Welcome to Uzbekistan! Upon arrival at Samarkand international airport you will be met by our local team and transferred to the hotel. Free time to rest after the long trip. Your exploration of Samarkand will start with the mausoleum of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), a beautiful example of Iranian architecture where Timur was buried after his death. The famous Reghistan Square and other sites will also be on the program of the day.

Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

You will continue to explore mysterious Samarkand by visiting the Bibi Khanum mosque located near the Siyob bazaar. Then you will go to the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda which has more than twenty mausoleums. It is believed that the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad was buried in this holy place. You will also visit other interesting sites before attending a show at El-Merosi theater. Dinner and a Samarkand by night tour will be organized to take pictures of the illuminated monuments.

Overnight at the hotel.

Departure to Bukhara by local train in the morning. On arrival you will explore the sites around Bukhara such as the Bakhauddin Nakshbandi complex, founder of a new brotherhood named after him: Naqshbandiyya. You will also visit the summer residence of Bukhara’s emirs who used to come here to escape the summer heat. Before returning to Bukhara, you will discover the madrasa Tchor Minor (four minarets), hidden behind the houses. Settle in a charming hotel and stroll around the central basin of Bukhara.

Dinner at a local’s house and night at the hotel.

This day will be rich in discoveries and visits with the exploration of the old Bukhara with its magnificent monuments. The highlight will be the Poyi Kalyan complex consisting of three gigantic sites. Not far away is the royal residence of the Bukhara emirs known by the Uzbek name of Ark. After visiting the wonders of the city, you will have some free time to stroll around as you wish.

Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast you will leave Bukhara for the city of Shahrisabz which means “green city” and was known as Kesh in the 15th century. On the way you will visit Karchi bazaar which is a typical market. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will start your sightseeing in Timur’s hometown. The ruins of Ak-Saray (White Palace) are particularly impressive and if it had been more preserved, its entrance gate would have reached more than 70 m (230 fit) high. After exploring the city, check in to your hotel and free time. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

You will travel down to the south of Uzbekistan, a place where different cultures have crossed over the centuries. On the way, you will make a short stop in the mountain village of Sayrob where you will see thousand-year-old sycamore trees. Afterwards, you will enjoy a beautiful walk through the village, known for its beauty and unique nature. You will be able to take some beautiful pictures of the red canyons and the villages. At the entrance of Termez, you will visit the Al Hakim at-Termizi complex (9th century), a place of pilgrimage honored by worshipers.

Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

The city of Termez is located in the south of Uzbekistan and was once the capital of the northern part of ancient Bactria. Today, it is a territory with many archaeological sites showing important evidence of the expansion of Buddhism from India to the far west, through the kingdom of Gandhara in Bactria. Your full day will be spent exploring this ancient city and you may even see the Friendship Bridge over the Amu Darya River, the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

Dinner in the city and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning you will leave Uzbekistan for Tajikistan where you will meet our Tajik English speaking guide. Then transfer to the capital of the country, Dushanbe, located near the mountains. On the way, you will make a short stop to visit the Hissar fortress, built during the 18th century. Upon arrival, you will visit the capital and the National Museum of Dushanbe, Rudaki Avenue.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

On this tenth day of the trip you will leave Dushanbe to reach the Iskanderkul Lake located at an altitude of 2225 meters (7300 ft). While crossing the mountain passes, you will most likely enjoy the views of the landscape and stop to take some pictures. The lake is located in the Fan (or Fansky) mountains and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Asia. Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to walk around the lake, but also reach a beautiful waterfall (about 40 minutes walk). At the end of the day, you will stay in a local cottage where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Early in the morning you will go to the ancient city of Panjakent, the most important historical site of the ancient Sogdian civilization. Upon arrival, you will visit the ruins of an ancient fortress where you can admire an ancient Zoroastrian temple. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Your guide will tell you its incredible history. Then, you will visit the Archaeological Museum of Panjakent where an entire room is dedicated to Rudaki (famous poet, considered as one of the founders of Persian literature). After checking into your hotel, you will have some free time to rest.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast you will explore the beautiful mountains of Tajikistan and its gorgeous lakes. On the way, you will make a short stop to visit the archeological site of Sarazm which is over 5,500 years old and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Then, you will head to the 7 lakes region, all of them have a different color. Only the fifth lake is accessible by car, then you will have to walk to reach the other two lakes. A wonderful walk before returning to Panjakent where you will spend the night.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After spending two incredible days in beautiful nature, you will head to the next part of your trip in Tajikistan: the city of Khojand. To get there, you will go through a mountain pass with winding roads until you reach an altitude of 3 378 m (11 082 ft)! The first visit will be to the city of Istaravshan (formerly Ura Tube), possibly founded in the 6th century BC. You will visit the restored citadel of Mug-Tepa, a local mosque and a bazaar. Then you will continue your journey to Khojand and upon arrival you will check into your hotel. You will walk around the city before having dinner at the restaurant.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Your last visit to Tajikistan will be to the great market of Khojand, a popular place of local daily life. Then you will be transferred to the border with Uzbekistan to reach Tashkent. After lunch at the restaurant, you will have the opportunity to take a sightseeing tour of the Uzbek capital. This will include visits to Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and the memorial site built in honor of World War II fighters. A delicious farewell dinner will be organized in a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport will be arranged according to your flight schedule. We wish you a safe journey home!