14-Day Uzbekistan Cultural Adventure Tour

Arrive at Tashkent Airport, where our driver will transfer you to the hotel (check-in starts at 14:00). Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to go out for dinner or relax at the hotel. 

At 9:00 AM, begin your city tour of Tashkent, starting with Independence Square and the History Museum. Continue to the Khast Imam Complex, which houses the world’s oldest known Quran. Next, take a ride on the Tashkent Metro, famous for its beautifully designed stations, to reach the bustling Chorsu Bazaar. Nearby, visit the 16th-century Kukaldosh Madrasa and the 15th-century Juma Mosque, both important historical landmarks.

An early flight from Tashkent takes you to Urgench (1hour 40 min), followed by a 30-minute drive to Khiva. Once a key Silk Road trading hub and the capital of the Khiva Khanate, Khiva is now a well-preserved ancient city. After breakfast at the hotel, begin exploring Ichon-Qala, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with stops at Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa, Kalta Minor, Kuhna-Ark, Juma Mosque, Tosh-Hovli Palace, Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum, and more. After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore this magical town.

After breakfast, take a full-day trip to the ancient fortresses of Karakalpakstan. Built over 2,000 years ago to defend against nomadic invasions, these fortresses are located near the Sultan Uiz Dag Mountains. Travel 100 km from Khiva to visit Toprak Qala, a 2nd-century fortress with temples and gardens. Explore the nearby Kizil Qala, possibly an army base, and Ayaz Qala, a stunning fortress complex overlooking the desert and Ayaz Lake. Enjoy lunch at the Ayaz Qala yurt camp, then visit Jonbos Qala before returning to Khiva.

Today, we journey 6 hours (480 km) to Bukhara through the Kyzyl-Kum desert, home to nomadic people, shepherds' huts, and camel herds. The route follows the Amu Darya River. We’ll make several stops to break up the trip. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon exploring Bukhara’s bustling trading domes filled with crafts and spices, or relax with tea by the Lyabi-Hauz pool under ancient mulberry trees.

With over a hundred unique monuments, Bukhara is known as the “Bastion of Islam” and Central Asia's holiest city. Spend two days here, with the first day dedicated to sightseeing and the second featuring a half-day tour followed by a free afternoon. Highlights include Lyabi-Hauz, the Maghoki-Attar Mosque, Nadir Divanbegi Madrasa, the Kalon Ensemble with its 47-meter “Tower of Death” minaret, the operational Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, and the ancient Ark Fortress. You will also visit the Ismail Samani and Chashma Ayub Mausoleums. The evening is free to explore Bukhara at your leisure.

Begin the day at Sitorai Mohi Hosa, the summer palace of the last emir, showcasing a blend of Russian and local designs. Continue to the Kasri Orifon village, stopping at the Chor-Bakr necropolis. Visit the Bakhautdin Naqshband complex, a significant Sufi pilgrimage site featuring mosques, a minaret, and the mausoleum. Return to Bukhara for a free afternoon to explore artisan shops, wander narrow streets, or enjoy a puppet show (min.10 pax) in an old caravanserai or a medieval Hammam.

After breakfast, travel east from Bukhara to Nurata, stopping en route in Gijduvan, a town known for its traditional ceramics. Visit a local workshop to learn about the ceramics production process, and browse its museum and souvenir shop. After this short stop, continue the drive to Nurata (160 km). Nurata is steeped in history, with origins tied to Alexander the Great's fortress and the holy Chashma Spring. After lunch in a traditional house, explore the 9th-century mausoleum, mosque, and fortress ruins before heading to the Desert Yurt Camp (65 km). Spend the night in a traditional yurt, with separate washing and toilet facilities.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride, explore the nearby dunes, or visit the Kazakh village of Dungalak. Relax and take in the desert sunset before dinner at the camp.

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­Today travel via Lake Aydarkul to a village in the Nuratau Mountains, home to the endangered Severtzov’s wild sheep, protected within the Nuratau Nature Reserve. 

The journey offers stunning mountain views and a glimpse into the daily lives of local farmers. Arrive at the homestay in Hayat village, where the host will introduce the facilities. Accommodation includes traditional shared rooms with thick mattresses, a separate ablution block, and a shady garden with a river. After lunch with the family, explore the village, visiting the mosque, school, and shop, while meeting the friendly locals.  In the evening, help prepare or observe the preparation of the traditional dish 'Plov,' made with fresh, home-grown ingredients. Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

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After breakfast, take a guided walk to the Nature Reserve to see the breeding enclosure for the endangered Severtzov’s sheep, with 95% of its global population in the Nuratau Mountains. Along the valley, view abandoned houses from the 1950s resettlement by the Soviet government. On the return, visit the local elementary school. After lunch, relax at the homestay. Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

Early risers can enjoy sunrise from the hill or observe the host family’s morning chores. After breakfast, depart the Nuratau Mountains and drive to Samarkand, a historic Silk Road city that flourished as the capital of Timur’s empire. Arrive by lunchtime and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, begin a guided tour with a visit to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Timur and his descendants. Then, proceed to Samarkand’s most iconic site, Registan Square, featuring three magnificent madrasas from the 15th to 17th centuries: Ulugbek Madrasa, Sher-Dor Madrasa, and Tilla-Kari Madrasa. End the day with a visit to the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, an architectural marvel built by Timur’s wife, and explore the nearby bustling Siyob Bazaar, a hub of local culture and vibrant trade.

After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Timur and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your tour at the remnants of the Ak-Saray Palace, Timur’s grand summer residence. Continue to the Dorut Tilavat Memorial Complex, featuring the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and the Mausoleum of Sheikh Shamsuddin Kulal. Explore the Dorus Saodat burial complex, the final resting place of Timur’s family members. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and some free time to stroll through the historic streets before returning to Samarkand in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, continue your Samarkand tour with visits to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the Afrosiab Museum, and Ulugbek’s Observatory. Begin with the stunning Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, where Qusam ibn-Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, is buried. Then, visit the Afrosiab Museum to explore Samarkand's ancient history and Ulugbek’s Observatory, a testament to Timur’s grandson's astronomical brilliance. If time permits, visit Konigil village to observe the traditional production of famous silk paper. In the late afternoon, take the train to Tashkent and settle into your hotel.

Check out from the hotel by noon and transfer to Tashkent International Airport.