11-day discovery of Uzbekistan & Tajikistan

Tashkent

Day 1: Arrival & Tashkent city tour

You’ll be welcomed at Tashkent International Airport today for transfer to your hotel in the city.

After a little time to relax, you’ll be meeting up with your local guide for a sightseeing tour of Tashkent, the exciting capital city of Uzbekistan.

We will visit the Hazrati Imom Complex, Chorsu bazaar, Amir Temurs Square and Independent Square. We will also take a look around the Museum of Applied Arts before returning to your hotel.

Tashkent - Oybek Border - Khujand

Day 2: Crossing to Tajikistan

Following breakfast, you’ll be met at your hotel by your driver for a transfer to the border with Tajikistan.

After completing the border formalities we’ll head off to the city of Khujand. Accompanied by your local guide you’ll take a tour of Khujand beginning at the Panjshanbe bazaar and continuing to the mosque and mausoleum of Sheikh Moslekhiddin. We’ll be driving through the city centre and out towards the Syrdaria River stopping to see many sights and monuments along the way.

Khujand - Istaravshan - Penjikent

Day 3: Into the mountains

We set off from Khujand in the morning for a scenic drive to Penjikent. We’ll be climbing to the Shakhristan Pass and along the beautiful Zeravshan Valley taking plenty of photo-stops along the way.

We will also stop to visit the beautiful city of Istaravshan. This ancient settlement was an important centre for trade and crafts and is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Stroll around the old town and take a look at the reconstructed Mug Teppa Fortress.

In the afternoon we continue to Penjikent where we visit the busy Central Bazar and the fascinating Museum of Archaeology.

Penjikent - Jartepo - Samarkand

Day 4: Journey to Samarkand

After breakfast, we hit the road again back towards the border for our crossing back into Uzbekistan.

Along the way, we’ll stop to visit the ancient ruined town of Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 4th millennium BC. 

We then continue to the border where you’ll meet your driver. Transfer to your hotel in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand.

Samarkand

Day 5: Samarkand City Tour

Today you’ll be exploring the oldest continuously inhabited city in Central Asia on a guided Samarkand city tour.

This is a city known for its resplendent mosques and mausoleums with their intricate mosaics. You’ll be casting your gaze around many of them today, including the Guri Amir Mausoleum of the Timurids Dynasty and the Bibi Khanum Mosque built in 1399 by Amir Temur.

The tour will also take you to the venerable Siab Bazaar still very much in operation today. Finally, take a stroll around the Shahi Zinda Complex before returning to your hotel to relax for the evening.

Samarkand

Day 6: Secrets of Samarkand

Today we continue to get to know the many secrets of Samarkand.

Your tour begins with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, once the centre of astronomical study in central Asia and built in the 1420s. We will also visit the Afrasiab Museum and the ancient Konigil Paper Factory built at the beginning of the 8th century. Learning about the many layers of history in this Silk Road city is sure to amaze you.

Samarkand - Shahrisabz - Samarkand

Day 7: Shakrisabz village drive

This morning we’ll take a drive out from Samarkand to Shakrisabz, a small traditional Uzbek town to the south of Samarkand.

It’s a lovely drive with some spectacular views across the hills in the Kashkadarya Province. There are many places of interest to visit in the town, including the Palace of Ak Saray, the blue-domed Kok Gumbaz Mosque (1436) and the Timirids dynasty complex of houses.

In the late afternoon return to your hotel in Samarkand.

Samarkand - Bukhara

Day 8: The mosques & minarets of Bukhara

After breakfast, head to the station to embark on an interesting train journey to Bukhara.

Today you’ll be touring the sublime sights of this grand Islamic city that was a major centre for Islamic theology and culture during medieval times.

Begin at the Samanid Mausoleum, dating to the 10th century. You will also see the Chashmai Ayyub Mausoleum, the elegant Boloi Hauz Mosque built in 1712, the Poi Kalon Complex with its beautiful mosque and minarets, and many more.

Bukhara

Day 9: Beautiful Bukhara

After breakfast, set out on a guided city tour of Central Asia’s holiest city with buildings spanning a thousand years of history.

Beginning at the Labi Hauz Complex you’ll continue to the Chor Minor with its distinctive four minarets. You’ll also see Kukaldash Madrasah and Magoki Atoori, the oldest mosque in Bukhara.

This will be your last day in the enchanting city of Bukhara, so head out to one of the city’s many great restaurants and soak up the atmosphere.

Bukhara - Tashkent

Day 10: Train to Tashkent

Today is left free for you to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Sit down to a relaxed breakfast and then take your pick of where to spend the day. You might like to visit the summer palace at Sitora-i-Mokhi-khoya or perhaps the Chor Bakr Complex ancient cemetery covering three hectares.

In the mid-afternoon transfer to the train station with your luggage for the rail journey back to Tashkent. Transfer to your hotel in the city and enjoy your last evening in Uzbekistan.

Tashkent

Day 11: Homeward bound

You'll be picked up at your hotel today for transfer to the airport in good time for your homeward flight.