Uzbekistan Classic Tour

Welcome to Uzbekistan and the start of your Classic Tour! Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia, with a history of more than two thousand years.

After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest after your flight. Standard hotel check-in is usually in the afternoon, but early check-in can often be arranged on request. If you have energy left, you can take a walk around the nearby streets and parks. Tashkent is known for its wide tree-lined avenues, fountains and a mix of modern, Soviet and traditional architecture. You may also want to exchange some money or buy a local SIM card for the trip. Your guide will contact you to confirm the plan for the following day. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and try Uzbek specialities such as plov and shashlik. Overnight at your hotel in Tashkent.

After breakfast, you will begin a full-day tour of Tashkent. Your first visit is the Khast Imam Complex, the religious centre of the city. The complex includes mosques, madrasahs and a library that houses the Uthman Quran, one of the oldest Qurans in the world.

Next, you will visit the Chorsu Bazaar, one of the largest and liveliest markets in Central Asia. Here you can buy fresh fruit, spices, bread and handmade goods, and experience the atmosphere of a real Central Asian market. You will then take a ride on the famous Tashkent Metro, one of the most beautiful metro systems in the world. Each station is decorated in its own style, with chandeliers, marble columns and colourful mosaics. In the afternoon, you will visit some of the city's parks and squares, including Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. Your guide will tell you about the history of Tashkent and its development into a modern capital. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel in Tashkent.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Samarkand. The journey takes about two hours and offers a comfortable way to travel between the cities. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and begin exploring one of the oldest cities in the world.

Your first visit is the Amir Temur Mausoleum, known as Gur-e-Amir, the tomb of the great conqueror and members of his family. The mausoleum is famous for its ribbed blue dome and its richly gilded interior. Next, you will visit Registan Square, surrounded by three magnificent madrasahs: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori. Their facades are covered with blue tiles and golden ornaments, creating one of the most famous views in Central Asia. You will then visit the Bibi Khanym Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world when it was built in the early 15th century. Your guide will tell you the legends connected with the mosque and its construction. In the evening, you will check into your hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast, you will continue exploring Samarkand. Your first visit is the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis, a street of beautiful mausoleums decorated with some of the finest tilework in Central Asia. According to legend, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad is buried here, making it an important place of pilgrimage.

Next, you will visit a museum, such as the Afrosiyab Museum, which displays artefacts from the ancient city of Samarkand. The museum is famous for its 7th-century wall paintings, which show ambassadors from different countries visiting the ruler of Samarkand. You will then visit craft workshops, where you can see artisans making silk carpets, ceramics or paper. The Konigil paper workshop, for example, produces paper using the traditional method of Samarkand, which was famous in the medieval world. In the evening, you will be transferred to the railway station to board a train to Bukhara. The journey takes about one and a half hours. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast, you will explore Bukhara, one of the holiest cities in Central Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your first visit is the Labi Khouz Complex, the heart of the old city, built around a pond surrounded by historic madrasahs and teahouses. Next, you will visit the trading domes and bazaars of the old city.

Here you can buy carpets, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and other handicrafts. You will then visit the Poyi Kalon Complex, including the Kalon Minaret, the Kalon Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. The Kalon Minaret, built in 1127, is almost 47 metres high and is said to have impressed even Genghis Khan. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, built in the 10th century and one of the oldest monuments of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Its intricate brickwork creates beautiful patterns that change with the light. You will also visit the Ark Citadel, the ancient fortress of the rulers of Bukhara. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner near the Labi Khouz pond. Overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast, you will leave Bukhara and drive across the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva. The journey takes most of the day, with stops along the way for rest and photographs. Along the route, you will see the Amu Darya River, one of the largest rivers in Central Asia.

The Kyzylkum, meaning "red sand", is one of the largest deserts in Central Asia. Your guide will tell you about the history of the desert and the caravans that once crossed it along the Silk Road. Lunch will be served at a roadside café. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Khiva and check into your hotel. In the evening, you will take a tour of Ichan Qala, the walled inner city of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside its walls, you will find more than 50 historic monuments, including mosques, madrasahs, minarets and palaces. The city is beautifully lit at night, creating a magical atmosphere. Overnight in Khiva.

After breakfast, you will continue your tour of Khiva. You will visit the madrasahs, mosques and palaces of the old city, including the Kalta Minor Minaret and the Kunya Ark fortress. Next, you will visit the Islam Khodja Madrasah and Minaret, the tallest minaret in Khiva.

You will also see the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the resting place of a famous poet and wrestler who became the patron saint of the city. Another highlight is the Juma Mosque, known for its more than 200 carved wooden columns. You will also visit the Tash Hauli Palace, with its beautifully decorated courtyards and tiled walls. Your guide will tell you about the history of Khiva and the khans who ruled it. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the old town or visit craft workshops. In the evening, you will be transferred to Urgench airport for a flight to Tashkent. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

On your final day in Uzbekistan, after breakfast, you will continue exploring Tashkent with visits to some of its museums. You may visit the State Museum of Applied Arts, housed in a beautiful traditional mansion, which displays ceramics, textiles, jewellery and other crafts. Another option is the Amir Timur Museum, dedicated to the life and achievements of the great ruler.

Your guide will tell you about the history and culture of Uzbekistan as reflected in the museum collections. In the afternoon, you will have some free time for last-minute shopping. In the evening, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, featuring traditional Uzbek dishes and music. This is a wonderful opportunity to share memories of your journey with your guide. After dinner, you will be transferred to Tashkent International Airport for your departure flight. Our team will assist you with your luggage and check-in. During this tour, you have explored the great Silk Road cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to see you again soon.