The Grand Tour of Uzbekistan – 17 Days

Arrival in Tashkent. Meet & greet at the airport and private transfer to your hotel.
🛏 Overnight in Tashkent.

After breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer to the railway station.
At 08:05, board the high-speed train to Kokand and travel through the scenic landscapes of Eastern Uzbekistan. Arrival at 12:16 — your guide and driver will meet you at the station to begin your exploration of the Fergana Valley.

📍 In Kokand, a former khanate capital, visit:

• The grand Palace of Khudayar Khan,

• The elegant Jami Mosque,

• The historic Norbut-biy Madrassah.

Next, continue to Rishtan, famous for its ceramics. Visit the studio of renowned ceramicist Rustam Usmanov, whose works are displayed in museums around the world. See the full process of crafting traditional pottery and purchase pieces directly from the artist.

End the day with a transfer to Fergana city (approx. 80 km) and check-in to your hotel.
🛏 Overnight in Fergana.

Start the day with a walk in Ahmad Al-Fergani Central Park, soaking in the peaceful rhythm of daily life in the valley.

Then head to Margilan, Uzbekistan’s silk capital. Highlights include:

• Said Ahmad-Khoja Madrassah, now home to silk and carpet artisans,

• A local bazaar filled with color, spices, and flavor,

• The famous Yodgorlik Silk Factory, where you'll witness the full silk-making process, from cocoon to "ikat" patterned fabrics.

🎉 If your tour falls on a Thursday or Sunday, enjoy a visit to Kumtepa Bazaar — the largest open-air market in the Fergana Valley.

In the afternoon, return to Tashkent (approx. 5 hours).
🛏 Overnight in Tashkent.

Morning flight to Nukus (1,255 km, ~2h 45m). Upon arrival, begin one of the most emotionally powerful days of the tour.

🚗 Drive to Muynak, a former fishing port on the Aral Sea. On the way, stop at the haunting Mizdakhan Necropolis, steeped in legends and mystery.

In Muynak:

• Visit the Ship Graveyard, where rusting vessels now sit on desert sands;

• Explore the Aral Sea Museum, showcasing the history, culture, and ecological tragedy of the region.

🌅 In the afternoon, return to Nukus for hotel check-in and rest.
🛏 Overnight in Nukus.

Start the day with a visit to the Savitsky Museum, home to the world’s second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and a stunning exhibition of traditional crafts from Central Asia.

Enjoy a short city tour of Nukus, including:

• The monument to Berdakh, the great Karakalpak poet,

• The City Hall,

• The local Drama Theater.

🌄 In the afternoon, begin your journey to Khiva (approx. 200 km, 4–5 hours). Along the way, explore:

• Chilpyk Dakhma, a Zoroastrian “Tower of Silence” on a hilltop,

• The ruins of Toprak-Kala, the ancient capital of Khorezm in the 3rd century.

🏨 Evening arrival in Khiva and check-in at a traditional guesthouse or hotel within the ancient walls.
🛏 Overnight in Khiva.

Today you’ll explore Itchan-Kala, the UNESCO-listed old city of Khiva — an open-air museum where every building tells a story.

🔍 During your guided tour (~5 hours), visit:

• Tash-Khovli Palace with its elegant iwans and harem rooms,

• Mukhammad Amin Khan and Mukhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassahs,

• The iconic Kalta-Minor Minaret,

• The ancient Juma Mosque, supported by 218 wooden columns,

• Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, a sacred site and national treasure,

• Islam Khoja Minaret, the tallest in Uzbekistan, offering stunning panoramic views.

🕊 Afternoon at leisure — explore the old streets, sip tea in the courtyards, or shop for handmade crafts.

🛏 Overnight in Khiva.

Early morning departure for Bukhara (approx. 480 km, 7–8 hours). Follow the path of the ancient caravans along a modern highway that traces the Silk Road through the Kyzylkum Desert.

🧭 This route offers timeless desert landscapes, scattered oases, and a sense of connection to travelers of centuries past.

💡 Note: Dining options along the way are limited — we recommend preparing a packed lunch (your hotel or guide can assist).

🏨 Evening arrival in Bukhara, hotel check-in, and rest.
🛏 Overnight in Bukhara.

Enjoy a full-day walking tour of Bukhara’s Old Town, one of the most enchanting cities on the Silk Road. With your local guide, spend 6–7 hours discovering its most beautiful and historic landmarks:

• Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble — a peaceful plaza surrounded by ancient trees and madrasahs,

• Magoki-Attori Mosque, one of Central Asia’s oldest Islamic sites,

• Chor-Minor, the charming madrassah with four minarets,

• The bustling Trade Domes, home to local craftspeople and merchants,

• Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque & Miri-Arab Madrassah — a breathtaking architectural trio,

• Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrassahs, symbols of scholarship and art,

• The Ark Fortress, once the residence of Bukhara’s emirs,

• Bolo-Hauz Mosque, with carved wooden columns reflected in the pool,

• Samanid Mausoleum, one of the oldest surviving Muslim structures in the world,

• Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, tied to the legend of the prophet Job.

🛏 Return to your hotel for a restful night in the heart of Bukhara.

