Silk Road Splendors of Uzbekistan

Arrival in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Upon arrival, meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in and accommodation.

Accommodation: ATECA Hotel Suites (Standard Room)

After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Tashkent, a fascinating blend of ancient heritage and modern development. Begin with a visit to the Khast Imam Complex (16th–20th centuries), home to the Mausoleum of Kaffol Shashi, Barakhan Madrasah, Muyi Mubarak Madrasah, Namazgoh Mosque, and Jome Mosque. The complex also houses one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Holy Quran, believed to date back to the 7th century and commissioned during the reign of Caliph Uthman. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar, one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant traditional markets, where locals gather beneath its iconic blue-domed structure. Next, experience a ride on the Tashkent Metro, renowned for its beautifully designed Soviet-era stations. In the afternoon, visit Tashkent City Park, a modern recreational area showcasing the city’s contemporary side.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: ATECA Hotel Suites (Standard Room)

Early breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the railway station for the train journey to Samarkand.

Upon arrival, begin exploring the legendary Silk Road city of Samarkand, whose history spans nearly 3,000 years. Visit the Mausoleum of Amir Temur (Tamerlane) (14th–15th centuries), an architectural masterpiece of the Timurid era and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Continue to the magnificent Registan Square (15th–17th centuries), once the heart of commerce and scholarship along the Silk Road. Admire its three grand madrasahs: Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillakori. Next, visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque (14th–15th centuries), once the largest mosque in Central Asia, built by Amir Temur in honor of his beloved wife. Conclude the day at Siyob Bazaar, Samarkand’s oldest market, where you may sample traditional sweets, spices, and dried fruits. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Continental Hotel Samarkand (Standard Room)

Continue your exploration of Samarkand, often referred to as the “Rome of the Orient.” Begin with a visit to the sacred Shahi-Zinda Necropolis (9th–19th centuries), an extraordinary complex of mausoleums associated with Qusam ibn Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. Admire the intricate tilework and remarkable Timurid architecture throughout the site. Next, visit the Afrosiyab Museum and the ruins of ancient Afrosiyab, the original settlement of Samarkand. The museum offers insight into the civilizations that once flourished here, including Persian, Turkic, Greek, Arab, and Mongol cultures. In the afternoon, visit a traditional Silk Paper Workshop, where artisans continue the centuries-old craft of handmade paper production. Continue to the Samarkand Silk Carpet Factory to observe the meticulous creation of handwoven silk carpets using natural dyes and traditional weaving techniques. In the evening, transfer to the railway station for the high-speed train to Bukhara. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Amiran Boutique Hotel, Bukhara (Standard Room)

Today, discover Bukhara, one of Central Asia’s most important historical and cultural centers, and the birthplace of the renowned scholar Avicenna (Ibn Sina). Begin a walking tour through the atmospheric old city with a visit to the Labi Khouz Complex (16th–17th centuries), featuring the picturesque Labi Khouz Pond, Nodir Devonbegi Khanaka, Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah, and Kukaldash Madrasah. Continue through the ancient domed trading bazaars, including Toqi Sarrofon (money changers), Toqi Telpakfurushon (hat makers), Abdullaxon Tim, and Toqi Zargaron (jewelers), each reflecting Bukhara’s rich mercantile heritage along the Silk Road. View the Ulugbek Madrasah and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah from the outside before continuing to the impressive Poyi Kalon Complex (12th–16th centuries), home to the iconic Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, and Miri Arab Madrasah. Later, visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum (9th–10th centuries), considered one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Continue to the Ark Fortress, the former residence of Bukhara’s rulers, followed by an external visit to the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Amiran Boutique Hotel, Bukhara (Standard Room)

Depart from Bukhara by train for Khiva, journeying through the vast Kyzylkum Desert, the largest desert in Uzbekistan, known for its sweeping dunes and sparse desert landscapes. Arrive in Khiva in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Begin exploring Ichan Qala (10th–19th centuries), the walled inner city of Khiva, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as a living open-air museum. Visit the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and the striking Kalta Minor Minaret, renowned for their brilliant turquoise-tiled facades. Continue to Kohna Ark, the former citadel and residence of the Khivan rulers, featuring royal courtyards, reception halls, and historic buildings that offer a glimpse into Khiva’s royal past.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Art Minor Hotel Khiva (Deluxe Room)

Continue exploring the enchanting city of Khiva. Visit the Muhammad Rahim Khan (Feruz) Madrasah, one of the city’s finest educational and architectural complexes. Next, visit the unique Juma Mosque (10th–18th centuries), renowned for its 227 intricately carved wooden columns, which create a serene, atmospheric interior unlike any other mosque in Central Asia. Continue to the Tash Hovli Palace, including the Khan’s Harem, built by Allakuli Khan and known for its richly decorated courtyards and elaborate tilework. Visit the Allakuli Khan Caravanserai, once an important trading hub along the Silk Road and still active today as a local handicraft center. In the afternoon, view the Islam Khoja Madrasah and Minaret (no climbing), the tallest minaret in Khiva. Conclude your tour at the Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, the mausoleum of the celebrated poet and philosopher, followed by a visit to the Mennonite Museum (Oq Masjid), which highlights the history of German Mennonite communities in the region. Afterward, transfer to Urgench Airport for your domestic flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: ATECA Hotel Suites (Standard Room)

Today, visit several of Tashkent’s modern landmarks, including the Applied Arts Museum, Minor Mosque, Tashkent TV Tower, and Magic City entertainment complex. At the appropriate time, transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast