Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arriving into Central Asia’s Most Popular Country And Having a Traditional Dinner Inside a Native’s Home

   • Our tour starts in the capital that is Tashkent. Your tour with us today starts officially at 5:00pm. 
   • Please be in the lobby at this time, as your tour guide and driver should be waiting for you there. 
   • We are taken via a quick drive to a native Uzbek’s home. There we watch how traditional food is prepared as well as have dinner. 
   • The combination of tasty cuisine, rich culture and good company creates an unforgettable experience.

2. Day 2: Discovering the Characteristically Soviet Capital And Then Relocating to Khiva

   • Rebuilt as a model Soviet city following the 1966 earthquake, the capital of Uzbekistan is characteristically different from the historic gems that are Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. 
   • Nonetheless, Tashkent retains much of its charm: bazaars, mosques and more. Not least, Tashkent is home to the best restaurants in the country. In the evening, we take a flight from Tashkent to Khiva.
   • For your information, below are the names of the attractions we will try to show you today in Tashkent:
   • Hazrat Imam (a.k.a. Hast-Imam) Complex: contains the (A) Hazrat Imam Square (a.k.a. Khast Imom Square), (B) Hazrat Imam Mosque, (C) Muyi (a.k.a. Moyie) Muborak Library (home of the world’s oldest Quran), (D) Tillya Sheikh Mosque, (E) Barak-Khan Madrasa, (F) Al-Bukhari Institute (previously Namozgoh Mosque) (the inside is closed to the public), (G) Tomb of Kaffal ash-Shashi and (H) Center for Islamic Civilization (the inside is closed to the public)
   • Chorsu Bazar/Market
   • Kukeldash Madrasa and the nearby Juma Mosque
   • Minor Mosque
   • Museum of the Victims of Political Repression: exterior only, as the interior is not particularly interesting
   • Grand Duke Romanov’s Residence (a.k.a. Palace of Prince Romanov): exterior only, as the interior is not open to the public
   • Chilonzor Metro Station: pretty interior
   • State Museum of Timurid History *Note that this attraction is closed on Mondays.
   • Museum of Applied Arts
   • Upensky Sobor Orthodox Cathedral (a.k.a. Holy Assumption Cathedral)

3. Day 3: Walking Through 600 Years of History in a ‘Living Museum’ Town

   • The old town of Khiva retains more than 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses. 

   • Having an English-speaking and professional tour guide lead us through the beautiful streets makes all the difference in our day. The most spectacular area of Khiva is called “Ichan Kala.”

   •  This is the walled inner area of the town. Since 1990, it has been protected as a World Heritage Site. 

   • The clustered array of mosques, madrassahs (religious colleges) and tiled minarets within an area of less than 3 kilometers (almost 2 miles) gives us a sense of how bustling this town historically was. Expect to see striking examples of Islamic architecture built over the span of 600 years.

   • For your information, below are the names of the attractions we will try to show you today and tomorrow in Khiva:
     • Qibla Tozabog Palace (located on the outskirts of town)
     • Tash Darvoza (a.k.a. Stone Gate or South Gate) and views from atop
     • Bikajon Bika Madrasa
     • Baggcha Darvoza (a.k.a. Garden Gate or North Gate) (located on the outskirts of town)
     • Qosha Darvoza (a.k.a. Twin Gate) (located on the outskirts of town)
     • Sayyid Muhammad Makhiruy mausoleum (located on the outskirts of town)
     • Abdallah Bobo Mosque
     • Polvon-Qori Madrasa (now a hotel)
     • Nurullaboy Saroyi palace (located on the outskirts of town)
     • Ata Darvoza (the town’s main gate)
     • Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa (now a hotel with a pleasant courtyard)
     • Sayid Alauddin Mausoleum
     • Zindan: This used to be a jail.
     • Kunya-Ark Citadel (a.k.a. Kurinish Khana): It houses a courtyard, mosques, a fascinating throne room and a tower, the last of which offers views of the town.
     • Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrasa (now a history museum)
     • Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum (a.k.a. Palvan Pir)
     • Shergazi-Khan Madrasa
     • Islam Khoja Madrasa (now the Museum of Applied Arts)
     • Juma Mosque (a.k.a. Polvon Qori)
     • Tach Khaouli Palace: It houses an old public court, a celebration room and a historic carriage.
     • The cupolas and shopping area of Alla Kuli Khan Caravanserai and Alla Kuli Khan Tim
     • Allakuli Khan Madrasa
     • Hojashberdibiya Madrasa (a.k.a. Khoja Berdibai Madrassa): now full of stalls selling crafts
     • Anush-Khan Bathhouse (now a café) and Ak Mosque (now a carpet shop)
     • Palvan Darvoza (a.k.a. Warriors’ Gate or East Gate)
     • Sayid Niaz Shalikarbai Mosque and Madrasa
     • Kutlug-Murad Inaka Madrasa

