Discover Uzbekistan and be captivated by the history of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Wander through bustling bazaars, marvel at grand madrasas and mausoleums, and immerse yourself in the millennia-old culture of the great Khans. Travel on high-speed trains, stroll along legendary streets, and take in the country’s unique desert and mountain landscapes. 

Your itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
• Day 2: Tashkent
• Day 3: Tashkent - Samarkand
• Day 4: Samarkand
• Day 5: Samarkand
• Day 6: Samarkand - Bukhara
• Day 7: Bukhara
• Day 8: Bukhara - Khiva
• Day 9: Khiva
• Day 10: Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent
• Day 11: Departure from Tashkent

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

Upon arrival in Tashkent, transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest.

• Night at The Elements 4*

DAY 2: TASHKENT

After breakfast, meet your guide. Explore Tashkent, known as the "Stone City", where the old and new quarters reveal the city’s diverse character. Highlights include Khast Imam Square with its madrasa and mosque, the Kukeldash Madrasa, the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, Khodja Akhrar Vali Juma Mosque, Independence Arch, Alisher Navoi Theatre Square, and the National Museum of Applied Arts. Experience the city’s metro and visit the Shastri Memorial. 

• Breakfast included
• Night at The Elements 4*

DAY 3: TASHKENT - SAMARKAND

After breakfast, transfer to the station for the high-speed train to Samarkand. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and begin your exploration with the Registan Square, a stunning architectural ensemble of three madrasas: Ulugh Beg (15th c.), Sher-Dor, and Tillya-Kari (17th c.). Stroll along Tashkent Street, a pedestrian avenue lined with greenery, cafés, shops, and local craft stalls, leading to Siab Bazaar. Visit the Bibi-Khanum Mosque (15th c.), commissioned by Tamerlane and restored in 2004, and explore Siab Bazaar (closed Mondays).

End the day at Shahi-Zinda, a necropolis of 25 mausoleums, mosques, and madrasas from the 12th–19th centuries, showcasing the evolution of Central Asian architecture and ceramics.

• Breakfast included
• Night at The Elements 4*

Begin your day by meeting your English-speaking guide at the hotel reception before setting off on a scenic drive to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. The journey of approximately 90 km (~1.5 hours) takes you through the picturesque Kitab Pass (also known as Takhtakaracha Pass) at 1,640 meters, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys of ancient Kesh.

Upon arrival in Shakhrisabz, embark on a fascinating excursion to explore its historic treasures. Visit the Ak-Sarai Palace, or "White Palace," once a magnificent Timurid residence, now remembered for its monumental entrance pillars and exquisite tilework. Continue to the Dor-us Saodat Complex, known as the "Receptacle of Power," which was intended as Tamerlane’s dynastic mausoleum. Finally, explore the Dor-ut Tilovat Ensemble, the "Place of Contemplation," which includes the Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, or "Blue Dome," along with the mausoleums of Tamerlane’s mentor and father.

After a day steeped in history, return to Samarkand.

• Breakfast included
• Night at Hilton Garden Inn Sogd or Afrosiab 4*

DAY 5: SAMARKAND

After breakfast, explore Samarkand’s rich heritage, from Ulugh Beg’s famed observatory and the sacred Mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar to traditional crafts at the Khujum Carpet Factory and Meros Paper Mill. Admire the splendour of Gur-e-Amir, resting place of Tamerlane, and discover traces of colonial Samarkand in its churches and boulevards.

• Breakfast included
• Night at Hilton Garden Inn Sogd or Afrosiab 4*

At each of your stops, you will be staying in comfortable rooms in thoughtfully selected hotels.

Your accommodation:

• Tachkent: The Elements 4* (or similar)
• Samarkand: Hilton Garden Inn Sogd or Afrosiab 4* (or similar)
• Bukhara: Orient Star Varahsha (or similar)
• Khiva: Orient Star Khiva 4* (or similar)

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

Make the most of your tour with a local English-speaking guide who will show you hidden treasures with no miscommunications.

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore all that Shahrisabz-Samarkand has to offer. A local guide will show you all of the hidden gems that can't be missed in this beautiful destination.

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore all that Bukhara has to offer. A local guide will show you all of the hidden gems that can't be missed in this beautiful destination.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.