Discover the journey
Follow Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities from Tashkent to Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand before returning to the capital. In eleven days, the journey moves between Tashkent's markets and modern streets, the concentrated lanes of Khiva's walled core, Bukhara's courtyards and squares, and Samarkand's monumental architecture. Multi-night stays create room to notice tilework, explore smaller streets and pause between major visits. An internal flight toward Urgench opens the western part of the route, followed by an eastward road journey through desert and city landscapes. Expect a mix of substantial travel days and fuller days on foot, with the pace shaped around your interests.
Journey highlights
- Khiva’s Ichan Kala
- Bukhara’s Ark and Kalon precincts
- Registan and Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand
- Tashkent markets and metro
- Khorezm landscape toward Urgench
Your route
- Tashkent
- Khiva
- Bukhara
- Samarkand
- Tashkent
11 days from arrival to departure, with 10 planned nights. Allow additional time for international travel.
Day-by-day itinerary
This proposed itinerary can be adjusted around your interests and travel dates. Visits, transport and overnight arrangements are confirmed in your written proposal before booking.
Day 1Arrive in Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent and ease into the capital. A neighborhood walk may suit the available time, with a quiet first evening before tomorrow's introduction to markets, religious architecture and city life.
Planned overnight: Tashkent.
Day 2Markets and architectural contrasts
Explore Tashkent through its historic religious quarter and the activity around Chorsu Bazaar. The city's metro and applied-arts collections offer a different perspective from monumental squares. Choose a manageable combination rather than trying to cover every stop in one continuous walking session.
Planned overnight: Tashkent.
Day 3Fly west toward Khiva
Plan to fly west toward Urgench, then continue to Khiva. The Khorezm archaeological landscape offers a possible stop en route if the flight timing leaves enough space. Settle into the next base before the full day in the walled city.
Planned overnight: Khiva.
Day 4Inside the walled city
Give Khiva's Ichan Kala a full day, with time for courtyards, tilework and the changing scale of its lanes. Build the route around the principal palace and mosque areas. Pause between visits rather than treating the walled city as a checklist of interiors.
Planned overnight: Khiva.
Day 5Across the desert to Bukhara
Set aside the day for the substantial road journey across the desert from Khiva to Bukhara. Break the drive at sensible intervals, leaving the arrival relaxed and any first walk in Bukhara optional.
Planned overnight: Bukhara.
Day 6Courtyards and city squares
Discover Bukhara through its major ensembles, from the Ark area to the squares around the Kalon complex. The day can include smaller streets between the larger monuments. Allow time for interpretation and shade breaks; leave time to take in the architectural detail between visits.
Planned overnight: Bukhara.
Day 7Beyond the main monuments
Use the second full day in Bukhara for the outer-city palace and memorial areas, then return to the old center. Chor Minor and the bazaars offer a useful contrast to the previous day's larger spaces. Crafts or food experiences can be discussed as optional additions.
Planned overnight: Bukhara.
Day 8Onward to Samarkand
Continue east to Samarkand, with the drive separated from an introductory visit to the Registan or Gur-e-Amir area. Arrive with enough time to appreciate a first setting without committing to a full city tour. A second night allows the principal exploration to follow tomorrow.
Planned overnight: Samarkand.
Day 9Samarkand's architectural layers
Compare Samarkand's monumental spaces with the more intimate passageways of Shah-i-Zinda. The observatory area and the market near Bibi-Khanym add further context, with time between visits to absorb the architecture and everyday city life.
Planned overnight: Samarkand.
Day 10Return through the Sirdarya region
Return toward Tashkent, leaving a realistic road-travel allowance and space for a break along the way. Use the final evening for a relaxed meal or a short independent outing. Avoid adding major sights if traffic or travel conditions extend the transfer.
Planned overnight: Tashkent.
Day 11Leave from Tashkent
End the loop in Tashkent and keep the day for onward travel. Another city night or a separate extension can be discussed if you would like more time before departure.
Services and arrangements
Accommodation and transport
A planned Tashkent–Urgench flight opens the western section, followed by substantial road journeys toward Bukhara and back to Tashkent. Allow for breaks and discuss baggage needs. Monument visits may involve steps, sun exposure and uneven surfaces.
Meals and experiences
Share your food interests, dietary needs and preferred balance of guided visits and independent time. Any meals, tastings, workshops or optional outings you select will be identified in the quote.
What's Included
Your personalized quote will set out the agreed accommodations, transport, transfers, meals, guiding and admissions. Only services expressly listed in the final written proposal form part of your arrangements.
What's Not Included
International flights to and from the journey are excluded. The quote will explain any other exclusions, optional activities and additional costs, including the treatment of permits, visas, insurance and personal expenses.
Questions about this journey
Where does the journey begin and end?
The route begins and ends in Tashkent, with a planned flight west followed by an eastward journey through Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.
Can I choose my dates and travel format?
Share a preferred date or flexible period, and tell us whether you prefer Group or Private travel. Feasible dates, format and pricing will be reviewed before booking.
Does requesting a quote reserve the journey?
No. An inquiry starts a conversation about your plans. It does not reserve space or confirm a booking.
