Artisans Of Uzbekistan
About this tour
Explore Uzbekistan by Train
Travel between major cities by comfortable train Tashkent to Kokand, Margilan to Tashkent, Tashkent to Samarkand, Samarkand to Bukhara, and Bukhara to Khiva reducing road travel and offering a relaxed, scenic journey.
Hands-On Craft Experiences
Shape clay in Rishtan, paint traditional ceramic plates in Samarkand, dye silk in Margilan, learn plov cooking and miniature painting in Bukhara, and prepare green noodles (shivit oshi) in Khiva — five immersive workshops with local masters.
Meet the Makers
Visit a rare musical instrument maker in Fergana reviving Timurid-era traditions, tour a silk factory in Margilan, see traditional carpet weaving, and observe papermaking by hand at the Konigil workshop.
Architectural Icons of the Silk Road
Discover Samarkand’s Registan and Gur-Emir, Bukhara’s Lyabi-Hauz and Poi Kalon, and Khiva’s Ichan-Kala with its minarets, mosques, and palaces. All beautifully preserved UNESCO sites or national treasures.
Local Markets & Mahallas
Wander through Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, Siab Bazaar in Samarkand, and the domed trading halls of Bukhara; walk through traditional mahalla neighborhoods and share space with the rhythm of everyday life.
Folk Evening in a Historic Madrasa
Enjoy a traditional folk performance and dinner in an atmospheric madrasa courtyard in Bukhara a celebration of music, cuisine, and heritage.
Activities included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Welcome to Tashkent and eco-friendly welcome gift Arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital where ancient roots and modern rhythms coexist. We’ll meet you at the airport and greet you with a small welcome gift: a reusable shopper made by local artisans. It’s a simple thing, but it reflects how we travel thoughtfully and with care for the places we visit. After meeting, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to rest, explore the nearby surroundings, or simply adjust to the new pace of life. Whether you take a quiet stroll through leafy boulevards or enjoy a cup of local tea, this soft landing offers a gentle first impression of a country where hospitality is part of daily life.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, begin exploring Tashkent, starting with the Old City. Visit the Khast-Imam Complex, home to one of the world’s oldest Qurans, a spiritual landmark surrounded by elegant madrasas. At Chorsu Bazaar, dive into the colorful rhythms of daily life a vibrant mix of spices, fruits, and craftsmanship. A short walk takes you through a traditional mahalla, where community life still thrives in quiet courtyards. Continue with a tour of the New City, shaped by Soviet ambition and Uzbek identity. Visit the Monument of Courage, dedicated, and Independence Square, the country’s civic heart. Pass by the Romanov Palace, a forgotten echo of imperial Russia, and stroll across Amir Timur Square, celebrating the Silk Road legacy. A short ride on the ornate Tashkent Metro completes your journey through time. Return to your hotel. Free time in the evening. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 3: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Kokand, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, transfer to the station for your train to Kokand. The rail journey offers a relaxed and scenic route into the lush Fergana Valley. Begin your tour with the Palace of Khudoyar Khan, once home to the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate. Its grand courtyards and delicate tile work recall the fading power of a Silk Road kingdom. Visit the elegant Jami Mosque, and the Narbuta-By Madrasa, still echoing with quiet scholarship. Stop at the Madari khan Mausoleum, a peaceful site honoring the mother of a local ruler, wrapped in spiritual reverence. Later, explore the Mehrigiyo Botanical Garden, a unique space where guava, kiwi, lavender, and even papaya thrive. Learn how ancient wisdom especially Avicenna’s still inspires the healing products made here today. Free time in the evening. Overnight in Kokand.
Day 4: Kokand, Uzbekistan to Rishtan, Uzbekistan
Travel to Rishtan, a town famous for ceramics. Visit a traditional workshop where you’ll watch a master potter at work and take part in a hands-on ceramics class, shaping clay with your own hands a timeless craft passed down through generations. Then meet a musical instrument maker, a rare artisan who revives instruments from the Timurid era and creates modern ones like guitars, the Azerbaijani tar, and Afghan rubab. His workshop is a living museum of sound, history, and wood. Continue on to Fergana city, surrounded by mountains and orchards. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your own rhythm. Overnight in Fergana.
