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Golden Road to Samarkand Tour

6
Days
Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara

Samarkand, Uzbekistan has captured the imagination of traders, travelers and wanderers for centuries. Although the Great Silk Road and the empire of Tamerlane, the two elements that brought this city to world-renowned fame, have long vanished, Samarkand continues to beckon people the world over to its enduring charm and historical wonders.
On the Golden Road to Samarkand Tour, join countless travelers before you on the road to one of the greatest cities of all time. You’ll begin your journey in the capital city Tashkent, continue to Samarkand to explore both the well-known and lesser sights of the area, and end in Bukhara, another famed Silk Road city. With this private tour option, you’ll have the freedom to choose the tour structure and price range, allowing for a tour down this well-traveled path that’s uniquely you.

Day 1Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. Transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon, and have a rest after your flight.
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to begin your Tashkent city tour. Your private tour will include:
  • Excursion to the Old City, including the Khazret-Imam Architectural Complex, which holds the oldest known Quran in the world. Also on site are the Madrasah of Barak-Khan (16th century), Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, Juma Mosque and Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi (15th century);
  • Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s most well-established bazaar that includes a large selection of traditional Uzbek ceramics, jewelry, handbags, garments and more;
  • Ride on the Tashkent Metro, an immaculate subway system with each station decorated in colored mosaics and ceramics to depict a specific theme;
  • Walk through Amir Timur Square, with a massive statue of none other than Tamerlane himself at the center;
  • Independence Square, including the moving Mourning Mother Monument and the Eternal Flame, burning continuously in memory of more than half a million Uzbek soldiers who died during World War II;
  • Drive to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, a 20th century Roman Catholic Church with beautiful stained-glass windows and Gothic-style architecture;
  • Tour of the Applied Arts Museum, an informative collection of Uzbekistan’s finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa.
Overnight in Tashkent.
Tour duration: 4.5 - 5 hours
Day 2Tashkent – Samarkand
After breakfast, transfer to the train station to take Tashkent - Samarkand train (330 km). Pick-up from Samarkand train station and transfer to hotel. Check-in to the hotel at noon and begin your tour of Samarkand, a city at the crossroads of the world’s cultures. The private city tour, led by an experienced, local guide, will include the following:
  • Gur Emir, the imposing burial site of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek;
  • Registan Square, the commercial center of Samarkand for centuries and Samarkand’s most famous site today. The square includes three madrasahs: Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasah (17th century) and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (17th century);
  • A boulevard lined with workshops, souvenir stores and ice cream stands;
  • Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane for his favorite wife;
  • Siab Bazaar, a multi-level complex where you can shop for souvenirs and sample sweets, fruits and Samarkand’s famous bread;
  • Shakhi-Zinda, a burial complex built between the 9th-14th centuries. Climb the blue-domed path and explore more than 20 small mausoleums that line the broad alleyway;
  • Ulugbek Observatory, where you can see the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum.
Overnight in Samarkand.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours
Day 3Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Your sightseeing tour of Samarkand region will include the following:
  • Visit to the excavation site and museum of the ancient city Afrasiab;
  • Tour of the mausoleum of Khodja Daniyar, believed to be the tomb of the prophet Daniel, whose remains were brought here by Tamerlane;
  • Drive to Konigil Village to observe the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry leaves; you’ll also have the chance to buy these unique souvenirs;
  • Excursion to the Oriental Silk Carpet Factory to see firsthand how top-quality carpets are created. You can even learn basic skills from the masters and try carpet-weaving yourself!
Overnight in Samarkand.
Total duration: 4-5 hours
Day 4Samarkand – Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel before taking the morning train to Bukhara (280 km). Arrive in Bukhara and transfer to your hotel in the Old City, an area resembling a scene from Arabian Nights.
With your private local guide, enjoy a walking tour of the most impressive sights of Bukhara’s Old City:
  • Lyabi-Hauz ensemble holding the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara (14th-17th centuries). This ensemble includes some of the largest madrasahs in the city: the Khanaka Madrasah, Kukeldash Madrasah and Nadir Divan Beghi Madrasah (all 16th century);
  • Magoki-Attori Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century);
  • Four Trade Domes (15th-16th centuries), which still house local handicrafts for sale;
  • Poi Kalyan Ensemble (12th-16th centuries), consisting of the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Amir-Alimkhan Madrasah and Miri-Arab Madrasah;
  • Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century), relatively untouched yet impressive religious schools;
  • Ark Fortress (4th century), the ancient center of Bukharan statehood and currently home to a small museum;
  • Bolo-Khauz Complex, consisting of an artfully decorated 18th century mosque, a minaret and reservoirs that once provided water for the entire city;
  • Samanids Mausoleum (9th-10th centuries), believed to be the most ancient brick building in Central Asia, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours
Day 5Bukhara – Tashkent
Have breakfast and check out from the hotel by noon. Enjoy free time before continuing your tour of Bukhara to the following locations:
  • Chor Minor ("Four Minarets"), an unusual madrasah built by Niyazkul in the 18th century, whose four minarets are said to reflect the four major world religions of that period;
  • Emir's Summer Residence, Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (19th century), a unique site boasting of a blend of Oriental and Russian architecture;
  • Bakhautdin Naqsband Mausoleum, an ensemble dedicated to the founder of the Sufi Order "Naqshbandia"; the site includes a mausoleum, mosque, pond, and museum;
  • Chor-Bakr Necropolis, (City of the Dead, 10th century), ancient burial grounds which were developed into a memorial complex in the 1500s.
Return to Bukhara. Transfer to the railway station to take the afternoon train to Tashkent (580 km). Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.
Tour duration: approximately 4 hours
Day 6Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a free morning. Check out from the hotel by noon. Transfer to the airport. End of Golden Road to Samarkand Tour.

Prices in US$

Travellers 1234
Transfers 310210250220
Hotels standard 470295295295
Hotels budget 370225225225
City tour 940520450360
Single supplement for Standard: US$ 175 | for Budget: US$ 145

  • Transfers:

    Airport and train station transfers (1-2 ppl in sedan; 3-8 in minivan);
    Economy class train tickets for the Tashkent to Samarkand, Samarkand to Bukhara and Bukhara to Tashkent routes (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace it with a reservation on the regular train).

  • Accommodation:

    Accommodation based on double/twin room at hotel (5 nights, with breakfast).

  • City tour

    Private, local English-speaking guide and entrance fees to the sights as per itinerary on days 1-5;
    Transportation during the city tour on day 1, 2, 3 and 5 (1-2 ppl in sedan; 3-8 in minivan).

  • Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
  • Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa and Letter of invitation;
  • International flight tickets before and after the tour;
  • Tips are not included (driver, guide, porter);
  • Hotel charges for additional services;
  • Full board (lunches and dinners);
  • Travel insurance;
  • All other charges and services not mentioned under “Inclusion”.

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