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Compact Tour of Uzbekistan |
Many of Uzbekistan’s cities were considered oases along The Great Silk Road linking eastern civilizations to the developing western civilizations. This short introductory tour visits two of the most famous of these, Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as the capital Tashkent, and will give you the flavour of ancient Central Asia. This privately-guided sample itinerary can be tailor-made to your requirements (note this is not a guaranteed departure group tour - for group tours see our Highlights tour).
Flights |
Transfers |
Duration |
From Price |
Uzbekistan Airways |
Included |
7 days / 6 nights |
£1,875 (based on 4) |
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DAY 1
Arrival in Tashkent (D)
You are met at the airport after your overnight flight from the UK and assisted through immigration and customs before being transferred to your city hotel for an early check-in. At the hotel you will have some free time to relax and unpack and have breakfast. In the afternoon you are taken on a half day city tour visiting Independence Square, Amir Timur Square and other famous historical and cultural sights. Afterwards there is a welcome dinner at a local restaurant followed by an overnight stay in Tashkent.
HOTEL: 4* Panarams Hotel Tashkent or similar
DAY 2
Tashkent/Bukhara (B/D)
This morning commences with a transfer to the airport to board the short flight to Bukhara. After checking in to your hotel, you experience Bukhara in a full-day tour programme. Bukhara is a large, unique and authentic art museum that maintains its old oriental face. In the morning, we guide you to the magnificent Mire-e-Arab Madrasah and one of the most beautiful buildings in Central Asia, the Samanid Mausoleum. You then take a tour through the fortress Royal Ark to see the coronation hall and visit the summer residence of the last Emir. You enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the comforts of your hotel. Overnight in Bukhara.
HOTEL: 4* Asia Bukhara Hotel or similar
DAY 3
Bukhara – Shakhrisabz- Samarkand (B/D) - (260 km - 4 hours + 110 km – 3 hours)
Today involves a drive across the desert to the ancient town of Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the 14th century Turco-Mongol conqueror, Timur or Tamerlane. The translation of Shakhrisabz means “Green City” which sits in the south of Uzbekistan some 90km from Samarkand. Here in Shakhrisabz (UNESCO-World Heritage Site) you will tour the monumental memorials of the barbaric Mongol Prince and also have the opportunity to watch the thriving bustle of this lively town. Visit ruins of Ak-Saray palace (“the White Palace”) – Tamerlane’s summer residence. Then you are driven on to Samarkand; on the way you will visit a local guest house, where you will see the weaving of carpets. Arrival in Samarkand. Dinner at national restaurant.
HOTEL: 4* Hotel Emirhan or similar
DAY 4
Samarkand (B/D)
After breakfast you start your city tour of Samarkand. The historical part of Samarkand consists of three main sections. In the north-east is the site of the ancient city of Afrosiab, founded in the 7th century B.C. and destroyed by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, which is preserved as an archaeological reserve. Excavations have revealed the ancient citadel and fortifications, the palace of the ruler (built in the 7th century displays important wall paintings) and residential and craft quarters. There are also remains of a large ancient mosque built in the 8th to 12th century. To the south there are architectural wonders and the medieval city of the 14th and 15th centuries. Other major sites include Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi Khanym Mosque built in the mid 15th century,and Rukhabad Mausoleum ("The Spirit Abode") in whose dome, it is said, there is a box containing seven hairs of the Prophet Mohammed. Registan Square ("Sandy Place") is the most visited place of Samarkand, which consists of three magnificent monuments: Ulugbek Madrasa (XV c.), Sherdor Madrasa (XVII c.), and Tilla-Kari Madrasa, along with richly decorated and historically significant mosques that contributed to the beauty of this culturally important period of civilization. Finally to the west there is the area that corresponds to the 19th and 20th century expansions.
HOTEL: 4* Hotel Emirhan or similar
DAY 5
Samarkand (B/D)
After a leisurely breakfast we continue through the day to explore this city’s remarkable architecture and historical past. Your guide will take you to the Ulug Bek Observatory and Shah-i-Zinda to explore the blue-domed necropolis, with tombs dating back to the XI c. After a break for lunch, you have the opportunity to take a short drive out of the city to see a paper-making facility and a silk carpet factory before returning to the city for a rest and dinner in a local restaurant.
HOTEL: 4* Hotel Emirhan or similar
DAY 6
Samarkand - Tashkent (B/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is free to shop and pack. You check out by 1230 and then are taken for a light lunch before heading to the station to board the high speed train for Tashkent (subject to ticket availability). You arrive late afternoon and check in to your hotel before dinner.
HOTEL: 4* Panarams Hotel Tashkent or similar
DAY 7
Tashkent (B)
You are transferred to the airport to board your flight home to London. Arrival London Heathrow terminal 4 mid afternoon, same day.
Flight from Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent (D)
You are met at the airport after your overnight flight from the UK and assisted through immigration and customs before being transferred to your city hotel for an early check-in. At the hotel you will have some free time to relax and unpack and have breakfast. In the afternoon you are taken on a half day city tour visiting Independence Square, Amir Timur Square and other famous historical and cultural sights. Afterwards there is a welcome dinner at a local restaurant followed by an overnight stay in Tashkent.
