Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tashkent
You'll land in Tashkent and head to your hotel to check in. Take some time to settle and rest up before starting to explore this Central Asian city over the next couple of days.
- Day 2
Tashkent City Tour
A guided tour takes you through Tashkent, stopping at the Koran Museum and the Friday Mosque. You'll walk through Chor-Su Bazaar to check out traditional handicrafts and try freshly baked Tandur bread, then ride the metro to Timur Square and Independence Square to see the Senate building.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Tashkent
- Visit Koran Museum
- Visit Friday Mosque
- Explore Chor-Su Bazaar and taste traditional Tandur bread
- Metro ride to Timur Square
- Visit Independence Square and Senate building
Landmarks Koran Museum Friday Mosque Chor-Su Bazaar Timur Square Independence Square - Day 3
Tashkent to Khiva
Fly to Urgench and travel on to Khiva, an oasis surrounded by old walls. Wander through Itshan-Kala in the old town, seeing restored madrasas, mosques and bazaars. As evening comes, head up to the city wall for sunset with sparkling wine and take in the historic atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of old town Itshan-Kala
- Visit Kalta Minor minaret
- Explore madrasas and mosques
- Explore bazaars
- Sunset viewing from city wall with sparkling wine
Landmarks Itshan-Kala Kalta Minor - Day 4
Khiva to Bukhara
Travel southeast through the Kizilkum Desert toward Bukhara, passing through green oases along the way. You'll have lunch at a traditional restaurant trying regional specialties, then relax in the minibus while your guide talks about Uzbek culture. Arrive in Bukhara with the evening free or join the group for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Regional specialties in a traditional restaurant)
Included Activities
- Coach journey through Kizilkum Desert with guide commentary
Optional Activities
- Leisurely group dinner in Bukhara
- Day 5
Bukhara Old Town
A guided tour takes you through Bukhara's old town on narrow alleyways, visiting madrasas and mosques. You'll explore the busy bazaar and learn about the city from the Samanid era through Timur's time. Later, see how the New Town blends tradition with modern life, then have an atmospheric group meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Atmospheric group meal)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of old town Bukhara (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit madrasas and mosques
- Explore bazaar
- Tour of Soviet-influenced New Town
- Atmospheric group dinner
Landmarks Kalon Minaret - Day 6
Bukhara Surroundings
Head out to see Bukhara's surroundings, visiting the tomb of Bah ad-Din Naqshbandi and the summer residence of the last Emir. The afternoon is yours to wander bazaar streets, visit madrasas, have tea at cafes, or meet local students at Cafe Wishbone.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour to tomb of Bah ad-Din Naqshbandi
- Visit summer residence of last Emir of Bukhara
Optional Activities
- Explore bazaar streets
- Visit ornate madrasas
- Enjoy tea at local cafés
- Meet Uzbek-German students at Café Wishbone
Landmarks Tomb of Bah ad-Din Naqshbandi - Day 7
Bukhara to Samarkand
Travel to Samarkand, the legendary Silk Road city. When you arrive, you'll see the Gur-Emir mausoleum where Timur rests, then head to Registan Square with its madrasas and the Bibi Khanum Mosque. Walk through the lively food bazaar before spending your evening as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour including Gur-Emir mausoleum
- Visit Registan Square with madrasas
- Visit Bibi Khanum Mosque
- Explore food bazaar
Landmarks Gur-Emir Mausoleum Registan Square Bibi Khanum Mosque - Day 8
Samarkand Exploration
Tour Samarkand's treasures including the Ulugbek Observatory, Shah-i Sinda necropolis, and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Visit a historic paper mill where you'll see how craftspeople still make paper from mulberry bark, learning about this ancient craft that connected Silk Road trade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ulugbek Observatory
- Visit necropolis Shah-i Sinda
- Visit Tomb of Saint Daniel
- Visit historic paper mill with handmade paper demonstration
Landmarks Ulugbek Observatory Shah-i Sinda Tomb of Saint Daniel - Day 9
Samarkand to Shahr-e Sabs to Tashkent
Take a scenic trip over the Tachtakaracha Pass to Shahr-e Sabs, Timur's birthplace. You'll tour the ruins of Ak-Saray Palace and see other Timurid era remnants. Stop at a local Uzbek family's home for tea and fruit to learn about daily life, then return by comfortable train to Tashkent.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Excursion over Tachtakaracha Pass
- Guided tour of Shahr-e Sabs
- Visit Ak-Saray Palace ruins
- Visit Uzbek family for tea and fruit
- Train journey from Samarkand to Tashkent
Landmarks Ak-Saray Palace - Day 10
Tashkent Final Tour
Your final Tashkent day shows contrasts between Soviet buildings, oriental markets and modern cafes. Visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Square where old and new meet. You'll travel by minibus and metro like before, then enjoy a farewell dinner and a walk along the Bozsu River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Amir Timur Square
- Travel by minibus and metro
- Farewell dinner
- Walk along Bozsu River
Landmarks Independence Square Amir Timur Square - Day 11
Departure
Head to the airport in time for your return flight back to Frankfurt.
- Meals
- Breakfast
