The Silk Road still knows how to make an entrance. On this 9-day adventure, start in the buzzing energy of Tashkent before the high-speed train delivers you to Samarkand's jaw-dropping Registan. Cook plov with a local family, lose yourself in Bukhara's ancient alleyways, then let the desert pull you to Khiva — a walled city barely touched by time. Thi is Central Asia at its most captivating.
Travel Style
The Geluxe Collection
Service Level
Upgraded
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group, Tashkent
Your Local Living Moment: Plov Cooking Class and Dinner, Samarkand
Your OMG Day: Your OMG Day: Leather Making or Embroidery Workshop at Traditions Square, Samarkand. Arrival transfer. Welcome Dinner. Internal trains. Visit Afrosiab Museum. Hands-on paper workshop. Guided tour of Registan Square. Visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum. Visit Shah-i-Zinda complex. Guided city tour of Bukhara. Included dinner with folklore music performance. Home-hosted plov cooking class and dinner. Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque. VIsit Siyob Bazaar. Visit Ark Fortress (Citadel). Visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex. Visit Lyabi-Khauz ensemble. Guided walking tour of Khiva. Internal flights. Guided city tour of Tashkent. Visit to Chorsu Bazaar. Farewell dinner. All transfers in between destinations.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Stand before Registan Square — one of the Silk Road's greatest stages, Cook plov with a local family and hand-craft traditional Uzbek paper, Sleep in a converted Jewish house deep in Bukhara's old city, Wander Khiva's ancient walled city among minarets and mosques, Sample honim and lose yourself in Tashkent's Chorsu Bazaar
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private Vehicle, Plane, Train, Walking.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (8 nts)
Itinerary
Tashkent
From the wide boulevards and buzzing cafés of Tashkent to the storybook skyline of Khiva, Uzbekistan unfolds like a living Silk Road manuscript — layered, intricate, and impossible to rush. Along the way, the mosaic-clad majesty of Samarkand and the timeless alleyways of Bukhara invite you to step beyond the present and into centuries of trade, scholarship, and cultural exchange. Begin your adventure with a transfer to your hotel, followed by a welcome dinner where you can immerse yourself in the flavors and warmth of Uzbek hospitality.
Tashkent/Samarkand
Today, begin your journey to Samarkand. Embark on a high-speed Afrosiyob train ride to Samarkand, a journey that covers 344 km in just under 2 hours. Start at the Afrosiab Museum, home to remarkable archaeological finds from ancient Afrasiab—the original settlement of Samarkand—offering insight into the city’s pre-Mongol grandeur. After time for lunch at leisure, continue to the breathtaking Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning avenue of mausoleums adorned with intricate tilework and vibrant blue mosaics, one of the most sacred and photogenic sites in the region. Later, join a hands-on experience: a home-hosted plov cooking class and dinner, where you’ll learn to prepare Uzbekistan’s national dish and share the meal with your hosts. A day of history, color, and culinary tradition comes to a delicious close.
Your OMG Day: Samarkand
Get ready for your OMG day in Samarkand! Start with a guided tour of the city’s must-see treasures: the stunning Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, final resting place of Timur, followed by the iconic Registan Square, and the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Wander through the lively Siyob Bazaar before heading to Konigil Village for lunch and a workshop on traditional Samarkand silk paper-making.
In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to customize your experience with a hands-on artisan activity at Traditions Square—choose between leather-making or embroidery—and then enjoy free time to relax or continue exploring this incredible city.
Samarkand/Bukhara
Today, travel from Samarkand to Bukhara, one of Uzbekistan’s most captivating Silk Road cities. Along the way, visit the Al Bukhari Complex to see the remains from the 11th-century Rabat-i Malik Caravanserai, and a traditional pottery workshop in Gijduvan, where artisans continue centuries-old ceramic traditions. Enjoy lunch at the pottery workshop before continuing your journey. Arrive in Bukhara and check in to your hotel. Visit the beautiful Lyabi Khauz ensemble, a historic plaza framed by madrasahs and a serene pond before a free evening to explore Bukhara at your leisure.
Bukhara
Explore the heart of Bukhara on foot, beginning at the Samanid Mausoleum, one of the oldest and most revered monuments in Central Asia. Fun fact: it’s considered one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture in the region, built entirely of baked bricks without any wood or stone. Continue to Chashma Ayub, the legendary “Job’s Well,” believed to have sprung from the ground when the prophet struck it with his staff, then visit the elegant Bolo-Khauz Mosque, known for its beautifully painted wooden columns reflected in the tranquil pool before it.
From there, step into history at the Ark Fortress, Bukhara’s ancient citadel and seat of power for centuries, before concluding at the magnificent Po-i-Kalyan Complex, a breathtaking ensemble of mosque, minaret, and madrasa that defines the city’s skyline.
Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore Bukhara at your own pace, soaking in the city’s timeless charm and vibrant streets. In the evening, savor a traditional dinner accompanied by a lively folklore performance, rounding out a day of history, culture, and local flavor.
Bukhara/Khiva
Travel by train from Bukhara to Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its perfectly preserved medieval walls and historic architecture. Upon arrival, take an orientation walking tour inside Itchan-Qala, the walled old town filled with minarets, madrassahs, and charming streets. Spend the evening at leisure to explore Khiva on your own, soaking in the city’s unique atmosphere and timeless charm.
Khiva/Tashkent
Begin the day with a guided walking tour of Khiva, exploring the UNESCO-listed Itchan-Kala and its architectural treasures, including the wooden-columned Juma Mosque, the striking turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor, and the historic Kunya Ark. Enjoy some free time before transferring to Urgench International Airport for your flight back to Tashkent, where you can soak up more of the capital’s vibrant atmosphere this evening.
Tashkent
Discover Tashkent, a dynamic capital shaped by both Silk Road heritage and striking Soviet-era design. Begin by exploring the city’s Soviet side at Amir Temur Square, the symbolic heart of modern Tashkent. From here, stroll along lively Tashkent Broadway to Independence Square, one of the country’s most important civic spaces, reflecting Uzbekistan’s post-independence identity. Then, descend into the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro, renowned for its ornate stations, and ride to Chorsu Bazaar. From here, enjoy free time to explore the bustling bazaar at your own pace—soaking in the colors, aromas, and flavors of local life. You may choose to walk back to the hotel or connect with your CEO for assistance with optional activities tailored to your interests.
Tashkent
Your journey comes to an end with an transfer from your hotel to Tashkent International Airport. Depart at your leisure, taking with you memories of turquoise domes, ancient Silk Road cities, and the warm hospitality of Uzbekistan.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
