We love —
- Standing before Samarkand’s majestic Registan Square, marveling at one of Central Asia’s most iconic sights.
- Wandering through Khiva’s ancient walled city at sunset, where blue-tiled minarets and mudbrick alleyways evoke the spirit of the Silk Road.
- Exploring Bukhara’s atmospheric bazaars, uncovering handwoven textiles, spices, and artisan treasures.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected for our members by our experts
Your itinerary in brief —
DURATION: 9 nights
GROUP SIZE: 2 to 6 people maximum
BEST FOR: Cultural Immersion
PACE: Moderate
Explore Uzbekistan
Embark on a captivating journey through Uzbekistan, discovering the legendary Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, where majestic madrassas, bustling bazaars, and centuries of history await. End your adventure in vibrant Tashkent, blending ancient heritage with modern Uzbek cult
9-night itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent → Urgench → Khiva
Day 2: Khiva
Day 3: Khiva
Day 4: Khiva → Bukhara
Day 5: Bukhara
Day 6: Bukhara → Samarkand
Day 7: Samarkand ⇄ Shakhrisabz
Day 8: Samarkand → Tashkent
Day 9: Tashkent
Day 10: Departure from Tashkent
Please note: your itinerary may have minor adjustments, but your overall trip experience will remain the same.
Your itinerary in detail —
9-night itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TASHKENT → URGENCH → KHIVA
On arrival at Tashkent Airport (TAS), you will be welcomed by your English-speaking local guide. Begin your discovery with a visit to the Khast-i-Imam complex and the Museum of Applied Arts before flying to Urgench and continuing to Khiva. Settle in and enjoy a first taste of the city’s timeless atmosphere.
Included:
- Lunch and dinner
- Shared transfer from Tashkent Airport (TAS) → your hotel
- Night at Qibla Toza Bog' Hotel
DAY 2: KHIVA
After breakfast, explore the walled city of Khiva, Itchan-Kala, with your guide. Discover its key monuments, including the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kuhna Ark fortress with the Juma Mosque, and the Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrasa.
After lunch, continue with the Tash Khaouli Palace and its harem, the Allakouli Khan Madrasa and caravanserai, and the iconic Juma Mosque with its 218 carved wooden columns. Conclude with visits to the Islam Khodja Madrasa and its soaring minaret, along with the mausoleums of Pakhlavon Makhmoud and Sayyid Alaouddin.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night at Qibla Toza Bog' Hotel
DAY 3: KHIVA
Depart with your guide to explore the ancient ruins of Ayaz-Kala, dating back to the 4th century BC, a remarkable monument of the Khorezm region and Zoroastrian heritage. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a yurt. In the afternoon, discover how nomadic tribes once lived before continuing to the fortified sites of Toprak-Kala and Kyzyl-Kala on a private guided visit.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night at Qibla Toza Bog' Hotel
DAY 4: KHIVA → BUKHARA
Set off towards Bukhara, travelling through the striking red sands of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert and across vast steppe landscapes dotted with flocks of Karakul sheep. Continue your journey in the afternoon towards Bukhara. On arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in. Dinner will be served at the Nodir Devon Begi Madrasa, accompanied by a traditional dance performance.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night at Khurjin Boutique Hotel
Days 5 to 7
DAY 5: BUKHARA
Explore the old city of Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric Silk Road destinations, discovering the Po-i-Kalyan complex with its grand madrasa, mosque and minaret, along with the trading domes, key madrasas and Magok-i-Attari Mosque. Visit a carpet museum before enjoying lunch with a local family.
Continue with the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, including its madrasa and khanqah, then end the day at the summer residence of the Emir, Sitora-i-Mokhi Khosa.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night at Khurjin Boutique Hotel
DAY 6: BUKHARA → SAMARKAND
Transfer to the railway station and board a second-class train to Samarkand. On arrival, enjoy lunch before beginning your first discovery of this legendary city. Visit Registan Square, the heart of Samarkand, surrounded by three magnificent madrasas: Ulugh Beg (15th century), Sher-Dor (17th century), and Tilla-Kari with its golden mosque.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Train ticket from Bukhara → Samarkand (2nd class)
- Night at Bibi Khanum Boutique Hotel
DAY 7: SAMARKAND ⇄ SHAKHRISABZ
After breakfast, set off for Shakhrisabz with your guide. Explore the ruins of Tamerlane’s Ak-Sarai Palace before enjoying lunch in the city. Continue with a stroll through the local market and visits to the Kok Gumbaz and Khazret Imam mosques, as well as the Gumbazi Seidan Mausoleum. Return to Samarkand for dinner and overnight stay.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night at Bibi Khanum Boutique Hotel
Days 8 to 10
DAY 8: SAMARKAND → TASHKENT
Transfer to the railway station and board a second-class train to Tashkent. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Train ticket from Samarkand → Tashkent (2nd class)
- Night at Ramada by Wyndham Tashkent 4*
DAY 9: TASHKENT
Enjoy a leisurely day in Tashkent to explore at your own pace.
