This journey of discovery takes you to the heart of the legendary cities of Central Asia, where the history of great empires intertwines with the legends of the Silk Road.

Ten days of wonder await travellers, from the modern capital of Tashkent to the medieval splendours of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. The tour offers a total immersion in a unique architectural heritage and an authentic encounter with Uzbek culture, punctuated by local flavours and artisanal discoveries.

Your itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent → Urgench → Khiva

Day 2: Khiva

Day 3: Khiva

Day 4: Khiva → Bukhara (Crossing the Kyzyl-Kum desert)

Day 5: Bukhara

Day 6: Bukhara → Samarkand

Day 7: Samarkand

Day 8: Samarkand ⇄ Shakhrisabz

Day 9: Samarkand → Tashkent

Day 10: Departure from Tashkent 

Please note: your itinerary may have minor adjustments, but your overall trip experience will remain the same.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TASHKENT → URGENCH → KHIVA

• In the morning, upon arrival at Tashkent Airport (TAS), you will be welcomed by your local English-speaking guide.
• Your first exploration of the Uzbek capital begins with Khast-i-Imam Square.
• Explore this 16th-19th century architectural complex, including the Barak Khan Madrasa and Mausoleum, the Al-Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, the Friday Mosque and the Moyie Mubarek Madrasa, which houses the precious 7th century Koran.
• A private visit to the Museum of Applied Arts is planned.
• After lunch, a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Urgench.
• Upon arrival, a short drive will take you to Khiva for transfer and check-in at the hotel.
• The rest of the day is free for personal exploration.

Lunch and dinner included & overnight at Khiva.

DAY 2: KHIVA

• After breakfast, begin exploring the walled city of Khiva, Itchan-Kala, a veritable treasure trove of oriental architecture.
• Discover the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa and the Kalta Minaret, as well as the Koukhna Ark Fortress, which includes the Juma Mosque, the Throne Room and the Chancellery.
• The tour continues with the Mohammed Rakhim Madrasa.
• In the afternoon, continue your visits with the Tash Khauli and its Harem, the Allakouli Khan Madrasa and Caravanserai, and the Friday Mosque, famous for its 218 carved wooden columns.
• The exploration of Khiva ends with the Madrasa.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included & overnight at Khiva.

DAY 3: KHIVA

• After breakfast, follow your guide to discover the ruins of Ayaz-Kala (4th century BC) in the city of Khorezm, a unique historical monument bearing witness to the era of Zoroastrianism.
• An unusual lunch is planned under a yurt.
• After the meal, discover the way of life of nomadic tribes before setting off on a private tour to explore the fortresses of ToprakKala and KizilKala. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included & overnight at Khiva.

DAY 4: KHIVA → BUKHARA (CROSSING THE KYZYL-KUM DESERT)

• Early in the morning, the road heads towards Bukhara, crossing the red sands of the Kizil-Kum desert.
• The route then crosses the arid steppe, dotted with herds of Astrakhan sheep.
• Arrival in Bukhara is in the late afternoon, followed by transfer and check-in at the hotel.
• A dinner show is organised at the Nodir Devon Begi madrasa with a performance of traditional national dance.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included & overnight at Bukhara.

DAY 5: BUKHARA

• After breakfast, set off to explore the old town of Bukhara, the most secret of the caravan cities.
• The tour includes the Po-i-Kalyan complex (Mir-i-Arab madrasa, mosque and Kalon minaret from the 11th century), the domes of the money changers and hat makers, the Ulug Beg and Abdulaziz Khan madrasas, the Gau-Kushhan madrasa and minaret, the Tok-i-Zargaron (jewellers' domes), Tim Abdulla Khan and Magok-i-Attari Mosque, which houses a carpet museum.
• A convivial lunch is shared with a local family.
• In the afternoon, continue your visits with the harmonious Liabi-Khaouz complex, including the Koukeldach madrasa, the khanagha and the Nodir-Devan Beghi madrasa.
• The visits end outside Bukhara with the emirs' summer residence, Sitora-i-Mokhi Khossa. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included & overnight at Bukhara.

