We Love —
- Travelling back in time through Uzbekistan's majestic mosques, palaces, and mausoleums.
- Discovering the secrets of each city with the help of a local English-speaking guide.
- Choosing to stay longer in Samarkand at the beginning of your trip to admire its majolica tiles.
Customer reviews —
Your itinerary in brief —
Be charmed by Uzbekistan in this 6-night tour, with its captivating blend of ancient history, architectural marvels, and the legendary Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara. Expect a vibrant tapestry of culture and a unique, heartfelt welcome.
Your itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent - Bukhara
Day 3: Bukhara
Days 4-5: Bukhara - Samarkand
Day 5: Samarkand
Day 6: Samarkand - Tashkent
Day 7: Departure from Tashkent
Please note: your itinerary may have minor adjustments, but your overall trip experience will remain the same.
Your itinerary in detail —
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TASHKENT
- Upon your arrival in Tashkent, our airport representative will welcome you and assist with your transfer to the hotel.
- You will have the opportunity to leave your luggage in the lobby before meeting your guide and driver to begin exploring the capital of Uzbekistan, the largest city in Central Asia.
- Your tour will take you to the old city of Tashkent, where you will visit the Khast-Imam Complex, home to the world-famous Quran of Caliph Uthman.
- Within the complex, you will discover the Barak-Khan Madrasah, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque, the Mausoleum of Imam Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and the Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute.
- Next, you will explore the Chorsu Bazaar before taking the Tashkent metro to the city centre.
- There, you will visit the Museum of Applied Arts and enjoy a stroll from the Navoi Theatre to Amir Timur Square, where your city tour concludes.
- In the evening, you will return to the hotel to check in and relax, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Check-in from 2 pm.
Dinner and overnight stay in Tashkent.
DAY 2: TASHKENT - BUKHARA
- Begin your day with an early morning transfer at 7:45 am to the train station to board the high-speed Afrosiyob 770 train to Bukhara, which leaves at 8:50 am.
- Enjoy the comfortable 4-hour journey as you travel across the scenic landscapes of Uzbekistan.
- Upon arrival in Bukhara, your guide and driver will welcome you at the station and escort you to your hotel for check-in.
- The afternoon and evening are at your leisure, giving you time to relax or explore the optional activities available in Bukhara.
- As evening falls, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of the old city, immersing yourself in the picturesque atmosphere and timeless charm of this historic town.
- The day concludes with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, where you can savour traditional regional specialities.
Check-in from 2 pm.
Breakfast, dinner and overnight stay in Bukhara.
DAY 3: BUKHARA
- After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a full-day tour of Bukhara (6 - 7 hours), discovering the city’s rich historical and architectural heritage.
- Start at the Samanid Mausoleum, built during the reign of Ismail Samani (892–907), followed by the elegant Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum with its distinctive conical roof and domes dating from the 12th century.
- Next, visit the Ark Fortress, the ancient citadel of the ruling elite, and the Bolo-Khauz Mosque (1712), once the main mosque of the Emir’s court.
- Continue to the Po-i-Kalon complex, including the Miri-Arab Madrasah, the Kalon Mosque, and the iconic 46-meter Kalon Minaret, a symbol of the city.
- Stroll through the lively covered bazaars, Tagi Zargaron, Tagi Telpak Furushon, and Tagi Saraffon, and enjoy the charm of the Lyabi-Hauz complex with its Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah.
- End the tour admiring the unique, Indian-inspired Chor Minor Mosque.
- The day concludes with dinner at Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah, accompanied by a traditional folk performance, blending local cuisine with culture.
Breakfast, dinner and overnight stay in Bukhara.
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. Important note:
Your hotels —
Just for you:
Hand-picked just for you
At each of your stops, you will be staying in comfortable rooms in thoughtfully selected hotels.
Your accommodation:
Tashkent: The Elements 4*, Baden Baden 4*, Wynham Garden or similar
Samarkand: Maroqanda 4* or similar
Boukhara: Orient Star Varaxsha Hotel 4* or similar
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 bed and breakfast stay.
Choose to upgrade to half board at the next step of the booking process. Breakfast and your evening meal will be served in the Standard Restaurant (drinks excluded, conditions apply.)
Choose to upgrade to half board at the next step of the booking process. Breakfast and your evening meal will be served in the Luxury Restaurant (drinks excluded, conditions apply.)
Treat yourself to a full board stay and upgrade at the next step of the booking process. Breakfast, lunch and your evening meal will be served in the Standard Restaurant (drinks excluded, conditions apply.)
Treat yourself to a full board stay and upgrade at the next step of the booking process. Breakfast, lunch and your evening meal will be served in the Luxury Restaurant (drinks excluded, conditions apply.)
Included extras —
Samarkand and Bukhara tour with English-speaking guide
Explore the highlights of Samarkand and Bukhara with an English-speaking guide, uncovering the rich history, stunning architecture, and local traditions of these legendary Silk Road cities.
3GB included mobile internet data, to make your journey easier
Stay connected on the move with this exclusive mobile internet offer, perfect for modern travellers. Activate your included eSIM and enjoy connection wherever you go. Easily share your internet connection with friends and family without limits.
Please note: 3GB of internet data represents around 30 hours of web browsing/audio streaming or 3 to 4 hours of video streaming/social networking/video calls.
Optional extras —
Traditional Hammam Experience
Discover the Bozori Cord Hammam in Bukhara, a traditional 17th-century bathhouse where you can enjoy a sauna made of natural bricks, followed by an invigorating massage on a marble slab. Finish with a progressive shower and green tea for an authentic oriental relaxation experience.
Historic Theatre 'El Merosi' – A Journey Through the Ages
Samarkand's Historic Theatre 'El Merosi' takes you back in time with its show ‘A Moment of Eternity’, featuring authentic costumes from different historical periods. Discover 11 theatrical episodes retracing the history of the Scythian warriors, ancient Sogdiana and Tamerlane's empire.
Discover the wines of Samarkand at the Bagizagan winery
Visit the Bagizagan winery in Samarkand to discover the history of Uzbek viticulture and the secrets of regional wine production. Enjoy a tasting of the best local wines in an authentic setting.
Wine and Cognac tasting at Domaine Khovrenko
Discover the history of Uzbek wine during a tasting at Domaine Khovrenko, Central Asia's oldest wine producer, founded in 1927. Savour ten selections of wines and cognacs in a historic setting, while learning about the prestigious grape varieties used to create award-winning crus.
Tea ceremony
Discover the Silk Road Tea House in Bukhara, a historic family-run establishment offering fine teas and coffees, accompanied by local delicacies. Enjoy an enchanting setting combining tradition, heritage and authentic flavours.
Masterclass: The Art of Miniatures
Visit the workshop of Davron Toshev, a renowned master miniaturist, to discover refined works and watch demonstrations of traditional art. Immerse yourself in the history of Bukhara miniature painting, a unique skill combining elegance, meticulousness and rich colours.
Your journey to Samarkand —
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 —
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
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.