Included:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Night at Ramada by Wyndham Tashkent 4*
DAY 10: DEPARTURE FROM TASHKENT
After breakfast, transfer to Tashkent Airport (TAS) for your return flight.
Included:
- Breakfast
- Shared transfer from your hotel →Tashkent Airport (TAS)
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 —
Just for you:
Hand-picked just for you
At each of your stops, you will be staying in Standard Rooms in thoughtfully selected hotels (or similar).
- Tashkent: Ramada by Wyndham Tashkent 4*
- Khiva: Qibla Toza Bog' Hotel
- Bukhara: Khurjin Boutique Hotel
- Samarkand: Bibi Khanum Boutique Hotel
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply
Your dining choices
This is a full board stay. Your breakfast, lunch and evening meal will be served in the main restaurant (excludes drinks).
Your optional extras —
Stay connected with an unlimited data plan
Add an unlimited mobile data plan to stay connected with complete freedom, without any risk of exceeding your allowance. Activate your eSIM and enjoy continuous connectivity wherever you go: share the internet with your loved ones, find the best places around you, use your GPS without stress and enjoy your favourite apps to the full, without worrying about your usage.
Your journey to Uzbekistan —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking, in either Economy, Premium, or Business class, depending on the destination and carrier. This flight may include one or more stopovers. Please review your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ, in order to offer the best price.
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 —
Khiva
Nestled within the sun-baked landscapes of western Uzbekistan, Khiva is a captivating Silk Road jewel where history feels vividly alive. Enclosed by the UNESCO-listed Itchan Kala, this ancient walled city is a labyrinth of turquoise-tiled monuments, mudbrick alleys, and centuries-old landmarks that once welcomed caravans crossing the desert.
Must-sees / Must-do:
- Itchan Kala: Step into this UNESCO World Heritage Site, an open-air museum of madrasahs, mosques, and caravanserais.
- Kalta Minor Minaret: A striking, turquoise-clad minaret whose bold presence dominates the skyline.
- Kunya-Ark Citadel: Explore the former fortress of Khiva’s rulers, with courtyards, audience halls, and sweeping city views.
- Juma Mosque: Discover its atmospheric forest of carved wooden pillars, creating a serene and almost otherworldly interior.
- Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum: A richly decorated shrine dedicated to Khiva’s revered poet and warrior.
Culinary culture:
Khiva’s cuisine is rooted in Silk Road tradition, hearty and full of flavour. Expect fragrant plov, smoky shashlik skewers, and freshly baked non bread served warm from clay ovens. Meals are often enjoyed in peaceful courtyard settings, where hospitality is generous and tea is poured with ritual elegance.
Dive deeper:
Beyond its monuments, Khiva invites slow exploration. Wandering its narrow lanes at golden hour reveals glowing tiles and intricate façades bathed in desert light. As night falls, lanterns illuminate the ancient walls, transforming the city into a dreamlike silhouette. Artisan workshops still thrive here, preserving crafts such as wood carving, silk weaving, and embroidery, offering a living link to the Silk Road era.
Good to know:
Khiva is compact and best explored on foot. It is often combined with Bukhara and Samarkand in wider Uzbekistan itineraries. Spring and autumn are ideal for comfortable sightseeing, with warm days and cooler, atmospheric evenings.
Bukhara
A living museum wrapped in desert light, Bukhara is Central Asia’s spiritual heart and one of the region’s most enchanting destinations. With more than two millennia of history beneath its feet, this city of domes and minarets offers a glimpse into a time when caravans crossed great empires and scholars debated beneath mosaic-clad arches. Revered for its Islamic architecture and timeless atmosphere, Bukhara is where Uzbekistan’s soul quietly whispers through its sandstone streets.
Must-sees:
- Ark Fortress – Once the royal residence of Bukhara’s emirs, this colossal citadel stands as a symbol of the city’s might and grandeur.
- Po-i-Kalyan Ensemble – A majestic complex featuring the iconic Kalyan Minaret, so beautiful it was spared by Genghis Khan.
- Lyab-i Hauz – A leafy square built around a tranquil pool, framed by elegant madrasas and buzzing with cafés and craft stalls.
- Samanid Mausoleum – One of Central Asia’s oldest Islamic monuments, this 10th-century marvel is built entirely of baked brick.
- Trading Domes (Toki Sarrafon, Toki Telpak Furushon, Toki Zargaron) – Atmospheric remnants of a once-thriving Silk Road bazaar.
Culinary culture:
Bukhara’s cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition. Start with shurpa, a rich lamb soup with root vegetables, before sampling bukhara plov, a local variation of the famed rice dish made with raisins and chickpeas. Sip chay under mulberry trees at a teahouse, accompanied by samsa — flaky pastries stuffed with spiced meat or pumpkin. Many old caravanserais now house elegant restaurants where ancient recipes meet refined presentation.
