Uzbekistan 5 Days Private Tour
About this tour
Traveling through these ancient cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara is more than a vacation; it is a journey through time. Each city has its own unique history, art, architecture, and cuisine. The highlights of this 5-day tour are: walking through the old town of Bukhara is like stepping into the XVI century, visiting a Fort called Ark which was resident of the last Emir (King) of Bukhara, watching the captivating light at a stunning historical Registan square of Samarkand by night and more.
Pick up and drop off from the hotel in Tashkent city included
Have sightseeing in the most fascinating ancient cities of the Great Silk Road
Travel between cities in the fastest train of Uzbekistan
This tour is for you and your private party
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
The driver comes to the reception lobby of your hotel and picks you up. Tour starts at 07:00 am (starting time can be change by train time). (Please contact us to let us know the exact pickup location for the tour) Upon arrival outside of train station of Bukhara met by driver and transfer to hotel. Check in to hotels is after 14:00 (you can can you leave your luggage at a hotel and have a lunch in a old town). Discover city on your own or try Hammam in Bukhara. (we can help you to book). The Hammam was built during the Shaybanids Dynasty in the 16th century, is divided into two sections: the dressing hall and the bathing hall. The building was built by baked and still in function. The Hammam experience may be one of the most memorable ones of your trip. No need to bring anything (you should expect to go au naturel) they give you a clean towel, a lungi (wrap-around cloth to cover yourself while in the Hammam), and sandals (the floor can get quite hot in spots, plus the marble can be slippery when walking barefoot). Inside the bathing hall might be a bit hot.
Day 2: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Ark, Buxoro, Uzbekistan
After breakfast meet your local tour guide in the hotel and start sightseeing. Walking tour since in Bukhara all sights located close to one another. The sightseeing in Bukhara city: • Ismail Samaniy mausoleum (IX-X centuries)— the oldest, best preserved and most breathtakingly original building in Bukhara. • The mausoleum of Chashmai Ayub (“Prophet Job”)— according to the legends the prophet Job came to the Zerafshan Valley and witnessed a great and terrible drought. As people perished of thirst around him, Job struck the dusty earth with his staff and a cool source of sweet spring water brought liquid salvation. The Chashmai Ayub (“the Spring of Job” in Uzbek) commemorates this site. • Bolo Hauz mosque (XVIII century)— it is a functioning Friday mosque from XVIII century and consists of reservoir, mosque and minaret (Note: this mosque you can visit from outside, since it is functioning Friday mosque). • The Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries)— the construction of the citadel is dated to beginning of the 1st millennium BC. During the history the fortress has been destroyed several times but has been restored again. All buildings of the citadel have been reconstructed mainly during the XVIII-XX centuries. • Poi Kalon complex (“The foot of tall” in Uzbek) from XII-XVI centuries. Consisting of mosque, madrassah and minaret, one of the great centre of trade and scholarship along the Silk Road. The beauty of the minaret amazed Genghis Khan (Temuchin or Temujin). • Magoki-Attari Mosque— Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque. Prior to the Arab invasion there was a Buddhist monastery and then a Zoroastrian temple on the site. It now houses the dull Museum of the History of Carpet Weaving. • Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, The Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620. • XVI century Synagogue— to the south of Labi Hauz Square spreads the Jewish Quarter of the old town. Jews have been an important minority in Bukhara since their forced migration from Merv and Shiraz in the 14th century (the majority having emigrated to Israel and the US since 1970s). (Note: most of the time it is closed if it is open travelers can visit inside and see old Torah) • Statue of Hodja Nasruddin— the homespun philosopher and humorist on his donkey. Elsewhere in the world he is generally accepted as Turkish, but Uzbeks claim he was born in Bukhara and is one of their own.
