Highlights of Uzbekistan

Overview:

Departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 travellers.

2025 Departure Dates:

*The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during spring (April to early June) and autumn (September to early November) when the weather is most pleasant.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Departure for Tashkent

Your journey to the heart of Central Asia begins with a direct flight from London Heathrow to Tashkent, Uzbekistan's vibrant capital. The flight, lasting approximately 7 hours, will have you arriving in Tashkent in the early hours of the next day, ready to start your Silk Road adventure.

Day 2: Early Arrival & Tashkent City Tour

Arrive in Tashkent in the early morning, where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel for an early check-in. Take time to relax, refresh, and enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading out to explore this fascinating city with your guide.

Highlights of the day:

• Khast Imam Complex: Dive into the spiritual heart of Tashkent. This site, dating back to the 16th-20th centuries, houses beautiful Islamic architecture and is home to one of the oldest existing copies of the Quran.
• Chorsu Bazaar: Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of one of Tashkent's most vibrant markets. Experience the sights, smells, and flavours of this traditional bazaar filled with spices, textiles, and local delicacies.
• Amir Temur and Independence Squares: Stroll through these emblematic squares, each telling a part of Uzbekistan's historical and cultural narrative. Admire monuments to Tashkent’s storied past while soaking in the dynamic city vibe.
• Museum of Applied Arts: Conclude your day with a visit to this charming museum showcasing exquisite Uzbek craftsmanship, including ceramics, embroidery, and stunning carpets.

Return to your hotel in the evening for a well-deserved rest after an enriching first day in Uzbekistan.

Day 3: Tashkent – Bukhara (train)

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the train station at 7:00. Board the high-speed train to Bukhara at 8:00 and enjoy a scenic journey across the Uzbek countryside. Arrive in Bukhara at 12:05, where your guide will meet you for an insightful city tour.

Highlights of the Day:

• Samanid Mausoleum: Discover one of Central Asia’s architectural masterpieces, a 10th-century marvel revered for its intricate brickwork and historic significance.
• Chashma Ayub Mausoleum: Explore the "Spring of Job" and its fascinating Museum of Water, steeped in both legend and practicality.
• Bolo-Hauz Mosque: Visit this strikingly elegant 18th-century mosque, renowned for its beautiful wooden columns and tranquil reflection in the pond.
• Ark Fortress: Walk through the royal citadel, once the residence of Bukhara’s rulers, and explore its fascinating history.
• Poi Kalyan Complex: Marvel at this impressive ensemble featuring a towering minaret, mosque, and madrasah that form the heart of old Bukhara.
• Miri-Arab Madrasah: Admire this stunning and historic center of Islamic education, still in use today.
• Ulugbek Madrasah: Visit the oldest madrasah built by the renowned astronomer and ruler Ulugbek in 1417, showcasing timeless architecture.
• Abdullaziz Khan Madrasa: Explore this elaborately decorated 17th-century madrasa, known for its intricate mosaics and vivid color palette.

After the tour, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in this enchanting city. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 4: Bukhara - Samarkand (train)

Experience the charm of Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city, with its impressive historical and cultural landmarks that span over a thousand years. After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide at 9:00 for a morning of exploration.

Highlights of the Day:

• Lyabi-Hauz Complex: Begin at this bustling square surrounded by madrasahs and shaded by ancient trees, a favorite gathering spot for locals.
• Chor Minor: Visit this whimsical structure with four distinctive minarets, each featuring unique designs and symbolism.
• Kukeldash Madrasah: Discover one of Bukhara's grandest and most imposing madrasahs, dating back to the 16th century.
• Magok-I-Attari Mosque: Explore this historic mosque, one of the oldest buildings in Bukhara, blending Islamic and Zoroastrian influences.
• Tim Abdullah Khan Trading Dome: Step back in time at this well-preserved Silk Road marketplace, once bustling with merchants trading luxury goods.

After the tour, transfer to the train station at 15:00 to board the high-speed train to Samarkand at 15:50. Arrive at 17:32, where you'll transfer to your hotel and settle in for the evening. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 5: Discovering Samarkand

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before meeting your guide at 9:00 for a full-day exploration of Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road and a city steeped in the legacy of the Timurid Dynasty. Known for its trilingual heritage, the city thrives with Uzbek, Russian, and Tajik influences.

