Itinerary
- Day 1
Tashkent
You'll start your time in Tashkent by checking out Chorsu Bazaar, one of the historic Silk Road markets where you can wander through stalls and soak in the local atmosphere. After that, head to the Hazrati Imam complex to see the turquoise domes and blue mosaics up close. As evening approaches, you'll hunt for plov and shashlik while catching the sunset in Navoi Park.
Optional Activities
- Visit Chorsu Bazaar
- Explore Hazrati Imam complex
- Watch sunset in Navoi Park
- Try local plov and shashlik
Landmarks/POIs Chorsu Bazaar Hazrati Imam Complex Navoi Park - Day 2
Tashkent
This day focuses on Tashkent's cultural side. The metro stations here look like art galleries, so you might spend time in a couple of them. You'll choose between the State Museum of History or the Amir Timur Museum depending on your interests, then visit the fancy Navoi Theater. Throughout the day, you'll spot colorful murals around the city, and you'll have manti with yoghurt and sumac for a meal.
Optional Activities
- Visit State Museum of History
- Visit Amir Timur Museum
- Explore Navoi Theater
- Photograph colorful murals
- Try manti with yoghurt and sumac
Landmarks/POIs Tashkent Metro State Museum of History Amir Timur Museum Navoi Theater - Day 3
Tashkent to Samarkand
Start early with nonushta (fresh flatbread with cream, dried fruit and sweet tea) at a local café, then take a scenic train to Samarkand. Once there, you'll explore the Registan with its grand architecture, walk through the Bibi-Khanum mosque, and browse Siyob bazaar for flatbread and pistachios. Before lunch, check out Shah-i-Zinda's tile art. Later, have chai and plov at the Bibi-Khanum tea house, and if you're interested, visit Meros Papiermanufaktur for handmade paper.
Included Activities
- Train journey to Samarkand
Optional Activities
- Nonushta breakfast at local café
- Visit Registan
- Visit Bibi-Khanum mosque
- Browse Siyob bazaar
- Visit Shah-i-Zinda
- Lunch at Bibi-Khanum tea house
- Visit Meros Papiermanufaktur
Landmarks/POIs Registan Bibi-Khanum Mosque Siyob Bazaar Shah-i-Zinda Meros Papiermanufaktur - Day 4
Samarkand
You'll visit the Ulugh-Beg Observatory and its museum with 15th-century astronomy displays, then take a stroll through Central Park. The Afrosiab Museum comes next, where you'll see archaeological finds and ancient murals. If you want nature outside the city, the Zarafshan Mountains offer hiking and scenic views as an optional add-on to your day.
Optional Activities
- Visit Ulugh-Beg Observatory and museum
- Walk in Central Park
- Visit Afrosiab Museum
- Explore Zarafshan Mountains with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Ulugh-Beg Observatory Central Park Afrosiab Museum Zarafshan Mountains - Day 5
Samarkand to Bukhara
After arriving in Bukhara by train, you'll see the glittering blue domed roofs throughout the old town. Spend time exploring the area's 350 mosques and 120 madrasas from the Golden Age. You'll visit the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble with Kukeldash Medrese, Hanaka, and Nadir-Divan-Begi, then check out the historic Magoki Attori Mosque. End your day with tea at the traditional Silk Road Tea House to relax after all that walking.
Included Activities
- Train journey to Bukhara
Optional Activities
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz ensemble
- Explore Kukeldash Medrese
- Visit Hanaka
- Visit Nadir-Divan-Begi
- Visit Magoki Attori Mosque
- Tea at Silk Road Tea House
Landmarks/POIs Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble Kukeldash Medrese Hanaka Nadir-Divan-Begi Magoki Attori Mosque Silk Road Tea House - Day 6
Bukhara
You'll explore Bukhara's deeper history by visiting the Khor-Bakr necropolis with its sandstone walls and the burial site of Abu-Bakr-Said. Next, see the summer palace of the last Emir with its royal features. Then head to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, which blends old and new architecture with nice mosaics. You'll wander the alleyways to get a feel for how history layers throughout the city, and you'll have an Uzbek dinner to wrap up the day.
Optional Activities
- Visit Khor-Bakr necropolis
- Visit summer palace of the last Emir
- Visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum
- Explore alleyways
- Uzbek dinner
Landmarks/POIs Khor-Bakr Necropolis Summer Palace of the Emir Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum - Day 7
Bukhara to Khiva
Travel by train to Khiva and step into Ichan Kala, the walled old town with its minarets and madrasahs. You'll find the Juma Mosque, which has 200 wooden columns inside. Sample samsa and pomegranate juice at street stalls, or relax at Mirzaboshi tea house if you prefer to sit. The Kalta Minor Minaret is worth photographing, and you'll have shashlik at dusk to finish your day.
Included Activities
- Train journey to Khiva
Optional Activities
- Explore Ichan Kala old town
- Visit Juma Mosque
- Try samsa and pomegranate juice
- Tea at Mirzaboshi tea house
- Photograph Kalta Minor Minaret
- Shashlik at street stall
Landmarks/POIs Ichan Kala Juma Mosque Kalta Minor Minaret Mirzaboshi Tea House - Day 8
Khiva
Start with chai in the morning, then explore the Kunya-Ark Citadel and take in the city views from there. If you're interested in textiles and ceramics, the Museum of Applied Arts shows historic carpets and crafts. Have plov and shurpa at a nearby café, then visit Mohammed Amin Khan Medrese. Spend time wandering the alleyways where you'll find craft stalls and street food throughout.
Optional Activities
- Visit Kunya-Ark Citadel
- Visit Museum of Applied Arts
- Lunch with plov and shurpa
- Visit Mohammed Amin Khan Medrese
- Explore alleyways and craft stalls
Landmarks/POIs Kunya-Ark Citadel Museum of Applied Arts Mohammed Amin Khan Medrese - Day 9
Khiva to Departure
On your final day in Khiva, you can revisit your favorite spots or try something you missed. Have one last chai at a café or take a stroll through the streets past bazaars and buildings. After that, you'll head to the airport for your departure with memories of your Silk Road adventure.
Optional Activities
- Revisit favorite spots
- Final chai at local café
- Stroll through streets and bazaars
