Samarkand
Why Samarkand
Samarkand is the picture most people carry of Uzbekistan: the three tilework portals of the Registan, the ribbed blue dome of Gur-e-Amir, the ruin of Bibi-Khanym. Timur made it his capital in the 14th century and filled it with the best craftsmen of the empire. It is the most monumental of the Silk Road cities — grander than Bukhara, less intimate.
What to see
- The Registan — three madrasahs around a public square, the centre of the medieval city
- Gur-e-Amir — Timur’s mausoleum, the model for the Taj Mahal
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque — a vast, half-ruined congregational mosque next to the Siab bazaar
- Shah-i-Zinda — a lane of tombs with the finest tilework in the country
- Ulugbek Observatory — what remains of a 15th-century astronomer-prince’s sextant
- Konigil — a working water-powered paper mill reviving the medieval Samarkand craft
How long to stay
Two days. One is enough to see the headline monuments; the second lets you slow down, visit the observatory and the paper mill, and see the Registan lit at night.
Getting there
The Afrosiyob high-speed train reaches Samarkand from Tashkent in about 2 hours and from Bukhara in about 1.5 hours. It is the easiest city in Uzbekistan to reach.
Where it fits in a route
Samarkand is usually the finale of the classic route: Tashkent → Khiva → Bukhara → Samarkand → Tashkent. Shakhrisabz and the Nuratau Mountains are easy add-ons from here.
Samarkand tours
- Samarkand Private Tour — Highlights and Discovery — full-day, with a local guide
- Samarkand in a day, from Tashkent — by fast train, round trip
- Samarkand Group Tour — 4 Days — guaranteed departure
- On a full route: 8-Day and 11-Day Classic Uzbekistan
Read more: Ancient Samarkand — the pearl of the East. Back to Uzbekistan · Next: Bukhara.
What happens next
How we work — step by step
Our planning is hands-on, not automated. Here’s what to expect once you send your enquiry through.
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Send your enquiry
Form, email or WhatsApp — whichever feels easier. Free and no obligation.
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Get a reply within 24 hours
Often the same day. A real human — no bots, no call centre — with a few questions if we have any.
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Receive a tailored proposal
Route, accommodations, activities — with transparent, itemised pricing. No hidden mark-ups.
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Refine it together
Adjust the pace, swap hotels, change dates — whatever needs to fit. As many rounds as you like.
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Confirm and travel
We hold your reservations and stay on call throughout the trip — from arrival to the flight home.
Need Help?
Send us your request
Leave your contact details and message. We will get back to you with the next steps.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Why book with AroundCA instead of arranging it myself online?
Because a booking site gives you rooms; we give you a trip that actually works. We know which neighbourhood to stay in, which “great” hotel disappoints, how to sequence a route so you’re not backtracking, and who to call when a flight is cancelled at 11pm. You get a real person who lives in the region — not 40 open browser tabs and a gut feeling.
How much does your planning service cost?
Nothing. Our planning, proposals and revisions are free — we’re paid by the hotels and suppliers we book, at the same rates you’d pay them directly. Expert planning at no extra cost to you.
Is it more expensive than booking direct?
No. We pass through the rates our partners give us, and every proposal is itemised so you see exactly what you pay for. No hidden mark-ups, no fees buried at checkout.
Are you a licensed and insured company?
Yes — fully. We’re a licensed Uzbek tour operator (licence № 853484, registry L-41802557), issued by the Committee for Tourism of Tashkent and valid for domestic, inbound and outbound tourism. Our tour-operator civil liability is insured with APEX INSURANCE (policy EAPD № 1016716). Both documents are available on request.
How do I pay, and is it secure?
Everything is official and transparent. You can pay by bank transfer to our Uzbek company account, or through a secure payment link from our website — official internet acquiring protected by end-to-end encryption. If you prefer, you can also pay via our single company QR code. No cash-in-hand, no grey schemes.
Which destinations do you cover?
We operate across Central Asia — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan — plus the Caucasus on request, in combination with a Central Asia route. If you don’t see your destination, ask anyway.
Do you also handle flights, visas and insurance?
Yes. We cover all air tickets, visas and travel insurance within our region — your whole trip arranged in one place.
What kind of trips do you plan?
All of them, as long as they’re tailored — honeymoons and romantic getaways, family holidays, luxury and premium escapes, and organised groups, incentives and corporate/MICE programmes.
Can I change the proposal after I receive it?
Yes — that’s the point. Adjust the pace, swap hotels, move dates, tweak the budget. We refine it together over as many rounds as you need, then you confirm.
What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
It depends on your specific booking. Cancellation terms usually follow the hotels’ penalty rules, and air tickets follow the official airlines’ fare conditions. We always show you the exact terms for your trip before you confirm — no surprises.
How do we stay in touch during the trip?
You have us on call throughout — by WhatsApp, phone or email. If a reservation slips or plans change on the ground, one message and we sort it.
Still have a question? Send your enquiry →
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