10 DAYS LEGENDS OF UZBEKISTAN

Arrive in Tashkent

Upon arrival in Tashkent, you would be met and transferred to your hotel.

Tashkent City Tour (Half Day)

Embark on an orientation tour of Tashkent, starting at Independence Square, a symbol of national pride and freedom. Continue to Amir Temur Square and Alisher Navoiy Theatre Square, before visiting the Applied Arts Museum, home to a captivating collection of handmade embroidery, jewelry, carpets, and other applied arts.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You would be transferred to the airport for your flight to Urgench.

Flight: Tashkent to Urgench

Take a short ~1 hour 30 minutes flight from Tashkent to Urgench airport.

Ancient Fortress of Topraq-Kala & Lunch

Upon arrival in Urgench, set off towards the ancient archaeological site of Toprak-Kala, translated to “earth fortress” or “dusty fortress”. Once the main temple complex of the Khorezm kings, the ancient fortress features well-preserved samples of ancient Khorezm writing and many works of art from the 3rd century. Thereafter, enjoy lunch in the desert at the yurt – a traditional nomadic dwelling.

Transfer: Topraq Kala to Khiva

After lunch at Topraq Kala, you would be transferred ~2 hours to your hotel in Khiva.

Khiva UNESCO City Tour (Full Day)

Dedicate the day to exploring the historic city of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to over 60 monuments. Explore the Itchan Kala, the intricate inner fortress of Khiva, and visit the turquoise and blue Kalta Minor minaret and stunning Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah. Continue to explore the Kunya Ark, the Juma Mosque with its 218 wooden columns, Tash Khauli Palace, the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, and the Islam Khodja Complex with its elegant minaret and madrassah.

Sunset Drinks at Rooftop Bar

Enjoy drinks while taking in beautiful sunset views of the historic landmarks of Khiva from a rooftop terrace bar.

Transfer: Khiva to Bukhara

Today, set off on a long drive to Bukhara through the Kyzylkum Desert (~6-7 hours). Enjoy some scenic sightseeing along the way and stretch your legs at various rest stops to ensure your comfort.

Bukhara UNESCO City Tour (Full Day)

Known as a museum city for its rich Silk Road heritage, Bukhara is a UNESCO site filled with historic monuments, caravanserais, and vibrant bazaars. Explore the spectacular Fortress Ark, Bukhara’s oldest structure, as well as the grand Bolo-Kauz Mosque, Chashma-Ayub Shrine, and Samanids Mausoleum.

Thereafter, marvel at the iconic architectural complex of the city – the Poi-Kalyan Ensemble, and explore beautiful madrassahs (Ulugbek’s and Abdulaziz-khan) and trading domes (colourful indoor bazaars) such as the Cap Maker’s Bazaar. Pause at the local tea house to sample cardamom, anise, cinnamon and oregano tea spices.

Home Hosted Lunch

Enjoy a home hosted lunch with a master class on cooking Uzbekistan’s national dish Plov, a sumptuous dish comprising pilaf rice, succulent lamb, and vegetables.

Sunset Drinks at Rooftop Bar

This evening, grab sunset drinks while taking in beautiful views of Bukhara and Poi-Kalyan square.

Chor Minor Madrassah

After breakfast, visit Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah with four peculiar looking towers. It was used as a library for students and was the Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa – a countryside residence of the last Bukhara Emir. After, you will be transferred ~30 minutes to Kagan train station.

Train: Bukhara to Samarkand

Board the train at Kagan station and travel about ~1 hour 43 minutes to Samarkand station.

Transfer: Train Station to Hotel

Upon arrival in Samarkand, you would be met and transferred to your hotel for the night.

Samarkand UNESCO City Tour (Full Day)

Explore Samarkand, a UNESCO city which has captivated travelers for centuries with stunning architectural heritage. Key attractions include the majestic Gur-Emir Mausoleum and the iconic Registan Square, where people gathered to hear royal announcements in the past. Marvel at the azure tiles and intricate madrassahs of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kori surrounding the square, before continuing to the grand Bibi-Khanum Mosque and vibrant Siab Bazaar (closed on Mondays).

Thereafter, discover the historic Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis at the Afrasiab hills, a complex of mausoleums featuring some of the richest tilework in the Muslim world from the 14-15th centuries.

Evening Illumination of Registan Square

Enjoy an evening light show and illumination at Registan Square (there is also a musical accompaniment). The light show normally starts around 8:30pm in late autumn and early spring, and 9pm in summer time.

Samarkand In Depth (Half Day)

Today, discover more of Samarkand’s cultural masterpieces in depth. Visit the Afrosiab Museum and the Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel (also known as Daniel or Doniyar) – a unique place where Muslims, Christians and Jews still come together to pray. Then, continue to the Ulugbek Observatory and visit the Samarkand Handmade Silk Paper Center (“Meros Paper Hill”), where a pair of brothers brought the ancient tradition of paper production back to life. After, you will be transferred to Samarkand train station.

Train: Samarkand to Tashkent

Board the train at Samarkand station and travel about ~2 hours 33 minutes to Tashkent station.

Transfer: Train Station to Hotel

Upon arrival in Tashkent, you would be met and transferred to your hotel for the night.

Tashkent Historical Sites (Full Day)

After breakfast, visit the Khast Imam Complex, home to the Quran of Caliph Uthman, which dates back to the 7th century and is believed to be the world’s oldest Quran. Then, visit Chorsu Bazaar and stop by the exterior of the Kukeldash Madrasa, a 1570 medieval madrasa built during the Shaybanid Dynasty. You’ll also explore the Tashkent Metro, famous for its intricately beautiful decorations, before ending at the famous Rakhimov’s Ceramics Studio. The private house owned by master ceramicist Akbar Rakhimov is an important part of the Uzbek traditional artisanship, and its gallery exhibits both old-style and new ceramics.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

Enjoy some free time at leisure in the morning, before you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Alternatively, if you would like to extend your trip in Tashkent, you may opt for a day trip to the breathtaking Chimgan Mountains, which offers magnificent views of pristine alpine meadows, the Beldersay river valley, and the snowcapped Western Tian Shan mountains. The drive is ~1½-2 hours each way, and a cable car service is available if preferred.