We love —
- Travelling from Tashkent to Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, unveiling Central Asia’s most legendary architectural treasures.
- Sharing a memorable dinner in the heart of the Nodir Devon Begi madrasa, accompanied by a traditional national dance performance.
- Visiting the tissue paper factory, which continues a craft tradition from the Silk Road, and finish with a wine tasting at the Khovrenko winery.
Your itinerary in brief —
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.
Your itinerary in detail —
Days 1 to 3
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.
Days 4 to 6
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.
Days 7 to 10
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 the return flight schedule.
Breakfast included.
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
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.
Maximum room capacity: 2 adults Single rooms are not available.
Your dining choices
This is a full board stay. Your breakfast, lunch and evening meal will be served in the main restaurant (water, tea and coffee included).
Optional excursions & 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 —
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.