Arrival in Urgench via Istanbul.

Meet and greet at Urgench International Airport, followed by a transfer to Khiva (30 km).

After breakfast and some time to relax, begin your exploration of the city.

Visit Itchan Kala, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled inner city, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a 19th-century Central Asian city.

Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel before departing for Bukhara, the legendary city of the Orient with more than 2,500 years of history.

Drive across the vast Kyzylkum Desert, stopping to enjoy a cup of tea on the banks of the Amu Darya River.

Lunch en route.

Continue to Bukhara, arriving in the evening.

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 and the towering Kalon Minaret.
• Mir-i-Arab Madrasah, a prestigious 16th-century Islamic school that remains active today.
• Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasahs.

In the evening, enjoy dinner with a Suzani embroidery artisan, offering a unique opportunity to experience authentic Uzbek hospitality and traditional craftsmanship.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Visit several remarkable monuments located just outside the historic centre:

• Chor Minor, an elegant 19th-century monument distinguished by its four turquoise-domed towers, built by the Turkmen merchant Khalif Niyazkul.
• Chor Bakr Necropolis, a vast 16th-century funerary complex located about 5 km from Bukhara.
• Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace, the former summer residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, admired for its harmonious blend of Uzbek and European architectural styles and its lavishly decorated interiors.

Transfer to the railway station to board the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand (2:58 p.m. – 4:41 p.m.).

Overnight in Samarkand.

As the writer Amin Maalouf beautifully 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, commissioned by Amir Timur in honour of his beloved wife.
• Siab Bazaar, the city’s lively traditional market.
• Registan Square, the magnificent historic heart of Samarkand.
• Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the 15th-century resting place of Timur and the Timurid dynasty.
• El Merosi Theatre, featuring a colourful presentation of Uzbekistan’s traditional historical costumes.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by continued sightseeing:

• Konigil Village, renowned for its traditional handmade paper workshop, where centuries-old papermaking techniques are still preserved.
• Ulugh Beg Observatory, one of the most advanced astronomical observatories of the medieval world.
• Afrasiab Museum, dedicated to the history of ancient Samarkand.
• Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, home to the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Khudjum Carpet Factory, where skilled artisans continue the centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving Uzbek carpets.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast.

Transfer to the Jartepa border crossing between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (50 km, approximately 1 hour).

After completing border formalities, meet your Tajik guide and driver.

Continue to Panjakent (20 km, approximately 20 minutes), stopping en route at Sarazm, one of Central Asia’s oldest archaeological sites. Dating back more than 5,500 years, Sarazm has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.

Upon arrival in Panjakent, visit:

• Rudaki Museum, dedicated to Abu Abdallah Rudaki, widely regarded as the father of Persian poetry.
• Ancient Panjakent, a remarkably preserved Sogdian city founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century. Explore the remains of houses, the citadel, Zoroastrian fire temples, and the ancient marketplace.

Overnight in Panjakent.

Breakfast.

Depart for the spectacular Seven Lakes (Haft Kul), one of Tajikistan’s most breathtaking natural attractions.

Nestled in the heart of the Fann Mountains, these seven crystal-clear alpine lakes are famous for their strikingly different shades of blue and green.

Discover the lakes:

• Mijgon
• Soya
• Hushyor
• Nofin (2,139 m)
• Khurdak
• Marguzor
• Hazorchashma (2,400 m)

Enjoy a picnic lunch beside one of the lakes, surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, before returning to Panjakent.

Overnight in Panjakent.

Breakfast.

Depart for Khujand, with a stop in Istaravshan, one of Tajikistan’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Visits include:

• Mug Tepa, the ancient settlement of Ura-Tyube, believed to have been founded by Cyrus the Great on the northeastern frontier of his empire.
• Hazrati Shoh Architectural Complex, an important religious and historical landmark.
• The traditional Istaravshan Bazaar, an excellent place to experience local crafts and the authentic atmosphere of a Tajik market.

Continue to Khujand.

Overnight in Khujand.

Breakfast.

Discover Khujand, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia.

Today’s sightseeing includes:

• Khujand Fortress and Archaeological Museum, housed within the ancient citadel dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout its history, the fortress underwent its most recent major restoration in the 18th century.
• Panjshanbe Bazaar, one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Central Asia, renowned for its remarkable architecture and its wide selection of local produce, spices, dried fruits, textiles, and traditional handicrafts.
• Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and Mausoleum (17th–19th centuries), one of the city’s most important spiritual landmarks.
• A panoramic tour of Khujand’s main monuments, including the Lenin Monument and the statue of the celebrated Persian poet Kamoli Khujandi.
• Arbob Palace (20th century), the former headquarters of a Soviet collective farm and a fine example of Soviet-Tajik architecture.

Overnight in Khujand.

Breakfast.

Transfer to the Tajikistan–Uzbekistan border and complete customs and immigration formalities.

Continue to Tashkent.

In the afternoon, discover the highlights of Uzbekistan’s capital:

• Khast Imam Complex, the city’s foremost religious centre and home to one of the world’s oldest Qur’an manuscripts.
• Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s oldest and most famous market, easily recognised by its iconic blue dome and lively atmosphere.
• Independence Square, one of the largest public squares in Central Asia and a symbol of Uzbekistan’s independence.
• Amir Timur Square, laid out in the late 19th century and now one of the city’s principal historical and cultural landmarks.

Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.

End of the tour.

Let Silk Way Tours guide you on a seamless journey through the timeless wonders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan!