13 days across the highlights of Uzbekistan
Delve into a breathtaking adventure in Uzbekistan. On this 13-day tour you will travel to bustling cities and remote villages, all of which reveal the ancient stories of this legendary land.
Wander through vibrant bazaars in the capital city of Tashkent where you will also have the chance to visit important mosques and museums. Taste traditional meals prepared especially for you during a homestay, where you will get to know a local village family. And find out about nomadic life during an overnight at a yurt camp.
This special trip through Uzbekistan will impress you with the sights and sounds of a land that you will never forget.
Services
Included:
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms at hotels mentioned or similar
- (Classification to the country's standards):
- Breakfasts at hotels;
- Entrance fees for all museums and sites, mentioned in program;
- Lunch with local family at Mitan Village;
- Full board meals at Yurt Camp;
- Full board meals in Ohum village;
- Hotel –Airport –Hotel Transfers by private, air conditioned transports;
- English-speaking local guide in each city on mentioned days;
- Entrance tickets for the theater “El Merosi” in Samarkand;
- Entrance tickets for “Khavrenka” winery
- Transportation by air-conditioned, private vehicle during the tour with driver. (Except movements, are not mentioned in program);
- Domestic Flight Ticket Tashkent –Urgench; - Domestic Train Samarkand - Tashkent (Economy Class); - Our assistance 24/7
Excluded:
- International flight tickets;
- Full board meals;
- Photo & video charges during sightseeing (from 2 $ per site);
Optional:
- Horse Riding in Ohum village (25 USD per person)
- Camel Riding in Yurts (15 USD per person)
Itinerary at a Glance
Tashkent
Welcome to Uzbekistan!
Tashkent
See the Sights of Tashkent
Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva
See the Magnificent Sights of Khiva
Khiva - Bukhara
Drive Across the Desert to Bukhara
Bukhara
Uncover the Cultural Relics of a Silk Road City
Bukhara
Embark on a Day Trip to Desert Mosques and Mausoleums
Bukhara - Nurata - Yangi Gazgan
Make Your Way to a Delightful Yurt Camp
Yangi Gazgan - Ohum Village
Stay With a Local Family in a Mountain Village
Ohum Village
Hike Through a Tranquil Valley
Ohum Village - Mitan - Samarkand
Taste the Traditional Foods of Uzbekistan
Samarkand
Be Enchanted by Dazzling Samarkand
Samarkand - Tashkent
Visit an Ancient Observatory and Taste Uzbek Wine
Tashkent
Goodbye, Uzbekistan!
Detailed Itinerary
Tashkent
Day 1: Welcome to Uzbekistan!
Your Uzbekistan adventure begins in Tashkent, the capital city.
Upon arrival at Tashkent Airport, you will be met by your driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center.
Drop off your luggage and spend the rest of the day getting adjusted to your new environs at your own pace.
Tashkent
Day 2: See the Sights of Tashkent
A guided tour of Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent is on the agenda for today. After breakfast, meet your guide at your hotel then set off on a tour of the city's highlights.
Your tour begins with a visit to the religious center of Khast-i-Imam. Marvel at the architectural splendour of the complex's various buildings which date from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Continue your tour to Kukeldash, Juma Mosque, and the Chorsu Bazaar.
Later, a visit to Tashkent's Museum of Applied Art awaits. Converted into a museum in 1938, the museum is housed in the former palace of the Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev.
Continue onto Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, and Minor Mosque before ending the day with a relaxing dinner.
Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva
Day 3: See the Magnificent Sights of Khiva
Today your adventure continues westward as you catch a flight from Tashkent to the city of Urgench, near the border with Turkmenistan.
Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver, who will transfer you to Khiva. Leave your luggage at your hotel, then set out on an exploration of this lovely UNESCO World Heritage city.
A guided sightseeing tour will take you to Khiva's cultural highlights, including Ichan Kala (the inner town), which is surrounded by a 10 meter high wall; Juma Mosque; Kunya Ark, a 17th-century fortress; and the Tash-Kauli Palace.
After lunch, the tour continues to thee Mausoleums of both Pahlavan Mahmud and Sayid All-Uddin, and the Medresas of Islam-Khodja and Alla-Kuli.
Khiva - Bukhara
Day 4: Drive Across the Desert to Bukhara
A long drive lies ahead today, so wake up early to get an early start. The seven to eight hour drive southeast to Bukhara, across the splendid desert, will reveal awe-inspiring scenery.
Marvel at the red sands of the Kizil-Kum desert and admire the flocks of sheep that wander around the steppe.
You will stop en route for a break at the Amu-Darya River. Known as "the blue serpent in the desert," the dazzling waterway a peaceful oasis of Uzbekistan.
Upon arrival in Bukhara in the late afternoon, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Bukhara
Day 5: Uncover the Cultural Relics of a Silk Road City
Bukhara is one of the most mysterious cities that lies on the historic Silk Road trade route. Today, you will discover the magnificent attractions in this inviting destination.
