10-Day Tour of the Wonders of Uzbekistan

Culture

25%

Nature

3%

History

30%

Relax

14%

Party

1%

Adventure

7%

Food

20%

Wellness

3%

Arrival at Urgench Airport in the morning. After completing customs formalities, meeting with the driver and guide, followed by the transfer to Khiva. Hotel accommodation with early check-in available from 08:00, breakfast and free time until 11:00 to rest after the journey.

Meeting with the guide and visit to Ichan-Kala, the fortified city of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enclosed by imposing walls, it covers 26 hectares and preserves around 60 historic buildings, including madrasas, mosques, minarets and palaces decorated with colourful glazed tiles.

The itinerary begins at Kuhna Ark, the ancient citadel of the khans, and continues to the Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrasa, built in 1876, and the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, the largest in Khiva and Central Asia, with 125 cells designed to accommodate 260 students. Nearby stands the Kalta Minor Minaret, the symbol of the city. Although unfinished, it rises to 29 metres and captivates visitors with its turquoise glazed tiles.

The tour continues inside the Juma Mosque, a late 18th-century building without domes, monumental portals or courtyards. Its prayer hall is supported by 215 wooden columns, some of which are finely carved.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to Tash Khauli Palace, the 19th-century summer residence of the khans and an exquisite example of local architecture and decorative art. The tour continues to the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud, dedicated to the 14th-century poet and legendary warrior. Recognisable by its blue dome, it remains an important place of prayer and contemplation.

The day concludes at the Islam Khoja Minaret, which stands 56 metres high and is considered the tallest minaret in Uzbekistan. Afterwards, free time to stroll through the alleys and artisan workshops of Ichan-Kala or enjoy some shopping.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Culture

13%

Nature

28%

History

17%

Relax

15%

Party

1%

Adventure

16%

Food

10%

Wellness

2%

Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00, meeting with the driver and guide and departure for Bukhara, approximately 450 km away and considered one of the most fascinating cities along the ancient Silk Road.

The journey follows the historic trade route that connected Khiva and Bukhara for centuries, crossing the evocative Kyzylkum Desert. Along the way, the landscape opens onto vast arid expanses, golden dunes and sparse vegetation shaped by the desert’s harsh conditions.

Several panoramic stops will be made during the journey, offering time to admire the scenery, take photographs and enjoy a few moments of relaxation. Lunch at a local restaurant along the route.

In the afternoon, the journey continues towards Bukhara, with arrival expected in the late afternoon. Hotel accommodation and free time.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Culture

27%

Nature

3%

History

28%

Relax

9%

Party

1%

Food

18%

Wellness

6%

The visit begins at the Labi Hauz Complex, developed between the 16th and 17th centuries around an ancient water reservoir and surrounded by the Kukeldash Madrasa, the khanaka and the Nodir Divan-begi Caravanserai. The tour continues to the Maghoki-Attar Mosque, built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier Zoroastrian place of worship.

The walk leads through the historic trading domes: Toki Sarrafon, once used by money changers; Telpak Furushon, dedicated to hat sellers; Tim Abdullakhan, a centre for the trade of carpets and textiles; and Toki Zargaron, renowned for its jewellers. The experience continues with a tasting of aromatic spiced teas and traditional sweets in a typical teahouse.

The tour proceeds to the Ulugbek Madrasa, built in 1417, and the richly decorated Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa, dating from the 17th century.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to the monumental Poi Kalon Complex, comprising the Kalon Minaret, the symbol of Bukhara built in 1127, the 15th-century Kalon Mosque and the elegant 16th-century Miri Arab Madrasa.

The itinerary continues to the Ark Fortress, whose origins date back to the 4th century BC and which served as the residence of the khans for centuries. The final stop is the Bolo Hauz Mosque, built in 1712 and comprising a historic water reservoir, the Friday mosque and a minaret.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Culture

28%

Nature

5%

History

29%

Relax

10%

Party

1%

Adventure

8%

Food

19%

Wellness

9%

Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00, meeting with the driver and guide and departure to discover the monuments located around Bukhara.

Visit to the Chor Minor Madrasa, built in 1807 and distinguished by its “Four Minarets”, whose different decorations are believed to symbolise the world’s major religions. The tour continues to the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of 9th-century Islamic architecture, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, built between the 12th and 16th centuries. Known as the “Spring of Saint Job”, it is linked to the legend that the prophet caused water to spring from the desert.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, distinguished by its blend of Eastern architecture and Russian influences. The itinerary continues to the Bakhouddin Naqshband Mausoleum, one of the most revered Muslim shrines in Central Asia and an important pilgrimage destination.

The final stop is the Chor Bakr Necropolis, a 16th-century monumental complex comprising mausoleums, mosques and courtyards immersed in an atmosphere of profound spirituality.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Culture

18%

Nature

24%

History

13%

Relax

11%

Party

3%

Adventure

17%

Food

9%

Wellness

5%

Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00, meeting with the driver and guide and departure for Nurata. Stop in Ghijduvan, a village approximately 40 km from Bukhara renowned for its ancient pottery tradition, with a visit to a well-known local artisan workshop.

The journey continues to the Rabat-i Malik Caravanserai, built in the 11th century along the Silk Road, and the nearby Sardoba, a 15th-century medieval cistern once used to supply caravans with water.

Arrival in Nurata and visit to the local mosque, built beside a spring considered sacred, followed by the ruins of the military fortress traditionally attributed to Alexander the Great.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, continuation to Lake Aydarkul, an evocative body of water surrounded by desert. Free time to relax on its sandy beaches, observe the local flora and fauna or, weather conditions permitting, swim and sunbathe.

Transfer to the yurt camp, located approximately 30 km from the lake’s north-western shore, and accommodation in traditional nomadic dwellings decorated with carpets and locally crafted shyrdaks. In the surrounding area, there will be an opportunity to discover the desert wildlife and encounter the distinctive two-humped Bactrian camels.

In the evening, gathering around the fire accompanied by the songs of the akyns, traditional local storytellers and singers. Far from the city lights, the clear sky offers the opportunity to admire the stars and the Milky Way.

Dinner featuring national dishes, salads, fruit and Oriental sweets. Overnight stay in a yurt.

Assessment note:
The day focuses on nature and adventure, thanks to the desert lake, encounters with local wildlife and the overnight stay in a yurt. Ghijduvan pottery, the songs of the akyns and the nomadic lifestyle enhance the cultural experience, while the caravanserai, the Sardoba and the fortress attributed to Alexander the Great strengthen its historical component. Free time by the lake offers opportunities for relaxation and well-being, while the traditional dinner completes the gastronomic experience.

Culture

20%

Nature

22%

History

3%

Relax

15%

Party

1%

Adventure

9%

Food

18%

Wellness

12%

Breakfast at the yurt camp. At 09:00, departure for Ukhum, a small village nestled in the Nurata Mountains, approximately 1,070 metres above sea level. Upon arrival, warm welcome by a local family and accommodation in the rooms of a traditional guesthouse.

The stay offers the opportunity to experience the community’s daily life and discover authentic Uzbek hospitality. Lunch with the host family, featuring genuine dishes prepared according to local recipes and traditions.

In the afternoon, time to relax on the wooden platform beside the stream, surrounded by the silence and tranquillity of the mountain landscape.

At approximately 16:00, walk through the village to meet the residents, learn about the community’s traditions and observe the rural lifestyle and domestic animals raised by local families.

At 19:30, dinner with the host family, a moment of sharing that offers an authentic experience of the village’s simple and welcoming atmosphere.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Assessment note:
The day focuses on nature, culture and gastronomy, thanks to the stay in the Nurata Mountains, the encounter with the local community and the meals prepared by the host family. Resting beside the stream promotes relaxation and well-being, while the walk through the village adds a moderate element of adventure and discovery.

Culture

15%

Nature

26%

History

70%

Relax

7%

Party

1%

Adventure

19%

Food

10%

Wellness

10%

Breakfast at the guesthouse. Afterwards, departure for a walk of approximately 7 km in total, including the outward and return journey, towards the nature reserve located near the village.

The route passes through Ukhum Hayat and gradually climbs into the hills of the Nurata Mountains. Along the way, with a little luck, it may be possible to spot the rare wild sheep that inhabit this protected area.

The walk leads to Korovoultepa Hill, a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Lake Aydarkul and the surrounding mountains, offering one of the most evocative natural landscapes of the journey.

Return to the guesthouse and lunch with the host family. In the afternoon, departure for Samarkand, approximately 173 km away.

A legendary stop along the Silk Road, Samarkand still evokes the era when merchants from distant lands traded spices, precious stones and textiles. The city was also an important crossroads of peoples, religions and traditions, where cultures from the Mediterranean, Central Asia and China met and enriched one another.

Arrival in Samarkand and accommodation in the reserved rooms.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Assessment note:
The day focuses on nature and adventure, thanks to the approximately 7 km walk through the reserve, the opportunity to observe wildlife and the panoramic views over Lake Aydarkul. The trek also promotes physical well-being, while the arrival in Samarkand introduces the cultural and historical elements associated with the Silk Road.

Culture

30%

Nature

1%

History

29%

Relax

7%

Party

3%

Adventure

6%

Food

16%

Wellness

8%

Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00, meeting with the driver and guide and beginning of the tour of Samarkand, the legendary city of the Silk Road.

The first stop is the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, originally comprising a khanaka and the madrasa of Muhammad Sultan and later transformed into the burial place of Tamerlane and his descendants.

The tour continues to Registan Square, the monumental heart of the city, whose name means “sandy place”. The square is framed by the 15th-century Ulugbek Madrasa and the 17th-century Sher-Dor Madrasa and Tilla-Kori Madrasa, the latter renowned for its magnificent gilded decorations.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to the Bibi Khanim Mosque, one of the largest historic mosques in Central Asia, built in the 15th century in honour of Tamerlane’s wife. Walk through Siyab Bazaar, Samarkand’s oldest market, among spices, dried fruit, traditional bread and local products.

The day continues at the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, a funerary complex comprising eleven mausoleums decorated with splendid blue glazed tiles and built mainly between the 14th and 15th centuries. The main shrine is traditionally associated with Kusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. The name Shakhi Zinda means “The Living King”.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

After dinner, an optional walk through Registan Square is recommended, when the evening illumination creates a particularly evocative atmosphere.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Culture

29%

Nature

6%

History

26%

Relax

8%

Party

1%

Adventure

6%

Food

17%

Wellness

7%

Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00, meeting with the driver and guide and continuation of the tour of Samarkand, discovering its scientific, spiritual and archaeological heritage.

The first stop is the Ulugbek Observatory, an important testimony to medieval astronomy. Built in the 15th century, it housed a gigantic astronomical instrument with a radius of over 40 metres and a 63-metre-long arc, used to observe celestial bodies and perform highly precise calculations.

The tour continues to the Mausoleum of Saint Daniel, a place of worship revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews and a symbol of dialogue among different religions. Visit to the Afrosiab Museum, where archaeological finds and historical artefacts recount the development of ancient Samarkand and its exchanges along the Silk Road.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, departure for Konighil, located near Samarkand, and visit to a traditional paper mill. Here, the renowned Samarkand paper is still handmade using ancient techniques that once made the city famous throughout the world.

Dinner at a restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel or a breakfast box, depending on the flight departure time.

Three hours before departure, meeting with the driver at the hotel and transfer to Samarkand International Airport. Completion of check-in formalities and departure on the return flight, taking home the memories of a journey through Uzbekistan’s legendary cities, traditions and landscapes.

Included meals: breakfast.