Uzbekistan
Four Cities of the Silk Road
Discover Uzbekistan through four remarkable cities, each revealing a different chapter of the Silk Road.
The experience
Overview
Discover Uzbekistan through four remarkable cities, each revealing a different chapter of the Silk Road. Explore Tashkent’s colourful bazaars, step inside the ancient walls of Khiva, wander through Bukhara’s atmospheric courtyards, and admire the magnificent architecture of Samarkand.
Route: Tashkent Urgench Khiva Bukhara Samarkand Tashkent
- Duration
- 7 days / 6 nights · Private journey
- Overnight stays
- 2 nights in Tashkent · 1 night in Khiva · 1 night in Bukhara · 2 nights in Samarkand
- Arrival
- Tashkent International Airport
- Departure
- Tashkent International Airport
Along the way
Schedule
- Day 1
Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport, meet your representative and enjoy a private transfer to your selected hotel.
After check-in, take time to relax and enjoy your first impressions of Uzbekistan’s capital. Depending on your arrival time, explore the nearby streets independently or let us arrange an optional welcome dinner featuring traditional Uzbek cuisine.
Your guided discovery of Tashkent is planned for Day 6, allowing a comfortable start to your journey.
- Day 2
After an early breakfast or a breakfast box arranged with your hotel, transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Urgench.
Upon arrival, meet your local driver and continue to Khiva, where ancient walls surround a beautifully preserved historic centre.
Begin your guided walking tour of Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with tiled madrasahs, palaces, mosques, and quiet lanes.
Admire the distinctive turquoise tiles of Kalta Minor and the façade of Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah. Explore Kunya-Ark, the former residence of Khiva’s rulers, and visit Juma Mosque, known for its forest of carved wooden columns.
Continue to Tash Khovli Palace, where richly decorated courtyards reveal the artistry of Khiva’s craftsmen. Discover the Islam Khoja Ensemble, with its elegant minaret rising above the old town.
Between the monuments, enjoy the small details of Khiva: carved doors, artisan workshops, and narrow streets that become especially atmospheric towards sunset.
Check in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
The sightseeing programme will be adjusted to the confirmed flight arrival time.
- Day 3
After breakfast and check-out, depart for Bukhara by private vehicle.
Today is dedicated mainly to travelling through the wide landscapes of the Kyzylkum Desert, following a route between two of Uzbekistan’s historic Silk Road cities.
Enjoy rest stops along the way and a break for lunch at a local roadside restaurant, where available. Lunch is payable separately; a packed lunch can also be arranged in advance.
Arrive in Bukhara in the late afternoon or evening, depending on road conditions and stops. Check in to your hotel and relax after the journey.
If time permits, take an independent evening stroll around Lyabi-Hauz, where historic buildings and waterside cafés create a welcoming introduction to the city.
- Day 4
After breakfast and check-out, begin your guided exploration of Bukhara, a city of ancient trading routes, intricate brickwork, and peaceful courtyards.
Visit the Ark Fortress, the former seat of Bukhara’s rulers, and admire the graceful wooden columns of Bolo Hauz Mosque.
Continue to the Poi-Kalyan Ensemble, where the great Kalyan Minaret stands beside Kalyan Mosque and the impressive façade of Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.
Walk through the historic trading domes, browsing stalls displaying textiles, ceramics, jewellery, and local handicrafts.
Finish your sightseeing around Lyabi-Hauz, a historic ensemble gathered around one of the old city’s surviving pools. Enjoy time for lunch before your onward journey.
Later, transfer to the railway station for your train to Samarkand, subject to the confirmed timetable.
Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.
The order and duration of sightseeing will be arranged around the available train departure.
- Day 5
After breakfast, begin a full day discovering the architectural treasures of Samarkand.
Visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Amir Timur, where a striking blue dome and richly decorated interiors introduce the grandeur of Timurid architecture.
Continue to Registan Square, framed by the magnificent Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori madrasahs. Take time to admire their mosaics, monumental portals, and elegant courtyards.
Discover Bibi-Khanym Mosque, one of the city’s most imposing historic monuments, before exploring nearby Siyob Bazaar. Browse stalls selling dried fruit, nuts, spices, and Samarkand’s distinctive round bread.
After a break for lunch, visit Shah-i-Zinda, an extraordinary avenue of mausoleums celebrated for its intricate tilework and luminous shades of blue.
Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. An optional dinner at a local restaurant can be arranged.
- Day 6
After breakfast and check-out, transfer to the railway station for your morning train to Tashkent.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and begin discovering the capital’s contrasting historic and modern neighbourhoods.
Explore Chorsu Bazaar, where stalls of spices, produce, bread, and traditional goods offer a lively introduction to everyday life in the city.
Continue with a ride on the Tashkent Metro, stopping at selected stations to admire their distinctive architectural and decorative styles.
Visit Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, discovering the broad avenues, gardens, and public spaces of the modern capital.
After the tour, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Spend your final evening at leisure, or let us arrange an optional farewell dinner to celebrate your journey through Uzbekistan.
The sightseeing programme will be adjusted to the confirmed train arrival time.
- Day 7
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and free time until your scheduled transfer, depending on your flight time.
At the agreed time, meet your driver for a private transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
Depart with memories of turquoise domes, ancient trading cities, and the welcoming spirit of Uzbekistan.
Destination Highlights
- Tashkent and Chorsu Bazaar
- Khiva and Ichan-Kala
- Bukhara and Poi-Kalyan
- Samarkand and Registan Square
Signature Experiences
- Walking within the ancient walls of Khiva
- Crossing the Kyzylkum Desert between Khiva and Bukhara
- Exploring the decorated stations of the Tashkent Metro
- Discovering Samarkand’s mausoleums and mosaic courtyards
Inclusions and Exclusions
What’s included
- 6 nights in selected hotels with breakfast.
- Private airport and railway station transfers according to the itinerary.
- Private air-conditioned transport for the Urgench–Khiva and Khiva–Bukhara journeys.
- Transport for sightseeing where required; historic centres are explored mainly on foot.
- Train tickets from Bukhara to Samarkand and from Samarkand to Tashkent, in the class specified in the final quotation.
- Professional local guides speaking your preferred language.
- Guided sightseeing according to the confirmed programme.
- Bottled water during guided excursions and private road transfers.
Not included
- International flights.
- Domestic flight from Tashkent to Urgench, quoted separately.
- Entrance tickets to monuments and museums, unless expressly included in the final quotation.
- Visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel insurance.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Optional experiences and additional services.
- Early check-in and late check-out.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Any services not expressly listed as included in the tour price.
Your journey with Arivio
Let’s plan your journey.
Tell us your preferred dates and a little about your plans. We’ll help you explore the options for this journey.
Four Cities of the Silk Road
info@ariviotravel.com