Uzbekistan Classic Group Tour

Arrive in Tashkent International Airport, your driver will meet you and transfer to your hotel, check-in begins at noon. Begin your Uzbekistan Classic Group Tour with your guide and driver, who will pick you up from your hotel. Tashkent city tour, a rich history of over 2200 years, private tour will include:

• Tour of the Applied Arts Museum, an informative collection of Uzbekistan’s finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa;
• Walk through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square;
• Ride on the Tashkent Metro, an immaculate subway system with each station decorated in colored mosaics and ceramics to depict a specific theme;
• 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 (all 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.

Tour duration: 6 hours. Overnight in Tashkent.
Meals: None

Breakfast at the hotel before taking the morning train to Bukhara (580 km, 4-5h). Arrive in Bukhara and transfer to your hotel in the Old City, UNESCO World Heritage site
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 the oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century);
• Four Trade Domes (15th-16th centuries), which still house local handicrafts for sale;
• Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century), relatively untouched yet impressive religious schools;
• Explore the Poi Kalyan Complex: Marvel at the towering Kalyan Minaret, the Kalyan Mosque, and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah – a stunning ensemble of Islamic architecture;
• 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.

Tour duration: 6 hours. Overnight in Bukhara.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast, you have a free day to explore the magical city of Bukhara, a true jewel of the Silk Road. Wander through the old streets, relax by the tranquil pool and admire the madrasahs surrounding it, soaking in the atmosphere of this historic gathering place. Enjoy a cup of traditional Uzbek tea or a coffee, taking a break to appreciate the beauty of the architecture and rest before continuing your walk, discovering hidden courtyards, bustling markets, and ancient caravanserais. Visit a local market, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Bukhara's bazaars, browsing through spices, silks, and handicrafts. Visit a local artisan workshop, watch skilled artisans create beautiful silk textiles, ceramics, or other crafts. Be sure to bargain respectfully when shopping in the markets. Enjoy your exploration of beautiful Bukhara. Overnight in Bukhara.
Meals: breakfast

Recommended places to visit in Bukhara during your free time:

• 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;
• Fayzulla Khodjaev House Museum, a house model representing the residential architecture in Bukhara;
• Bakhautdin Naqsband Mausoleum, an ensemble dedicated to the founder of the Sufi Order "Naqshbandia"; the site includes a mausoleum, mosque, pond, and museum.

In the morning breakfast and check-out. Drive from Bukhara to Nurata village via Gijduvan (250km, 4h). Gijduvan is a small town whose traditional crafts and ceramics have been sought after in Central Asia for centuries due to their quality and colorful, decorative style. Visit the ceramic museum and workshop. Continue driving, along the way, stop by the Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai ruins and Sardoba, an ancient water reservoir. Arrive in a mountain village and your host welcomes you and shows the homestay facilities. Lunch with the local family. After lunch, wander around the village to see the old mosque, local school, village shop and local houses. It is fantastic to see locals doing their livelihood activities. You will meet friendly people willing to talk to you. Late afternoon chat with your host family and participate in cooking dinner. Overnight stay in a homestay.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy the sunrise. Have breakfast with the family. Spend the morning relaxing in the village – go for a hike, ride a donkey, help with preparing traditional food, or simply drink tea and read a book under the shade of a walnut tree. After lunch, say goodbye to your host family and drive to Samarkand (230km, 4hrs) via Nurata mosque known for its holy spring waters and to explore the ruins of a fortress built by Alexander the Great. Arrive in Samarkand - the capital of Tamerlane's Empire. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Optional Activity in Nurata village: Take a guided hike around Uhum village with a local guide with basic English, valley up to the petroglyph site 4000 years old on the buffer zone of the Nuratau Nature Reserve (one way 4km, 2hours). On the way you will see the local population busy doing their daily livelihood activities such as butter making, bread baking in a tandir oven, and firewood collection. Reach the petroglyph site and come close to deep history. The hike offers picturesque views of Nuratau Mountains and Lake Aydarkul. Return to the homestay.

After breakfast, start your private tour of Samarkand, Silk Road City, with your local guide and driver, visit some of the city's most famous sites:

• Begin your exploration at the Gur-e-Amir, a breathtaking mausoleum renowned for its stunning blue-tiled dome and intricate ornamentation. This magnificent structure, the final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), is a masterpiece of Timurid architecture, setting the stage for the grandeur that awaits;
• Next, immerse yourself in the heart of Samarkand at the Registan Square (15-17th century), a breathtaking ensemble of three majestic madrasahs, UlugBeg Madrasah, SherDor Madrasah, and TilyaKari Madrasah. Admire their exquisitely detailed facades, soaring portals, and vibrant tilework, each telling a unique story of Samarkand's rich past. Imagine the scholars and merchants who once walked these very stones;
• Journey to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a once-grand mosque built by Timur's favorite wife. Although partially ruined by earthquakes, its scale and remaining grandeur are still awe-inspiring. Its immense size and partially collapsed structures evoke a sense of history and the passing of time;
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Siab Bazaar, a bustling market overflowing with the sights, sounds, and scents of Samarkand. Browse through local handicrafts, spices, and fresh produce, experiencing the heart of Samarkand’s daily life;
• Venture into the Shahi-Zinda, a mesmerizing alley of mausoleums, each more ornate than the last. This breathtaking collection of architectural gems showcases a dazzling array of tilework, from subtle mosaics to dazzling displays of vibrant colors and intricate patterns;
• Conclude your tour at the UlugBeg Observatory (14th-15th century sextant), a testament to the city's scientific achievements. Learn about the remarkable astronomical observations made here centuries ago, a reminder of Samarkand's significant contributions to the world of science. Visualize the stars as they were viewed by the brilliant minds who once worked within these walls.

This Samarkand city tour offers a captivating glimpse into the city's history, architecture, and culture.

Tour Duration: 6-7 hours. Overnight in Samarkand.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast, you will have free time to discover Samarkand city. Check-out at noon. Afternoon transfer from Samarkand to Tashkent (4h). Upon arrival in Tashkent, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tashkent:
Meals: breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to Tashkent International Airport. End of Uzbekistan Classic Group Tour:
Meals: breakfast