Uzbekistan Jewish Heritage Tour

The Uzbekistan Jewish Heritage Tour combines a classic cultural journey with visits to unique monuments of Jewish heritage in Uzbekistan. Like many Eastern countries, Uzbekistan is commonly associated with Islam, but few people know that Jewish communities have lived in this region for more than a thousand years. During this tour, you will explore the main highlights of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, along with synagogues, Ashkenazi and Bukharan Jewish communities, and other important sites of Jewish history.
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is the first stop on the tour. Here, you will visit the city’s most popular historical and cultural attractions, as well as two synagogues representing different traditions – Sephardic and Ashkenazi. You will then travel to Samarkand, home to some of the greatest monuments of the Eastern Middle Ages, where you will see a 19th-century synagogue and visit an ancient Jewish cemetery.
Midway through the tour, you will arrive in Bukhara, once the heart of Jewish life in Central Asia and the origin of the term “Bukharan Jews.” While in Bukhara, you will explore the city’s iconic landmarks and visit two synagogues and the Bukharan Jewish House Museum.
At the end of the tour, the focus shifts from historic cities to nature with a trip to the Chimgan Mountains. Here, you will visit the Amirsoy ski resort and the scenic Charvak Reservoir.
If you want to experience classical Uzbekistan while learning about Jewish culture in Central Asia, the Uzbekistan Jewish Heritage Tour will provide deep insight into the region’s rich and diverse history. Review the detailed itinerary below, read the terms and conditions, and begin booking this distinctive journey.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check-in is available from 14:00.

Day 2: Tashkent

Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Tashkent. Your Jewish Heritage Tour of Uzbekistan begins with a guided sightseeing tour of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia.
Start by exploring the Old City, home to the Khast-Imam Complex, which houses the world-famous Koran of Caliph Uthman. Next, visit the Center of Rishtan Ceramics, located in the restored Kallakhon Madrasah near Chorsu Bazaar, and then take a walk through Chorsu Bazaar itself – one of the oldest and liveliest markets in the city. Continue your journey with a ride on Tashkent's Metro, renowned as one of the most beautiful metro systems in the world, to reach the city center. You will then visit the Tashkent Bukharan Jewish Orthodox Sephardic Synagogue, one of the oldest functioning synagogues in the city. Nearby is the Tashkent Jewish Religious Community “Beth Menachem” (European Synagogue), the center of the Ashkenazi Jewish community founded by European immigrants. This synagogue often hosts guided tours and community meetings. Afterward, enjoy a pleasant walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square.
End of the Tashkent city tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Lunch/Dinner recommendation: Kosher lunch at the Jerusalem Restaurant, located in the Praga Hotel.

Day 3: Tashkent – Samarkand

In the morning, transfer from your hotel to the train station for the high-speed Afrosiyob

train from Tashkent to Samarkand (travel time: approximately 2 hours 10 minutes). Your guide and driver will meet you at train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Begin your exploration at Registan Square, the heart of ancient Samarkand. Continue to the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) and his descendants. Visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, explore the bustling Siab Bazaar, and see the historic Ulugbek Observatory. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 4: Samarkand

Your tour begins with a visit to the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, a magnificent ensemble of mausoleums that once belonged to the nobility of Samarkand. You will then explore the Gumbaz Synagogue (Kanesoy Gumbaz), a functioning 19th-century synagogue that has preserved its original domed interior and continues to serve as an important spiritual center for the Jewish community of Samarkand. Next, visit the Tomb of Saint Daniel, a revered pilgrimage site associated with peace and blessing. Continue to the Bukharan Jewish Cemetery, featuring historic tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions dating back to the 19th century. In the afternoon, drive to Konigil Village, where you will witness the traditional process of making Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. After the excursion, enjoy some free time with your driver at your disposal. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 5: Samarkand – Bukhara

In the morning, transfer from your hotel to the train station for the high-speed Afrosiab train from Samarkand to Bukhara (travel time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes). Upon arrival, begin your city tour with visits to the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Ulugbek Madrasah, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, the Trading Domes, and the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble. Next, take a walk through the Old Jewish Mahalla (Jewish Quarter), located just a few minutes from Lyabi-Hauz. Visit the House Museum and a Jewish and Family Synagogue and stroll through the narrow streets of the old quarter, still home to descendants of Bukharan Jews. After the tour, enjoy some free time around Lyabi-Hauz. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Optional: Taste Bakhsh – the famous Bukharan Jewish green pilaf. For those interested, we can arrange a cooking master class to learn how this traditional dish is prepared (extra fee applies, minimum group of 4 participants).

Day 6: Bukhara – Tashkent

Begin the day with a visit to the Bukharan Synagogue and the House Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev. Continue to the Old Jewish Cemetery, featuring tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions and traditional Jewish symbols. Proceed to the Ark Fortress, followed by visits to Bolo-Hauz Mosque, the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, and the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum.
After sightseeing in the city, take a short drive to the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, which beautifully combines Oriental and Russian decorative styles. Transfer to the train station for the high-speed Afrosiyob train back to Tashkent. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Lunch/Dinner recommendation: at Badyan Hotel, kosher meals are available. If you wish, you can have lunch or dinner there during your stay.

Day 7: Tashkent – Chimgan and Charvak Tour – Tashkent

At 09:00 in the morning, depart to Chimgan Mountains (80 km, 1.5-2 h.). You will be driving the road lying in picturesque surroundings full of local villages, gardens, and streams. Arrive at Amirsoy bottom parking and take the Amirsoy Express cable car (15min), which offers stunning views as it ascends to the main resort. Arrive at Amirsoy resort. Switch to another cable car (15min) to reach the Kumbel Ridge (2,300 m). From this vantage point, you can clearly see the surrounding mountains, including peak known as 'Big Chimgan' (3,309 m). After enjoying panorama views, descend to Amirsoy Resort, where you will have lunch and free time, ride ATV cars or snow tubing, and explore the area, for children there is a playground. Then transfer to the Chimgan camp site, where, if you wish, you can ride horses along the gorge at the foot of the mountain. Transfer to Charvak reservoir viewpoint (37 km, 45min), on the way stop for some snacks shopping at Bochka parking lot. After enjoying the view and taking some pictures, return to Tashkent. (90 km, 1.5 h.). Drop off at the hotel at 17:00-17:30. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 8: Tashkent – departure

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the Jewish Heritage Tour of Uzbekistan.

Note 1: The synagogues operate on a donation basis. A voluntary contribution is appreciated to support their maintenance and community activities.

Note 2: These requirements are set by some synagogues:

Modest clothing is required: no shorts or revealing outfits; trousers or long skirts are recommended.
Women should cover their heads with a scarf; men should wear a head covering (a cap is acceptable).
Some synagogues do not allow large bags inside. Small personal bags (for a phone, wallet, etc.) are allowed.

Price includes:

All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan economy type car; 3-7 pax by van type car; 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14 pax and more by 40-50 seat bus;
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Ticket for train Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-Tashkent.