Deal negotiated for you
- The 10-day / 9-night private tour in the accommodation mentioned (or similar)
- Meals according to the programme
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- The train journeys from Tashkent to Samarkand and from Samarkand to Bukhara (in economy class)
- All ground transfers mentioned in the programme by private service
- Welcome and assistance at the airport of arrival
- Excursions and visits mentioned in the programme
- The services of English-speaking local guides as indicated in the programme
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Radiant Cities of Uzbekistan
Embark on a journey of discovery along the Silk Road, where millennia of history are brought to life by monumental architecture. This odyssey will take you from Tashkent to Khiva, passing through the mythical cities of Samarkand and Bukhara — open-air museums boasting turquoise domes and intricately carved minarets. Cross the Kyzyl Kum desert and the Tajik border to explore the Sogdian ruins of Penjikent amid Timurid palaces, centuries-old madrasas, and bustling bazaars. This immersive voyage takes you to the crossroads of civilisations, where every stone tells the story of 4,000 years of cultural and commercial exchange. This nine-night Uzbekistan adventure, accompanied by experienced local guides, promises a captivating exploration of the Silk Road's treasures.
Your day-by-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent - Samarkand
Day 3: Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand
Day 4: Samarkand - Penjikent - Samarkand
Day 5: Samarkand - Bukhara
Day 6: Bukhara
Day 7: Around Bukhara
Day 8: Bukhara - Kyzyl Kum Desert - Khiva
Day 9: Khiva
Day 10: Return to Tashkent for your flight
Your detailed itinerary
Day 1 | First steps in Tashkent, crossroads of ancient trade routes
You will receive a warm welcome at Tashkent Airport, after which you will be transferred to your hotel.
A tour of the capital, which lies at the historic crossroads of the Silk Road and the Golden Ponytail Road, marks the beginning of the trip.
Places of interest include: The Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the former residence of Prince Polovtsev; the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar; and the unique metro system of Central Asia.
You will then have a free evening before an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 | Journey to Samarkand, the millenary pearl of the Silk Road
Take the train to Samarkand, the 'Pearl of the Orient' and a mythical city with a history stretching back more than 4,000 years.
Once the capital of Tamerlane's empire in the 14th century, it remains one of the jewels of the Silk Road.
Key visits include: Registan Square and its stunning madrasas; the Bibi Khanum Mosque; the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis; the Gur-Emir Mausoleum (Tamerlane's tomb); and the Ulugh Beg Observatory.
In the evening: A sound and light show on Registan Square.
Dinner is not included. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3 | Excursion to the birthplace of Tamerlane the Conqueror
Today, we will take a trip to the birthplace of Tamerlane. We will drive to Shakhrisabz, also known as 'the green city', where Tamerlane was born and which was a major cultural centre in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Visits include: The Ak Saray Palace ruins, the Kok Guymbaz Mosque with its blue dome, and the Gumbazi Seidan Mausoleum.
We will return to Samarkand at the end of the day. You will then have a free evening and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4 | Tajik incursion and the mystery of ancient Sogdiana
Enjoy a cross-border excursion to Pendjikent, the birthplace of the Persian poet Rudaki.
Visits include: The Rudaki Museum, the ruins of the Sogdian city (5th–8th centuries) and the Sarazm site, which is listed by UNESCO and has a history spanning 5,500 years.
A traditional lunch is included.
Return to Samarkand in the late afternoon. Enjoy an evening at leisure and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5 | On the way to Bukhara, discover Labi Khouz Square
Train to the holy city. Transfer by train to Bukhara.
Check in to your hotel, then head to Labi Khouz Square for your first visit.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6 | From bustling markets to majestic madrasas
Immerse yourself in an ocean of turquoise domes.
Spend a full day in one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, which was a religious and intellectual centre under the Samanids in the 10th century.
Key visits include: Ark Citadel, the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the Kalian Mosque with its imposing minaret, the Ulug Beg Madrasah, the Tok Sarrafon and Tok Telpakfurushon old markets, the Chor Minor Madrasah and the Liabi Khaouz Complex.
In the evening: A folk show at the Nodir Divan Begiun Madrasah.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7 | Excursion around Bukhara, from pilgrimage to concert
A day dedicated to exploring the surroundings of Bukhara.
Visits include: The Bahouvuddin Naqshbandi pilgrimage site, the summer residence of the last emirs and the Usto Davron craft centre.
The afternoon is free to stroll around the city.
In the evening, enjoy a classical music concert at the Madrakhim madrasah.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8 | On the road to the Red Desert of Kizyl Kum
Crossing the Red Desert of the Kyzyl Kum: A long day's drive through arid steppe and former kolkhozes. Spectacular views of the blue ribbon of the Amu Darya winding through the desert.
Arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon. Take a first stroll through the narrow streets of this preserved museum city.
Enjoy an evening at leisure before an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9 | Khiva, a preserved oasis on the Silk Road
The museum city with pink clay ramparts: Spend a full day in the most isolated oasis on the Silk Road, which has remained intact. It was the home of Al-Khawarizmi (the father of logarithms) and is close to Avicenna.
Visits: The Kalta Minor Minaret with its blue ceramics, the Djuma Mosque with its 218 wooden columns, the Tach Khaouli Palace with its harem and the Kounia Ark ramparts.
Enjoy an evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 | End of the Uzbek adventure
Morning transfer to Tashkent Airport (TAS) and return flight.
Your accommodation
During your tour, you will spend nine nights at the following accommodation (or similar, depending on availability):
- Tashkent: 1 night at the 4-star Inspira-S Tashkent Hotel
- Samarkand: 3 nights at the 4-star Grand Samarkand Superior Hotel
- Bukhara: 3 nights at the 4-star Wyndham Bukhara Hotel
- Khiva: 2 nights at the 4-star Darvaza Hotel Khiva
Please note that, in the event of technical constraints or unavailability, hotels may be replaced with accommodation of a similar standard.
Your board
During this tour, you will enjoy daily breakfasts as well as a traditional lunch in Pendjikent (Day 5).