Classic Uzbekistan

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Once a part of the Samanid and Timurid Empires, Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia’s most compelling republics. The only one of the ‘Stans’ that borders the other four, it also enjoys the reputation of being one of only two ‘double landlocked’ countries in the world. Lying at the cultural and geographic crossroads of the region, it was one of the Silk Road’s most important links.

This remarkable journey through the development and history of the old ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE TASHKENT: CITY TOUR

Day 1 ARRIVE TASHKENT: CITY TOUR

Upon arrival into the capital your guide will be waiting to meet you and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, this afternoon may be spent visiting Tashkent’s main sights with your guide including the central square (Amir Timur or Tamerlane's Square), the Alisher Navoi Opera Theatre, the Chorsu Bazaar and the old town's mosques and madrassahs.

Miran International Hotel
Breakfast

Day 2 TASHKENT - NUKUS - DESERT CITADELS - KHIVA

Day 2 TASHKENT - NUKUS - DESERT CITADELS - KHIVA

Today, fly to Nukus and travel 80km into the Kyzyl-Kum Desert to visit the now abandoned 'desert citadels'. First explore the imposing Toprak Kala, which was settled in the 1st century BC and later flourished in the 3rd century AD as the capital of the Khoresmshah Dynasty. The still visible plan helps to picture how the fort would have looked all those centuries ago. Then, continue to Ayaz Kala, an impressive mud-walled hilltop fortress dating to the 6th-7th centuries that offers magnificent views over the nearby lake. The drive to Khiva takes you through rural Uzbekistan providing glimpses of its farms and villages.

Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah)
Breakfast

Day 3 KHIVA: CITY TOUR

Day 3 KHIVA: CITY TOUR

Today enjoy a full day's excursion to Medieval Khiva. With your guide you will be able to wander through the maze of twisting alleyways and visit the "Kunya Ark", or old citadel, the Emir's Palace and the magnificent Juma Mosque with its 200 individually carved wooden pillars.

Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah)
Breakfast

Day 4 KHIVA - BUKHARA

Day 4 KHIVA - BUKHARA

This morning you will be transferred to the train station to board your train to Bukhara (approximately five hours). The journey evokes a moment of reflection on the journeys of the past as you pass through the vast Kyzyl Kum, or Red Sand, Desert to the magical city of Bukhara. Your guide will be waiting at the train station to take you on a tour through the narrow streets of Old Town dotted with mosques and mausoleums.

Minzifa Hotel
Breakfast

Day 5 BUKHARA: CITY TOUR

Day 5 BUKHARA: CITY TOUR

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day, guided tour of Bukhara, visiting the most important sites of this fabulous city that weren’t explored yesterday. See the massive Ark Citadel as well as the Zindan Prison, in which two British officers were kept during the "Great Game" in the 19th century before being executed in the Registan Square. There will also be the opportunity to stop at a typical tea house for a break, lesson in its history and a demonstration. Later this evening, you will be taken to a local Bukharan’s home for a plov cooking demonstration where you will learn how this iconic dish is made before tucking into it for dinner.

Minzifa Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 BUKHARA: LAST EMIR'S SUMMER PALACE EXCURSION

Day 6 BUKHARA: LAST EMIR'S SUMMER PALACE EXCURSION

This morning, visit the last Emir's Summer Palace, an eclectic mix of European and Oriental design containing a good collection of suzanes (traditional Uzbek embroidery) and Chinese porcelain brought to Bukhara by camel caravan in the 19th century. This afternoon is free to wander the old town’s cafes and trading domes.

Minzifa Hotel
Breakfast

Day 7 BUKHARA - SAMARKAND

Day 7 BUKHARA - SAMARKAND

After a morning at leisure, you will be picked up and taken to visit the Kagan White Palace, borne from the expansion of the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 19th century, before boarding your one-and-a-half-hour train to Samarkand. The rest of the evening will be free to get a first introductory look at this historic city.

Rabat Boutique Hotel
Breakfast

Day 8 SAMARKAND: CITY TOUR

Day 8 SAMARKAND: CITY TOUR

One of the key trading cities of the ancient Silk Road, Samarkand became famous as the capital of the vast state created by Tamerlane. On your full day tour you will begin by walking around the city’s ancient sites including Tamerlane's Tomb; the immense Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane for his Chinese wife; and the most photographed site of Registan Square, an architectural masterpiece with blue tiled madrassahs on three sides. After lunch, continue to unravel the city’s history with a tour of the Shah-i-Zinada necropolis before getting in the car and heading to Ulugbek's observatory to bring the sightseeing to a close.

Rabat Boutique Hotel
Breakfast

Day 9 SAMARKAND: SHAKHRISABZ EXCURSION

Day 9 SAMARKAND: SHAKHRISABZ EXCURSION

After admiring so much of Tamerlane’s legacy yesterday, today you learn more about the man’s beginnings with a full day excursion to his birthplace of Shakhrisabz. Surrounded by the Zerafshan Mountains, once in the town you can enjoy fantastic views from the top of the enormous portal of Tamerlane's Ak-Sarai Palace and visit his intended Mausoleum and the Kuk Gumbaz Mosque whilst your guide takes you through the story of his life.

Rabat Boutique Hotel
Breakfast

Day 10 SAMARKAND - TASHKENT: DEPART

Day 10 SAMARKAND - TASHKENT: DEPART

After checking out of your guesthouse, you will be driven through cotton plantations and countryside back to Tashkent International Airport in time for your onward flight, where your tour ends.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED

10 days from £2,705

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 6518 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Clem

Clem is our Uzbekistan expert, who has travelled extensively in the country.

Speak to Clementine by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

In Samarkand, go for a stroll in the Afrosiyob Hills for a great view of Registan Square with none of the crowds.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN UZBEKISTAN