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Uzbekistan and the Silk road

From C$5,799
Duration 10 Days
Departures from: Apr 2027 - Oct 2028
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From C$5,799
Duration 10 Days
Departures from: Apr 2027 - Oct 2028

Tour Overview

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road heritage comes alive through its turquoise-tiled madrassahs, bustling bazaars and centuries of cultural exchange. This journey threads together the country’s most legendary cities, from the ancient walled city of Khiva, with its labyrinth of mosques and minarets, to the lavish architecture of Bukhara and Samarkand, where Registan Square stands among the most breathtaking sights in Central Asia. Along the way, we’ll visit a handicrafts centre that reveals the artistry of woodcarving and carpet weaving passed down through generations, while a home- hosted meal opens a door into everyday Uzbek life that few visitors ever see. A historical theatrical performance adds another layer of storytelling to a region shaped by traders, conquerors and scholars for over a thousand years. With high-speed trains carrying us smoothly between cities, this is a tour that rewards a sense of wonder, tracing the routes once travelled by caravans loaded with silk and spice through one of the world’s most captivating and underexplored regions.

Pace of trip: Active
For travellers who love to explore and discover multiple destinations - can include moderate walking and longer days

Enlarge map

Your Tour Includes

  • Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guides
  • 9 nights in 3 star hotels
  • A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
  • 18 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 8 dinners plus a welcome drink & farewell get-together

Included Tour Highlights

  • Guided tour of the capital's city highlights
  • Walking tour of Khiva's architectural complex
  • Visit an handicrafts centre of woodcarving and carpet weaving
  • Explore Bukhara's highlights, the Fortress and Zindan prison
  • Visit local puppet and miniature school workshops
  • Silk Road Spices tea tasting with local artist performance
  • Guided tour of Samarkand's highlights
  • Wine tasting at a local winery
  • Traditional theatrical representation 
  • Learn how to make traditional Uzbekistan cuisine with a cooking demonstration in a local home
  • Learn the ancient art of paper making

Tour Itinerary

Khiva

Day 1 Arrival

Arrive in Uzbekistan and meet your group. You will have a welcome meal this evening. Meals included: D
Next day
Bukhara sunset

Day 2 Khiva - Bukhara

Today we will take a journey by road from Khiva to Bukhara. Relax in comfortable road transport as you travel past stretches of untouched countryside and through the Kyzylkum desert. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Bukhara

Day 3 Bukhara

Today we'll explore Bukhara, once a major stop on the Silk Road and an important centre of Islamic culture. The city has no shortage of incredible monuments. A full day guided tour of this history city will unveil many of them, from the 288 splendid domes of the Poi-Kalyan Mosque to the Lyab-i Hauz comples of madrassahs which dates to the 16th and 17th centuries. Today's tour will also include a handful of unique heritage activities. Following this, you will sit down to try the national dish, Plov, for lunch. This delicacy will be hosted by a local in their home. In the afternoon, attend a puppet workshop where you'll learn how to craft a colourful puppet from papier mache, admire tiny works of art at the Bukhara miniature school and sip on fragrant teas at the Silk Road Spice teahouse while watching a performance from a local artist. In the evening, you'll get to sample regional delicacies at a local restaurant. Meals included: B,L,D
Next day
Bukhara

Day 4 Bukhara

Today you are completely free to explore Bukhara at your own pace. This old Silk Road city is perfect for walking and exploring ancient thoroughfares and smaller alleyways! Meals included: B
Next day
Samarkand

Day 5 Bukhara - Samarkand

You'll have another morning to explore Bukhara at your own pace. If you'd rather get out of the city, join our optional excursion to the Bahautdin Nakshbandi Necropolis (the burial tomb of Nakshbandi, the leader of Sufism) and the stunning Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace (the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara). After lunch, we'll begin our two-hour train journey to Samarkand from Kagan. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Shah-i-Zinda mausoleums

Day 6 Samarkand

The ancient city of Samarkand has a pretty turbulent history, from being captured by Alexander the Great in 329 BC to being ruled by Genghis Khan during the height of the Silk Road trade. As a result, it has an eclectic culture and fascinating mix of architectural styles, which we'll explore in detail. After admiring attractions like the huge Siab bazaar and the mix of intricately tiled mausoleums, we'll embark on a wine-tasting tour at the Hovrenko Wine Factory. Samarkand's wine culture dates back centuries and you'll get to sample several on a tour of this 19th century winery. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Uzbek cuisine

Day 7 Samarkand

Spend the day meandering around Samarkand's many majestic monuments, or sign up to our optional tour to Shakhrisbz. It's where Uzbekistan's national hero, Timur, was born in the 14th century, and it was later developed into a thriving city by his descendants. Admire the ruins of Ak-Saray Palace that are covered in gold mosaics, and the impressive Kok Gumbaz Mosque with its eye-catching blue dome. Later, we'll enjoy a historical theatrical performance complete with traditional music at the Samarkand Theatre of Historical Costumes. Afterwards we'll all head to a friendly local restaurant, to try some of the exceptional food Uzbekistan has to offer. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Samarkand pop up asian market