Day 3: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Check out from hotel, load your suitcase in a car and start start sightseeing. Visit 3 top places outside of Bukhara city. The sightseeing in Bukhara city: • Chor Minor— an unusual madrassah in Bukhara. The name means “Four Minarets”. Each tower has a different decoration. • Naqshbandi Sufism complex— Islamic saint Bakhauddin Naqshband, the famous Asian philosopher and Sufi, the founder of a Sufi order which was later named Naqshbandi, lived in XIV century. He became patron saint and the complex is the holiest site in Bukhara. He made 32 times the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and local people consider this place as little Mecca. • The summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs— the palace was built in 1911 for the last emir, Amir Alim Khan, the building compound elements of both Russian and traditional Bukharan architecture. • Chor Bakr Necropolis—In 970 Imam Sayid Abu Bakr and his three brothers Fazl, Ahmed and Hamed, all direct descendents of the Prophet, were laid to rest in the village of Sumitan, seven kilometers west of Bukhara. They instilled the site with an immediate sanctity that soon attracted legions of the rich and famous claim and famous clamoring to claim holiness by association. Late afternoon transfer to Bukhara train Station 15 km and catch the train to Samarkand (subject to availability) upon arrival outside of train station of Samarkand met by driver and transfer to hotel
Day 4: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Registan, Uzbekistan
Visit some of the top attractions in Samarkand on this day trip. Samarkand, one of the most ancient cities of the world, a contemporary of the Rome, Athens and Babylon, has a 2750-year-old history. “The Mirror of the World”, “The Garden of the Soul”, “The Jewel of Islam”, “The Precious Pearl of the Moslem World” are some the names given to this unique city. In ancient Greece, this city was known as Marakanda. The sightseeing in Samarkand city: • The complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries. Burial place of royal persons and nobles. One of the most spiritual place in Uzbekistan. • Bibi Hanim mosque XV century. The mosque was built in honour of Temur’s chief wife, Saray Mulk Khanum. • Local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek)— (optional on the interests of your private group, note: Closed on Monday) • Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) from XV century. • Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVII centuries. A spectacular architectural ensembles, with fantastic Islamic designs and calligraphy etched into the facades of its mosques and madrassahs.
Day 5: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Check out the hotel and load your luggage in the car and start sightseeing in Samarkand. The sightseeing in Samarkand city: • The Ulugbek Observatory (Ulugh Beg Observatory), built by Amir Temur’s grandson astronomer-king Ulugbek in XV century. • Samarkand Handmade Paper Centre— for centuries Samarkand was famous for its mulberry paper and famed for its durability and resistance to insects. Production died out in the 18th century and this UNESCO backed project in the eastern suburbs aims to revive the 2000-year-old tradition. Guests can see process of making Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. • Mausoleum of Daniyar— everyone has heard of Daniel and the lion’s den, but few could tell that his final resting place. He is considered a patron saint and protector of Samarkand, bringing wealth and prosperity to the city. According to legends Amir Temur supposedly brought some sand from his mausoleum here from Susa in Iran and built symbolic mausoleum for honor of him. • The museum of Afrasiab (the history museum of Samarkand and the highlight of this place is the original frescos of Turk Khanate “Turk kingdom” from VII century). In the late afternoon travel by train from Samarkand to Tashkent (subject to availability) upon arrival outside of train station of Tashkent met by driver and transfer to hotel in Tashkent
What's included
Breakfast x 4 Air-conditioned vehicle Local tour guide for sightseeing in Bukhara and Samarkand Train ticket from Tashkent-Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent Entrance tickets to the monuments Accommodations (double or twin shared) in high rated Hotel 3* or central located boutique hotel
Lunch and Dinner Photo and video charges 5 usd (for photography cameras. It is free if travelers use phone cameras) Single room supplement 30 usd per night/single room Personal travel insurance Hotel extra services Gratuity/Tips for guide/drivers
What to know
Check in to hotels is after 14:00 Note: In a high tourist season when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train It is recommended to have some extra cash in US dollars to buy the souvenirs, food, tipping and for other expenses. There are many ATMs but you can’t withdraw US dollars they always give you cash in local currency and there is a limit On this tour you visit architectural marvels which have a rich history and important religious sites. It’s recommended to follow a specific dress code when visiting these iconic landmarks. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing tight, revealing, or transparent clothing. Women should cover their hair with a headscarf or shawl when they enter to holy places This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan