Uzbekistan Highlights Tour

Arrive at Samarkand Airport, the historic city at the crossroads of civilizations. OREXCA driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Check-in at noon. Begin your private Samarkand city tour with a local guide and discover the city’s most iconic highlights:

• First, visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, a sacred 9th–14th century burial complex. Walk the stunning corridor of turquoise domes and explore more than 20 intricately decorated mausoleums;
• Next, continue to Siab Bazaar, a lively traditional market where you can browse local crafts and taste Samarkand’s famous bread, sweets, and dried fruits;
• Then visit the magnificent Bibi Khanum Mosque, once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, built by Tamerlane in honor of his beloved wife;
• After that, explore Registan Square, the historic heart of Samarkand and its most iconic ensemble. Admire the three grand madrasahs: Ulugbek Madrasah (15th c.), Sher-Dor Madrasah (17th c.), and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (17th c.);
• Finish your tour with a visit to Gur Emir Mausoleum, the impressive final resting place of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek, known for its elegant architecture and deep historical importance.

Tour duration: 6 hours. Overnight: Samarkand.

Breakfast at hotel and free time to discover the Silk Road city. Check out at noon. In the afternoon, begin your journey to Bukhara (280km, 4h), traveling along the historic Silk Road. First, stop at the atmospheric Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai ruins, once a bustling rest stop for merchants and travelers. Next, visit Sardoba, an ancient water reservoir that has quenched travelers’ thirst for centuries. Continue your journey and arrive in Bukhara, a city steeped in history, culture, and legend. Check in to your hotel and relax after the day’s journey. Overnight in Bukhara.

Optional private Samarkand city tour: Your sightseeing tour of Samarkand will continue with trips to these culturally significant sights: 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; Ulugbek Observatory, where you can see the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum. Drive to Konigil Village to observe the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry leaves. Tour duration: 4-5 hours.

After a leisurely breakfast, begin your private Bukhara tour with a local guide:

• First, explore the Ark Fortress, an ancient citadel that served as a royal residence and military stronghold;
• Next, visit Bolo Hauz Mosque and stroll around the serene Hauz (pond) area, a perfect example of Bukhara’s traditional architecture;
• Then, continue to Samanids Mausoleum (9th-10th centuries), believed to be the most ancient brick building in Central Asia;
• Main ensemble Poi Kalyan (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;
• After that, see the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, the lively square surrounded by historic madrasahs, and explore the nearby Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah;
• Finish your tour with free time at Bukhara Bazaar (trade domes 16th centuries), where you can shop for local crafts and souvenirs.

Tour duration: 6-7 hours. Overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast and hotel checkout, begin your drive from Bukhara to Khiva through the Kyzylkum Desert (480 km, 7h). Caravans who traversed the Great Silk Road, carrying goods of porcelain and spices, used this same route for hundreds of years. Arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon. Check in to the hotel and enjoy a free evening in the UNESCO World Heritage Itchan Kala, atmospheric streets of this ancient walled city. Overnight in Khiva.

Optional travel: who likes train journeys – available morning train from Bukhara to Khiva.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel to begin your walking tour of Khiva, famously known as the “Museum Under the Open Sky.” Enter the Ichan Kala, the historic inner town surrounded by fortified walls. Explore the narrow alleys and stunning architecture:

• First, visit the Kunya-Ark Fortress, the inner citadel of Ichan Kala, which served as the royal residence and military stronghold;
• Next, see the Kalta Minor Tower, famous for its turquoise tiles;
• Then, explore Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah, the largest medieval educational institution in Khiva, followed by Muhammad Rahim-Khan Madrasah, a sprawling complex that was one of the grandest in all of Central Asia;
• After that, visit the Juma Mosque, with its iconic wooden 212 columns and a 32 m high minaret;
• Continue to the Tash-Hauli Palace (Stone Courtyard Palace), a fortress-like complex with high battlements, towers, and garrisoned gates;
• Next, pay respects at the Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture;
• Finish your tour with the Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah, built by the vizier of the last khan.

Tour duration: 6 hours. Enjoy free time to shop or take photos in the atmospheric old town. Overnight: Khiva.

Check out of the hotel and transfer to Urgench Airport (35km). Departure flight to home. End of Uzbekistan Highlights Tour.