HOTEL: 4* Panarams Hotel Tashkent or similar
DAY 2
Tashkent/Bukhara (B/D)
This morning commences with a transfer to the airport to board the short flight to Bukhara. After checking in to your hotel, you experience Bukhara in a full-day tour programme. Bukhara is a large, unique and authentic art museum that maintains its old oriental face. In the morning, we guide you to the magnificent Mire-e-Arab Madrasah and one of the most beautiful buildings in Central Asia, the Samanid Mausoleum. You then take a tour through the fortress Royal Ark to see the coronation hall and visit the summer residence of the last Emir. You enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the comforts of your hotel. Overnight in Bukhara.
HOTEL: 4* Asia Bukhara Hotel or similar
DAY 3
Bukhara – Shakhrisabz- Samarkand (B/D) - (260 km - 4 hours + 110 km – 3 hours)
Today involves a drive across the desert to the ancient town of Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the 14th century Turco-Mongol conqueror, Timur or Tamerlane. The translation of Shakhrisabz means “Green City” which sits in the south of Uzbekistan some 90km from Samarkand. Here in Shakhrisabz (UNESCO-World Heritage Site) you will tour the monumental memorials of the barbaric Mongol Prince and also have the opportunity to watch the thriving bustle of this lively town. Visit ruins of Ak-Saray palace (“the White Palace”) – Tamerlane’s summer residence. Then you are driven on to Samarkand; on the way you will visit a local guest house, where you will see the weaving of carpets. Arrival in Samarkand. Dinner at national restaurant.
HOTEL: 4* Hotel Emirhan or similar
DAY 4
Samarkand (B/D)
After breakfast you start your city tour of Samarkand. The historical part of Samarkand consists of three main sections. In the north-east is the site of the ancient city of Afrosiab, founded in the 7th century B.C. and destroyed by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, which is preserved as an archaeological reserve. Excavations have revealed the ancient citadel and fortifications, the palace of the ruler (built in the 7th century displays important wall paintings) and residential and craft quarters. There are also remains of a large ancient mosque built in the 8th to 12th century. To the south there are architectural wonders and the medieval city of the 14th and 15th centuries. Other major sites include Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi Khanym Mosque built in the mid 15th century,and Rukhabad Mausoleum ("The Spirit Abode") in whose dome, it is said, there is a box containing seven hairs of the Prophet Mohammed. Registan Square ("Sandy Place") is the most visited place of Samarkand, which consists of three magnificent monuments: Ulugbek Madrasa (XV c.), Sherdor Madrasa (XVII c.), and Tilla-Kari Madrasa, along with richly decorated and historically significant mosques that contributed to the beauty of this culturally important period of civilization. Finally to the west there is the area that corresponds to the 19th and 20th century expansions.
HOTEL: 4* Hotel Emirhan or similar
DAY 5
Samarkand (B/D)
After a leisurely breakfast we continue through the day to explore this city’s remarkable architecture and historical past. Your guide will take you to the Ulug Bek Observatory and Shah-i-Zinda to explore the blue-domed necropolis, with tombs dating back to the XI c. After a break for lunch, you have the opportunity to take a short drive out of the city to see a paper-making facility and a silk carpet factory before returning to the city for a rest and dinner in a local restaurant.
HOTEL: 4* Hotel Emirhan or similar
DAY 6
Samarkand - Tashkent (B/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is free to shop and pack. You check out by 1230 and then are taken for a light lunch before heading to the station to board the high speed train for Tashkent (subject to ticket availability). You arrive late afternoon and check in to your hotel before dinner.
HOTEL: 4* Panarams Hotel Tashkent or similar
DAY 7
Tashkent (B)
You are transferred to the airport to board your flight home to London. Arrival London Heathrow terminal 4 mid afternoon, same day.
Flight from Tashkent
Price includes:
Prices do not include the following:
- Flights from Heathrow (Flights arrive and depart London Heathrow Terminal 4 every Tuesday and Friday)
- Accommodation in hotels with early check-in in Tashkent (6 nights)
- Meals as indicated (6 breakfasts; 6 dinners)
- Transportation services
- Professional local English speaking escort guide throughout the tour
- Entrance fees for all mentioned monuments (except photo and video charges)
- Train tickets: Samarkand – Tashkent by train “Afrosiab” (economy class)
- Water during the trip (1 litre per day per person)
- Green hall in Tashkent airport
- International and internal flights in economy class
Prices do not include the following:
- Late check out from the hotel
- Visa costs and processing
- Photo and video charges
- Tips and gratuities
- Any personal expenses
- Alcohol, soft drinks and any extras in menus
- Extras not shown per itinerary including last day activities in Tashkent
Flight upgrades
Regional UK departures
Tour extensions
Additional hotel nights
Bespoke tour variations
Regional UK departures
Tour extensions
Additional hotel nights
Bespoke tour variations
Tashkent
Bukhara
Shakhrisabz
Samarkand
Tashkent
Bukhara
Shakhrisabz
Samarkand
Tashkent