11-Day Uzbekistan Tour — Private, Classic Route

Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Meet and greet by our local guide. Private transfer, check-in (14:00) and rest after your flight.

Evening: a leisurely walk in Amir Timur Square, surrounded by lush gardens and fountains and centred on an equestrian statue of Amir Timur. The square symbolises Tashkent’s modern heart, blending Soviet architecture with Central Asian flair.

Overnight: Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Old part of the city: the Khast Imam Complex — the spiritual heart of Tashkent, with mosques, madrasahs and mausoleums. Home to the Uthman Quran, considered the world’s oldest Quran (7th century), believed to have belonged to Caliph Uthman. Visits: Barak Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheikh Mosque and the Mausoleum of Saint Kaffal Shashi. Chorsu Bazaar — a bustling traditional market under a stunning blue-domed structure; since the Silk Road era, a key trading spot for spices, textiles, crafts and Uzbek street food.

Lunch.

Modern part of the city: Independence Square (formerly Lenin Square, 12 hectares) with the Monument of Independence and Humanism (1991). The Romanov Palace (exterior visit, 1891, architects Heinzelman and Benois) — palace of Grand Duke Nikolai Romanov, exiled here in 1874. The square by the Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre (architect Aleksei Shchusev, 1942–1947, 1,400 seats). We finish the day at Amir Timur Square and the Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption.

Evening: dinner at a traditional Uzbek restaurant.

Overnight: Tashkent.

Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Urgench (subject to schedule), then transfer to Khiva (about 30 min). Check-in at a hotel in the heart of Ichan Kala.

Full-day tour of the Ichan Kala fortress (UNESCO): the walled inner city of Khiva, an open-air museum of Islamic architecture and the last resting place of caravans before crossing the desert to Persia.

Kalta Minor Minaret — an unfinished yet stunning turquoise minaret, a symbol of Khiva. Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah — the largest in Khiva (mid-19th c.), now a hotel and museum. Kunya Ark Citadel — a fortress with the khan’s palace, mosque and prison (17th c.); climb the watchtower for panoramic views. Tash Hauli Palace — a labyrinthine palace with courtyards and harem quarters (19th c., Allakuli Khan): carved wooden columns and vibrant tilework.

Optional: an evening on a terrace with a glass of wine, fruit and cheese to feel the spirit of the city of the Thousand and One Nights (weather permitting) — +$15 per person.

Evening: dinner in an ancient courtyard, free time to explore Khiva at sunset.

Overnight: Khiva.

Breakfast. Transfer to Bukhara across the vast Kyzylkum Desert, capturing the timeless landscapes of the Silk Road. Arrival and check-in at a charming hotel near the old town.

Noble Bukhara — the sacred pillar of Asia and a legendary Silk Road city. The only city in Central Asia with almost 2,000 monuments, where you can still feel the ancient atmosphere.

Evening: leisure time around Lyabi Hauz (UNESCO) — a serene pond surrounded by centuries-old mulberry trees and teahouses. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Bukhara.

Breakfast. Full-day excursion around Bukhara:

Ismail Samani Mausoleum — a 10th-century brick mausoleum with a unique geometric design, one of the oldest Muslim monuments in Central Asia and the family tomb of the Samanids. Chashma-Ayub (14th c.) — mausoleum and holy spring, “the Fountain of Saint Job”. Bolo Hauz Mosque (18th c.) — carved wooden pillars, the Emir’s official mosque. Ark Fortress — an ancient citadel and residence of the Emirs (from the 5th c.), with museums of royal artefacts and manuscripts. Lyabi Hauz Ensemble (16th–17th c.), Kukeldash Madrasah and Nadir Divan-Begi Khanaka.

Lunch.

Three trading domes: Toki Zargaron (jewellers), Toki Telpak Furushon (hat makers) and Toki Sarrafon (money changers) — 16th c. Poi-Kalon Complex: Kalon Minaret (1127), Poi Kalon Mosque (12th c.) and Miri Arab Madrasah (15th c., exterior, still an active Quran school). Chor Minor — a charming building with four blue-domed towers.

Evening: dinner at a local guest house with a plov cooking master class.

Overnight: Bukhara.

Breakfast. Today we explore beyond the city: Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (Summer Palace of the Emirs) — a luxurious residence blending Oriental and Russian styles, built by the last Emir, Alim Khan, in the early 20th century; mirrored mosaics, frescoes, chandeliers, harem quarters and a museum of royal costumes and gifts. Chor Bakr Necropolis and the Naqshbandi Ensemble — sacred sites of the Sufi tradition.

Return to Bukhara for lunch. Free afternoon for exploring or shopping.

Evening: dinner at a restaurant of Bukharan cuisine.

Overnight: Bukhara.

Breakfast. Afternoon transfer to the station for the Afrosiyob high-speed train (14:58–16:41).

The itinerary may change according to Uzbekistan Railways’ schedules. Train tickets must be nominative — we need passenger data at least 62 days before departure. There are no reservations, only ticket purchase 60 days before departure.

A scenic journey through the Uzbek countryside. Arrival in Samarkand — the jewel of the Timurid Empire. Check-in.

Evening walk to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, beautifully illuminated at night — the resting place of Amir Timur (15th c.), a masterpiece that influenced Mughal architecture and the design of the Taj Mahal: a majestic blue dome and intricate tile mosaics.

Optional: evening visit to Registan Square for the light and music show (with entrance) — +$15 per person.

Evening: dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Samarkand.

Breakfast. Samarkand is the birthplace of Timur — for more than two thousand years a key point on the Great Silk Road and a centre of medieval Eastern science; inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Registan Square — the heart of ancient Samarkand, framed by three madrasahs. Ulugh Beg Madrasah (15th c.), built by Timur’s grandson, an astronomer and mathematician. Sher Dor Madrasah (17th c.) with its tiger mosaics. Tillya-Kori Madrasah (17th c.) with a gold-decorated hall. Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis — a sacred pilgrimage site of mausoleums (9th–14th c.), believed to hold the grave of Qutham ibn Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad; turquoise tilework and mosaics. Bibi-Khanym Mosque (14th c.) — one of the largest in the Islamic world, built by Timur in honour of his favourite wife. Siab Bazaar — a market since Silk Road times: fresh produce, dried fruit, spices and Samarkand sweets.

Evening: dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Samarkand.

Breakfast. We continue exploring Samarkand: Ulugh Beg Observatory — one of the earliest astronomical observatories in the world (15th c.); the remnants of a giant sextant and a museum. Afrasiab Museum and Ancient Settlement — the precursor of modern Samarkand (founded in the 7th century BC): wall paintings of royal ceremonies, pottery and artefacts. Meros Paper Mill in Konigil village — production of Samarkand’s famous silk paper from mulberry bark (a technique from the 8th century); a demonstration of the process and handmade products to buy.

Free time for shopping or exploring local cafés.

Evening: dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Samarkand.

Breakfast. Morning at leisure to explore more of Samarkand or relax at the hotel.

Afternoon departure on the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Tashkent (17:35–20:08).

The itinerary may change according to Uzbekistan Railways’ schedules. Train tickets must be nominative — we need passenger data at least 62 days before departure. There are no reservations, only ticket purchase 60 days before departure.

Evening: farewell dinner at one of Tashkent’s finest traditional restaurants with live Uzbek music.

Overnight: Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure flight. End of the program.