Timeless Treasures of Uzbekistan: The Heart of the Silk Road

Day 1 – Arrival at Samarkand Airport

Upon arrival in Samarkand, you will be transferred to your hotel. Depending upon your arrival time, your local guide will meet you at the hotel to begin the tour of Samarkand. Samarkand was blessed with a strategic geographical location, which made it an important part of the Great Silk Road. In the 14th century, the conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), the founder and ruler of the Timurid Empire, made Samarkand his capital. He built many architectural masterpieces here, many of which have survived over the centuries. Today you will visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum and the famous Registan Square, where Ulugbek, Tilla Kori and Sherdor madrassahs are located. You will also visit the necropolis Shahi-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Siab Market, the busiest market in the city. Night in Samarkand

Day 2 – Samarkand and pilaf cooking class

Today you will continue to explore Samarkand and visit the mausoleum of the Prophet Khoja Doniyar, one of the most famous places of worship in Samarkand. It is located on the high cliff of Afrosiab hill, on the bank of the Siab River. The prophet Doniyar is revered by three world religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and mausoleum is still a pilgrimage place for the followers of these three religions. After a quick stop at Ulugh Beg Observatory, you will be transferred to Konigil Meros paper factory, famous for its unique traditions of handicrafts along with the purest nature and shady trees. afterwards, you will proceed to the Khujum carpet factory, where magnificent handmade silk carpets are made. In the afternoon, after some time to rest, you will take part in a cooking class and learn how to make pilaf, one of the main national dishes. Night in Samarkand

Day 3 – Fast train from Samarkand to Bukhara 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station to catch the high-speed train to Bukhara. Upon arrival in Bukhara, you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel before starting to explore the Bukhara suburbs. You will visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, a country residence of the Emir of Bukhara. Currently, it houses a museum of decorative and applied arts. You will proceed to Bahoutdin Architectural Complex and the botanical garden. Night in Bukhara

Day 4 – Bukhara

Today’s tour is dedicated to discover old city of Bukhara and its many historical and architectural sites. Along the way, you will stop at the Uzbek Puppet Workshop Museum, where you will learn and see how these pieces of handicraft are still made nowadays. At the end of the tour, you will have time to stop at a special place for a tea ceremony/tasting. Night in Bukhara

Day 5 – From Bukhara to Khiva via Kyzylkum Desert

Today you will visit Khiva with your local guide. Khiva is a beautiful oasis city that impresses with its tranquility. You will begin your sightseeing tour with Itchan Kala, the walled inner town of the city of Khiva. Along the way, you will visit many historic monuments and also have some more time to relax and explore more of town. Night in Khiva

Day 7 – Flight from Urgench to Tashkent

Very early this morning, you will be transferred to Urgench airport, approximately 35 km away from Khiva, to catch your flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival in the capital, you will start exploring one of Central Asia`s most populous and dynamic cities. Your guide will bring you to discover the old part of the city starting with Hazrati Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of Tashkent for centuries, and its library of oriental manuscripts where you can see one of Islam’s most sacred relics, the world’s oldest Quran. Afterwards you visit the largest and most dynamic market of Uzbekistan – Chorsu Bazaar. Here is the whole history of Uzbekistan: ceramic products, skullcaps, national robes, oriental sweets, spices, fruits, vegetables, clay products, handmade souvenirs. You will also discover many more unique places of town before gathering for your farewell dinner. Night in Tashkent

Day 8 – Flight back home from Tashkent Airport 

Today you will be transferred to Tashkent airport to catch your flight back home.

*The program of activities and itinerary are only a guidelines and might be subject to changes, depending on season and suppliers .

⇒ Airport transfers at arrival and departure

⇒ Accommodation in charming, carefully selected hotels

⇒ All breakfasts and one meal per day

⇒ Cooking class in Samarkand 

⇒ All transfers as per itinerary 

⇒ Guided tour of Samarkand (with driver at disposal)

⇒ Fast train from Samarkand to Bukhara

⇒ Guided walking tour of Bukhara

⇒ Tea ceremony in Bukhara

⇒ Guided walking tour of Khiva

⇒ Domestic flight from Urgench to Tashkent

⇒ Guided tour of Tashkent (with driver at disposal)

⇒ All activities and entrances as per itinerary

⇒ Tourist taxes

⇒ Professional travel consulting before and throughout the trip

Χ International flights (Fly INTO Samarkand and OUT OF Tashkent)

Χ Travel and personal insurance 

Χ Visa for Uzbekistan

Χ Transfers and meals NOT mentioned in the itinerary

Χ Personal Expenses

Χ Extra for photos and videos in the different sites (in Uzbekistan, in certain places, they might ask for an extra charge for video and phots copy rights)

Χ Tips to tour leader, driver and local guides

Χ All that is NOT mentioned in “Included”