport for booking train tickets and hotels, please
• It is recommended to have some extra cash in US dollars to buy the souvenirs, food, tipping and for other expenses. There are many ATMs but you can’t withdraw US dollars they always give you cash in local currency and there is a limit
• On this tour you visit architectural marvels which have a rich history and important religious sites. It’s recommended to follow a specific dress code when visiting these iconic landmarks. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing tight, revealing, or transparent clothing. Women should cover their hair with a headscarf or shawl when they enter to holy places

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