Enchanting Uzbekistan in 7 days

Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel. You'll be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel (check in after 14:00).

This day you will have a sightseeing tour around Tashkent – the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in the Central Asia. Tashkent combines the atmosphere of ancient Silk Road history and modernity, where centuries-old madrasas stand alongside skyscrapers and lush, green parks. First, you will explore the historic old city, the spiritual heart of Tashkent, at the Khast Imam Complex. This courtyard features the Hazrati Imam Mosque, the 16th-century Barak-Khan Madrasah, and the Tilla-Sheikh Mosque. You will also visit the new Centre for Islamic Civilisation, home to the world's oldest Quran still marked with the blood of Caliph Othman ibn Affan. Next, you will stroll through the bustling, dome-covered Chorsu Bazaar to experience the local spices, foods, and crafts, followed by a visit to Tashkent's largest 16th-century madrasah. Your last stop before lunch will be in the historic Tashkent Metro, opened in 1977, famous for its beautifully decorated, chandelier-lit stations. After lunch, you will explore the modern part of the city which includes the main square of Tashkent (Independence square) featuring key administrative buildings and fountains. The day will conclude with a visit to the Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan, located in a decorated former Tsarist palace, displaying over 7,000 traditional Uzbek craft items including suzani, jewelry, wood carvings, handmade embroidery, skull-caps, carpets and other Uzbek art exhibits.

After breakfast you will take Afrosiyob speedy train (08:00-10:25 or 08:30-10:49) and have a trip to Samarkand. Upon arrival your city tour in Samarkand will start. Samarkand is one of the most famous historical cities of Uzbekistan with roots stretching back to the 7th century BC. For many centuries it was a key center of the Great Silk Road. Your sightseeing tour will start with the main square of the city – Registan. Here is located the famous architectural ensemble of three madrasahs (Islamic schools) - the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Tilya-Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah. The next place to visit is the architectural masterpiece of Central Asia – the mausoleum of Gur-e-Amir (also known as Tamerlane). The further program includes visits to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Bibi-Khanym.

On your second day in Samarkand you will continue exploring the city. First you will visit Samarkand Paper mill where craftsmen create Samarkand paper by ancient technologies. This day you will also visit Afrasiyob Museum and Ulugbek’s observatory which is the biggest one in the East. You sightseeing will end with a stroll in the Siab central bazaar full of local aromas. Here you will plunge into really fairy atmosphere with lots of colors, voices of merchants and abundance of bright fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, spices, local snacks, sweet cakes, chill tea, as well as local handicraft.

After breakfast, you will take the Afrasiab high-speed train (09:33–11:23 or 10:59–12:42, 256 km, approx. 1 hr 50 min) and have a trip to Bukhara. It is an ancient Uzbek city located along the Great Silk Road. In the Middle Ages the city was a major center of Islamic theology and culture. To this day, hundreds of well-preserved buildings (mosques, madrassas, bazaars, and caravanserais) built between the 9th and 17th centuries stand here. Upon arrival, you will have a Bukhara city tour in the historical center. Your sightseeing program will start with Ark Fortress, followed by Bolo Hauz Mosque, then continue to the nearby Kalon Complex, the last stop will be at the lively Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble. The day will end with a dinner and traditional folk show at the historic Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah.

After breakfast you will continue exploring Bukhara, starting with the monuments located outside the old city center. You will visit the Samanid Dynasty Mausoleum and the nearby Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. After completing the city tour, you will drive to the Last Emir’s Summer Palace – Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, located outside Bukhara. Continue further to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Memorial Complex. Then transfer to Bukhara Railway Station for departure to Tashkent by Afrosiyob high-speed train (16:16–20:30). Arrival and transfer to hotel and rest.

Transfer to the airport, departure