Depart in the late afternoon for Tashkent via Istanbul. Overnight on board.
Arrive in Tashkent early morning, where you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Your room will be available for a restful morning. After lunch in the city, explore the Uzbek capital. Visit the Khast-i-Imam Square architectural complex, including the Barak Khan Madrasa, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, and the Friday Mosque, which houses an ancient 7th-century Quran. Conclude your day with a stroll through Chorsu Bazaar, the largest market in the country.
Continue your exploration of Tashkent with visits to the Museum of Applied Arts and the former palace of Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev. Admire the city’s beautiful metro stations, such as Mustaqilliq, Pakhtakor, Alisher Navoi, and Cosmonauts. Walk around Independence Square, the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater, and other landmarks. After lunch, take the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand, a journey of just two hours.
Begin your day at the famous Registan Square, home to the Ulugh Beg and Sher-Dor madrasas and the Tilla-Kari Mosque. After a traditional Uzbek lunch, meet local artisans who continue the traditions of silk paper and carpet-making, as well as creating ornate costumes. Visit the Bibi Khanoum Mosque and the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Tamerlane’s resting place adorned with a magnificent ribbed dome.
Experience the vibrant Navrouz festival, marking the first day of spring and the Persian New Year. The city comes alive with traditional dances, songs, and colorful decorations. In the afternoon, visit the Shakh-i-Zinda necropolis, Ulugh Beg Observatory, and the Afrosiab Museum. Celebrate spring with a special festive dinner.
Travel through the Takhtakaracha Pass to Shakhrisabz, Tamerlane’s birthplace. Explore the Ak-Saray Palace ruins, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, and other historical sites before continuing to Bukhara.
Discover Bukhara’s old town, a key stop on the Silk Road, featuring monuments from its Arab, Persian, and Turkish history. Highlights include Po-i-Kalyan Square, the Ark Citadel, and the Labi-Hauz complex.
Visit the Chor Minor Madrasa, Bahauddin Naqshbandi necropolis, and the summer palace of the last emir. Enjoy free time to explore before an evening concert in the Modari Khan madrasa courtyard.
Drive through the red sand dunes of the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva. Enjoy the scenic journey along the Amu Darya River.
Explore Khiva’s outer city, Dishan-Kala, and visit Turkmen Kala Fortress. Meet a Turkmen family, bake traditional bread, and enjoy a meal under a yurt. Return to Khiva for an evening of folk dances and songs.
Discover the walled city of Itchan-Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its mosques, madrasas, and the Khuna Ark Fortress. Fly to Tashkent for a farewell dinner.
Fly back home via Istanbul, concluding your magical journey through the Silk Road.
For an extended adventure, continue to Almaty, Sharyn Canyon, Lake Issyk-Kul, and Bishkek, discovering breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures.
Tashkent: Hotel Tashkent Palace (4*)
Samarkand: Hotel Registan (4*)
Bukhara: Hotel Minzifa (3* Charme)
Khiva: Hotel Asia Khiva (3* Sup)
