You will arrive at Tashkent international airport and will be welcomed by our local team. After a rest at the hotel, you will start exploring the modern capital of the country. Tashkent is both an old and a new city, rebuilt several times. Most of its buildings were constructed after the great earthquake of 1966 and they will give you a glimpse of the Soviet architecture. The great market, the historical center or the beautiful metro will be part of your visits of the day. In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport and flight to Urgench (located in the northwest of the country, 1-hour flight). You will then go to the city of Khiva to stay for two nights.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

The day will be dedicated to exploring the city of Khiva, located between the vast Kyzylkum desert (red sand desert) and Karakum desert (black sand desert). Khiva is a city famous for its ancient and eventful history and is one of the first cities in Uzbekistan to be certified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is divided into two main parts: outer and inner (which you will visit on foot). At the end of the day, you will climb on the fortress walls to enjoy a magnificent sunset over the city sites. Dinner will be an opportunity to taste a typical regional dish, the Shivit Oshi (dill noodles).

Overnight at the hotel.

You will have this morning free to explore the ancient buildings of the city. After having lunch at the restaurant of your choice, you will be transferred to Urgench railway station to take a train to Bukhara (7 hours). The train will cross the desert and you will be able to admire the beautiful dunes. You will have dinner in the restaurant car with the locals. After this unique experience you will arrive in Bukhara and be transferred to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

This unique day in the mysterious city of Bukhara will start with the visit of beautiful architectural sites. The royal residence named Ark, damaged by the soldiers of the Soviet army in 1920, the Great Friday Mosque and the Chashma Ayub complex (museum devoted to the irrigation system) will be part of the day’s program. The system of pools, used for a long time in Bukhara, was destroyed by the Russians when they first arrived, a story that your guide will tell you in detail. At the end of the day, you will have some free time to stroll around before going to a national house to taste a local dish, Navrouz, prepared with vegetables.

Overnight at the hotel.

Explore the outskirts of Bukhara to see the great necropolis and the summer palace located 5 km  (3 miles) away. This palace was built in 1917 and has beautiful interior decorations in plaster and stucco. It was the residence of the last emir of Bukhara. Stop in front of the Persian miniature painting stall. Visit the courtyard, the reception rooms, the rose gardens, the pool and the harem which is now the museum of traditional embroidery. Return to the old city and lunch at the restaurant. Free afternoon.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

You will leave Bukhara for a new leg of your journey. During your trip, the first stop will be a visit to a ceramic workshop, a famous art in the country. The craftsman will tell you all the process of making these finely decorated handicrafts. Then, you will reach the village of Vobkent by passing through farming landscapes. Once arrived, you will be welcomed by a family of farmers and you will settle in a shared room (4 people in a room with basic comfort). Everyone will introduce themselves, then you will have lunch with your host family, the occasion to get to know each other better. In the afternoon, you will go for a walk through the village and discover many interesting things. In the evening, you will help prepare the meal! A unique moment of sharing.

Dinner and night at the family’s house.

This day in this small village will be full of activities. You will wake up early to watch the milking of cows and the preparation of breakfast. Then, you will visit the village dispensary where you will learn more about the local medical system, the grocery store, the village center and the kindergarten, not to mention encounters with villagers. The afternoon will be dedicated to the discovery of the farming world by going to the cotton fields and the rice fields. You will spend some time in immersion with your host family.

Dinner and night at the family’s house.

The moment has come to leave for a new part of your adventure. On the way you will visit the water reservoir used by an ancient caravanserai and drive through agricultural landscapes to Samarkand. In the afternoon, your exploration of the city’s architectural wonders will start with the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis with over twenty mausoleums. The necropolis is an important place of pilgrimage and you will meet locals coming to pray. Not far away, the Siyob market is ideal for a stroll at the end of the day. You will taste delicious kebabs in a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

You will continue to explore the wonders of Samarkand by first visiting the Reghistan Square (Sand Square) surrounded by three huge sites. This square was previously used as a city center until the arrival of the Russian army. Next to the square is the Bibi Khanum Mosque built in honor of Amir Timur’s (Tamerlane) wife. You will have lunch in a chaikhana (tea house), very popular with the locals. In the afternoon, you will visit the other impressive sites of the city of Samarkand before attending a show at the end of the day.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

After two days of exploring Samarkand and its wonders, you will reach the birthplace of the great emperor, Amir Timur, Shahrisabz. The road will go through a pass with beautiful views of the Zarafshan mountains. There will be some stops to take photos and visit a dried fruit market held by the mountain people. Upon arrival, you will visit three main sites built in the Timurid era. In the afternoon, departure to the mountain village of Zarafshan for another immersion in a local community. After settling in, you will go for a walk through the village.

Dinner and overnight stay with local people.

Early morning rise with the song of birds and sounds of farm animals in the village for a new day. You will have breakfast and take an easy walk through the mountains. You will slowly leave the village and start climbing to the top. You will enjoy the beautiful view of the landscape and meet farm animals. Picnic by a spring, then return to the village. Departure to Samarkand at the end of the day and overnight at the hotel. After dinner, a tour of Samarkand by night will be organized to take pictures of the illuminated monuments.

Dinner in the city and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast you will have a quick tour of Samarkand to discover other sights of the city. You will visit the Afrosiyob museum built in 1976 to see wall paintings dating back to the 7th century. These paintings were found during the construction of a road. Another visit is to the village of Konighil to learn about the history of silk paper making, a craft dating back centuries. Your lunch will be served in the famous restaurant Osh Markazi to taste a local dish, the plov. After dinner, you will have some free time around Reghistan Square.

Dinner in the city and overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Samarkand international airport according to your flight schedule on Turkish Airlines. We wish you a safe journey back home.