Uzbekistan Silk Road Discovery Tour

Itinerary: Tashkent – Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Gilon Village – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Country: Uzbekistan
Tour Type: Cultural, Historical, Ethnographic, Silk Road Heritage
Season: All year round

Day 1 – Arrival in Tashkent | Capital of Uzbekistan

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Musafir (or similar)

City Introduction

Tashkent is the modern capital of Uzbekistan and a major hub on the ancient Silk Road. The city blends Islamic heritage, Soviet architecture, and contemporary urban life.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Khast Imam Complex – A major Islamic center housing the famous Uthman Quran, one of the oldest Qurans in the world, written on deer skin
• Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Barak Khan Madrasah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum
• Chorsu Bazaar – Historic market located at the crossroads of Silk Road trade routes
• Museum of Applied Arts – Showcasing traditional Uzbek craftsmanship
• Independence Square, Navoi Theatre Square, Earthquake Memorial
• Tashkent Metro Ride – Famous for its artistic Soviet-era stations

Evening: Dinner at a traditional Uzbek restaurant
Overnight: Tashkent

Day 2 – Tashkent to Samarkand | High-Speed Train Journey

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Marokand / Chorbog (or similar)

Transportation:

• Fast train Tashkent – Samarkand
• Departure: 07:26
• Arrival: 09:45
• Distance: approx. 300 km

City Introduction

Samarkand is one of the world’s oldest cities and a jewel of the Great Silk Road, renowned for its monumental architecture and cultural legacy.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Afrosiyob Museum – Ancient Samarkand history
• Ulugbek Observatory – Medieval astronomical center
• Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis – Mausoleum complex of royal and religious figures
• Bibi-Khanum Mosque (ruins) – Once the largest mosque in Central Asia
• Siab Bazaar – Traditional oriental market

Cultural Experience

• Plov Cooking Masterclass at a local family home

Overnight: Samarkand

Day 3 – Samarkand | UNESCO World Heritage City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Samarkand

Sightseeing Highlights

• Gur-Emir Mausoleum – Tomb of Amir Timur (Tamerlane)
• Registan Square – Iconic ensemble of three grand madrasahs
• Bibi-Khanum Mosque – Symbol of Timur’s empire
• Siab Bazaar – Tasting of dried fruits and oriental sweets

Cultural Insight

Learn about the regional varieties of Uzbek plov and local culinary traditions.

Overnight: Samarkand

Day 4 – Samarkand to Gilon Mountain Village

Distance: 180 km | approx. 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House in Gilon Village

Village Introduction

Gilon is a remote mountain village located at 2,000 meters above sea level, offering authentic rural life and breathtaking scenery.

Activities

• Scenic drive through mountain passes
• Lunch at a local resident’s home
• Walking tour of the village
• Visit to a traditional blacksmith workshop
• Meeting with a local artist

Overnight: Gilon Village

Day 5 – Gilon Village – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand – Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bukhara

Shakhrisabz – Birthplace of Amir Timur

Historic city and former royal residence of Tamerlane.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Ak-Saray Palace Ruins – Timur’s summer residence
• Jakhongir Mausoleum – Tomb of Timur’s eldest son
• Dorus-Saodat Complex
• Kok Gumbaz Mosque – Built by Ulugbek
• Gumbazi-Seyidan Mausoleum

Transportation

• Evening transfer to Samarkand
• Fast train Samarkand – Bukhara
• Departure: 22:20
• Arrival: 00:04

Overnight: Bukhara

Day 6 – Bukhara | Living Museum of the East

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Rayyan / Shahnishin (or similar)

City Introduction

Bukhara is one of Central Asia’s most sacred cities, featuring over 140 preserved monuments.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Samanid Mausoleum (9–10th c.)
• Chashma Ayyub Complex
• Bolo Hauz Mosque
• Ulugbek & Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasahs
• Magoki-Attari Mosque
• Trading Domes – Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Sarrafon, Toki-Tilpak-Furushon
• Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble
• Ark Citadel – Former Emir’s residence
• Poi-Kalon Complex – Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasah
• Bukhara Synagogue

Cultural Stop: Tea break at a silk carpet showroom

Overnight: Bukhara

Day 7 – Bukhara Countryside Excursion

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Bukhara

Excursion Highlights

• Sitorai Mohi Khosa Palace – Summer residence of the last Emir
• Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum – Major Sufi pilgrimage site
• Chor Bakr Necropolis – Open-air memorial complex

Afternoon: Free time to explore Bukhara independently
Overnight: Bukhara

Day 8 – Bukhara to Khiva

Distance: approx. 490 km | 6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Kosha Darvoza (or similar)

Transportation

Scenic transfer across the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva.

Overnight: Khiva

Day 9 – Khiva | Open-Air Museum City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Khiva

Ichan-Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• City walls and gates
• Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah
• Kalta Minor Minaret
• Kunya Ark
• Juma Mosque – 218 wooden columns
• Tash-Khauli Palace
• Islam Khoja Minaret & Madrasah
• Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
• Dishon-Kala (outer city)

Evening: Night walk in Ichan-Kala and dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Khiva

Day 10 – Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent | Departure

Meals: Breakfast

• Transfer to Urgench Airport (08:00)
• Domestic flight Urgench – Tashkent
• International departure from Tashkent

Tour Prices (Per Person, USD)

Price Includes

• All transfers and excursions in air-conditioned vehicles
• Fast train tickets: Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara (economy class)
• Domestic flight: Urgench – Tashkent
• Hotel accommodation (double/twin rooms)
• Entrance fees according to itinerary
• Local English-speaking tour guides

Price Excludes

• International flights
• Uzbekistan tourist visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Hotel extras and personal expenses

Hotels Used

• Tashkent: Hotel Musafir
• Samarkand: Grand Marokand / Chorbog
• Bukhara: Rayyan / Shahnishin
• Khiva: Kosha Darvoza
• Gilon Village: Local Guest House