We Love —
- Exploring the ancient wonders of Samarkand, where the stunning Registan Square dazzles with its intricate tilework and majestic madrasahs.
- Wandering through the labyrinthine streets of Bukhara, a living museum of Islamic architecture, where every corner reveals a new story from the Silk Road era.
- Opting for a stopover in Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the ochre-hued walls of ancient fortresses rise from the desert sands.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your holiday —
Your itinerary in brief —
Embark on an immersive 6 night tour through the cultural gems of Uzbekistan, exploring the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara. Dive into the rich history of Samarkand as you marvel at the stunning Registan Square and the intricate details of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Stroll through the labyrinthine streets in Bukhara, adorned with centuries-old monuments and vibrant bazaars. Opt for the 9 night tour with an additional stop in the captivating city of Khiva, where you can wander through the UNESCO-listed old town and witness its well-preserved architecture.
6 night tour:
Day 1: Arrive in Samarkand
Day 2: Samarkand
Day 3: Samarkand - Bukhara
Day 4: Bukhara
Day 5: Bukhara - Samarkand
Day 6: Samarkand
Day 7: Depart Samarkand
9 night tour:
Days 1 - 4: Similar to those of the 6 night itinerary
Day 5: Bukhara - Khiva
Day 6 & 7: Khiva
Day 8: Khiva - Samarkand
Day 9: Samarkand
Day 10: Depart Samarkand
Your itinerary in detail —
6 night tour:
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SAMARKAND
Samarkand, one of Central Asia's most storied cities, is celebrated for its exquisite Islamic architecture and profound historical significance as a major hub on the ancient Silk Road. Samarkand boasts iconic landmarks such as the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, a sacred ensemble of mausoleums; and the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
- Arrive in Samarkand in the afternoon
- Transfer and check-in at the hotel
- Night in a standard, superior or deluxe hotel (depending on option chosen)
DAY 2: SAMARKAND
Experience the vibrant history of Samarkand on an immersive city tour led by a local guide. Begin your journey at the iconic Registan Square, home to majestic madrasahs adorned with intricate tilework.
Next, visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, an elegant mausoleum considered one of the world’s architectural masterpieces, that serves as the final resting place of Tamerlane of the Timurid dynasty.
Continue to the Bibi-Khanim Mosque and marvel at its grandoise exterior before ending in the bustling Siab Bazaar (closed on Mondays), where you can find the famous Samarkand bread, oriental sweets, dried fruits and traditional souvenirs,
- Breakfast included
- Night in a standard, superior or deluxe hotel (depending on option chosen)
DAY 3: SAMARKAND - BUKHARA
Make your way to Bukhara, a historic city in Uzbekistan, famed for its well-preserved medieval architecture and deep-rooted cultural heritage, reflecting its importance as a major centre on the Silk Road. Known for its stunning mosques, madrasahs, and bazaars, Bukhara's highlights include the Kalyan Minaret, the Ark Fortress, and the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, each showcasing intricate Islamic art and architecture.
- Breakfast included
- Transfer to the railway station
- Train journey Samarkand - Bukhara
- Arrive in Bukhara by 3:24 pm and transfer to the hotel
- Night in a standard, superior or deluxe hotel (depending on option chosen)
DAY 4: BUKHARA
Your guided sightseeing tour starts at the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, a vibrant square that was once a bustling trading hub.
Here, you’ll explore the Nodir Divan Begi Madrasah, along with the serene Honako, a retreat for Sufi mystics, and the Kukeldash Madrasah.
Don’t miss the famous monument to the legendary Khoja Nasreddin, a beloved figure in Central Asian folklore.
- Breakfast included
- Night in a standard, superior or deluxe hotel (depending on option chosen)
DAY 5: BUKHARA - SAMARKAND
Today your journey continues on to Samarkand.
- Breakfast included
- Transfer to the railway station
- Train journey Bukhara - Samarkand
- Arrive in Samarkand by 6:49 pm and transfer to the hotel
- Night in a standard, superior or deluxe hotel (depending on option chosen)
DAY 6: SAMARKAND
Spend the day however you coose in this facsinating city.
- Breakfast included
- Free day
- Night in a standard, superior or deluxe hotel (depending on option chosen)
DAY 7: DEPART SAMARKAND
- Breakfast included
- Check out before 12 pm
- Transfer to the airport
9 night tour:
Days 1 - 4: Similar to those of the 6 night itinerary
DAY 5: BUKHARA - KHIVA
Khiva is a historic city in Uzbekistan renowned for its well-preserved architectural heritage, especially within the ancient walled inner city known as Itchan Kala.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a stunning array of mosques, madrasahs, palaces, and minarets, with notable landmarks including the Kunya-Ark Fortress, the Islam Khodja Minaret, and the Juma Mosque. Khiva's rich history as a former khanate and key Silk Road trading post is vividly captured in its atmospheric streets and meticulously restored buildings, offering a fascinating glimpse into Central Asia's past.
- Breakfast included
- Transfer to the railway station
- Night train journey Bukhara - Khiva (please note: departure at 3:52 am)
- Arrive in Khiva by 10:28 am next day and transfer to the hotel
- Night at the hotel of the chosen category
DAY 6 & 7: KHIVA
- Breakfast included
- Free days
- Optional guided half-day tour of Khiva (at an extra cost; to be selected at the time of booking)
- Night at the hotel of the chosen category
DAY 8: KHIVA - SAMARKAND
Make your way back to Samarkand.
- Breakfast included
- Transfer to the railway station
- Train journey Khiva - Samarkand
- Arrive in Samarkand by 9:26 pm and transfer to the hotel
- Night at the hotel of the chosen category
DAY 9: SAMARKAND
- Breakfast included
- Free day
- Night at the hotel of the chosen category
DAY 10: DEPART SAMARKAND
- Breakfast included
- Check out before 12 pm
- Transfer to the airport
Important information about your tour and visits: The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category. The itinerary is subject to changes due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of visits is also subject to change without affecting the overall experience of the itinerary
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
At each of your stops, you will be staying in comfortable rooms in thoughtfully selected Standard or Superior hotels (depending on the offer chosen).
Standard hotels:
Samarkand: Dilshoda Hotel 3*
Bukhara: Imperial Palace Hotel
Khiva: Orient Star or Zarafshan Boutique
Superior hotels:
Samarkand: Savitsky Plaza 4*
Bukhara: Sahid Zarafshan Hotel Bukhara 4*
It is not possible to book a 4* hotel in Khiva.
Deluxe hotels:
Samarkand: Silk Road by Minyoun 5*
Bukhara: Wyndham Bukhara 5*
It is not possible to book a 5* hotel in Khiva.
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.
Please note:
Check-in at the hotels is from 2 pm
Please note that early check-in and late check-out are not included. Early check-in can be purchased as an option at an additional cost at the time of booking.
Your dining choices
This is a bed and breakfast stay.
Fancy the best of both worlds? Choose to upgrade to half board at the next stage of the booking process - includes breakfast and your evening meal served in the main buffet restaurant - drinks are excluded.
Included excursions —
Local English-speaking guide
Learn more about the places you visit from your local English-speaking guide.
Optional excursions —
Performance The Moment of Eternity
The Samarkand Historical Costume Theatre ‘El Merosi’ will take you back to the history of the Scythian warriors, ancient Sogdiana and Tamerlane's empire through the cultural and ethnographic show ‘Un instant d'Éternité’.
You will discover a unique collection of costumes from various historical periods and a programme of 11 theatrical fragment-episodes.
Includes: transfers and entrance tickets
Khiva city tour with English-speaking guide
Discover Khiva, a timeless gem in the heart of Uzbekistan. As you stroll through its cobbled streets, admire turquoise domes, the majestic city gates and ramparts in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your journey to Uzbekistan —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your destinations —
Samarkand
No name is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand (Samarqand). On the ground the sublime, larger-than-life monuments of Timur (Tamerlane) and the city’s long, rich history are enchanting. You can visit most of Samarkand’s high-profile attractions in two or three days. The Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda are undoubtedly some of the finest attractions.
Samarkand is a modern city, that still retains its old town and plenty of grandeur to ensure it’s a breathtaking place to visit.
Bukhara
Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara (Buxoro) has buildings spanning a thousand years of history, and an old centre that hasn’t changed much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan.
Most of the centre is an architectural preserve, full of medressas and minarets, a massive royal fortress and the remnants of a once-vast market complex. The city’s accommodation options are by far the best and most atmospheric in the country.
