Alternative Uzbekistan Group Tour

Depart London Heathrow this afternoon on your overnight Uzbekistan Airways flight to Tashkent.

Arrive in Tashkent and meet your expert local guide, who will accompany you throughout the journey. Settle in at the centrally located Lotte Hotel before heading out for a welcome lunch at a nearby restaurant. This afternoon, travel by metro to the city’s northeastern edge to explore the evocative Chagatai Cemetery – a fascinating blend of Soviet and Islamic graves. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar, a vibrant Soviet-era market, before a panoramic drive past Tashkent’s key landmarks. Pause for refreshments near Amir Timur Square before returning to the hotel. This evening, join your guide for optional drinks at a local pub. (B, L)

Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight south to Termez, Uzbekistan’s southernmost city. On arrival, check in to your hotel within the AIRITOM Free Zone, a unique trade and dialogue area just two kilometres from the Afghan border. With Afghan traders, students and visitors mingling alongside locals, it’s a fascinating space for informal exploration. Spend the afternoon browsing market stalls, chatting with local vendors, or simply soaking up the cross-border energy. (B, D)

Please note: alcohol and other prohibited items cannot be brought into the zone.

Begin with a visit to Jarkurgan, a quiet town home to the stunning Jarkurgan Minaret, an architectural gem rising gracefully against the sky. Nearby, explore Dmitry Inyushev’s UNESCO-supported workshop—a vibrant hub preserving and crafting traditional fabrics and embroidery, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich textile heritage. Next, venture west to Alexandria Oxiana (Kampir Tepe), the mysterious ruins of an ancient port city once bustling on the Amu Darya’s banks, linked to Alexander the Great. Afterward, arrive in Termez, check into Hotel Meridian, then enjoy a relaxed walking tour of the city centre, including Dostlyk Park with its intriguing Soviet-Afghan War relics, soaking up local life and history. Dinner near the hotel concludes the day. (B, L, D)

Dive into Termez’s rich heritage, starting at the Archaeological Museum, offering key insights into the region’s diverse history. Explore the Sultan Saodat Complex, a stunning mausoleum site, then visit the 9th-century Kyr Kyz fortress - likely a caravanserai or summer palace. Nearby, the serene Kokil Dara Khanaga, a 16th century resting place for Sufi dervishes, awaits. Journey further back to ancient Buddhist sites: the Zurmala Stupa, Fayaz Tepe, and Kara Tepe, where you’ll feel the mystique of Central Asia’s Buddhist past against the Amu Darya’s backdrop. Finally, visit the 15th century Mausoleum of al-Hakkim al-Termezi before returning to relax or explore at your leisure. (B, L)

After breakfast, you’ll leave Termez and head north, stopping at Sayrob village to see the ancient Sayrob Chinorlari tree, believed to be around 1,000 years old. This hollow tree has served many roles over the centuries, from school to village council office. Arriving in Boysun for lunch, you begin our exploration with the Boysun Craft Centre. After checking into the Grand Hotel Boysun, you visit the stunning 30km-long Kyzly Canyon and the ruins of Kurganzol Fort, an Alexander the Great garrison discovered recently. A walk through the local bazaar includes a blacksmith’s workshop where traditional tools are crafted by hand. Dinner near the hotel ends the day. (B, L, D)

Today, you’ll embark on a scenic 350km journey through Uzbekistan’s vast, arid landscapes. As you travel north-west, you’ll pass through scrubby deserts, rugged gorges, and irrigated farmland nourished by the distant mountains and the Amu Darya River. En route, you’ll explore Derbent Canyon and visit the refreshing Xo’jamayxona Spring. In Qarshi, the provincial capital, enjoy lunch and discover the World War II Bunker Museum and the impressive Fortress of Glory, a major monument to the Great Patriotic War. After a brief stop at Eski Bazaar, you continue towards Bukhara. On arrival, settle into the Shahriston Hotel for an evening at leisure. (B, L)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Bukhara to explore independently or relax nearby. After midday checkout, join a flexible afternoon tour starting with the impressive Ark of Bukhara, a fortress that stood until 1920. Visit Zindan, the ‘Museum of History of Law and Court System’, home to the infamous ‘Bug Pit’ where 19th-century British adventurers Conolly and Stoddard were imprisoned. Discover the local Puppet Theatre, where artisans keep Uzbek puppetry alive. After dinner, transfer to the train station for the overnight sleeper to Kungrad, travelling in comfortable ‘Lux’ or shared ‘Kupe’ compartments. (B, D)

