Classic Uzbekistan Group Tour

Today, depart London on the overnight flight to Tashkent TAS, travelling with Uzbekistan Airways.

Upon arrival in Tashkent, clear immigration, collect your baggage, and meet your Uzbek escort guide, who will accompany you throughout the tour. After a short drive, check into your centrally located hotel and enjoy a relaxed morning. Explore Tashkent’s Old Town, visiting the Hazrati Imam Complex, including Qaffol Shoshi Mausoleum, Barak-Khan Madrassah, and the Muyi Muborak Library, home to the world’s oldest Quran. Browse artisan stalls, visit Chorsu Bazaar, Rakhimov’s ceramic studio, and the Museum of Applied Arts. Your hotel is near the Alisher Navoi Theatre. (B,L)

*Please note that there's no welcome dinner planned for today, and you can choose from nearby dining options. Additionally, there's a chance to attend a performance at the Alisher Navoi Theatre if one is scheduled during your stay.

• Hotel Description

Begin your day with a morning walk from the hotel, admiring the striking exterior of the Alisher Navoi Theatre and the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, highlighting Tashkent’s Soviet and post-independence legacy. Stroll through Independence Square and the Mustakillik Foundation, symbols of national pride. Visit Romanov Palace and walk along bustling Sailgokh Street to Amir Timur Square, home to the impressive Timur statue, the Tashkent Chimes, and the International Congress Hall. After lunch, reflect at the Memorial to the Victims of Repression before exploring Tashkent’s stunning metro stations and the Islam Karimov Memorial Complex. (B, L)

Pldease note: Transport includes walking, private vehicle, and metro rides.

• Hotel Description

After several eventful days, we have a relaxed start today, checking out of our hotel in the mid-morning. Departing Tashkent, we head northeast to the Chimgan Mountains, part of the Western Tian Shan, nestled between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The main focus of our visit is the Amirsoy mountain and ski resort. We'll take a cable car to 2,290 meters above sea level, enjoying lunch at the 2290 Bar Terrace while taking in the breathtaking mountain views. If the sky is clear, the scenery is even more impressive. You can choose to spend about 30 minutes walking in this picturesque area. We'll then drive along the southern shoreline of the Charvak Reservoir, making scenic stops. Returning to Tashkent, we'll have dinner and prepare for our overnight sleeper train journey to Urgench. (B,L,D)

This morning, we'll arrive in Urgench, the capital of Uzbekistan's Khorezm Region, around 10:10am. After disembarking, we'll head northeast to Ayaz Kala, where we'll enjoy lunch at a Yurt Camp and experience a taste of desert life in a somewhat staged setting. In the afternoon, we'll explore two Desert Castles of Ancient Khorezm, part of a collection of over 50 abandoned fortresses in the region. While visiting all 50 would be a significant expedition, we'll have time to see Ayaz Kala (near our lunch stop) and Toprak Kala. Our journey continues to Khiva, where we'll check in to our hotel for a two-night stay in the late afternoon. After a couple of eventful days, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your leisure. (L)

• Hotel Description

Spend the full day exploring Khiva, one of the most impressive cities on the Silk Road - the inner town of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This remote oasis city is west of the Amu Darya River, sandwiched between the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts - a logical place for Silk Road traders of yesteryear to rest up before their difficult onward journey. Khiva’s history stretches back some 2,500 years, but much of interest in the city today is from the 17th century onwards. This city feels like a living museum and sights today will include a tapestry of spectacular palaces, mosques, minarets, madrassahs and mausoleums. (B/L)

• Hotel Description

Leaving Khiva, we embark on a day-long 450km/280-mile journey to Bukhara. After departing from Khiva near the Turkmenistan border, we cross the Amu Darya River, gradually transitioning from the fertile Khorezm region to the arid Kyzylkum Desert. The road offers sparse settlements, but we'll pause at a basic café for snacks/drinks (at your own expense) and make occasional stops to stretch our legs. After a seven-hour drive, we arrive in Bukhara for a three-night stay, checking in at our hotel. Following a chance to freshen up, we'll head out for an early dinner at a nearby restaurant. (B/D)

