Uzbekistan Classic Tour

Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. Transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon, and have a rest after your flight. Overnight in Tashkent, first night in your Uzbekistan Classic Tour.

Begin the second day of your Uzbekistan classic tour with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up to begin your Tashkent city tour. Your private tour will include:

• Excursion to the Old City, including the Khazret-Imam Architectural Complex. The complex includes the Madrasah of Barak-Khan (16th century), Tillya-Sheykh Mosque, Juma Mosque and Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi (15th century). Walking through the Islamic Civilization Center and Zarqaynar street;
• Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s most famous 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 colorful mosaics and ceramics to depict a specific theme;
• Walk through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square;
• Drive to Sacred Heart Cathedral, a 20th-century Roman Catholic Church with beautiful stained-glass windows and Gothic-style architecture;
• Tour of the Applied Arts Museum, a collection of Uzbekistan’s finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa.

Overnight in Tashkent.
Tour duration: 6 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the railway station to take the morning train to Bukhara (580 km, 4hrs). Arrive in Bukhara and transfer to your hotel in the Old City, a 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, including the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara (14th-17th centuries) and some of the largest madrasahs in the city: Khanaka Madrasah, Kukeldash Madrasah and Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah (all 16th century);
• Magoki-Attori Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century);
• Trade Domes – Toqi Zargaron, Toqi Sarrafon, Telpak Furushon and Tim Abdullahan (15th-16th centuries) - which still house local handicrafts for sale;
• Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century), relatively untouched and impressive religious schools;
• Poi Kalyan Ensemble (12th-16th centuries), consisting of Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Amir-Alimkhan Madrasah and Miri-Arab Madrasah;
• Ark Fortress (4th century), the ancient center of Bukharan statehood now 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 Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.

Finish your walking city tour of Uzbekistan Classic Tour. Overnight in Bukhara.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, enjoy a free day of your Uzbekistan classic Tour and explore Bukhara before checking out of the hotel at noon.
Transfer in the afternoon to the train station for the Bukhara-Samarkand bullet train (280 km, 2hrs).
Arrive in the historical town of Samarkand, seat of Tamerlane’s ancient empire and a crossroads of the world's cultures. Transfer to the Samarkand hotel, followed by free time to rest or explore the city. Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast, begin your private tour of Samarkand with an experienced local guide. Your tour will take you to the following places:

• Gur Emir, the imposing burial site of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek;
• Registan Square, the commercial center of Samarkand for centuries and Samarkand’s most celebrated site. The square includes Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasah (17th century) and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (17th century);
• 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 twenty small mausoleums that line the broad alleyway;
• Ulugbek Observatory, where you can see the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant and tour Ulugbek Museum.

Overnight in Samarkand your Uzbekistan classic tour fifth night.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours

Start your sixth day on the Uzbekistan classic tour with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Free time to explore Samarkand before checking out of the hotel at noon. Transfer to the train station to take the late afternoon train to Tashkent (330 km, 2.5 hrs). Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

Breakfast at hotel. Your Uzbekistan Classic Tour continues with a scenic drive to Sukok, a small village located in Ugam-Chatkal National Park (60km, 1.5hrs). Sukok is famous for its pristine protected area, unique plants and coniferous trees. Take an easy 1.5-kilometer hike to soak in the cool air and scent of pine.
Continue to Charvak Lake (90km, 1hr, 45min), stopping for photos at the most scenic overlooks along the way. The drive will take you through picturesque villages, gardens plots and mountain streams. Arrive to Charvak Reservoir, where you will have some time to bask in the sun and soak up the magnificent view before continuing your trip. Drive down the well-known Serpentine Road to have a hot lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Tashkent for drop-off at your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.
Tour duration: 7-8 hours

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a free morning. Check out of the hotel by noon and transfer to the airport. End of Uzbekistan Classic Tour.