Uzbekistan · Culture

12-Day Silk Road Tour in Uzbekistan with Desert and Village Stays

12 Days Round trip from Ташкент Moderate pace
Kalyan Minaret
Uzbek
Uzbek
Uzbek

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore ancient Silk Road cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand
  • 02 Experience traditional Uzbek villages and warm interactions with local communities
  • 03 Enjoy an overnight stay in the Kyzylkum Desert near Aydarkul Lake oasis
  • 04 Discover historical landmarks, Timurid architecture, and vibrant culture through guided excursions

Discover Uzbekistan on a 12-day private tour through the Silk Road cities of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, explore iconic landmarks such as Kalon Mosque, Registan Square, and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, and learn about the region's rich history, architecture, and traditions. Beyond the great cities, experience authentic village life, the scenic Aydarkul Desert oasis, and warm encounters with local communities. Folklore performances and immersive stays add even more depth to this comprehensive journey across Central Asia.

Visit Aydarkul Lake and relax at the scenic oasis in the steppe.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Premium
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Bukhara, Urgench, Khiva, Shahrisabz, Samarkand, Tashkent, Nurota
Languages English, French, Italian, Russian, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Tashkent and City Highlights

  • Arrive in Tashkent and meet your guide at the airport.
  • Visit Khast Imam Square and see the original 7th-century Quran manuscript.
  • Explore Chorsu Bazaar, Independence Square, and Amir Timur Square.
  • Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay in Tashkent.

2
Day 02

Flight to Urgench and Explore Khiva

  • Take a morning flight from Tashkent to Urgench and transfer to your hotel in Khiva.
  • Explore Itchan-Kala, the inner fortress showcasing a 19th-century Central Asian city.
  • Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Khiva.

3
Day 03

Journey from Khiva to Bukhara

  • Depart for Bukhara with a lunch stop on the way.
  • Arrive in Bukhara in the evening and check in at your hotel.
  • Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Bukhara.

4
Day 04

Bukhara's Medieval Monuments

  • Explore Bukhara's medieval trading domes from the 16th century.
  • Visit Kalon Mosque and Minaret, the tallest in Bukhara, and Mir Arab Madrasah.
  • Have lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Explore Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasahs, the Ark Fortress, and Zindan ancient prison.
  • Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Bukhara.

5
Day 05

Bukhara Palaces and Sacred Sites

  • Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, and Bolo-Khauz Mosque.
  • Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Explore Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the last palace of the Uzbek monarchy, and Bakhauddin Naqshband Mausoleum.
  • Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Bukhara.

6
Day 06

Nurata and Aydarkul Desert Adventure

  • Depart for Aydarkul Desert with a stop at Nurata historic town.
  • Arrive at the yurt camp and enjoy a camel ride through the dunes.
  • Visit Aydarkul Lake and relax at the scenic oasis in the steppe.
  • Return to the yurt camp and enjoy dinner followed by a Kazakh folklore evening around the campfire.

Overnight stay in yurts.

7
Day 07

Village Life in Sentyab

  • Depart for Sentyab, a traditional mountain village.
  • Enjoy lunch upon arrival and explore the village to discover local traditions and daily life.
  • Walk through the picturesque landscapes of the Nuratau mountains.

Have dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse for an immersive local experience.

8
Day 08

From Sentyab to Samarkand

  • Depart for Samarkand and check in at your guesthouse upon arrival.
  • Enjoy lunch and visit Ulugh Beg Observatory, Shakhi Zinda Complex, and the Mausoleum of Saint Daniel.
  • Dinner at the guesthouse.

Overnight stay in Samarkand.

9
Day 09

Samarkand and Timurid Heritage

  • Explore Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Registan Square, and Bibi-Khanym Madrasah.
  • Discover the city's rich Timurid heritage.
  • Dinner at the guesthouse.

Overnight stay in Samarkand.

10
Day 10

Shakhrisabz and Tersak Village

  • Depart for Shakhrisabz and check in at the hotel.
  • Visit Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-us Saodat Complex, and Dorut Tilavat Complex.
  • Enjoy lunch before departing to Tersak village.

Overnight stay at a local French professor's house for an immersive experience.

11
Day 11

Return to Samarkand and Tashkent

  • Return to Samarkand and have lunch in the city.
  • Depart for Tashkent by car or Afrosiab high-speed train.
  • Check in at your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Overnight stay in Tashkent.

12
Day 12

Departure from Tashkent

  • Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Itchan Kala, Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Aydarkul Lake

Where this trip takes you

Itchan Kala, Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Aydarkul Lake

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Ташкент 7 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport meet and assistance
  • Accommodation in 4-star hotels in a double or twin room as per the programme
  • All-inclusive meals except for groups of two people
  • All transport mentioned in the programme
  • Excursions in cities and villages
  • Entrance tickets to museums, historical and cultural sites, and folklore concerts
  • Services of a tour guide throughout the journey
  • All taxes and fees
  • Final banquet

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flight from Tashkent to Urgench
  • Insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages during meals
  • Tips

What to bring

  • Personal medication and remedies for headaches, nausea, traveller's diarrhoea, and altitude sickness
  • Light clothing, a light jacket, and a raincoat
  • Swimsuit (for Lake Aydarkul, weather permitting)
  • Light shoes for the city and sturdy shoes for the mountains
  • Electrical adapter (type C and F plugs, 220 V)
  • Sunscreen
  • Travel documents, insurance, and means of payment

Know before you go

  • Dress modestly and avoid making noise at religious sites.
  • Do not photograph people without permission.
  • Do not blow your nose at the table.
  • Always wash your hands after using the restroom or relieving yourself in nature.
  • Carry cash for purchases at the market.
  • Leave tips for the guide and the driver at the end of the trip.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
International Airport, Terminal 2, Tashkent, Узбекистан
Tour start
Ташкент, Узбекистан
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 12 days finish where they began, in Ташкент.

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