• Hotel Description

Spend the day exploring Bukhara, one of the Silk Road’s most atmospheric cities. Begin with the elegant Ismail Samani Mausoleum and the nearby Chashma Ayub, a spring said to have been struck by the staff of the Prophet Job. After lunch, explore the Old Town’s key landmarks, including the towering Kalyan Minaret, spared by Chinggis Khan, and the tranquil Lyabi Hauz complex, where locals still gather today. Visit a charming family-run puppet theatre keeping Uzbekistan’s puppetry traditions alive. This evening, enjoy a lively folklore performance in a madrassah courtyard, complete with music, colourful costumes, and traditional dance. (B, L, D)

• Hotel Description

Spend the day further exploring Bukhara, starting with the mighty Ark Fortress - once the royal residence and a symbol of power until it fell to the Soviets in 1920. Nearby, visit the Zindan prison, home to the notorious “Bug Pit” where British officers were infamously held in harsh conditions in the 19th century. After refreshments, you may choose to visit the vast Kalyan Mosque and explore nearby madrassahs, including Ulug Beg’s and the richly decorated Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah. After lunch near your hotel, enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure to soak up Bukhara’s old-world charm. (B, L)

• Hotel Description

Leaving Bukhara, we take a leisurely 285km/180-mile journey to Samarkand. Unlike those rushing between cities, we make stops along the way. First, we visit Gijduvan, famous for traditional ceramics, and experience small-town life while witnessing the ceramic masters at work. We take a quick tea/refreshment break here before continuing. Our next stop is Navoi, a modern city "refounded" by the Soviets in the 1950s. Though of limited interest to cultural enthusiasts, we have lunch and explore the city center with its Soviet-style influences. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Samarkand and check into our hotel for a 4-night stay. After some downtime, dinner awaits in a nearby restaurant. (B/L/D)

• Hotel Description

Explore Samarkand, the last of our remarkable Uzbek Silk Road cities. With a population of about one million, Samarkand offers a different atmosphere compared to the other classic Silk Road cities, resembling bustling Tashkent. Starting at the magnificent Registan Square, one of Central Asia's most impressive sights, home to the famous Madrassahs: Ulugh Bek, Sher-Dor & Tilya-Kori. Next, we visit the Gur-I Amir, a Timurid dynasty necropolis, where you'll see Amir Timur's tomb adorned with Mongolian Jade. We then proceed to the 15th-century Bibi Khanum Mosque, a remarkable architectural feat of its time. We also visit the Siyob Bazaar, conveniently located next to Bibi Khanum, and take a short walk to the Hazrat Hizr Mosque for city views and a visit to the small Mausoleum of Islam Karimov (no photography allowed). After a fulfilling day, you'll have a free evening to explore and dine at your leisure. (B, L)

• Hotel Description

Today we depart Samarkand for a day trip to Shakrisabz, birthplace of Amir Timur, a city some 90km/55 miles south of Samarkand. Shakriysabz is another spectacular city with its historic centre designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have plenty of time to tour the city, with our visits to include the Dor at-Tilyavat Complex, Dor as-Siadat Complex and the Ak Serai Complex. We will break our day with lunch in the city. Arriving back into Samarkand in the later afternoon, enjoy what is left of the day and the evening at leisure. (B, L)

• Hotel Description

Explore Samarkand further with a half-day itinerary, starting at the Shah I Zinda Necropolis. The path is lined with ornate tombs boasting stunning blue and turquoise domes. Time permitting, the group can also visit the attached graveyard. Exiting the city, we'll visit the Afrosiab fort and the nearby Ulug Beg Observatory, an intriguing medieval astronomical site. After heading east from Samarkand, enjoy lunch before a wine-tasting experience in Bagigazan, a village with a long history of winemaking, visited by Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC. Then, you'll return to Samarkand in the mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of the day and evening free for your leisurely exploration. (B, L)

Please note: The day's order may be adjusted on-site since the exact timing of the visit to Bagigazan can only be confirmed on the day.

This morning, we depart from our Samarkand hotel and head to the railway station, where we'll board the morning Sharq Train to Tashkent. The train ride takes about four hours, and upon our return to the Uzbek capital, we'll have lunch near the station. From there, we'll use the Metro and walk back to our hotel for an overnight stay, our final one in the country. The afternoon offers flexibility for additional sightseeing, allowing you to make up for missed spots earlier in the tour or explore sites of personal interest. Alternatively, travelers can opt for independent exploration or leisure time. In the evening, we'll come together for a farewell group dinner in central Tashkent. (B, L, D)

• Hotel Description

This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your Uzbekistan Airways flight home. (B)