Compare Highlights of Uzbekistan by G Adventures vs Splendours of Uzbekistan by Bestway Tours & Safaris

Day 1 Tashkent

Arrive at any time.

Welcome to the eclectic capital of Uzbekistan, where modern skyscrapers mix with Soviet-era architecture and mosaic mausoleums. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting, so get out there and explore.

Day 2 Tashkent/Samarkand

Travel on to Samarkand, known for intricately beautiful mosques and mausoleums, situated on the Silk Road. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum, dedicated to the famous conqueror who once hoped to rebuild the empire of Genghis Khan.

Day 3 Samarkand

Embark on a city tour, visiting Ulugbek Observatory, Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square. With a free afternoon, continue exploring the Samarkand sights, have a cuppa in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar. Opt to explore the Tomb of Prophet Daniel, famous for the Biblical story of Daniel and the lions.

Day 4 Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp

Travel out into the desert to visit Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata, dominated by ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress, Juma mosque, a bath-house, and the ancient Panjvakta mosque. All of this, hiding a holy spring believed to heal diseases. After exploring the complex, head to Aidarkul Lake and opt for a swim before continuing on for an overnight stay in a local yurt camp. Enjoy an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and an evening Kazakh singing show.

Day 5 Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara

Travel to Bukhara, known as one of the most charming cities in the country, and get your bearings on an orientation walk. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, enjoy a traditional dinner cooked by a local family, visit a hammam (bathhouse), or just relax in the pleasant atmosphere of this Silk Road city.

Day 6 Bukhara

Explore Bukhara on a half-day guided walking tour around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets, or trading domes, that make up the Old City. A centre for pottery, cloth, and carpets, Bukhara is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees. Wander the artisan shops and narrow twisting streets and alleyways, or sit at a café table and let the evening drift by. Opt to watch a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai, or indulge in a rejuvenating hammam bathhouse.

Day 7 Bukhara/Khiva

Enjoy a scenic drive through the desert on a full day's journey to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva, well worth the arduous drive. Get to know this peaceful, picturesque city on a late afternoon orientation walk, and pick your favourite spots to explore more in-depth tomorrow.

Day 8 Khiva

Before exploring this historic town on your own, enjoy a guided tour to learn about local life here. Wander through the narrow labyrinth mudbrick alleyways of old town, bargain with locals at the bazaar, admire the madrassas, mosques, and blue mosaic domes, climb up towering minarets, and venture into the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Explore the inner walls of Ichon-Qala, and enjoy spectacular sunset views on the sand-coloured buildings.

Day 9 Khiva/Tashkent

Take a short flight back to Tashkent and enjoy a city tour, then explore on your own with some free time.

Day 10 Tashkent

Depart at any time.

Day 01: Arrive Tashkent

This evening you are scheduled to arrive Tashkent. Once clearing through Customs & Immigration, you will be met by our local representative for a transfer to your hotel. Check-in time starts at 1500 hrs.
Overnight: Lotte City Tashkent Palace Hotel, Tashkent (1 night)

Day 02: Tashkent/Nukus (Flight)

Morning transfer back to the airport for a flight to Nukus. Upon arrival, we are met and driven to a former fishermen’s town of Muynak, which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea. On the way stop at archaeological complex Mizdakhan. In Muynak have a look at a former port with abandoned ships in the sand – “Cemetery of ships”. Then visit a Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history. In the afternoon return to Nukus.
Overnight: Jipek Joli Hotel, Nukus (1 night) (B, D)

Day 03: Nukus/Khiva (Drive)

Visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around the center of Nukus: see the statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. In the afternoon depart to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 h.). On the way visit archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: Chilly – a Zoroastrian drachma, and Toprak-Kala – the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. Arrive in Khiva, check in to the hotel.
Overnight: Asia Khiva Hotel or Malika Kheyvak Hotel, Khiva (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04: Khiva

Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Kala Fortress. Visit Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Kunya-Ark, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom Khodja. Free time in the afternoon. (B, D)

Day 05: Khiva/Urgench (Drive)/Bukhara (Flight)

In the morning, depart Khiva and drive to Urgench airport for a flight to Bukhara. Upon arrival, we will be met & transferred to the hotel. If time permits, a visit to a Gijduvan ceramics workshop will be included; otherwise, will be visited in the afternoon of Day 07.
Overnight: Zargaron Plaza Hotel or Omar Khayam Hotel or Asia Bukhara Hotel, Bukhara (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 06: Bukhara

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. (B, D)

Day 07: Bukhara

Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. (B, D)

Day 08: Bukhara/Shakrisabz/Samarkand (Drive)

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz to visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand.
Overnight: Grand Samarkand Hotel or Malika Prime Hotel, Samarkand (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Samarkand

Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. (B, D)

Day 10: Samarkand/Tashkent (Train)

Continue sightseeing: visit Afrosiyob Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Koni Ghil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. At 1600 hrs, transfer to the railway station. Take the fast-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 1700 hrs (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 1910 hrs. Pick-up and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Lotte City Tashkent Palace Hotel, Tashkent (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Tashkent

Meet your guide to start sightseeing of the capital, the largest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imom Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imom visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Chor-Su Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center with Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, and Applied Arts Museum. (B, D)

Day 12: Depart Tashkent

Check-out by 1100 hrs. Transfer to the International Airport for your flight out. (B)