Discover Uzbekistan

Day 1 : Tashkent

Arrive into Tashkent where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon visit Old Tashkent including Hast Imam Square, Kaffal Sashi Mausoleum and Barak-Khan Madrassah, where the world’s oldest Uthman Qur’an is kept. You will also explore the modern Juma Mosque and Tillya Sheikh Mosque, followed by Kukeldash Madrassah, and the Chorsu bazaar. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 2 : Tashkent > Samarkand

Travel by fast train to Samarkand and transfer to your hotel. Later visit the ensemble of Registan and Gur-Emir Mausoleum housing the graves of the conqueror Tamerlane and his descendants. You will also see Bibi-Nkhonym Mosque, Siab bazaar, Shakh-i-Zinda Ensemble, and Khazrat-Khizr Mosque – where you get a panoramic view of the city. Later, visit an ancient settlement Afrosiab with Museum, the mausoleum of Kodja Doniyor (Prophet Daniel), and the observatory and memorial museum of Ulugbek. Dinner in a local home this evening.

Day 3 : Samarkand > Bukhara

Drive to Bukhara, the former capital of the powerful Emirate of Bukhara with more than 140 architectural monuments dating back to the Middle Ages. The city was once a significant commercial centre of the Silk Road, en route visit Gijduvan ceramic centre. Drive to your hotel and enjoy dinner in Lyabi Hauz restaurant, where you will savor delicious local cuisine.

Day 4 : Bukhara

Today you will spend your day exploring fascinating places in Bukhara. Visit the remains of the city wall and gate of Bukhara, Samonid’s Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque – a historical mosque built in 1712. Continue your tour to the Ark citadel and Zindan (ancient prison), Khodja Zaynuddin Complex, the Trading Dome and synagogue. Explore many of the emblematic buildings before your next stop. Later in the afternoon, visit a local family home to experience the Uzbek lifestyle and hospitality. Participate in a master class of making a traditional pilaf, a national rice dish.

Day 5 : Bukhara > Khiva

After breakfast, your local guide will take you to the Summer Palace, the residence of the last Bukharan Emirs. Then drive between the Kara-Kum (black sands) and the Kyzyl-Kum (red sands) deserts to Khiva. En route see the Amudarya River, known to many western explorers as the Oxus.

Day 6 : Khiva

Today see the Monument of Al Korezmiy, Palace Complex Kuhna Ark, the carefully preserved Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Anushakham bath-houses, and the Palvan Darvaza ‘Warriors Gate’. Learn about local history and culture. Visit Tash Khauli Complex and enjoy dinner and a folk show.

Day 7 : Khiva > Urgench > Tashkent

After breakfast, transfer to Urgench airport and fly to Tashkent for your final evening in Uzbekistan.

Day 8 : Tashkent

Transfer to the airport where arrangements conclude.