Highlights of the Day:

• Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum: Marvel at this iconic resting place of Timur (Tamerlane) and his descendants, renowned for its azure dome and intricate architecture.
• Registan Square: Experience the heart of Samarkand’s historical center, surrounded by three grand madrasahs, each built during different periods and showcasing stunning tilework and craftsmanship.

Lunch Break: Enjoy a relaxing break with delicious local cuisine.

• Bibi Khanum Mosque: Visit one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, commissioned by Amir Timur in 1399 as a testament to his power and devotion.
• Siab Bazaar: Stroll through the bustling stalls of one of Central Asia’s oldest operating markets, where you can shop for spices, sweets, and souvenirs.
• Shah-i-Zinda Complex: Walk along this "living street of the dead," a breathtaking necropolis spanning from the 11th to 20th centuries, adorned with intricate mosaics and a serene atmosphere.

End your day of exploration by returning to your hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 6: Samarkand to Shakhrisabz and back

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and meet your guide at 9:00. Today's journey takes you to Shakhrisabz, a charming and traditional Uzbek town located 90 km south of Samarkand in the picturesque Kashkadarya province. This scenic drive offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and mountains, which change their hues with every season—a perfect opportunity for photography enthusiasts.

Highlights of the Day:

• Ak Saray Palace: Explore the remnants of Timur’s grand "White Palace," once a dazzling showcase of his power and ambition, adorned with beautiful mosaics.
• Dorut Tilovat Complex: Visit the "House of Recitation," a peaceful memorial site built in the 1430s, where devotion and stunning architecture intertwine.

Lunch Break: Relish Shakhrisabz's famous regional delicacy, tandir go’sht, tender lamb marinated in traditional spices and slow-cooked in a clay oven.

• Statue of Amir Temur: Pause for photos at this iconic statue of the legendary leader who made Shakhrisabz his home.
• Ko’k Gumbaz Mosque: Admire the striking "Blue Dome Mosque," constructed in 1436 by Ulugbek, Timur’s grandson, as a family place of worship.
• Dorus Saodat Complex: Delve into the "House of Power," a mausoleum of the Timurid dynasty that reflects the might and grandeur of their empire.

After the tour, enjoy the serene drive back to Samarkand. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 7: Samarkand - Tashkent (train)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your guide at 9:00 for a final day of sightseeing in Samarkand. Today, you’ll explore unique and historic sites that reflect the scientific, cultural, and spiritual significance of the region.

Highlights of the Day:

• Ulugbek Observatory: Discover the visionary work of Ulugbek, a 15th-century ruler and astronomer, at this impressive site built in the 1420s. Once a three-story observatory, it was the hub of advanced astronomical studies in Central Asia.
• Mausoleum of Hodja Daniyar: Visit this revered mausoleum, a place of pilgrimage for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, honoring a prophet believed to unite all three faiths.
• Afrasiab Museum: Step into one of Samarkand’s oldest and most fascinating museums to learn about the ancient settlement of Afrasiab, featuring artifacts, murals, and relics from the city’s rich history.
• Konigil Ancient Paper Factory: Witness traditional techniques for crafting Samarkand’s famous mulberry paper, a craft that dates back to the 8th century and remains integral to the region's cultural heritage.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the train station at 16:45 to board your 17:30 train to Tashkent. Enjoy a comfortable journey, arriving at 19:50. Upon arrival in Tashkent, transfer to your hotel and unwind for the evening. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 8: Departure from Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel. If time permits, explore more of the capital before your transfer back to Tashkent airport for your return flight.

Package Includes:

• Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Tashkent on Uzbekistan Airways
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per person (up to 20 kg)
• Airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Tashkent
• 7 nights’ accommodation in 3*or 4* hotels:
  - 2 nights in Tashkent (1 full night + early check-in)
  - 1 night in Bukhara
  - 3 nights in Samarkand
  - 1 night in Tashkent
• Breakfast at the hotels
• Transportations by air-conditioned, private vehicle during the tour with driver
• Entrance tickets for monuments as per itinerary

• Train tickets: Tashkent – Bukhara (economy class)

• Train tickets: Bukhara – Samarkand (economy class)
• Train tickets: Samarkand – Tashkent (economy class)
• 24-hour emergency contact number
• ATOL protection
• All taxes