Day 1 – Arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Depart from your country of origin and arrive in Tashkent, the dynamic capital of Uzbekistan. Meet and transfer to the hotel. Time to rest and recover from your journey. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2 – Tashkent City Tour
• Explore the cultural and spiritual heart of the capital. Visit the Khast-Imam Complex, home to the revered Quran of Caliph Usman, along with Barak-Khan Madrasa, Muyi Mubarak, and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum. Wander through the historic Chorsu Bazaar, admire Amir Temur Square and Independence Square, and conclude with a visit to the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 3 – Tashkent – Kokand – Rishtan – Fergana
• Travel through the scenic Tian Shan mountain range toward the Fergana Valley. In Kokand, visit the Khudoyorkhan Palace and Friday Mosque, once symbols of khanate power. Continue to Rishtan, renowned worldwide for its blue-glazed ceramics, and visit a local pottery workshop. Arrive in Fergana in the evening. Overnight in Fergana.
Day 4 – Fergana – Margilan – Tashkent
• Visit the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan, the last remaining factory preserving traditional silk weaving techniques such as Atlas and Adras. Explore the lively local bazaar before returning to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 5 – Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
• Early morning flight to Urgench, followed by transfer to Khiva. Begin exploring the enchanting inner city of Ichan Qala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often compared to scenes from One Thousand and One Nights. Visit Ota Darvoza Gate, Kalta Minar Minaret, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, and Kuhna Ark Fortress. Overnight in Khiva.
Day 6 – Khiva City Exploration
• Continue discovering Khiva’s hidden stories. Visit the German Mennonite Museum, Shergazi Khan Madrasa, and traditional woodcarving workshops. Learn why this region is considered the birthplace of algebra and algorithms. Free time in the afternoon to wander the ancient streets. Overnight in Khiva.
Day 7 – Khiva – Bukhara via Kyzylkum Desert
• Travel across the vast Kyzylkum Desert by train or private vehicle, retracing the ancient Silk Road caravan routes. Arrive in Bukhara and enjoy free time at the atmospheric Lyabi-Hovuz Complex. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 8 – Bukhara City Tour
• Discover Bukhara, one of the Seven Noble Cities of Islam and the birthplace of Avicenna. Visit Lyabi-Hovuz, ancient covered markets, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasas, historic trading domes, the Poi-Kalon Complex, and the Ark Fortress, once home to Bukhara’s rulers. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 9 – Bukhara – Nurata – Yurt Camp near Aydarkul Lake
• Visit the Summer Palace of the Emir of Bukhara before traveling toward the desert. Stop in Nurata to explore the sacred Chashma Complex and the ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress. Continue to Lake Aydarkul, where swimming may be possible in warm seasons. Arrive at the yurt camp for dinner, nomadic music, and a night under the stars. Overnight in a private yurt.
Day 10 – Yurt Camp – Hayat Mountain Village
• After breakfast, travel to Hayat Village in the Nurata Mountains. Settle into a local guesthouse and walk through the village to observe traditional rural life. Optional mountain hike offers stunning views and insight into remote village culture. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in the guesthouse.
Day 11 – Hayat Village – Samarkand
• Enjoy a morning village walk and lunch at the guesthouse before departing for Samarkand, one of the greatest cities of the Silk Road. Arrival and hotel check-in. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 12 – Samarkand City Tour
• Explore Samarkand, known as the “Rome of the East.” Visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum of Amir Temur, the legendary Registan Square with its three grand madrasas, the monumental Bibi-Khanim Mosque, the lively Siab Bazaar, and the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 13 – Samarkand – Tashkent
• Visit Ulugbek’s Astronomical Observatory, the ancient ruins of Afrasiab, and the Afrasiab Museum. Discover traditional paper-making and carpet workshops, and explore Orthodox churches and 19th-century Russian-era mansions. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant before returning to Tashkent by high-speed train. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 14 – Departure from Tashkent
• Visit the Applied Arts Museum, Minor Mosque, Tashkent TV Tower, and Magic City. Free time before transfer to Tashkent International Airport for departure.
