Silk Road tour Uzbekistan: 7-Day Cultural Trip

Upon arrival at the airport, railway station, or Tashkent border, a representative will meet and arrange a comfortable transfer to the hotel for accommodation and rest. Tashkent is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with a history of over 2,200 years. Throughout the centuries, it has been a key centre on the Great Silk Road connecting East and West. Today, it is a modern metropolis that combines historical monuments and contemporary structures, offering guests a unique experience. Later, a welcome dinner will be organised in a national cuisine restaurant, where one can become acquainted with traditional Uzbek dishes and experience genuine Eastern hospitality.

After breakfast at the hotel restaurant, a transfer to the train station is provided for departure on the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Bukhara at 07:28. Arrival at 11:23, meeting at the station, and transfer to the hotel. Free time to rest after the journey.
Bukhara is an ancient city with a history spanning over 2,500 years, serving as a key center on the Great Silk Road. The city is renowned for its architectural monuments that reflect the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Central Asia.
In the evening, a stroll through the narrow streets of the old city offers an immersion into an eastern fairy tale amidst majestic madrasas and minarets. The day concludes with dinner at the "Lyabi Hauz" teahouse, offering the finest dishes of national cuisine. Here, one can enjoy exquisite flavors and feel the harmony and tranquility of old Bukhara.

After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, an exciting walking tour of the historic center of Bukhara begins. The sightseeing tour includes visits to the Talipach Gate—the ancient entrance to the city, the Mausoleums of the Samanids and Chashma-Ayub—unique monuments of medieval architecture, the Bolo-Hauz Mosque with its elegant carved columns, and the Ark Fortress—the ancient citadel of Bukhara's rulers.
The route then leads to the Poi-Kalyan ensemble with its majestic minaret and mosque, as well as the famous Miri-Arab Madrasah and Ulugbek Madrasah—centers of Islamic education. Visiting the trade domes of Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Telpak-Furushon, and Toki-Sarrafon offers immersion into the atmosphere of Eastern bazaars, where trading life has been bustling for centuries.
The tour continues with a visit to the synagogue—a testament to the city's centuries-old tolerance, and the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, consisting of three madrasahs surrounding a picturesque pond, and the bronze statue of Khoja Nasreddin—the legendary hero of folk tales.
The excursion concludes with a hearty dinner in a cozy home setting. During dinner, there will be an opportunity to learn about the hospitality of the local residents, their daily life, and traditions. Additionally, the host will invite guests to a master class on preparing authentic Bukhara pilaf—a famous dish of Uzbek cuisine.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, the tour of Bukhara continues. The program includes visits to the Chor-Minor Madrasah, whose photographs adorn all brochures about Bukhara; the palace residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Sitorai Mohi Hosa; the complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandi with its madrasah, mosque, and minaret; and the Chor-Bakr necropolis with its narrow streets, unique atmosphere, and numerous ancient family crypts.
Upon completion of the fascinating tour, transfer to the station for departure to Samarkand at 15:50 by the high-speed train "Afrosiyob". Arrival at Samarkand station at 17:20, meeting and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest, dinner is provided in a cosy local restaurant with delicious cuisine.

After breakfast at the hotel, an exciting tour of Samarkand begins. Visits are planned to the most captivating places in the city to explore its rich history, traditions, and cultural values. The sightseeing tour includes a visit to Registan Square—the heart of Samarkand—where the three stunningly beautiful madrasahs of Ulugbek, Tilya-Kori, and Sher-Dor are located. These architectural masterpieces impress with their grandeur and elegance.
The route then leads to the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, where the remains of the great conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) rest. This monument is renowned for its unique architecture and historical significance. Next, a visit to the Shakhi-Zinda ensemble is planned, with its beautiful mausoleums and narrow streets that create an incomparable atmosphere of the ancient city.
The tour continues to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, one of the largest religious structures in Central Asia, and the Siab Bazaar, where one can immerse in the vibrant colors and spice aromas of an Eastern market. Additionally, the program includes a visit to the Mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar, where, according to legend, the relics of the Prophet Daniel are kept; the Afrasiab Museum with famous frescoes discovered during excavations; and Ulugbek's Observatory with its giant sextant—a remarkable example of medieval astronomy.
In the evening, dinner at the "Karimbek" restaurant will delight with a variety of delicious shashlik, fresh vegetables, and herbs, immersing guests in the atmosphere of Samarkand's hospitality and culinary traditions.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, transfer to the station for departure to Tashkent at 06:37 by the high-speed Spanish train "Afrosiyob." Arrival in the capital at 08:47, transfer and accommodation in a cozy hotel where one can rest after the journey.
In the afternoon, a tour of Tashkent is planned, including visits to the most famous museums such as the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan and the Museum of Applied Arts. A stroll through colorful bazaars, including the famous Chorsu Bazaar, visits to handicraft workshops and picturesque streets where unique artworks and souvenirs are showcased.
The sightseeing tour also includes a visit to the Monument of Courage, erected in memory of residents who survived the devastating earthquake of 1966, and a walk through the main city square—Amir Timur Square—a favorite place of leisure for locals and visitors to the capital.
The day in Tashkent will conclude with dinner at a restaurant featuring national cuisine, where one can enjoy exquisite Uzbek dishes and a hospitable atmosphere.

After breakfast, a transfer to the airport or railway station is organized for further travel. It is also possible to head to the border regions of Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Tajikistan to continue the tour of Central Asia. Optionally, the tour can be extended by adding a trip to the Fergana Valley—a region where over 15 million residents of Uzbekistan live, renowned for its rich culture and picturesque landscapes.