TREASURES OF UZBEKISTAN
A grand journey across Uzbekistan — from the dynamic capital to the ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, through deserts, oases, and sacred sites. Imperial architecture, living culture, crafts, gastronomy, and striking natural contrasts combined in one deep and immersive itinerary.
Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting and hotel check-in in the city center. Rest after the journey. Overnight at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour of the capital of Uzbekistan. Program includes: the Old City, Kukeldash Madrasa, the Khast-Imam religious complex with the ancient Quran of Caliph Uthman, the Mausoleum of Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and the Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute. In the afternoon — modern Tashkent: the TV Tower, Amir Timur Square, Independence Square, memorial complexes, the Museum of Applied Arts, and contemporary design spaces. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to Samarkand by high-speed train. City tour: Ulugh Beg Observatory, the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, art galleries, and Registan Square. Hotel check-in. Free evening.
Continuation of sightseeing: the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the Tomb of Saint Daniel, and a silk carpet factory with a designer showroom. In the evening — a national cuisine master class followed by dinner. Free walk around Registan Square by night.
Visit to the Konigil silk paper workshop. Walk through the “Eternal City” ethno-complex — a reconstruction of ancient quarters of Uzbekistan. In the afternoon — a winery visit with a tasting of Uzbek wines and cognacs. Return to Samarkand.
Transfer to Nurata. Visit to the mosque with a sacred spring. Then journey into the Kyzylkum Desert, accommodation at a yurt camp near Lake Aydarkul. Camel riding, desert sunset, dinner by the campfire with a folklore program. Overnight in a yurt under the starry sky.
Morning time at Lake Aydarkul. Transfer to Bukhara with stops at the ancient Rabat-i Malik caravanserai and the Sardoba reservoir. En route — Gijduvan, visit to the home of a famous ceramics dynasty, lunch with traditional shashlik. Arrival in Bukhara, hotel check-in.
Walking tour of the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Program includes: the Samanid Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, the Ark Citadel, Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading domes, and the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble. Free time. Optional visit to a traditional hammam.
Excursion outside the city: Chor Minor Madrasa, the Emir’s summer residence Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, and the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi — one of the most important Sufi shrines in the world. In the evening — a folklore show with dinner in a historic madrasa.
Transfer to Khiva through the Kyzylkum Desert along the Amu Darya River — following the ancient caravan route of the Great Silk Road. Arrival in Khiva, hotel check-in.
Sightseeing tour of Ichan-Kala — the inner city of Khiva. Program includes: the Kunya-Ark Fortress, the Pahlavan Mahmud complex, Tash-Hovli Palace, the Kalta Minor and Islam Khoja minarets, Juma Mosque, ancient madrasas, and the Nurullaboy Palace. Free time. Farewell evening in Khiva.
Breakfast. Transfer to Urgench Airport. End of the program.