Bukhara

Bukhara — the Kalyan minaret and mosque

Bukhara

Why Bukhara

Bukhara is the most complete medieval city in Central Asia — around 140 protected monuments inside a still-lived-in old town you can cross on foot in twenty minutes. Where Samarkand is a set of great monuments with a modern city around them, Bukhara is the monument: madrasahs, trading domes, a working bazaar and tea houses around the Lyabi-Hauz pool.

What to see

  • Poi-Kalyan — the Kalyan minaret (1127), mosque and Mir-i-Arab madrasah
  • The Ark — the emir’s fortress, occupied for over a millennium
  • Lyabi-Hauz — the shaded pool and square at the heart of the old town
  • The trading domes — covered bazaars still selling carpets, knives and karakul hats
  • Chor-Minor — a small four-towered gatehouse tucked in the back lanes
  • Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa — the last emir’s summer palace, on the edge of town

How long to stay

Two days. Bukhara rewards wandering — the second day is for the back streets, the summer palace and the Naqshband shrine outside the city.

Getting there

The Afrosiyob high-speed train links Bukhara with Samarkand (about 1.5 hours) and Tashkent (about 4 hours). Khiva is a 6-hour drive across the Kyzylkum desert, or a slow overnight train.

Where it fits in a route

Bukhara sits between Khiva and Samarkand on the classic route. Two nights here, with the desert crossing to or from Khiva on either side.

Bukhara tours

Read more: Bukhara — the open-air museum city. Back to Uzbekistan · Next: Khiva.

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.

  1. Send your enquiry

    Form, email or WhatsApp — whichever feels easier. Free and no obligation.

  2. 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.

  3. Receive a tailored proposal

    Route, accommodations, activities — with transparent, itemised pricing. No hidden mark-ups.

  4. Refine it together

    Adjust the pace, swap hotels, change dates — whatever needs to fit. As many rounds as you like.

  5. Confirm and travel

    We hold your reservations and stay on call throughout the trip — from arrival to the flight home.

Ready? Send your enquiry →

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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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