Your full-day sightseeing tour will take you to a myriad sights including the Poi-Kalyan Architectural Complex, the Miri-Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque with it's towering minaret, and the madrasas of Ulug Beg and Abdulaziz Khan.
Later, spend some time browsing the colorful stalls at the Tim Abdullah Khan bazaar. The Museum of Carpets, housed within the Magok-i Attari Mosque is another fascinating sight where you will encounter heathen shrines, the remnants of a Buddhist monastery, and a Zoroastrian temple.
Bukhara
Day 6: Embark on a Day Trip to Desert Mosques and Mausoleums
The region around Bukhara is full of magnificent desert sights and today you will set out on an excursion to visit some of the highlights.
The expedition begins with a visit to the Tchor Minor mosque. The four minarets of this 19th century structure rise proudly over the city's ancient district before continuing to Sitora-i-Mokhi Khosa, a summer residence of the Emirs of Bukhara.
After lunch, more majestic sights are on the agenda. These include the Ark Citadel, an immense fortress where the Khans of Bukhara lived, that dates from around the 5th century; Bolo-Hauz Mosque, a historic place of prayer; and the mausoleums of Ismail Samani and Chashma Ayub.
Bukhara - Nurata - Yangi Gazgan
Day 7: Make Your Way to a Delightful Yurt Camp
Today's adventure takes you across Uzbekistan's arid terrain to a yurt camp, where you will spend the night.
But first, several stops en route give you a better appreciation of local Uzbekistan culture.
First, we'll stop at Guijduvan. This small village, a short drive from Bukhara, is home to a delightful ceramic workshop. You will have the chance to visit this UNESCO protected site and watch a demonstration on how the ceramics are made here.
Our next stop is the ancient caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik. Dating from the 11th century, this is an ancient and fascinating site, which you will have time to explore. Here, you will also meet a local family, who will invite you into their home for lunch.
After lunch, continue on to the ruins of an ancient Citadel of Alexander the Great before arriving at the yurt camp. Tonight, you can look forward to a camel ride and dinner around the campfire.
Yangi Gazgan - Ohum Village
Day 8: Stay With a Local Family in a Mountain Village
Over the next two nights, you will have the unique opportunity to stay with a local village family in the Uzbekistan countryside.
This morning, you will be driven to your homestay in Uhum Village. Upon arrival, spend some time getting to know your host family. You will enjoy lunch together in the home then set ouf for a walk around the village.
Get acquainted with the local lifestyle in Uhum as you meet some of the local people and explore sights such as the community water mill. Your host will also share interesting information about the wildlife and vegetation of the area.
Tonight, learn about the preparation of the traditional Uzbek meal, plov.
Ohum Village
Day 9: Hike Through a Tranquil Valley
Get ready for a day of hiking! After breakfast, you'll begin a guided hike in the Uhumsay Valley. Trek up to a fascinating petroglyph site about 2-hours into the valley. En route, you'll stop at the Mausoleum of Hazrati Boboy Eshon while getting a glimpse into local life as you observe day to day activities in various villages.
Later in the day, a second hike takes you to Hayat Village, home to the Severtzo's sheep, an endangered species of wild sheep. Enjoy the atmosphere in this peaceful nature reserve before hiking back to Uhum village for overnight.
Ohum Village - Mitan - Samarkand
Day 10: Taste the Traditional Foods of Uzbekistan
On the way to Samarkand today, you will stop in the award-winning village of Mitan, renowned for responsible tourism.
Meet a local family here and enjoy lunch in their home. They will serve the traditional Uzbek welcome meal of typical baked pastries known as bishaks, which are filled with meet or pumpkin, and plov, a dish of rice, vegetables, and lamb or beef.
Spend some time getting to know the locals in this charming village. They will introduce you to their inviting way of life.
Later in the day, we'll continue on to Samarkand.
Samarkand
Day 11: Be Enchanted by Dazzling Samarkand
Samarkand features some fine architectural planning, and today you will have the chance to witness it all.
Begin at the main square, where a trio of madrasahs forms an enchanting architectural assembly. Next, visit the Gur-Amir Mausoleum, a masterpiece of Central Asian design.
A tour of the Bibi Khanum Mosque and the remarkable collection of 20 buildings that make up the Shakhi-Zinda ensemble await you in the afternoon.
Toight, you will be treated to a showcase of traditional Uzbek costume at a heritage theater.
Samarkand - Tashkent
Day 12: Visit an Ancient Observatory and Taste Uzbek Wine
Many more delights of Uzbek culture are on the agenda for today. From a visit to the Observatory of Ulugbek -- the oldest of its kind in Central Asia, to a stop at a local silk carpet workshop, you will be delighted by what you experience.
Later, you will visit a village where silk paper has been produced for centuries, followed by a visit to a winery where you can taste the region's interesting wines.
This evening, you will board a high speed train to Tashkent.
Tashkent
Day 13: Goodbye, Uzbekistan!
Your Uzbekistan adventure comes to an end today. We hope you have had an unforgettable journey in this marvelous land. Two to three hours before your flight, you will be driven to the airport. We wish you pleasant travels as you make your way back home.
