Essential Uzbekistan

Begin your journey to Uzbekistan with an overnight flight to Tashkent, the country’s dynamic capital and your gateway to the Silk Road.

Arrive in Tashkent and settle into your hotel before meeting your expert local guide for an included city tour. Explore the historic Old Town, visit Khast Imam Square, home to one of the world’s oldest Korans, browse the lively Chorsu Bazaar and admire traditional craftsmanship at the Museum of Applied Arts.

Travel by high-speed train to Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s most legendary cities. On arrival, enjoy an included guided tour of the city’s greatest landmarks, including Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane, the vast Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the breathtaking Registan Square. (B)

Continue discovering Samarkand with your guide as you visit the spectacular Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, known for its dazzling turquoise mosaics. Later, explore Ulugh Beg Observatory and visit the ancient settlement of Afrasiab Museum to uncover the city’s pre-Islamic past. (B)

Board the train to Bukhara, another of Uzbekistan’s great Silk Road cities. This afternoon, enjoy a guided excursion to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the former summer residence of the emirs, alongside visits to Bolo Haouz Mosque and the revered Bahauddin Naqshband Complex. (B)

Spend the day exploring Bukhara with your expert guide. Wander through one of Central Asia’s best-preserved medieval cities and discover highlights including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, historic madrassahs and atmospheric trading domes that once welcomed Silk Road merchants. (B)

Enjoy a free morning in Bukhara, with time for a final stroll through its atmospheric old quarter, perhaps browsing artisan workshops or visiting a traditional tea house. Later, board the train back to Tashkent, where you’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for your final night in Uzbekistan. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Leave Uzbekistan with memories of dazzling Silk Road architecture, vibrant bazaars and centuries of fascinating history. (B)