Along The Great Silk Road - 10 Day Tour
About this tour
Silk Road, ancient trade route, linking China with the West, that carried goods and ideas between the two great civilizations of Rome and China... Named for its lucrative trade in silk, the Silk Road traversed several of Uzbekistan’s major cities, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Do you want to get to know these cities? Then this is the best itinerary for you.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Arrival at Tashkent airport. Transfer to the hotel (check-in from 14:00). Early luggage drop off, breakfast at the hotel. Beginning of exploring the capital, one of Central Asia`s most populous and dynamic cities. Sightseeing tour in old part of the city. Hazrati Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of Tashkent for centuries. The ensemble was built near the grave of one of the first Islamic preachers in Tashkent. In addition to the buildings, the complex has a library of oriental manuscripts. Here you can see one of Islam's most sacred relics - the world's oldest Quran. Afterwards you visit the largest and most dynamic market of Uzbekistan - Chorsu Bazaar. Here you can taste real Uzbek pilaff and shashlik. Here is the whole history of Uzbekistan: ceramic products, skullcaps, national robes, oriental sweets, spices, fruits, vegetables, clay products, handmade souvenirs. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Second day of sightseeing tour in the capital: the most beautiful Tashkent Metro stations, Independence Square, Opera and Ballet Theater Square, Amir Temur Square. Visiting religious sites: the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Roman Catholic Church) and the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Transfer to Tashkent airport. Domestic flight HY-057 (20:25 - 21:55) to Urgench. Arrival. Transfer to the hotel in Khiva (35 km). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Khiva is a beautiful oasis city that impresses with its tranquility. Sightseeing tour inside of Itchan Kala, the walled inner town of the city of Khiva. You visit many historic monuments: citadel Konya Ark, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Itchan Kala Minaret and Madrasah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Tash Khovli Palace, Ak Mosque, Anush Khan Baths, Muhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Friday Mosque. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Extended trip to Bukhara (450 km, 7-8 hours) through the Kyzylkum Desert, one of the most extensive deserts in Asia. Arrival and accommodation. Free time for a walk through the narrow streets of the old city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s tour is dedicated to discover old city of Bukhara. Bukhara sightseeing tour: Magokki Attari Mosque, built on the site of a Buddhist and Zoroastrian temple; four medieval (16th century) trading domes; Ulugbek Madrasah built by Tamerlane’s grandson; Abdul-Aziz Khan Madrasah (17th century); Abdullah Khan Tim Madrasah (16th century), which was used by Afghan silk and wool traders and the magnificent architectural complex of Poy Kalon (12th-16th centuries). Visit to the majestic Ark Citadel, the residence of the Emir until 1920. At the end of the tour you visit Chor Minor Madrasah with an unusual outward shape. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Second day of sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit to Lyabi Hauz complex of XVI-XVII centuries. The Lyabi Hauz ensemble, surrounding the pool on three sides, consists of the Kukeldash Madrasah and two religious edifices built by Nadir Divan-Beghi: a khanqah and a madrasa. Then you visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum, built in the X century, a masterpiece of Arabic geometry; Bolo House complex, including a mosque (XVIII century); Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Shakhrisabz (250 + 150 km), the hometown of Tamerlane. Then excursion around the city (about 2 hours). You visit Tamerlan’s palace Ak-Saray, which means “white palace”, the construction of which remained unfinished after his death. Visit the complex: Friday mosque Kok-Gumbaz, built by Ulugbek.; Imam Hazrati Mosque with a shady summer terrace; Darus Siadat – the tomb of Timur’s eldest son. Transfer to Samarkand. Arrival and accommodation. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Samarkand was blessed with a strategic geographical location which made it an important part of the Great Silk Road. In the 14th century the conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), the founder and ruler of the Timurid Empire, made Samarkand his capital. He built many architectural masterpieces here, many of which have survived over the centuries. The tour starts with a visit to the famous Registan Square, where Ulugbek, Till Kori and Sherdor madrassahs are located. Visit to Gur-Emir Mausoleum. Visit to the Konigil Meros paper factory. The place is famous for its unique traditions of handicrafts, the purest nature and shady trees. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Second day of sightseeing tour in Samarkand: necropolis Shahi-Zinda, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Afrosiab Archaeological Museum and Siab Market, the busiest market in the city. In the afternoon: transfer to Tashkent (280 km, 4-5 hours). Arrival and accommodation. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport.
What's included
Hotel accommodation. Meals: B&B 10 breakfasts. Services of local guides. Entrance tickets. A/C transportation for the whole tour. Bottle of still water daily.
Insurance. International flights and domestic flight HY- 057 Tashkent-Urgentch. Uzbek visa – visa-free for Europeans. Meals: lunches and dinners. Single room supplement of €159. Personal expenses, including on-site photo and video rights. Excess baggage. Tips for guides and drivers. Tourist fee in Uzbekistan €36.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan