Expert opinion
Pluses
- Festive programme: the day-2 plan combines a private Tales of Samarkand tour with actors, a VIP area at the Samarkand's main bazaar, right next to Bibi-Khanym: Samarkand bread, dried fruit, nuts and halva. Read more →, a Rice cooked in a kazan with carrots, onions and meat: the dish of every Uzbek celebration. Each region cooks it its own way. master class and a festive dinner with live music.
- Your dates: the tour is private and runs on your dates; the programme is an example and the celebration is built around your wishes.
- Mostly included: 2 nights with breakfast, all transfers, all meals on the programme, a guide, entrance tickets and a photo session in national costume are in the price.
Minuses
- Flights not included: flights to Samarkand, extra services beyond the programme, personal expenses and tips are paid separately.
- Price varies: the group starts from 4 people and the exact price depends on group size, hotel category and the chosen dinner venue.
- Heat in July–August: much of day 2 is outdoors (bazaar, Did you know? The Registan's sun-carrying lion went on a banknote The Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636) is named for the big cats with the sun on their backs on its portal. The image appeared on the reverse of Uzbekistan's 200-som note of 1997. Read more → at sunset), and the calendar rates Samarkand as hard in July and August (daytime 34.5 and 33.3 °C).
AroundCA numbers
How we counted
By the AroundCA programme: we count only what is written in the day-by-day programme of this tour. If the programme gives no figure, we show nothing.
- Hotel changes
- none — one hotel
- Walking
- Light
Walking: Light: one city, an evening walk on day 1, the bazaar, the Registan and a last walk on day 3; no trekking or climbing in the programme.
Best time
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
March and November are the start and end of the season: 14–15 °C by day, few crowds and lovely weather. Winters are getting milder, too: very few people, sunny days and pleasant prices.
Cool, fewer people: Jan–Feb, Dec
Better to avoid
Jul–Aug
July–August is outside the season and hot: 33–34 °C by day in Samarkand.
A typical day
On the celebration day you take the private Tales of Samarkand tour with actors, visit the VIP area at the Siab bazaar and have lunch on tapchans. Then comes the Registan and a sunset photo session in national costume. In the evening there is a festive dinner in a historic courtyard with musicians and dancers, a plov master class, a sweet table and a wine tasting.
What the price includes
What is included
- 2 nights with breakfast
- All transfers, including the arba ride
- Private Tales of Samarkand tour with actors
- All meals on the programme, including the festive dinner
- Live music and dance at the dinner
- Plov master class
- Photo session in national costume
- Local guide and entrance tickets
Not included
- Flights to Samarkand
- Extra services and personalisation beyond the programme
- Personal expenses and tips
Good for
- Families and friends marking a birthday or other big date
- Groups of four or more who want everything arranged
- Those who want a celebration built around their own wishes
Maybe not for you if
- Couples or solo travellers — the programme is for groups of 4 or more
- Those wanting a quiet sightseeing trip — this is a staged celebration
Questions about this tour
What is included?
Everything that is and isn’t included, and what you pay on site, is in one list: What the price includes
What is not included?
Everything that is and isn’t included, and what you pay on site, is in one list: What the price includes
What is the minimum group size?
The listed price is for a group of 4 or more people.
Can the programme be changed?
Yes, the programme shown is an example; the exact price depends on group size, hotel category and the dinner venue.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask about this tour →
Make it your trip
Tick what you’d like to add — it goes into your request, and the manager confirms the final price.
Add a few days
Arrival, departure, transfers
Programme and details
Day-by-day route, prices and terms
Special occasion · 3 days
Birthday in Samarkand
An author’s celebration in the scenery of a thousand-year-old city: three days among madrasahs, bazaar aromas and a festive dinner in a caravanserai.
from $900 per person (all inclusive)
Group from 4 people
Private, on your dates
What makes it special
Highlights
- A ceremonial welcome by an «Eastern Sage» and an arba ride to the hotel
- A private «Tales of Samarkand» tour with actors playing rulers and merchants
- A VIP area at the Siab bazaar and lunch on tapchans
- A golden-hour photo session in national costume at the Registan
- A festive dinner in a An Islamic college: student cells and classrooms around a courtyard behind a grand portal. In the old towns many now house museums and craft workshops. courtyard or caravanserai with live music and dance
- A plov master class — the birthday guest becomes the head «plovchi»
Programme
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Samarkand
Ceremonial welcome, arba transfer to the hotel, a welcome tasting of fruit, sweets and green tea. An evening walk along Samarkand’s «Broadway» and dinner at a national restaurant.
Day 2 · The celebration
The private «Tales of Samarkand» tour, the VIP area at the Siab bazaar, lunch on tapchans, the Registan, and a sunset photo session in national costume. In the evening — a festive dinner in a historic courtyard with musicians and dancers, a plov master class, an eastern sweet table and a wine tasting.
Day 3 · Departure
Breakfast, a last walk (Did you know? Why Shah-i-Zinda means 'the Living King' The necropolis grew around the shrine of Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. Legend says he did not die in battle but went down a deep well to a garden of paradise, where he lives on. Read more → or the Registan by daylight) and transfer for departure.
Price
Price per person
| Group of 4+ people, all inclusive | $900 |
The programme above is an example — the celebration is built around your wishes. Exact price depends on group size, hotel category and the chosen dinner venue.
Booking
How to book
- Send a request via the form on this page, by email hello@aroundca.com or on WhatsApp. Reply within 24 hours.
- Tell us the date, the number of guests and anything special you have in mind — we build the celebration around it.
A birthday in the scenery of a thousand-year-old history — legends of the East and the joy of the moment.
