Itinerary
- Day 1
Tashkent
You'll arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital and the hub of Central Asia. This evening at 6 pm there's a welcome meeting where you'll connect with your tour leader and other travelers.
- Day 2
Tashkent to Bukhara
This morning you're taking the train from Tashkent to Bukhara, which takes about 4 hours. Once you check into your hotel, a guided tour takes you through this ancient Silk Road city. You'll see the Ark fortress, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, and the thousand-year-old Ismail Samani Mausoleum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ark Fortress (guided tour)
- Visit Bolo-Hauz Mosque (guided tour)
- Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum (guided tour)
Landmarks/POIs Ark Fortress Bolo-Hauz Mosque Ismail Samani Mausoleum - Day 3
Bukhara
Today is dedicated to Bukhara's well-preserved historical sites. The day tour covers the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, Chor Minor, Maghoki-Attar Mosque, and Ulugbek Madrasah. By evening you're free to wander on your own and find somewhere to eat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kalon Mosque and Minaret (guided tour)
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz Plaza (guided tour)
- Visit Chor Minor (guided tour)
- Visit Maghoki-Attar Mosque (guided tour)
- Visit Ulugbek Madrasah (guided tour)
Optional Activities
- Hammam Bozori Kord - oldest Turkish-style bathhouse in Bukhara
Landmarks/POIs Kalon Mosque Kalon Minaret Lyabi-Hauz Plaza Chor Minor Maghoki-Attar Mosque Ulugbek Madrasah Hammam Bozori Kord - Day 4
Bukhara to Gijduvan to Nurata to Kyzylkum Desert
You're leaving Bukhara and driving to Gijduvan first, where a ceramic workshop run by sixth-generation ceramicists is waiting. From there it's about 2.5 hours to Nurata, the city Alexander the Great founded. Later you head into the Kyzylkum desert for the night in yurts. There's an optional camel ride and an evening campfire dinner under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Evening campfire dinner under the desert stars with local music)
Included Activities
- Visit ceramic workshop in Gijduvan
- Visit Nurata fortress ruins
Optional Activities
- Camel ride in the Kyzylkum desert
Landmarks/POIs Nurata Fortress Kyzylkum Desert - Day 5
Tajik Village
After a 2 to 3 hour drive into the Nuratau Mountains, you're spending the day in a Tajik village. Hiking options include trails to waterfalls or petroglyph sites where you might spot endemic argali mountain sheep. During the day you'll learn to make traditional tandir bread and prepare plov with a local family. That evening there's a feast to enjoy, and you'll stay overnight in a homestay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Home-cooked plov feast with local family)
Included Activities
- Hiking to waterfalls or petroglyph sites
- Learn to bake traditional tandir bread
- Plov cooking demonstration and dinner with local family
Landmarks/POIs Nuratau Mountains - Day 6
Nurata to Samarkand
The four hour drive takes you to Samarkand, the 'very large and splendid city' Marco Polo once described. You'll visit the Registan square and the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, where Timur is buried. After checking in there's free time this evening to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square
- Visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
Landmarks/POIs Registan Square Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum - Day 7
Samarkand
Samarkand gets a full day of exploration. Shah-i-Zinda, an avenue lined with blue-tiled mausoleums, is on the agenda along with the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The architecture here reflects centuries of Islamic design. After the guided portion, you have free time to wander this important Silk Road city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shah-i-Zinda mausoleum avenue
- Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Landmarks/POIs Shah-i-Zinda Bibi-Khanym Mosque - Day 8
Samarkand to Tashkent
You're heading back early this morning on the local train to Tashkent, a roughly 4 hour journey. Once there you'll take the metro and get a short city tour hitting Amir Timur Square and Chorsu Bazaar. Free time is yours after that, and if you're interested there's an optional performance at the Navoi Ballet & Opera Theatre tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Tashkent
- Visit Amir Timur Square
- Visit Chorsu Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Performance at Navoi Ballet & Opera Theatre
Landmarks/POIs Amir Timur Square Chorsu Bazaar Navoi Ballet & Opera Theatre - Day 9
Departure
Your Uzbekistan trip wraps up after breakfast. There are no scheduled activities, so you're free to leave whenever works for you before the hotel checkout time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
