Central Asian Tapestry: Exploring Uzbekistan & Tajikistan

Upon your arrival in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Check-in starts at noon.

Your guide and driver will then pick you up from the hotel to commence your Tashkent city tour. This private tour includes an excursion to the Old City, featuring the Hast-Imam architectural complex dating back to the 15th century, which houses the world's oldest known Quran. You will also visit the Chorsu Bazaar, one of Central Asia's oldest markets, offering the opportunity to sample or purchase sweets, fruits, and souvenirs. Experience a ride on the Tashkent Metro, where each station showcases a unique theme through ceramic tiles and murals. Explore Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, taking in the artwork for sale along 'Broadway' Drive. The tour continues with a visit to Sacred Heart Cathedral and a stop at the Applied Arts Museum, a captivating collection of Uzbekistan's finest handicrafts housed in an elaborately decorated villa. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Meals: None

In the morning, your chauffeur will transport you to the railway station for a captivating train journey to the breathtaking city of Samarkand. Your itinerary includes visits to Gur Emir and the impressive Registan Square, showcasing three Madrasahs dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries. Marvel at the splendor of Bibi Khanum Mosque and stroll through the multi-level complex of Siab Bazaar, where you can discover souvenirs and indulge in local sweets, fruits, and the renowned Samarkand bread. Explore the remarkable Shakhi-Zinda, a burial complex from the 15th century, and traverse the impressive pathway to witness its blue-domed tombs.

Conclude the day with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, where you can observe the remnants of a 14th-15th-century sextant and explore the Ulugbek Museum. Following a day filled with exploration, unwind and rejuvenate at your hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel, and breakfast will be provided.

Meals: Breakfast

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before proceeding to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50km). Following the completion of customs and passport control, your local Tajik guide and driver will be ready to meet you on the Tajikistan side and accompany you to the stunning Seven Lakes (90km). Nestled in the Fann Mountains, each of the Seven Lakes showcases its distinct color palette, ranging from turquoise to purple. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this extraordinary location and savor lunch at a guest house near the fourth lake. Continue your journey to the enchanting city of Penjikent, where you will spend the night at a hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Indulge in breakfast and embark on a tour of ancient Penjikent, exploring the remnants of a town established by the Sogdians in the 5th century and later abandoned by the Arabs in the 8th century. In the historical part of Penjikent, witness the foundations of houses, a citadel featuring Zoroastrian fire temples, the remnants of the city bazaar, and other excavated ruins. In the more modern section of Penjikent, explore a local bazaar, mosque, and the Rudaki Museum. Drive to the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) via Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in the 4th century BC. Upon crossing the border, your group tour in Uzbekistan will continue, with your driver meeting you at the border to escort you to your hotel in Samarkand. Spend the night at the hotel.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch.

Today the tour progresses with a journey from Samarkand to Bukhara via Gijduvon. En route, make stops at the Rabati Malik Caravanserai (11th century) and Sardoba. Explore Gijduvan, a quaint town renowned for its traditional crafts and ceramics, prized in Central Asia for its quality and vibrant decorative style. Take a tour of the ceramic center, participate in a pottery master class, and then enjoy lunch.

Visit the Emir's Summer Residence at Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (19th century) near Bukhara, a unique site that blends Oriental and Russian architectural influences. Please note that no English-speaking guide is provided at this location. Check-in at the hotel in Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic-Lunch

Optional Activity: Immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions at the Bozori Kord Hammam, a traditional Turkic bathhouse dating back to the 14th century, still in operation today. Cost: 25 USD.

Commence your morning with a guided city walking tour led by your local guide. Your exclusive exploration will encompass the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, and the Trade Domes (15-16th centuries), repurposed today as a tourist bazaar. Continue your journey to the Poi Kalyan Ensemble, which includes the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Explore Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs, and delve into the history of the Ark Fortress and its museum in Bukhara. The next site on your itinerary is the Bolo-Khauz Mosque, featuring a pond, followed by a visit to the mausoleum of Ismail Samanid. The duration of the tour is approximately 6-7 hours, allowing for free time in the evening. Stay overnight at the hotel in Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast.

Enjoy breakfast, then depart from Bukhara in the morning for a scenic drive to Khiva covering a distance of 480 km, with an estimated travel time of 7-8 hours. Today's journey involves an overland transfer through the Kyzylkum desert, a historic route that caravans on the Great Silk Road utilized for transporting porcelain and spices over centuries. Arrive in Khiva, often referred to as the "museum under the open sky," in the late afternoon. Following check-in, you'll have free time to explore Khiva. Spend the night in a hotel located inside or near "Itchan-Kala," the historical center of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Note: Due to the basic nature of cafes and restaurants along the way with limited menus, you may consider bringing a packed lunch for the trip.

Meals: Breakfast.

Optional Activity: In the evening, participate in a masterclass on cooking tukhumbarak (egg dumplings), a classic Khivan cuisine. The price is 25 USD per person, with a minimum of 4 persons required, and includes dinner.

Following breakfast at the hotel, embark on a guided walking tour around Itchan-Kala with a local guide. Begin your exploration at Kunya-Ark Khan's castle and the inner citadel of Ichan Kala. Continue to visit the following landmarks: Kalta Minor Tower, the tallest minaret in Central Asia; Muhammad Amin-Khan, the largest medieval madrasah in Khiva; and Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah. Explore the Juma Mosque, distinguished by its 212 wooden columns and a 32.5-meter high minaret. Visit the Tash-Hauli Palace (Stone Courtyard Palace) characterized by its high battlements, towers, and fortified gates. Discover the Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, the cultic center of Ichan Kala, and the Residence of Islam Khodja, the vizier of the last khan.

In the late afternoon, transfer to Urgench airport (35 km, 45 min) for a flight to Tashkent (1093 km, 1 hour 40 min). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast.

Enjoy a leisurely morning on your own before checking out of the hotel by noon. Your designated driver will then accompany you to the airport for your departure flight home, marking the conclusion of the Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Group Tour.

Meals: Breakfast.