4. Day 4: Cruising Along the Silk Road And Getting a Massage in a Turkish Bathhouse

   • We relocate from Khiva to one of Central Asia’s most spiritual destinations, Bukhara.
   • Located on the Silk Road, this city has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion.
   • UNESCO has listed the historic center as a World Heritage Site.
   • We spend as much time as possible sightseeing.
   • The day ends at a traditional Turkish bathhouse (a.k.a. hammam).
   • First, we head into a room heated by a continuous flow of hot and dry air.
   • This allows us to perspire freely.
   • We then move to an even hotter room before we wash in cold water.
   • After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, we finally go to the cooling room for a period of relaxation.
   • Note: The means of transportation from Khiva to Bukhara is via train or private vehicle, depending on the group size.
   • Flights are available on selective dates.
   • If you prefer a flight, please tell us.
   • If available, we will let you know the difference in price.
   • Usually, it is not much.
   • For your information, below are the names of the attractions we will try to show you today, tomorrow, and the following morning in Bukhara:
     • Bahoutdin Architectural Complex (outside of the city and reached via a 20-minute drive)
     • Sitori-i-Mokhi Khosa Palace (now houses the Museum of Applied Arts) (located on the outskirts of the city)
     • Chor Bakr Memorial Complex (located around 20 minutes outside of the city): It is home to the necropolis of family tombs as well as courtyards enclosed with walls.
     • Nearby is a popular restaurant/cafe called, unsurprisingly, Chor Bakr. Let your guide know if you would like to purchase a kebab there.
     • Fayzulla Khodjaev House Museum. *Note that this attraction is closed on Wednesdays.
     • Chor Minor (a.k.a. Madrasa of Khalif Niyaz-Kul)
     • Qo'sh Madrasa Ensemble: home to (A) Abdullah Khan Madrasa and (B) Modari-Khan Madrasa
     • Samani Park: home to (A) Ismail Samani Mausoleum (there is a famous tomb inside), (B) Markazi Bazaar (the vibrant central market), (C) the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum (a museum dedicated to Bukhara’s water supply), and (D) the Memorial Complex of Imam Al Bukhari
     • Bolo Hauz Mosque
     • The Water Tower (now a café offering nice views of the city)
     • Western Gate, entrance into the Ark Fortress: home to (A) Jome Mosque (now containing a small calligraphy and literature exhibition), (B) the Kush Begi Complex (a.k.a. the prime minister’s residence), and (C) a courtyard called Nagora Khana
     • Hoja Zayniddin Mosque
     • Zindan (an 18th-century jail)
     • Lyab-i Hauz (a popular area with a pond): home to (A) Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa, (B) the statue of Hodja Nasruddin, (C) Kukeldash Madrasa (a.k.a. the Literary History Museum) (outside only, as the inside isn’t particularly impressive), and (D) Khanagha Mosque (ceramic museum) (outside only, as the inside isn’t particularly impressive)
     • Toqi Sarrafon: semi-enclosed shops (a.k.a. trade dome)
     • Magoki Attor Mosque (now the Museum of the History of Carpet Weaving) (outside only, as the inside isn’t particularly impressive)
     • Museum of Fine Arts (located in a repurposed Tsarist bank building) (outside only, as the inside isn’t particularly impressive)
     • Toqi Telpak Furushon: semi-enclosed shops
     • Tim Abdulla Khan: semi-enclosed shops
     • Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah (wood museum)
     • Ulugh Beg Madrasa (now the Museum of History of Bukhara Calligraphy)
     • Toqi Zargaron: semi-enclosed shops
     • Po-i-Kalyan Complex (no internal access is allowed)
     • Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.

5. Day 5: Exploring the Country's Most Spiritual Destination Followed by Folkloric Music And Dancing

   • Home to about 140 architectural monuments, our private driver as well as our tour guide show us Bukhara’s historical attractions. 
   • People have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia and the city has existed for half that time. 
   • We feel the heritage as we walk Bukhara’s streets and explore the sites. The evening ends at a venue where we watch folkloric dancing as well as listen to a traditional band.

6. Day 6: Uzbekistan's Showcase City And Most Popular Destination

   • After exploring Bukhara some more, we relocate to Samarkand.
   • This city is undoubtedly a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Central Asia.
   • Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean.
   • In 2001, UNESCO added Samarkand to its World Heritage List.
   • For your information, below are the names of the attractions we will try to show you today and tomorrow in Samarkand:
     • Gur-i Amir Mausoleum
     • Oksaray Mausoleum
     • Bibi-Khanym Mosque
     • Bibi-Khanym’s Mausoleum
     • Hazrat Khizr Mosque: resting on a mountaintop with great views surrounding it
     • Shah-i Zinda Necropolis: contains the (A) Mausoleum of Kusam-ibn-Abbas, (B) Tomb of Tumanaga, (C) Tomb of Amir Burunduk, (D) octagonal mausoleum built by Ulug Beg, (E) Alim Nesefi Mausoleum and (F) Tomb of Timur’s once-slave (a.k.a. ‘Wet Nurse’). Just outside the necropolis are the ruins of a bathhouse built by Ulug Beg.
     • Siyob Bazaar (a.k.a. Siab Bazaar or Central Market). Note that this attraction is closed on Mondays.
     • Ulugh Beg’s Observatory & Museum
     • Samarkand Regional Museum of Local Lore (a.k.a. Kalantarov Museum or Jewish Museum)
     • Samarkand State University: One of its administrative buildings is attractive.
     • The Registan: contains the (A) Ulugh Beg Madrasa and its minaret (great views from atop but access is sometimes denied to the public), (B) Sher-Dor Madrasa and (C) Tilya-Kori Madrasa (featuring a must-see golden dome on the interior).

7. Day 7: Wine And Cognac Tasting at a Vintage Winery, Ancient Crafts And Stunning City Architecture

   • Along with sightseeing, we see how Samarkand has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: gold embroidery, silk weaving, engraving on copper and painting on wood. 
   • Another highlight for today is a visit to the Khovrenko winery. Its history dates back to the early 19th century. This is when a Russian pioneer winemaker launched his first wine production in the region. We taste some of the best varieties of Uzbek wines and different types of local cognac.

8. Day 8: Our Tour Ends Today

   • Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Samarkand (no additional charge) or Tashkent (an additional charge), whichever you prefer.