Ancient cultures of Uzbekistan & Tajikistan

Tashkent

Day 1: Welcome to Uzbekistan!

Your flight lands in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital and largest city. Your guide is expecting you at the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours, use it to relax from the flight at your hotel or take the time to go on a short tour around the city. Spend the night at your comfy hotel.

Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva

Day 2: Explore the Fascinating Capital

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel, then head out to discover the city. Visit the Khast-i-Imam mosque, one of the most important religious centres in the city. Here you can find the mausoleums of Barak Khan and Kaffal Shashi, and the Madrasa Moyie Mubarek, which is home to one of the most ancient copies of the Koran. Visit the Museum of Applied Art, an impressive building that used to be the palace of Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev.

In the afternoon, your guide takes you on a tour of the most beautiful and unusual subway stations of Tashkent, as well as to the largest bazaar in the country, Chorsu. After this exciting day, your driver will transfer you to the airport for a short domestic flight to Urgench. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel.

Khiva

Day 3: Discover a Muslim Desert Oasis

Wake up to a strengthening breakfast at the hotel. Today you explore Urgench and the oasis of Khiva, which is recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The oasis was the last resting place for caravans before they headed out into the desert to Iran. Despite its age and some destruction, it is a coherent and authentic example of Central Asian Muslim architecture.

Visit the Ichan Kala, the inner town, which is protected by a 10-meter high brick wall. Explore the Juma mosque, the Kunya Ark – the ancient fortress completed in 1688. After lunch, visit the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, who died in 1325, and the Medresa of Islam-Khodja with its 45-meter high minaret. Enjoy a delicious dinner and return to your hotel for a good night's sleep.

Khiva - Bukhara

Day 4: A Drive through the Red Desert

After breakfast at the hotel, hit the road to drive towards Bukhara. On the way, pass by the beautiful red sands of the Kizil-Kum desert. Stop at the Amu Darya river and enjoy the fresh water in the middle of the desert. After lunch, make another pit stop near Gazli, before arriving in Bukhara in the afternoon. Check into your comfortable hotel in town and enjoy your dinner.

Bukhara

Day 5: Discover the Mysterious City of the Silk Road

Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then head out to discover Bukhara, the most mysterious city of the silk road. Visit the Poi-Kalyan complex, with the Kalyan mosque and its minaret at the centre. Then head over to the Madrasa of Ulug Beg and Abdulaziz Khan to discover the impressive development of Central Asian architecture.

After lunch, explore the Laybi-Hauz, the largest artificial water reservoir of medieval Bukhara. Move on to visit the Bolo-Hauz mosque, a royal place of prayer for the Emirs and their entourage. In the evening, return to your hotel for a relaxing night.

Bukhara - Samarkand

Day 6: Caravan Stop in the Desert

Get up early to explore the surrounding area of Bukhara. Visit the Tchor Minor mosque, and the summer residence of the Bukhara Emirs, Sitora-i-Mokhi Khossa.

Later in the day, depart for Samarkand. En route, stop at Rabat-a Malik, where caravans used to stop and rest from the long marches through the desert. Upon arrival in Samarkand, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day without an itinerary.

Samarkand

Day 7: Explore the Ancient City

Wake up and enjoy your breakfast. Today, use your day to explore the ancient city of Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia that is still inhabited today. First, check out the city’s most important historical monument, the famous Registan square that is surrounded by three magnificent madrasas. Next, head to the Gur-Amir mausoleum, the family crypt of the great dynasty of Tamerlane. The building’s interior is even decorated with paper mache.

In the afternoon, continue your sightseeing trip with a visit to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, whose construction involved some of the best artisans and architects from Central Asia to India. Visit the Siyab Bazaar, the oldest market in the city. In the evening, return to your hotel to rest your feet after such a busy day.

Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Termiz

Day 8: Short City Tour

In the morning, pack your bags for your departure to Shakhrisabz. Once you’ve arrived, take a short city tour. Stop by the mausoleum of Jakhongir in the Dor-us Saodat memorial complex. Visit the remains of Ak-Saray Palace and the Kok Gumbaz (or "blue dome") Mosque in the Dor-ut Tillavat complex. In the afternoon, continue your drive to the city of Termez. Then, check into your hotel and relax for the evening.

Termiz - Dushanbe

Day 9: Cross the Border to Tajikistan

Spend your morning exploring Termez. Your first stop is the most important religious monument in the city, the mausoleum of Al Hakim at Termizi.

After you have explored, hop back in your car and cross the border to Tajikistan. Welcome to the next country of your journey through Central Asia! Head to the capital, Dushanbe. On the way, stop by for a visit to the Hissar fortress and the Museum of Hissar. Upon arrival in Dushanbe, transfer to your hotel for your overnight stay. 

Dushanbe - Iskanderkul

Day 10: Get to Know the Locals

Have breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, get out and explore Dushanbe’s sights. Spend your morning visiting the fantastic and educational National Museum of Ethnography. Then, head to the enticing Oriental Bazaar, and get lost in the labyrinth of stalls, wares, and scents as you look for your favourite goods.

In the afternoon, it’s off to the countryside. Transfer to Iskander Kul and the small village of Saritag. There, enter the house of a local family as an honoured guest. Get to know the people and their customs. There is no better way to get to know Tajikistan and its incredible culture as you converse with its people and wander through the village. Spend the night in a comfortable local house.

Iskanderkul - Hudjent

Day 11: Discover Culture & History

Have breakfast with your local hosts and share in their morning traditions. Then, transfer to the city of Hodjent, where you will visit the Historical Museum and learn about the rich history of the city. Then visit the Fortress Temurmalik before spending the rest of the day at your leisure. Wander the streets, grab a delicious bite to eat, or relax in your hotel.

Hodjent - Tashkent

Day 12: Return to Tashkent

Spend your morning exploring more of Hodjent. Start with a visit to the Mosque and madrasa Sheikh Muslikhiddin. Then, head to the extravagant Paynshanba Bazaar, the perfect place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. In the afternoon, return to Tashkent and cross the boarder back into Uzbekistan. There, check into your hotel, where you will spend the night. 

Tashkent

Day 13: Goodbye, Uzbekistan!

Have breakfast before your departure. At the appropriate time, check out of your hotel, after which you will be transferred to the airport. Catch your onward flight and have a safe journey home!