Discover the lesser-known side of Bukhara on a half-day trip outside the city.

• Visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. This lavish estate blends Eastern luxury with European elegance, reflecting the tastes of a bygone aristocratic era.

• Explore the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshband, founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order — a peaceful, sacred pilgrimage site.

• End the tour at the House-Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev, a glimpse into the life of an early 20th-century reformer and merchant noble.

🕊 After the 3–4 hour tour, enjoy free time to explore Bukhara at your own pace.
🛏 Overnight in Bukhara.

Today, journey into the Kyzylkum Desert for an unforgettable nomadic experience (230 km, ~4 hrs).

En route, visit:

• A Gijduvan ceramics workshop — meet artisans and discover traditional techniques;

• The Nurata mosque and sacred spring — a revered local pilgrimage site;

• Ancient petroglyphs on the Nurata Pass.

🏕 In the afternoon, arrive at a yurt camp nestled among sand dunes. Enjoy:

• Camel rides in the open desert,

• Free time to relax or take desert photos,

• A magical campfire dinner with live Kazakh music under the stars.

🛏 Overnight in a yurt.
🍽 Dinner included.

🌅 After breakfast, travel to Lake Aidarkul, a peaceful oasis in the desert. Enjoy free time to swim, relax, or stroll along the water.

🐫 Then, take a short camel ride (1.5 km, ~30 min) to the nearby village of Dungalak — a chance to experience authentic rural Uzbek life.

In the village:

• Meet local families and learn about traditional customs,

• Watch (and join!) the baking of Uzbek non bread in a clay oven.

🚗 In the afternoon, drive to Samarkand (approx. 270 km, ~5 hours).
🛏 Overnight in Samarkand.

Start your full-day tour of Samarkand, one of the most iconic cities along the Silk Road.

🔹 Tour highlights (6–7 hours):

• The magnificent Registan Square — a trio of stunning madrasahs that define the skyline of the ancient city;

• Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a legendary monument wrapped in tales of love and power;

• The bustling Siab Bazaar, full of local delicacies and handmade souvenirs;

• The Ulugh Beg Observatory, where science thrived in the 15th century;

• The spectacular Shakhi-Zinda necropolis, a stairway of blue-tiled mausoleums;

• The Gur-Emir Mausoleum, resting place of Tamerlane and the Timurid dynasty.

🛍 Optional free time for bazaar shopping or photo stops.
🛏 Overnight in Samarkand.

After checking out of your hotel by 12:00, continue your exploration of Samarkand at a relaxed pace.

🔹 Tour duration: 3–4 hours

• Visit the Afrosiab Museum, showcasing the ancient city’s pre-Islamic past through murals, maps, and archaeological finds;

• See the Tomb of St. Daniel, a rare site revered by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike;

• Explore Konigil village, where traditional silk paper is made by hand using techniques from the 9th century.

🕊 After the tour, enjoy free time with private car and driver at your disposal.
🛏 Overnight in Samarkand.

Morning drive to Shakhrisabz (90 km, ~2 hrs) — birthplace of Tamerlane (Amir Temur) and a city of historical pride.

🔹 Highlights of this 2-hour tour:

• Jahongir Mausoleum, built for Tamerlane’s beloved son;

• Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex, originally planned as the emperor’s own mausoleum;

• The remains of Ak-Saray Palace, once a towering royal residence;

• Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble, a spiritual complex with the Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and the tomb of Tamerlane’s father.

🛣 Continue your journey to Termez (290 km, ~5 hrs), passing through rural landscapes and scenic mountains.
🏨 Overnight in Termez.

Today is dedicated to Termez, one of the oldest and most unique cities in Central Asia — once a Buddhist, then Islamic, spiritual hub near the Afghan border.

🔹 Full-day tour (6–7 hours), including:

Outside the city:

• Zurmala Stupa — the remains of an ancient Buddhist shrine;

• Al-Hakim at-Termezi Mausoleum, sacred to Sufi followers;

• Fayaztepa Monastery, with ancient frescoes and meditation rooms;

• Kampyrtepa Fortress, a Greco-Bactrian site blending East and West.

In the city:

• Kirk-Kiz Fortress, tied to legends of warrior women;

• Kokildor-Ota Khanaka, a spiritual Sufi retreat;

• Sultan Saodat Complex, a summer palace and mausoleum for Samanid rulers;

• Termez Archaeological Museum, featuring rare artifacts from ancient to medieval times.

🕊 Free time after the tour.
🛏 Overnight in Termez.

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent, a vibrant capital that blends deep heritage with modern energy.

✈️ Upon arrival — start your 5–6 hour city tour with a local guide.

🔹 Tour highlights:

• Khast-Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of Tashkent, home to the revered Quran of Caliph Uthman (7th century);

• The colorful Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest and most atmospheric markets in the region;

• A ride on the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro, where each station is a work of art.

🚇 Disembark at Kosmonavtlar Station to visit the:

• Museum of Applied Arts, a charming collection of Uzbek craftsmanship;

• Then walk past the Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square, the modern symbol of the city.

🛏 Evening at leisure. Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight.
We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and a heart full of stories.