Explore five ancient cities of Uzbekistan on this 10-day tour of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Nurata, and Samarkand. After a long flight from Australia to Uzbekistan, you will immediately plunge into the exotic of the East. Learn about the history of trade along the Silk Road and about the rise and fall of powerful empires; experience the rich and fascinating Uzbek culture and traditions; and taste the delicious local cuisine. In addition to visiting many famous historical monuments and admiring impressive architecture, the itinerary includes: riding a camel through the vast Kyzylkum Desert, enjoying supper by the fire while listening to a Kazakh akyn (folk singer), staying overnight in a yurt, participating in a pottery master-class, and other activities that showcase Uzbek culture and nature.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Tashkent – Arrival

Arrive in Tashkent from Australia. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Begin at the Courage Monument, which commemorates the 1966 earthquake and honours the resilience of the people of Tashkent, before continuing to the historic Old City. Visit the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, walk past the Khast-Imam Complex, view the exterior of the Islamic Civilization Center, and stroll along the newly developed Zarkaynar Street. Next, explore Chorsu Bazaar and a local pottery gallery, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch on Taras Shevchenko Street, known for its lively dining scene, then continue to the State Museum of Applied Arts and admire the elegant facade of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, concluding the tour at Amir Timur Square. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

Early morning transfer to local airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h 40 min). Arrive in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Khiva to Bukhara through Kyzylkum desert**. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.

Day 4: Bukhara

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 5: Bukhara

Start the day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and the House Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 6: Bukhara – Nurata – Safari Yurt Camp

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to yurt camp located in Kyzylkum desert (230 km, 4 h*). On the way we will have a few stops: Gijduvan pottery masters workshop, Nurata local mosque with a holy spring water, and Nurata pass to see petroglyphs. Arrive in Safari Yurt Camp, accommodation in yurt. Camel riding and free time. After dinner sit around the camp fire and enjoy Kazakh akin singing folk songs. Overnight in the yurt.
Meals: dinner**
*The drive on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
**Though meals are included, based on the experience and tips of our guests, we advise to take some food in advance, as there are no shops around yurts.

Day 7: Yurt camp – Samarkand

In the morning visit desert Aydarkul Lake. Free time on the lake.

Extras to do in the area:

Option 1. Camel ride to Aydarkul Lake through the desert (8.5 km, 3 h). Enjoy your time on the lake and have lunch. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand.
Cost: $30 per person for a camel and cameleer service.

Option 2. Take a short camel ride to a nearby village Dungalak (1.5 km, 30 min). Participate in baking traditional bread “non”. Take a short walk in the village to see life of locals and return to the camp.
Cost: $20 per person for a camel and cameleer service.

In the afternoon depart the yurt camp and drive to Samarkand (270 km, 5 h). Arrival in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch or picnic

Day 8: Samarkand

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 9: Samarkand – Tashkent

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. Late in the afternoon transfer to railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob

train departing to Tashkent (journey time 2 h 10 min). Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 10: Tashkent – Departure

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure to Australia. End of the tour service.

Price includes:

All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan standard type car; 3-7 pax by minivan type car; 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14 pax and more by 40-50 seat bus;
Accommodation with breakfast: standard double/twin room for Standard, Comfort and Premium options;
Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Economy class ticket for flight Tashkent-Urgench;
Ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace it with the most-comfortable class of regular train).