DAY 6: BUKHARA → SAMARKAND

• In the morning, transfer to the railway station for a 2nd-class train journey to Samarkand.
• The afternoon is dedicated to your first exploration of Samarkand.
• The must-see attraction is the famous Registan Square, flanked by three iconic madrasas: the Ulugbek Madrasa (15th century), the Sher-Dor Madrasa (17th century) and the Tilla-Kori Madrasa (17th century) with its golden mosque.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included & overnight at Samarkand.

DAY 7: SAMARKAND

• After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the Gur-i-Emir Mausoleum, with its magnificent ribbed dome.
• Then explore the ruins of the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the first observatory in the East, which houses an enormous sextant.
• The afternoon immerses visitors in the artisanal atmosphere of Samarkand with a visit to a silk paper workshop and ends with a wine tasting at the Khovrenko Winery, renowned throughout Central Asia. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included & overnight at Samarkand.

DAY 8: SAMARKAND ⇄ SHAKHRISABZ

• Depart after breakfast to explore the city of Shakhrisabz (170 km).
• The tour includes the ruins of Tamerlane's palace, the Ak Sarai. After lunch in town, take a stroll to explore the market, then the Kok Gumbaz and Khazret Imam mosques, as well as the Gumbazi Seidan mausoleum.
• Return to Samarkand. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included & overnight at Samarkand.

DAY 9: SAMARKAND → TASHKENT

• After breakfast, free time is scheduled for personal exploration.
• We suggest visiting the Al-Bukhari Mausoleum, the Afrosiab Museum (famous for its 7th-century pre-Islamic fresco), and the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the largest of its time in Central Asia.
• Then, transfer to the railway station and boarding a 2nd class train to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, where a transfer to the hotel awaits you.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included & overnight at Tashkent.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE FROM TASHKENT

• Transfer to Tashkent Airport (TAS) according to return flight schedule.

Breakfast included.

To offer you accommodation in ideal locations with all the necessary amenities, we have selected the following establishments for you:

Your hotels during the tour (or similar):

• Tashkent: Ramada
• Khiva: Qibla Toza Bog' Hotel
• Bukhara: Khurjin Boutique
• Samarkand: Bibi Khanum Boutique

If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.

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.

Step into the heart of Central Asia in Uzbekistan, where timeworn caravanserais echo with the whispers of the past, and vibrant bazaars overflow with spices, silks, and intricate craftsmanship. Here, the turquoise domes of mosques sparkle beneath endless skies, and desert landscapes stretch into infinity, inviting visitors to explore their mystique. 

Must-sees:

• Samarkand: Marvel at the shimmering turquoise domes of Registan Square and the intricacies of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.
• Bukhara: A living museum of Islamic architecture, with highlights including the 1,000-year-old Ark Fortress and bustling bazaars.
• Khiva: Wander the labyrinthine streets of this perfectly preserved medieval city, where every corner tells a story of a bygone past.
• Tashkent: Uzbekistan's capital blends Soviet-era architecture with modern architecture. Don’t miss Chorsu Bazaar and the timeless beauty of Kukeldash Madrasah.

Culinary culture:

Uzbekistan’s cuisine is as rich as its history. Indulge in plov, a fragrant rice dish with tender lamb and golden raisins, or indulge in piping hot samsa, flaky pastries filled with spiced meat. As for the dessert, try halva, a sweet treat that melts on the tongue. Be sure to accompany your feast with a cup of green tea, a symbol of Uzbek hospitality.

Dive deeper

Beyond the iconic cities, Uzbekistan’s countryside offers a treasure trove of hidden gems. Visit the Nurata Mountains to meet semi-nomadic shepherds, or explore the Yurt Camps of Kyzylkum Desert for an unforgettable stargazing experience.

Good to know

Uzbekistan uses the Uzbekistani som (UZS), and English isn’t widely spoken, so a phrasebook can be handy. The best time to visit is during spring (April - May) or autumn (September-October), when the weather is mild, and the landscapes burst with colour.