Meet and greet at the airport, followed by a transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, discover the highlights of Uzbekistan’s capital:

• Khast Imam Complex, famous for housing one of the world’s oldest Qur’an manuscripts, dating from the 7th century.
• Chorsu Bazaar.
• Independence Square.
• Amir Timur Square.

Overnight in Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight from Tashkent to Nukus, gateway to Karakalpakstan, the autonomous republic of Uzbekistan.

Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nukus, including:

• The world-renowned Savitsky Museum of Arts, home to an outstanding collection of Russian avant-garde masterpieces and one of Central Asia’s finest collections of art.
• The ancient Mizdakhan Necropolis, one of the region’s oldest and most enigmatic archaeological sites, dating back to the Zoroastrian era.
• Nukus Bazaar, offering a glimpse into local daily life.

Overnight in Nukus.

Breakfast.

Depart for the legendary Desert Fortresses, once flourishing cities of the ancient Khorezm Kingdom.

Visit:

• Kyzyl Kala Fortress.
• Toprak Kala Fortress.

Continue to Khiva and visit Nurullabay Palace, located outside the walls of Itchan Kala. Built in the early 20th century, it was the last royal residence of the Khivan Khanate.

Transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast.

Spend the day exploring Itchan Kala, the beautifully preserved walled inner city that perfectly illustrates what a Central Asian city looked like in the 19th century.

Highlights include:

• Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and its impressive minaret.
• Kunya Ark Fortress, the former royal citadel.
• Muhammad Rahim Khan II Madrasah.
• Juma Mosque, famous for its forest of carved wooden columns.
• Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Khiva’s most revered shrine.
• Islam Khoja Minaret and Madrasah.
• Tash Khauli Palace, the richly decorated residence of the Khivan khans.

Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel before departing for Bukhara, one of Uzbekistan’s greatest treasures, with more than 2,500 years of history.

Drive across the vast Kyzylkum Desert, stopping along the banks of the Amu Darya River.

Lunch en route.

Arrival in Bukhara in the evening and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a full day of sightseeing:

• Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the oldest surviving monument in Bukhara, dating back to the 10th century.
• Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, traditionally associated with the Prophet Job.
• Bolo Hauz Mosque.
• Ark Fortress, the former residence of the Emirs of Bukhara.
• The 16th-century Trading Domes, historic covered bazaars.
• Poi Kalon Complex, including the Kalon Mosque, Kalon Minaret, and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.
• Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasahs.
• Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, the picturesque square built around one of Bukhara’s oldest pools.

Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by continued sightseeing:

• Bahauddin Naqshband Memorial Complex, dedicated to the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order.
• Chor Bakr Necropolis, an important spiritual and architectural ensemble.
• Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace, the lavish summer residence of the Emir of Bukhara.
• Chor Minor Madrasah, famous for its four distinctive turquoise-domed towers.

Optional traditional Oriental hammam experience, including authentic treatments.

Overnight in Bukhara.

Depart for Nurata.

En route, visit the historic Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai and the Sardoba water reservoir.

Upon arrival in Nurata, explore the ruins of Alexander the Great’s Fortress and visit the sacred Chashma Spring.

Continue to Lake Aydarkul. Depending on the weather, enjoy a swim in its warm waters and take a leisurely walk along the lakeshore to discover the region’s unique flora and fauna.

Continue to the yurt camp and settle into your accommodation.

Enjoy a camel ride before dinner.

Outdoor dinner followed by traditional Kazakh songs around the campfire.

Overnight at the yurt camp.

Breakfast.

Depart for Samarkand via the village of Mitan (260 km).

Visit a local family to experience authentic rural life and hospitality. Take part in a hands-on cooking workshop to learn how to prepare Plov, Uzbekistan’s iconic national dish.

Enjoy a walk through the village before continuing your journey to Samarkand.

Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Suggested evening activity:

• A stroll through the charming Russian Quarter.

Overnight in Samarkand.

As the writer Amin Maalouf once described it, « Samarkand is the most beautiful face the Earth has ever turned towards the sun. »

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a full day of sightseeing:

• Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built by Amir Timur in honour of his favourite wife.
• Visit to the lively Siab Bazaar.
• Registan Square, the magnificent historic heart of Samarkand.
• Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the 15th-century resting place of Timur and the Timurid dynasty.

Optional performance at the El Merosi Theatre, featuring a presentation of traditional Uzbek costumes.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast.

Depart for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Timur.

Explore this ancient city, whose history spans more than 2,500 years, with visits to:

• Ak Saray Palace, the magnificent ruins of Timur’s former summer palace.
• Dorus Saodat Memorial Complex (« Abode of Power »), the Timurid dynastic mausoleum.
• Dorut Tilovat Complex (« Abode of Contemplation »), one of the city’s most important religious ensembles.

Lunch.

Continue to Gilan, a traditional village nestled in the Hissar Mountains. Along the way, admire the beautiful Hisorak Reservoir.

Upon arrival, check in to a local homestay.

Enjoy a walk through the village and discover the daily life and traditions of its inhabitants.

Overnight in Gilan.

Breakfast.

Set off on a full-day 4WD excursion through the spectacular mountains surrounding Gilan, exploring remote landscapes far from the usual tourist routes.

Along the way, visit:

• The art gallery of a local painter.
• The village’s traditional watermill.
• A revered Muslim pilgrimage site.

Continue to the highest accessible points of the mountains, where snow often remains on the peaks even during the warmer months.

Return to your local homestay.

Overnight in Gilan.

Depart for the traditional village of Ayrikiya, located about 40 km from Samarkand.

Upon arrival, check in to a local homestay.

Enjoy a walk through the village before taking part in a hands-on cooking experience, where you will learn how to prepare the famous Uzbek national dish, Plov.

Overnight in Ayrikiya.

Breakfast.

Continue exploring the highlights of Samarkand with visits to:

• Konigil Village, renowned for its traditional handmade paper workshop.
• Ulugh Beg Observatory.
• Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, one of Samarkand’s most revered pilgrimage sites.
• Afrasiab Museum.
• Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, home to the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.

Late afternoon transfer to the railway station to board the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Tashkent (departure at approximately 5:00 p.m.; journey time: about 2 hours).

Arrival in Tashkent and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.

End of the tour.

Let Silk Way Tours guide you on a relaxing journey through the timeless heritage and natural wonders of Uzbekistan!