Early morning arrival in Kungrad, a quiet town on the edge of Uzbekistan’s western frontier. This remote outpost marks the gateway to the vast Ustyurt Plateau and beyond lies the Caspian Sea, 600km away. After a packed breakfast, prepare to set out across this stark, sparsely populated clay desert, beginning an adventure into one of Central Asia’s most dramatic and least-visited landscapes. (L, D)

Rise early to catch the sunrise or enjoy a peaceful pre-breakfast walk before setting off from camp. Travel slowly towards Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, passing dramatic landscapes along the way. Visit the 12th-century Kurgancha-Kala fortress near the southern Aral Sea, then explore the ancient Massaget cemetery and wind through rugged canyons. Cross the vast dried seabed of the Aral Sea en route to Moynaq, once a thriving fishing port now stranded miles from the water. After lunch, tour Moynaq’s Ship Graveyard, Ecological Museum, Aral Sea Monument, and lighthouse. Arrive in Nukus, check into the Pana Hotel, and enjoy dinner nearby. (B, L, D)

After several days of adventure, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and some free time to explore Nukus at your own pace. Later, join a guided walking tour of the city’s central sights, including the State Philharmonic Hall, Karakalpakstan Parliament, and the main city square. After lunch, venture out to the ancient Mizdarkhan archaeological complex and Gyaur-Kala Fortress. Mizdarkhan, dating back to the fourth century BC, is steeped in history and legend, featuring Zoroastrian and Islamic ruins, and believed by some locals to be the burial place of Adam. Return to Nukus for a leisurely evening. (B, L)

After checking out, begin with a visit to the renowned Savitsky Museum in Nukus, home to the world’s second-largest collection of Russian and Soviet avant-garde art—preserved thanks to its remote location and Igor Savitsky’s dedication. Then, travel slowly towards Urgench, stopping first at Chilpik Dakhma, a 2,000-year-old Zoroastrian tower of silence on the Amu Darya’s north bank. Next, explore two of the Desert Castles of Ancient Khorezm—Kyzyl Kala and Toprak Kala—remarkable fortresses from a vast network of over 50 sites. Cross the Amu Darya one last time before arriving in Urgench for an overnight stay and evening walk. (B, L, D)

This morning, transfer to Urgench airport for your flight back to Tashkent (flight times TBC). Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy brunch or an early lunch before checking into the Lotte Hotel for a two-night stay (early check-in not included). The afternoon is free for flexible sightseeing with your guide or independent exploration. Popular options include the Hazrati Imam Complex and Muborak Madrassah, home to the world’s oldest Quran. Many other museums and sights are available to explore, tailored to your interests. Note: some flights may include a brief layover in Bukhara, affecting total travel time. (B, L)

Today you’ll explore two rarely visited sites revealing Uzbekistan’s 20th century history. First, visit the Khvan Man Gim Museum in Dustlik, home to the Koryo-saram—ethnic Koreans forcibly deported here under Stalin. Their stories of hardship and survival offer a poignant insight into this resilient community’s legacy. Next, enjoy a traditional Uzbek lunch in Sukok, nestled in the Chimgan foothills. After lunch, visit the Parkent Solar Furnace, a remarkable Soviet-era solar energy facility that’s as fascinating as it is unusual. Return to Tashkent for a farewell dinner to round off the day. (B, L, D)

This morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport to check in for your Uzbekistan Airways flight home. (B)