Day 5: Fergana, Uzbekistan to Margilan, Uzbekistan
Begin your morning with a short tour of Fergana, a planned city from the Russian Empire era, known for its wide avenues and calm rhythm. Visit the central bazaar, where everyday life unfolds in colors, sounds, and seasonal produce a perfect glimpse into local routines. Continue to Margilan, the heart of Uzbekistan’s silk tradition. At a silk factory, discover centuries-old techniques of dyeing and weaving, and try your hand at a natural dyeing or hand-weaving workshop. This is slow fashion at its source sustainable, skilled, and deeply connected to the region’s identity. At 16:03, board the train back to Tashkent. Arrive in the capital at 21:17 and transfer to your hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 6: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, transfer to the station for your train to Samarkand — traveling by rail is a relaxed, scenic, and low-impact way to cross the country. Begin your exploration of this legendary Silk Road city. Start with the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, final resting place of Timur, where light dances across blue domes and carved stone. Then walk through the breathtaking Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Central Asia’s most iconic sights. At the Siab Bazaar, meet local vendors and sample fresh bread and dried fruit a timeless part of Samarkand’s daily life. Finally, wander through the stunning tile work of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, where centuries of art, faith, and memory live side by side. Transfer to your hotel. Free time in the evening. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 7: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, take part in a ceramic painting workshop, decorating traditional plates with your own hands a quiet, meditative craft still practiced across Uzbekistan. Then visit the Paper Mill, where artisans revive the ancient art of hand-making paper from mulberry bark, using sustainable techniques passed down since the Silk Road era. At the Observatory, discover how a 15th-century astronomer mapped the stars with astonishing accuracy a reminder of the scientific heights once reached here. Continue to the Mausoleum of Saint Daniel, a peaceful site sacred to multiple faiths, reflecting Samarkand’s layers of spiritual history. End the day at a carpet factory, where women weave silk and wool carpets by hand a tradition that supports local families and preserves artistic heritage. Transfer to your hotel. Free time. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 8: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for your train to Bukhara. Traveling by train offers a relaxed and eco-friendly way to enjoy Uzbekistan’s changing landscapes. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to leave your luggage or check in if rooms are available. Start your afternoon with a visit to Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa, the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. This charming complex blends traditional Uzbek and Russian influences, offering insight into the city’s more recent history. In the evening, enjoy a folk dinner in a historic madrasa, where local musicians perform, and traditional dishes bring centuries-old flavors to life. Free time afterward to explore or relax. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Buka, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, join a morning plov cooking and painting workshop, where you’ll learn to prepare Uzbekistan’s iconic dish and explore local art techniques. Enjoy the meal you prepare together. Begin your city tour visiting the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, a peaceful oasis centered around an ancient pond, followed by the grand Kukeldash Madrasa and the historic Divan-Begi Madrasa and Caravanserai, hubs of learning and trade. Pause by the Nadir-Beg Pool, a refreshing spot surrounded by old walls. Continue to the impressive Poi Kalon Complex, with its soaring minaret, then the beautifully tiled Abdulaziz Khan and Ulugh Beg Madrasas. View the Ark Citadel — a vast fortress that once held the city’s rulers. End with the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque and the bustling domed bazaars, where centuries of commerce still echo. Free time to relax or explore. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 10: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Start your day early with a packed breakfast to enjoy on the way. At 6:00 AM, transfer to the train station for your 7:12 AM departure to Khiva, traveling comfortably in a private coupe. This eco-friendly journey offers a relaxed way to see Uzbekistan’s diverse landscapes. Arrive in Khiva at 12:47 PM and transfer to your hotel for check-in. At 4:00 PM, join a cooking class to learn how to prepare Shivit Oshi, a unique green lagman dish special to the region. After the class, enjoy the meal you helped create, savoring authentic local flavors. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Khiva, Uzbekistan
After breakfast, start your tour a visit to Kunya-Ark Fortress, a “city within a city” that once served as the ruler’s residence and seat of power. Explore the ornate Tash-Khovli Palace, famous for its intricate tilework and carved wooden decorations. Visit two historic madrasas: Muhammad Amin Khan and Muhammad Rahim Khan, centers of learning and faith. See the striking Kalta-Minor Minaret, an unfinished tower covered in turquoise tiles that captivates all who visit. Admire the tallest tower in Khiva, the Islam-Khodja Minaret, which offers panoramic views of the old town. Step inside the Juma Mosque, known for its forest of wooden columns, some centuries old, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere. Finish at the Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, honoring a local hero and reflecting Khiva’s rich cultural traditions. Enjoy free time afterwards to explore or relax. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Khiva, Uzbekistan
After breakfast and a relaxed morning, check out from the hotel by noon. We provide a transfer to Urgench airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your journey through Uzbekistan’s rich history and vibrant culture experienced thoughtfully and respectfully, with care for the places and people who made it unforgettable.
What's included
Hotel breakfasts Master class on silk dyeing in Margilan Master class on ceramics in Rishtan Master class on painting ceramic plates in Samarkand Pilaf and painting master class in Bukhara Master class on making Shivit Oshi (green lagman) in Khiva Dinner with a folklore show in an ancient madrasah 2 lunches after the pilaf and shivit oshi master class Tashkent-Kokand and Margilan – Tashkent railway tickets (economy class) Train tickets for Tashkent - Samarkand – Bukhara - Tashkent by high-speed train Afrosiab (economy class) * Bukhara – Khiva railway tickets (4-seater compartment) Accommodation in a standard double room (double occupancy) Transfers according to the program Guided tours Entrance tickets to sightseeing sites Transportation according to the program
International flight Dinners (except folklore) Lunch (except those indicated) Medical insurance Entrance fee with photo and video cameras Accompanying guide Alcoholic and non - alcoholic beverages
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan