Oasis of Time: Classic Uzbekistan: Classic Uzbekistan

Your adventure begins with arrival at Tashkent International Airport, where a warm welcome from our local guide sets the tone for the journey ahead. After a private transfer, check into your comfortable hotel and take some time to refresh and relax after your flight.

Evening magic: As the sun sets, we invite you on a gentle stroll through Amir Timur Square, the vibrant heart of modern Tashkent. Framed by blooming gardens and shimmering fountains, this iconic square is crowned by a proud equestrian statue of Timur, the great conqueror. It’s a perfect blend of Soviet monumentalism and Central Asian soul — a serene first taste of the city’s contrasts.

Overnight in Tashkent

After breakfast, we set off to uncover Tashkent’s soul — a city where ancient spirituality and dynamic modernity intertwine.

Morning in the Old City:
Step back in time at the Khast Imam Complex, the spiritual nucleus of Uzbekistan. Within its peaceful courtyards lie ancient madrasahs, mosques, and one of Islam’s most treasured relics — the Uthman Quran, said to be the oldest in the world, dating back to the 7th century. We’ll explore architectural gems like the Barak Khan Madrasah, the elegant Tillya Sheikh Mosque, and the serene Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, a revered local saint.

Next, we dive into the color and chaos of Chorsu Bazaar — a domed marketplace pulsing with the life of the Silk Road. Wander through aisles brimming with fragrant spices, colorful fabrics, fresh produce, and handcrafted treasures. Taste, touch, and soak up the essence of Uzbek daily life.

Lunch in a local eatery — or street food sampling at the bazaar for the curious palate.

Afternoon in the Modern City:
We journey into contemporary Tashkent, starting at Independence Square, a grand symbol of Uzbekistan’s national pride. Once Lenin Square, it’s now adorned with fountains, floral alleys, and the Monument of Independence and Humanism.

Our next stop is the mysterious Romanov Palace (exterior), a remnant of imperial Russia built in 1891 for a disgraced grand duke — with stories as intriguing as its ornate façade. We continue to Opera and Ballet Square, home to the Navoi Theater, a Soviet-era marvel with surprising Eastern flourishes and a storied wartime history.

We end the day where we began — at Amir Timur Square — and step into the spiritual quiet of the Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption, a final moment of stillness before dinner.

After an early dinner, we head to the airport for a short flight to Urgench, where our journey continues by road (just 30 minutes) to the fabled city of Khiva.

Arrival to the hotel and rest.
Evening delight: Savor a delicious dinner in a traditional Uzbek restaurant, where rich flavors and local hospitality meet.

Overnight in Khiva

After breakfast, we are welcome to Ichan Kala — the walled heart of ancient Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This open-air museum of Islamic architecture once served as the final oasis for caravans crossing into Persia. Its labyrinth of palaces, mosques, and madrasahs stands as a living chronicle of Silk Road grandeur.

Today’s discoveries include:

• Kalta Minor Minaret – short, stout, and stunningly adorned with turquoise tiles, it’s Khiva’s most iconic silhouette.
• Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah – once a grand religious school, now reborn as a heritage hotel and museum.
• Kunya Ark Citadel – former royal residence, military stronghold, and government seat; climb the watchtower for panoramic views of Khiva’s golden skyline.
• Tash Hauli Palace – a true jewel of Khorezm style, with richly carved columns, mosaic courtyards, and echoes of a once-glamorous royal harem.

^{Optional experience:}
At sunset climb to Ok Seih Bobo Fortress  — feeling the mystical spirit of One Thousand and One Nights. (+10 USD p/p, weather permitting)

Evening: Dinner in a charming courtyard restaurant under the stars.
After dinner, enjoy free time to wander Khiva’s enchanted alleys as dusk paints the mudbrick walls in warm golden tones.

Overnight in Khiva

After breakfast, we embark on a scenic drive across the vast and silent Kyzylkum Desert — a landscape unchanged for centuries. This is where time slows, and the spirit of the Silk Road comes alive. Watch the endless dunes roll by, broken only by the ribbon of road and desert sky.

Arrival in Bukhara — a city as noble as its name. Known as the “Pillar of Islam” and once the beating heart of trade, faith, and philosophy, Bukhara offers a rare opportunity to walk where poets, scientists, and emirs once lived.

Check-in at a boutique hotel nestled within the historic old town, where every brick whisper stories from a bygone era.

Evening: Enjoy free time around Lyabi Hauz, Bukhara’s soul — a tranquil pond surrounded by ancient mulberry trees and buzzing teahouses. A perfect place to relax, reflect, or sip green tea like the locals do.

Dinner: In a cozy local restaurant serving traditional Bukharian delights.

Overnight in Bukhara

After breakfast, we set out to explore the living museum that is Bukhara — a city where every brick breathes history and every monument holds centuries of stories.

