Uzbekistan Rail Tour

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

After breakfast, transfer to the train station to take the Tashkent - Samarkand train (320 km). Pick-up from Samarkand train station and transfer to the hotel. Check-in to the hotel at noon and begin your tour of Samarkand, a city at the crossroads of world cultures.

Your private city tour unfolds under the guidance of an experienced local expert who brings Samarkand’s stories to life. Together, you explore the city’s most iconic landmarks, each revealing a different layer of its Silk Road legacy. We begin at Gur Emir, the majestic mausoleum of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek. Its ribbed azure dome and rich interior decoration set the tone for the architectural splendor that defines Samarkand. A short walk away lies the incomparable Registan Square — the historic heart of the cityone of Central Asia’s greatest masterpieces. Standing before the trio of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kori Madrasahs, you’ll witness centuries of craftsmanship captured in shimmering mosaics, soaring portals, and golden domes. We continue to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, once among the largest mosques in the Islamic world, built by Tamerlane in honor of his beloved wife. Its monumental scale and intricate stonework hint at the empire’s enormous ambition. Nearby, the bustling Siab Bazaar offers a feast for the senses. This multi-level marketplace invites you to browse colorful spices, sweets, fruits, and Samarkand’s famously fragrant bread fresh from the tandir. Our journey then carries us to the sacred necropolis of Shakhi-Zinda. Here, a procession of over twenty blue-tiled mausoleums lines a rising pathway — a breathtaking corridor of color and spiritual heritage dating from the 9th to the 14th centuries.

Tour duration: 6 hours. Overnight in Samarkand.

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, check-in at noon.

Set out with your local guide to explore the timeless streets of Bukhara, a city where centuries of Silk Road history still echo through its lanes. Your walking tour leads you deep into the Old City, unveiling its most treasured landmarks. We begin at the serene Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, centered around Bukhara’s largest medieval reservoir. Surrounded by the Khanaka, Kukeldash, and Nadir Divan-Beghi madrasahs, this square has been a gathering place for travelers and scholars since the 16th century. From here, we wander to Magoki-Attori, Bukhara’s oldest surviving mosque, whose foundations reach back to the 12th century. Nearby rise the Trade Domes, the centuries-old bazaars where silk, spices, jewelry, and ceramics sell. Our path then brings us to the majestic Poi Kalyan Ensemble. The soaring Kalyan Minaret, the grand mosque, and the surrounding madrasahs form the symbolic heart of Bukhara — an architectural masterpiece shaped between the 12th and 16th centuries. We continue to see the paired splendors of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs, two remarkable religious schools standing opposite one another, each revealing its own era’s artistry and ambition. Rising ahead is the imposing Ark Fortress, once the royal residence and the ancient seat of Bukharan rulers. Today, its walls shelter a small yet engaging museum that brings the city’s long history to life. A short walk away, beneath graceful plane trees, stands the Bolo-Hauz Complex, with its elegantly carved wooden pillars reflected in the waters of a historic reservoir.

Tour duration: 6 hours. Overnight in Bukhara.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a leisurely day to explore the timeless charm of Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric cities of the Silk Road. Wander through its ancient lanes, visit artisan workshops, or simply relax in a traditional teahouse. Free day of 4th day on Uzbekistan Rail Tour. Overnight in Bukhara.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Bukhara Airport for your morning departure. This marks the conclusion of your Uzbekistan Rail Tour.