Classic Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan Tour

This is an extended version of the classic Uzbekistan tour, with the addition of Nukus and the ancient fortresses of Khorezm in Karakalpakstan. The itinerary brings together multiple layers of the country’s history and culture, combining the key monuments of the Eastern Middle Ages with 20th-century art and archaeological sites dating back more than 2,000 years.
The tour begins in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. After exploring its modern, Soviet-era, and ancient landmarks, you will travel to Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan. Here, you will visit the renowned Savitsky Museum, home to a remarkable collection of paintings once banned in the USSR, as well as the ruins of ancient fortresses and Zoroastrian monuments in the surrounding area. The journey then continues to Khiva, an ancient city that has preserved its authentic oriental character and is often described as an open-air museum of the East. Crossing the Kyzylkum Desert, you will arrive in Bukhara, famed for its rich architectural heritage, winding old streets, and traditional craft shops. The final destination is Samarkand, once the capital of great empires, which continues to impress with its monumental scale and richly decorated interiors.
Below, you can explore the detailed programme of this Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan tour. It goes beyond a standard sightseeing route, offering a deeper insight into the region’s history and cultural traditions.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00. Your tour will start with meeting your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You begin with a visit to the Courage Monument, one of the key symbols of Tashkent’s 20th-century history. Next, you will explore the Old City part of Tashkent, with the Khast-Imam Complex, where the world-famous Quran of Caliph Uthman is preserved. You will then continue with a drive to the Rishtan Ceramics Center, located in the restored Kallakhona madrasah near Chorsu Bazaar. Next, immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Chorsu Bazaar, a true eastern marketplace. Continue your journey with a ride on Tashkent's Metro, renowned as one of the most beautiful metro systems in the world, to the city center. Visit the Applied Arts Museum and stroll through Navoi Theater to reach Amir Timur Square, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 2: Tashkent – Nukus – Khiva

Transfer to domestic airport. Morning flight to Nukus (810 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrive in Nukus* and visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum**. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around center of Nukus: see statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. In the afternoon depart to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 h.). On the way visit archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: Chilpyk Zoroastrian dakhma, and Toprak-Kala – the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. Arrive in Khiva, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
*The guide for the sightseeing tour in Nukus and the trip to the fortresses of ancient Khorezm is not included and is available upon request.
** Due to renovations at Savitsky Museum, some of the archaeological and applied arts exhibitions remain closed indefinitely.

Day 3: Khiva

Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Kala Fortress, living museum under the open sky. Take a walking sightseeing tour in Khiva with a guide: visit Kunya Ark Citadel, Toshkhovli Palace, Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom Khodja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.*). The Silk Road once passed through Bukhara and Khiva and crossed the Kyzylkum Desert, much like the present-day route.** Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amudarya River and the desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*we advise preparing lunch-boxes for this trip.
**some parts of the road are presently being renovated.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00

Day 5: Bukhara

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi Hauz 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.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 6: Bukhara – Samarkand

Check-out till noon. Start the second day in Bukhara with a visit to Sitorai-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, a unique site combining Oriental and Russian architectural styles. Continue to Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi Mausoleum and House Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev. After lunch depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h.*). Stop on the way at Rabati-Malik Caravanserai. Continue driving to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
*The drive on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 7: Samarkand

Meet your guide and driver at 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 – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 8: Samarkand – Tashkent

Check out from the hotel by noon. Continue sightseeing in Samarkand with visits to the 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.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 9: Tashkent – departure

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of Classic Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan Tour.

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 with breakfast: standard double/twin room for Standard and Comfort options, and upgraded rooms for the Premium option;
Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides (except for city tour in Nukus and trip to fortresses of ancient Khorezm);
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
Economy class ticket for flight Tashkent-Nukus for Standard and Comfort options, and Business class for the Premium option;
One dinner in a local family along the tour.