Itinerary
- Day 1
Tashkent
You'll get picked up at Tashkent airport and taken to your hotel to get settled after traveling. This gives you time to rest and adjust to the time difference before exploring the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Milan Hotel oder ähnlich)
- Day 2
Tashkent to Bukhara
Start the morning with a guided tour through Tashkent, looking at the modern buildings and how the city rebuilt itself after the 1966 earthquake. Stop at the oriental bazaar where you'll find huge piles of melons, pomegranates, nuts, and dried fruits. After that, check out Islamic sites like Barak Khan Medrese, Kaffali Shash Mausoleum, and the Timur Museum. By evening, head to the train station and board the overnight train heading to Bukhara, arriving in Kagan the next morning for your hotel transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Emir B&B oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Tashkent
- Visit oriental bazaar
- Visit Barak Khan Medrese
- Visit Kaffali Shash Mausoleum
- Visit Timur Museum
- Train journey Tashkent to Bukhara (Afrosiab Express, Economy Class)
Landmarks Barak Khan Medrese Kaffali Shash Mausoleum Timur Museum 
- Day 3
Bukhara
Start your day heading out to the Naqshbandi monastery complex, situated about 12km outside Bukhara. This important Islamic sanctuary gives you insight into the region's spiritual heritage with your guide walking you through the grounds. From there, you'll move on to the historic Chor Bakr necropolis where shaded courtyards and mausoleums offer a peaceful setting to understand local burial traditions. By late afternoon, you'll finish at the Chor Minor mausoleum and take time to photograph its distinctive turquoise towers before heading back into the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Emir B&B oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Bukhara surroundings
- Visit Naqshbandi monastery complex
- Visit Chor Bakr necropolis (City of the Four Brothers)
- Visit Chor Minor (Four Minarets) mausoleum
Optional Activities
- Dinner at extra cost
Landmarks Naqshbandi Monastery Complex Chor Bakr Necropolis Chor Minor Mausoleum - Day 4
Bukhara
This morning involves checking out the Lyabi-Hauz complex and various madrasahs that showcase Bukhara's role as a trading and learning center. You'll then see the impressive 12th-century Kalan Minaret and Kalan Mosque, followed by a tour through the Ark citadel where a local history museum fills in details about the region's past. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax and have tea at Lyabi-Hauz or walk through the bazaar at your own pace. If you're interested, an optional folklore concert plays under the stars later that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Emir B&B oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyabi-Hauz complex
- Visit Nadir Davon Beghi madrasah
- Visit Chanaka Nodir Divan Beghi madrasah
- Visit Kukeldash madrasah
- Visit Magokki Attori Mosque
- Visit other architectural masterpieces and market domes
- Visit Kalan Minaret and Kalan Mosque
- Visit Mir-e-Arab madrasah
- Visit Ark citadel and local history museum
- Visit Bala-Chaus mosque
- Visit Samanid mausoleum
- Visit Chashma-Ayub mausoleum
Optional Activities
- Folklore concert in the evening
Landmarks Lyabi-Hauz Complex Nadir Davon Beghi Madrasah Kukeldash Madrasah Magokki Attori Mosque Kalan Minaret Kalan Mosque Mir-e-Arab Madrasah Ark Citadel Bala-Chaus Mosque Samanid Mausoleum Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum - Day 5
Bukhara to Samarkand
You'll travel to Samarkand, one of the world's oldest cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The drive covers about 280 km and takes 4.5 to 5 hours. Once there, walk through Registan Square and see the three main madrasahs: Ulugh-Beg, Shir-dar, and Tella-Kari. These buildings are some of the most impressive sights you'll encounter on this trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Orient Star Samarkand oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square
- Visit Ulugh-Beg Madrasah
- Visit Shir-dar Madrasah
- Visit Tella-Kari Madrasah
Landmarks Registan Square Ulugh-Beg Madrasah Shir-dar Madrasah Tella-Kari Madrasah 
- Day 6
Samarkand
Continue in Samarkand by visiting the ruins of Bibi Khanum mosque, which Timur built for his mother-in-law. Wander through the bazaar across from it where you can see colorful clothes and fresh flatbread coming from clay ovens. In the afternoon, head to Shashi-Sinda tomb city with its turquoise decorations and intricate tiles, then see the restored Gur Emir mausoleum where Timur is buried. Cap off the day with wine tasting at a local cellar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Orient Star Samarkand oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Bibi Khanum mosque ruins
- Explore bazaar opposite Bibi Khanum
- Visit Shashi-Sinda tomb city
- Visit Gur Emir mausoleum
- Wine cellar visit and tasting
Landmarks Bibi Khanum Mosque Shashi-Sinda Gur Emir - Day 7
Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Termez
Leave Samarkand early in the morning and drive south about 500 km to visit Shakhrisabz, Timur's birthplace. You'll see the Ak Sarai Palace showing what Timur's 'secret capital' once looked like. Continue on to Termez where you arrive in the evening. This is a long travel day, so plan for 9 hours on the road.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Termez Palace oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Shakhrisabz
- Visit Ak Sarai Palace (White Palace)
Landmarks Ak Sarai Palace - Day 8
Termez
Spend the day exploring Termez, an old city on the Amudarya River that was a major Buddhist center for 700 years before Genghis Khan destroyed it. Take a guided tour to see Kirk Kis palace, the Sultan Saadat necropolis, and Fayaz-Tepe monastery. You'll also visit the archaeological museum and Zurmala Tower. If the timing works out, there's a chance to see Kara-Tepe where monks are still excavating a Buddhist monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Termez Palace oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Termez