Morning: Royal Tombs & Sacred Waters

• Begin with the Ismail Samani Mausoleum — a 10th-century architectural jewel and one of the oldest Muslim structures in Central Asia. Its intricate brick geometry casts ever-changing patterns of light and shadow — a poetic interplay of design and divine purpose.
• Just nearby lies Chashmai Ayub, the “Spring of Job”, said to have been touched by the prophet himself. A sacred and peaceful place with timeless spiritual energy.
• Visit the Bolo Hauz Mosque, with its elegant wooden pillars reflected in the still waters of a nearby pool — a place of worship and imperial grace from the 18th century.

Next: Citadels and Courts of Power

• Step inside the mighty Ark Fortress, the ancient stronghold of Bukhara’s emirs. Wander through rooms once used as royal courts, palaces, and prisons. Artifacts, manuscripts, and treasures tell the tale of a city that once ruled the desert.

Stroll through Lyabi Hauz, a serene square where mulberry trees lean over a peaceful pond. Here stood the intellectual soul of Bukhara — a gathering place for poets, mystics, and traders. Explore the beautiful Kukeldash Madrasah and the ornate Nadir Divan-Begi Khanaka, spiritual and cultural landmarks wrapped in centuries of artistry.

Lunch at leisure in the old city

Afternoon: Bazaars of the Silk Road
Dive into Bukhara’s legendary covered markets, still echoing the whispers of merchants from India, Persia, and China.

• Toki Zargaron – the glimmering Jewelry Bazaar
• Toki Telpak Furushon – the colorful Hat Makers’ Dome
• Toki Sarrafon – the historic Money Changers’ Market
  Each one a time capsule of trade, craftsmanship, and everyday life — and perfect for discovering handmade souvenirs.

Evening Highlights:
We end the day with a visit to the Poi-Kalon Complex — the architectural heart of Bukhara.

• The towering Kalon Minaret (1127), once known as the “Tower of Death”, now stands as a symbol of the city’s enduring elegance.
• The majestic Kalon Mosque and the still-active Miri Arab Madrasah add spiritual gravitas to this open square of grandeur.

Final stop: The whimsical Chor Minor — a charming structure with four blue domes and an architectural style unlike anything else in Bukhara, influenced by distant Indian designs.

Evening delight: Join a plov masterclass in a welcoming local guesthouse. Learn the secrets of Uzbekistan’s most beloved dish — and then enjoy it, steaming and fragrant, fresh from the kazan.

Overnight in Bukhara

After breakfast, you have a free morning to savor the peaceful rhythm of Bukhara one last time.

In the afternoon, we board the sleek Afrosiyob high-speed train (XX.XX), cutting through the Uzbek countryside like a silver arrow. Watch ancient landscapes glide past the window as you journey toward the legendary city of Samarkand — the crown jewel of the Timurid Empire.

Upon arrival, we check into your hotel and set off for a magical twilight walk to one of the most sacred places in Central Asia:

Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
Bathed in golden light, this 15th-century masterpiece holds the tomb of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) — the powerful conqueror who once ruled half the known world. Admire the soaring blue dome, intricate mosaics, and the sense of silent grandeur as you stand beside the resting place that inspired the architects of the Taj Mahal.

^{Optional experience}:
Evening visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum and walk to the Registan Square for a light & sound show beneath illuminated minarets and mosaics (+15 USD p/p (with entrance to the square)).

Dinner: in a local restaurant full of traditional charm.

Overnight in Samarkand

After breakfast, prepare to be amazed. Today, we explore Samarkand, a city whose name alone evokes dreams of silk, spice, science, and timeless glory. Once the heart of Timur’s empire, it flourished as one of the most vibrant centers on the Great Silk Road.

Highlights of the day:

• Registan Square — The soul of Samarkand. Framed by three majestic madrasahs — Ulugh Beg, Sher Dor, and Tillya-Kori — this square was once the pulse of the city’s intellectual and spiritual life.
• Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis — A sacred avenue of turquoise-domed tombs where saints, royals, and warriors rest. Its name means “The Living King”, and its spiritual aura is matched only by its dazzling artistry.
• Bibi-Khanym Mosque — Once the largest mosque in the Islamic world, it was built by Timur in honor of his beloved queen. The sheer scale, carved marble, and towering arches will leave you speechless.
• Siab Bazaar — Step into a feast for the senses. This colorful market next to the mosque has been bustling since Silk Road days — ideal for sampling dried fruits, saffron, sweets, and handwoven souvenirs.

In the late afternoon, we board the Afrosiyob train back to Tashkent (XX.XX-XX.XX).

Evening: Farewell dinner in one of Tashkent’s finest traditional restaurants, accompanied by live Uzbek music — a perfect ending to your journey through time.

Overnight in Tashkent

After breakfast, we transfer you to Tashkent International Airport for your return flight.

As you leave this land of turquoise domes, golden deserts, and unforgettable stories, you carry with you not just photos — but the spirit of the Silk Road.