Dive deeper:
The magic of Bukhara lies in its stillness. Wake early to wander its quiet lanes, where turquoise domes catch the rising sun and the call to prayer echoes softly through the air. Stay in a restored caravanserai or a family-run guesthouse with carved wooden ceilings and leafy courtyards, and you’ll find the hospitality here as memorable as the history. Don’t miss the chance to meet local artisans — from silk weavers and metalworkers to miniature painters — whose crafts have been passed down through generations. In the evening, head to Lyab-i Hauz to watch the city wind down, with locals gathered over tea, laughter, and stories that stretch across centuries.
Good to know:
Bukhara is best explored on foot — the old city is compact and full of hidden gems. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for sightseeing. Local currency is the Uzbek som (UZS), and while English is less common than in Tashkent, a warm smile and a few words in Russian or Uzbek will go far. Be sure to dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and prepare to be transported — Bukhara isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience.
Samarkand
Nestled in the heart of Uzbekistan, Samarkand is one of the most legendary cities of the Silk Road, where history, myth, and architectural grandeur converge. Once a flourishing hub of trade and culture, it became the glittering capital of Timur (Tamerlane), whose legacy still defines the city’s breathtaking skyline. Today, Samarkand blends a modern urban rhythm with an ancient soul, offering a journey through some of Central Asia’s most awe-inspiring monuments.
Must-sees / Must-do:
- Registan Square: The city’s iconic centrepiece, framed by three monumental madrasahs adorned with intricate turquoise mosaics.
- Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum: The final resting place of Timur, known for its striking azure dome and opulent interiors.
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque: Once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, it is still commanding in scale and beauty.
- Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis: A mesmerising avenue of richly decorated mausoleums, often considered the jewel of Islamic architecture.
- Siab Bazaar: A lively local market offering spices, dried fruits, bread, and everyday Samarkand life.
Culinary culture:
Samarkand’s cuisine reflects its Silk Road heritage, with generous, aromatic dishes designed for sharing. Expect richly flavoured plov, grilled shashlik, lagman noodles, and freshly baked naan from traditional tandoor ovens. Local teahouses provide a relaxed setting to experience Uzbek hospitality at its most authentic.
Dive deeper:
Beyond its headline monuments, Samarkand reveals layers of living history. Wander between grand squares and quiet neighbourhoods where daily life unfolds against a backdrop of centuries-old architecture. As the sun sets, Registan Square becomes particularly magical, its illuminated madrasahs glowing against the night sky, evoking the city’s former glory as a crossroads of empires.
Good to know:
Samarkand is easily explored over two to three days, with most major sights close together. The city is well connected by high-speed rail and is often combined with Bukhara and Khiva on classic Silk Road itineraries. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for sightseeing.
Tashkent
Tashkent is where ancient Silk Road charm meets modern Central Asian dynamism. As Uzbekistan’s capital, this vibrant city surprises visitors with its unique fusion of Soviet-era architecture, gleaming new developments, and quiet traditional neighbourhoods. Tree-lined avenues, bustling bazaars, and cultural treasures coexist in a compelling contrast that makes Tashkent a destination like no other.
Must-sees:
- Chorsu Bazaar – Wander through this colourful market under its iconic blue dome and browse fresh produce, fragrant spices, and handmade textiles.
- Museum of Applied Arts – A treasure trove of Uzbek craftsmanship, housed in a former palace with intricate carved ceilings and mosaic detailing.
- Khast Imam Complex – A spiritual and architectural highlight, this historic religious site is home to the world’s oldest known Quran.
- Tashkent Metro – Not just transport, but a subterranean art gallery, with each station showcasing elaborate Soviet and Uzbek designs.
- Broadway Street (Sailgokh) – A popular pedestrian avenue perfect for evening strolls, street performances, and local street food.
Culinary culture:
Tashkent’s food scene is hearty and generous. Start your day with non, the round Uzbek bread baked in clay ovens, or savour plov, the national rice dish simmered with lamb and carrots. Don’t miss out on manti, juicy steamed dumplings, or shashlik, skewered meat grilled to perfection. Tea culture is strong here — settle in at a local chaikhana for green tea and sweet halva.
Dive deeper:
Beyond the city’s bustle lies a more tranquil Tashkent. Traditional mahallas (neighbourhoods) still preserve a slower pace of life, where elders gather under mulberry trees and children play in cobbled courtyards. For those craving adventure, Ugam-Chatkal National Park is a short drive away — a paradise of alpine lakes, pine forests, and snowy peaks, ideal for hiking, rafting, or skiing depending on the season. Back in town, attend a performance at the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, a grand Soviet-era venue with world-class productions.
Good to know:
Tashkent is a year-round destination with a dry, continental climate — spring and autumn are especially pleasant. The Uzbek som (UZS) is the local currency, and metro rides cost mere pennies. The city is very safe and walkable, and English is increasingly spoken in tourist areas. Respect for local customs, especially in older districts, goes a long way — modest dress and a friendly “Salom!” are always appreciated.
