7 days • 6 nights • Uzbekistan
On the Silk Road: Tashkent and the Uthman Quran, then Samarkand's Registan and the Imam al-Bukhari complex, and old Bukhara by high-speed train.
Uzbekistan tours are a journey to the heart of the Silk Road, the land of Imam al-Bukhari, Ibn Sina and Ulugh Beg. In the 7-day Uzbekistan program we visit Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, traveling between them by comfortable high-speed train, to see the Islamic madrasas and turquoise domes that have preserved the history of the region for centuries. Samarkand has the Registan Square with its majestic madrasas, and Bukhara is an entire old city that still pulses with life among its markets and mosques.
The flight from Istanbul to Tashkent takes about four and a half hours, and the country is known for the generosity of its people, its halal food and its moderate prices. The program suits families and those interested in Islamic history, and we make sure to book train seats early because they sell out quickly in peak seasons. You can return by air from Bukhara or Samarkand if suitable flights are available. We set aside time to taste local dishes such as Uzbek plov and samsa baked in a tandoor, and the trip can be extended with a visit to the historic city of Khiva.
Meet and greet at Tashkent International Airport, then transfer to the hotel. In the evening we visit Amir Timur Square and try the Tashkent Metro, whose stations are famous for their decoration and chandeliers.
We visit the Hazrati Imam complex and its library, which keeps the Quran attributed to the era of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, then Chorsu Bazaar with its large dome and the Kukeldash Madrasa. In the afternoon we visit the White Minor Mosque, then take the high-speed Afrosiyab train to Samarkand in about two hours.
We start at Registan Square and its three madrasas: Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori. Then we visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, where Amir Timur rests, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the Siab local market, and we finish at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis with its mausoleums decorated in blue tiles. We return in the evening to see the Registan lit up.
In the morning we visit the Imam al-Bukhari complex, about 25 km from Samarkand, where the author of the Sahih is buried, with a mosque and a museum. We pass by the historic Ulugh Beg Observatory. In the afternoon we take the high-speed train to Bukhara in under two hours, and in the evening we stroll around the Lyabi Hauz pond.
A walking tour of the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site: the Po-i-Kalyan complex with its famous minaret, great mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, then the trading domes that are still markets today, the Ark Fortress, the Samanid Mausoleum and the Chor Minor building with its four minarets.
In the morning we visit the Bahauddin Naqshband complex on the outskirts of Bukhara, and Sitorai Mohi-Khosa, the summer palace of the last emirs of Bukhara. In the afternoon we take the high-speed train to Tashkent in about four hours, and spend the evening in the city.
Breakfast at the hotel and free time for shopping if time allows, then transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
| City | Nights | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent | 2 | 4- or 5-star hotels in the city center near Amir Timur Square. |
| Samarkand | 2 | Hotels near the Registan so you can visit it on foot in the evening. |
| Bukhara | 2 | Boutique hotels in traditional houses inside the old city near Lyabi Hauz, or modern hotels outside it. |
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Questions & answers
Uzbekistan is a calm destination that welcomes visitors, and food and transport costs are moderate compared with many destinations. We always recommend checking the official travel advisories before the trip; the total cost depends on the season and the hotel category.
7 days are enough for Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara at a comfortable pace. If you would like to visit the historic city of Khiva, add two or three days to the program.
Yes, the Afrosiyab high-speed train is modern and air-conditioned and shortens distances a lot: about two hours between Tashkent and Samarkand, and under two hours between Samarkand and Bukhara. We book your seats in advance, subject to availability.
Yes, the complex is open to visitors and includes the mausoleum, a mosque and a small museum, and it is located near Samarkand. We recommend modest dress and respecting the etiquette of the place.
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Personal service from start to finish
We design a custom program for you, with the number of days, cities and hotels you want — just tell us.
