Tour details
- Period
- March – October
- Trip length
- 12 days
- From
- 1060$
See the Silk Road in the best possible way: with an unforgettable train journey in Uzbekistan! Starting in Tashkent we head east to rarely visited Ferghana valley to meet famous potters and silk weavers.
Later we follow an old caravan route south where you see the fine Islamic architecture of Bukhara and Samarkand. You will also get a glimpse of life in the desert by driving through endless Kyzylkum and visiting Ancient Khorezm near Khiva.
Destinations: Tashkent – Kokand – Rishtan – Ferghana – Margilan – Tashkent – Samarkand – – Bukhara – Khiva – Khorezm – Khiva
Itinerary
Day 1. Tashkent, arrival
Arrive in Tashkent. Upon clearing immigration and customs, meet representative and transfer to the hotel. Check-in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Tashkent – Kokand – Rishtan – Ferghana
Early breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the railway station at 07:00 for train Tashkent-Kokand, departing at 08:07. Arrive in Kokand at 12:13, pick up at the railway station and starting city tour: Juma (Friday) Mosque, Khudoyar-Khan Palace.
Drive to Rishtan town, famous for ceramic production where you’ll visit the house of a well-known ceramic master. Drive to Ferghana. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Ferghana – Margilan – Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Margilan city, known for its craftsmen of silk fabrics. If Thursday or Sunday, we can visit Kumtepa bazaar, full of handmade silk, seasonal fruits and vegetables.
In Yodgorlik Silk factory we can witness how silk is woven with traditional Ikat patterns. Transfer to the railway station for train Margilan-Tashkent, departing at 16:48. Arrive in Tashkent at 21:38, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4. Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel. Start guided tour in Tashkent – city with a long 2200 years history. We will start from the Old City: Khast Imam Ensemble – a religious center of the city consisting of Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with original Uthman’s Quran of the VIII century.
Explore traditional Chor-Su Bazaar – oldest in Tashkent where you can buy souvenirs, watch Uzbek bread baking process in traditional oven, taste some local food.
Visiting modern part of Tashkent: ride by arty Tashkent Metro to Mustakillik Square – symbol of Uzbek capital. We will stroll about local Broadway Street to get to Amir Temur Square – the heart of the city, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5. Tashkent – Samarkand
Early breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the railway station for morning train Tashkent-Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand and meet your guide. We’ll start sightseeing from Gur Emir Mausoleum (tomb of Tamerlane), continue with iconic Registan Square (which means “desert” in Persian) and three madrassas (religious study centers) surrounding the square: Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and the gold-covered Tillya-Kari Madrasa.
Visit Shakhi Zinda Necropolis – ensemble including mausoleums and other ritual buildings of IX-XIV and XIX CC, Ulugbek Observatory, built in XV century by Timurid ruler and astronomer, Bibi Khanym Mosque – built by Amir Timur for his favorite wife in XV century. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6. Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll continue seeing the sights of Samarkand today. There’s the ancient settlement and museum of Afrosiab, and the Tombstone of Saint Daniyar – the restored tomb of the Old Testament prophet Daniyar (Daniel).
At Konigil village there’s time to visit the local paper mill which offers a fantastic insight into how traditional paper is still made using old-fashioned techniques. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7. Samarkand – Bukhara
After an early breakfast, we`ll proceed to the station and board the train for the 1.5h ride to Bukhara. Meet your tour guide and explore Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city.
Start from Samanids Mausoleum – Shrine of Ismail Samani and other members of the Samanid Dynasty, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ark Fortress – residence of Bukhara khans.
Continue to Poi-Kalyan complex with Kalyan Minaret through orient bazaars with trade domes. Finish at Lyabi Hauz complex, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city containing several impressive Islamic monuments. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8. Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we’ll drive outside of Bukhara for sightseeing: Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Chor Bakr Necropolis – city of the dead, unusual and mysterious burial place for the Dzhuibar sheikhs, Baghautdin Nakhshbandi Mausoleum – center of Sufism and most important pilgrimage site. Drive back to Bukhara and visit Chor Minor Mosque. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9. Bukhara – Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Khiva through the red sands of Kyzylkum Desert (6-7h).
Lunch on the way in a local café. Arrive in Khiva, free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10. Khiva
After breakfast, we’ll explore ancient inner town Ichan Kala – home to buildings spanning a thousand years of history: Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Juma Mosque of X century, Tash Hauli – the main palace of Khiva rulers, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrassah. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11. Khiva – Khorezm – Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive outside of Khiva to discover the archaeological monuments of ancient Khorezm. In fact, today in the Khorezm region archaeologists have found dozens of ancient cities, ruins of former powerful castles and royal palaces. The most famous of them are Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala. Even today, the colossal sizes of the ruins impress with its magnificence and power.
Transfer back to Khiva, free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12. Departure
Transfer to the airport in Urgench for onward flight. End of services.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 3* accommodation with breakfast (double/twin room basis)
- Ground transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicle
- Train tickets as per program (economy class)
- English speaking local guides for city tours
- Entrance fees for the sights
- All applicable local taxes.
NOT INCLUDED
- Visa support and visa fees
- Lunches and dinners
- Early check-ins and late check-outs
- Photo and video fees at sights
- Extra services
- Insurance
- PCR – tests (20 $ per person)