- Visit Kirk Kis palace
- Visit Sultan Saadat complex
- Visit Fayaz-Tepe monastery
- Visit archaeological museum
- Visit Zurmala Tower
- Optional: Visit Kara-Tepe (subject to excavation access)
Landmarks Kirk Kis Palace Sultan Saadat Complex Fayaz-Tepe Monastery Zurmala Tower Kara-Tepe - Day 9
Termez - Hissar - Dushanbe
Cross into Tajikistan and head toward Dushanbe, the capital city with its wide tree-lined streets. On the way, take a detour to Hissar about 40 km outside the city to see an 18th-century fortress gate that was rebuilt after damage from the Red Army, plus two 16th-century madrasas. The whole drive is about 250 km and takes around 4 hours. Once in Dushanbe, explore the main sites and learn about Tajikistan's role along historic Central Asian trade routes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Serena Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Hissar fortress entrance gate
- Visit 16th-century madrasas at Hissar
- City tour of Dushanbe
Landmarks Hissar Fortress 
- Day 10
Dushanbe
Begin in Dushanbe with a guided tour hitting the main spots including Independence Square and Somoni Square. You'll then walk through the lush Rudaki Park and spend time at the Museum of Antiquities learning about the region's history. The Ismail Samani Monument and the tranquil Haji Yakoub Mosque come next, and if modern architecture interests you, the new government district is worth seeing. Wrap up your day by strolling through the bustling Mekhrgon Bazaar where local vendors sell everything from spices to crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Serena Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Somoni Square
- Visit Rudaki Park
- Visit Museum of Antiquities
- Visit Haji Yakoub Mosque
- Optional visit to new government district with presidential palace and flagpole
- Stroll through Mekhrgon Bazaar
Landmarks Independence Square Somoni Square Rudaki Park Museum of Antiquities Ismail Samani Monument Haji Yakoub Mosque Mekhrgon Bazaar - Day 11
Dushanbe - Varzob Gorge - Pendshikent
After breakfast you'll depart Dushanbe and drive through the scenic Varzob Gorge, a popular spa area, heading toward Pendshikent in the Zerafshan Valley. Once there, explore the oriental bazaar and mosque, then check out the small archaeological museum. The Medrese Alim Dodcho dates back to the 18th or 19th century and provides context for local religious education. You'll visit the Rudaki Museum to see artifacts from the ancient Sogdian city of Old Penjikent, and finally tour the archaeological excavation site where foundations of old houses, temples, and pre-Islamic frescoes are still visible in the ground.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Penjikent Plaza Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Drive through Varzob Gorge
- Visit Pendshikent city center with oriental bazaar and mosque
- Visit Pendshikent archaeological museum
- Visit Medrese Alim Dodcho
- Visit Rudaki Museum
- Tour archaeological excavation site of Old Penjikent
Landmarks Varzob Gorge Medrese Alim Dodcho Rudaki Museum Old Penjikent Archaeological Site - Day 12
Pendshikent - Haft Kul (Seven Lakes) - Pendshikent
This excursion takes you to the Haft Kul, seven emerald-green lakes spread through the Fan Mountains between 1,600 and 2,200 meters altitude. Your guide shares the local legend behind their formation as you navigate narrow serpentine roads in a 4x4 vehicle, each lake showing its own distinctive character and color. Weather permitting, you'll drive to the sixth lake and hike out to the seventh, stopping for photos and short walks through untouched nature along the way. On your return journey, there's a stop at the ancient archaeological site of Sarazm, one of the oldest known settlements dating back to the 4th millennium BC.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Penjikent Plaza Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Haft Kul (Seven Lakes) in Fan Mountains
- 4x4 vehicle drive through mountain serpentine roads
- Photo stops and short walks at lakes
- Visit Sarazm archaeological site
Landmarks Haft Kul (Seven Lakes) Fan Mountains Sarazm Archaeological Site - Day 13
Pendshikent - Istaravshan - Khujand
Head northward to Istaravshan, one of the oldest cities in the country with roughly 2,500 years of history. This former Silk Road trading hub has weathered occupation by the Persian Empire, an 8th-century Arab raid, and 13th-century Mongol destruction. You'll visit Mug Tepa, the Khazrati Shoh complex, and the Sari Mazar Mosque before browsing the bazaar. Continue on to Khujand, Tajikistan's second-largest city situated on the Syr Darja river and originally founded by Alexander the Great as Alexandria Eschate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Khudjand Deluxe oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Istaravshan
- Visit Mug Tepa
- Visit Khazrati Shoh complex
- Visit Sari Mazar Mosque
- Stroll through Istaravshan bazaar
Landmarks Mug Tepa Khazrati Shoh Complex Sari Mazar Mosque - Day 14
Khujand - Tashkent
This morning in Khujand involves visiting the 12th to 18th-century Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslechiddin and the associated mosque. You'll then see the large central square where the market operates and check out the Payshanba Bazaar, the largest market in Central Asia. Later you'll cross the border into Uzbekistan and drive back to Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, wrapping up your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Milan Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslechiddin
- Visit Khujand mosque
- Visit Payshanba Bazaar
Landmarks Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslechiddin Payshanba Bazaar - Day 15
Dushanbe
Your journey through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan wraps up today. You'll be driven to the airport for your flight home, ending your trip through Central Asia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
