Upon arrival you will be met at Tashkent International Airport and transferred to your hotel. After breakfast you will start exploring the Uzbek capital. You will first visit Chorsu market located in the old part of Tashkent where all the locals go to do their shopping. After this colorful stroll, you will go to the modern part of the city with wide avenues, shady parks and new buildings. The highlights of your visit will be the Independence Square, the square of Amir Timur (Tamerlan) and the metro stations. You will end the day with a visit to the Museum of Arts where local handicrafts are displayed.

Dinner in the city and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning you will leave Tashkent for a fantastic day trip to Kokand, then to Ferghana. The impressive mountain road is the only land connection between the capital and the Ferghana valley. Two large tunnels reduce the distance between the two cities. Upon arrival in Kokand, the former capital of the Ferghana Valley, you will explore the historical sites of the city. Then you will go to the city of Richtan, famous for its ceramic handicrafts. You will discover all the different aspects of this ancient craft. Arrival in Ferghana at the end of the day and check-in at the hotel.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning you will go to the town of Marguilan where you will learn about silk processing from cocoon to fabric. Afterwards, you will stroll through the fruit and vegetable market where you will meet several bread sellers. After lunch, you will return to Ferghana and enjoy a walk through the modern city.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning transfer to Marguilan railway station to take the train to Tashkent (5 hours). On arrival, lunch in a restaurant, walk through the capital, then transfer to the airport. Landing in the late evening in Nukus (1 hour flight). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

You will leave Nukus at 9 am for a whole day dedicated to the history of the Aral Sea, a real ecological disaster. You will start by discovering Moynak, an important city and a former port of the Aral Sea, now almost abandoned. Visit of the cemetery of stranded ships and a museum dedicated to the history of the Aral Sea. In the afternoon you will visit the necropolis of Mizdakhan which is considered a holy place by locals. Return to Nukus and rest.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Before leaving the city you will visit the Nukus Art Museum, known as the “Louvre of the Desert”, where you will discover a beautiful collection of Russian avant-garde paintings. Then you will go to the sites of ancient Khorezm: the Toprak-Kala fortress and the Ayaz-Kala fortress, both located in the middle of the steppes. The word kala means “fortress” in Uzbek. In the late afternoon you will arrive in Khiva and stay in a charming hotel located inside the Itchan Kala fortress.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

This day is devoted to exploring the walled city of Khiva called Ichan Kala, the inner fortress, with several historical monuments and centuries-old houses. The whole city is listed on the Unesco World Heritage List for its preserved historical buildings. You will visit the landmarks and learn about the different historical events that occurred in the city. At the end of the day, you will be able to climb the city walls to take some great pictures. Dinner at the restaurant with a magnificent view of the highest minaret in the city.

Overnight at the hotel.

Departure to Bukhara located 450 km (280 miles) south of Khiva. First you will cross green areas, then the Kyzylkoum desert (red sand desert). You will drive along the Amu Darya river which separates Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Possible stops to take pictures. Arrival in Bukhara and check-in at your hotel at the end of the day. Stroll in the city and dinner at the restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

You will have the whole day to discover this other city of the Silk Road. Bukhara has no less than 200 historical monuments, so be prepared for a rich day of sightseeing with several caravanserais, mosques and minarets, madrasas (Koranic schools) located in the old city. Your guide will also share with you the history of Bukhara’s irrigation system which once had 108 water reservoirs. You will visit the old Jewish quarter before finishing your day around the Lyab-i-Khauz basin for refreshments. Your dinner will be at a craftsman’s house to discover his work inherited from the Silk Road.

Overnight at the hotel.

Free morning to stroll around the caravan city and discover the local craftsmen. We suggest you to explore the old quarters and the Tchor Minor medersa hidden behind the traditional houses. After lunch you will meet your guide and head to the birthplace of Amir Timur (known as Tamerlane), Shahrisabz. You will cross the endless steppes of Central Asia and arrive in Shahrisabz at the end of the day. Stroll in the city and dinner at the restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

The city of Shahrisabz has three historical sites built mainly during the Timurid dynasty. The entrance gates of the great Aksaray palace are evidence of an impressive construction. The other two sites are equally interesting to visit. Lunch on site, then you will take one of the most beautiful passes of the country to reach Samarkand. At the top of the pass you will visit a dried fruits market, held by the mountain people. You will enjoy a nice view on both sides of the mountain. Arrival in Samarkand and accommodation. Stroll in the city before going to a restaurant for dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

You will start the day by visiting the great Reghistan square with its three gigantic sites. Then you will go to the Bibi Khanum mosque built in honor of the favorite wife of Timur (Tamerlane). You will go for a walk to the famous Siyob market. You will finish the day by visiting the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda and its twenty mausoleums. You will also enjoy a beautiful sunset on the turquoise domes of the necropolis sites.

Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Your exploration of the city of Samarkand continues with a visit to the Afrosiyob museum and its archeological site with wall paintings dating back to pre-Islamic times. Then you will visit the village of Koni Ghil to see the traditional production of Samarkand silk paper. After that, you will have a free time to stroll around the city before being transferred to the train station to take the train to Tashkent (2 hours and 10 minutes ride on the local high-speed train). A delicious dinner will be arranged before your departure from Uzbekistan.

Overnight at the hotel.

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