Day 8 Samarkand - Tashkent

Enjoy another morning exploring Samarkand, including a trip to the Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand that's full of ancient archaeological artefacts, and a stop at the Meros Paper Mill to learn about the historic art of papermaking. In the afternoon, we'll take another high-speed train back to Tashkent and finish the day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Tashkent

Day 9 Tashkent

Today you will have a full tour of the fascinating city of Tashkent on a panoramic tour. The city is a real melting pot of architectural influences, from bustling bazaars to imposing Soviet-era structures. We'll pass a handful of it's highlights before coming together to reminisce of your adventure with a final meal together. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Tashkent

Day 10 departure

Today you will say farewell to your group as your exploration of Uzbekistan comes to an end. Meals included: B

Accommodation

Orient Star Khiva

The Orient Star Khiva is a 4 star hotel in the central Area of the City. An historical building in this stop off on the Silk Road, this hotel now features a restaurant and bar and rooms have wi-fi, air conditioning, TV, hairdryer, toiletries and refrigerator.

The Orient Star Khiva is a 4 star hotel in the central Area of the City. An historical building in this stop off on the Silk Road, this hotel now features a restaurant and bar and rooms have wi-fi, air conditioning, TV, hairdryer, toiletries and refrigerator.
Next accommodation

Orient Star Varaxsha

Ideally located in Bukhara, this 4 star hotel features a lovely buffet breakfast each morning in the hotels restaurant and also has its own bar. Rooms are spacious and have air conditioning, tv, fridge, kettle and a hairdryer.

Ideally located in Bukhara, this 4 star hotel features a lovely buffet breakfast each morning in the hotels restaurant and also has its own bar. Rooms are spacious and have air conditioning, tv, fridge, kettle and a hairdryer.
Next accommodation

Orient Star Samarkand

The hotel was established in 2001 and forms a part of net of Orient Star hotels. Your stay in the ancient city of Samarkand with its rich cultural and historical legacy will undoubtedly become unforgettable event. Orient Star hotel is located in historical part of the city. Room amenities - 24 –hours room service, mini bar, hair dryer, individually controlled air conditioning, Satellite television Hotel Services available - Lobby bar, Exchange office, swimming pool, Souvenir shop, Laundry service, 24 –hours room service, Free WI-FI and Internet access in the lobby

The hotel was established in 2001 and forms a part of net of Orient Star hotels. Your stay in the ancient city of Samarkand with its rich cultural and historical legacy will undoubtedly become unforgettable event. Orient Star hotel is located in historical part of the city. Room amenities - 24 –hours room service, mini bar, hair dryer, individually controlled air conditioning, Satellite television Hotel Services available - Lobby bar, Exchange office, swimming pool, Souvenir shop, Laundry service, 24 –hours room service, Free WI-FI and Internet access in the lobby
Next accommodation

Inspira S Tashkent

Hotel Inspira-S Tashkent features a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Tashkent. The accommodation offers room service, an ATM and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Free WiFi is available to all guests

Hotel Inspira-S Tashkent features a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Tashkent. The accommodation offers room service, an ATM and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Free WiFi is available to all guests

Optional Excursions

Experience even more of your destination by adding one or more optional excursions to your trip before you set off. Take a look below at the extra trips you can enjoy on this tour

Tour the Necropolis and the last summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara

Tour the Necropolis and the last summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara

Today's excursion will take you to the Bahautdin Nakshbandi Necropolis which is the burial tomb of Nakshbandi, the leader of Sufism. It is a well known holy place in the Muslim world. The memorial is set within a beautiful courtyard complex with the decor being characterised by the XVI century. The next part of the day will take you to the Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace which was the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. The palace decorated in blue and white is set within beautiful waters and is known as the Palace of Moon like Stars. Upon return to Bukhara you will visit the Chor Minor which is a colourful madrassah with four peculiar looking towers which was previously used as a library.
From
C$80
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Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Turco - Mongol conqueror Timur

Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Turco - Mongol conqueror Timur

Today you will get to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shakhrisabz which is the birthplace of national hero Tamerlane. After his death the once small town began to develop and is now a bustling urban area with few medieval buildings still remaining but is an ideal place for exploring surrounding mountains. During the day you will visit Ak Saray, also known as the White Palace, the Kok Gumbaz Friday mosque, the Mausoleum of Dorut Tilavat and the Dorus Siadat Mausoleum. You will also get chance to admire the stunning mountains as you go through the mountain pass by car.
From
C$80
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