17-day Uzbekistan in Depth Tour

Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to Tashkent railway station. Departure of the train to Kokand at 08:05 (alternative private transport is also available). Arrival in Kokand at 12:16, meeting with the guide and driver to start the active part of the tour in the Fergana Valley. You will visit the main historical and cultural sights of Kokand: the palace of Khudoyar Khan and the Jami Mosque. You will also visit the museum of Hamza, a famous poet and playwright, whose full name is Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi. Next, you will take a short drive to the town of Rishtan (40 km, 1 hour), famous for its magnificent ceramics. You will visit the home and workshop of Rustam Usmanov, a master potter whose works have been exhibited at international exhibitions. You will observe the process of pottery making and admire a beautiful collection of traditional Rishtan ceramics with intricate patterns and blue-green glaze. In the evening, transfer to Fergana (50 km, 1 hour). Upon arrival in Fergana, you will have dinner with a local family, where you will try homemade traditional Uzbek dishes, learn about the culture and way of life of the Uzbek people, and learn about family traditions. During dinner, you will be able to taste dishes such as pilaf, kazan kabob, as well as try authentic tandoor flatbread, local fruits, and sweets. After dinner, transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver and depart for Margilan (15 km, 30 minutes) to visit the Silk Factory. Here, you will observe the entire process of producing silk fabrics with traditional ikat patterns – from collecting silkworm cocoons to hand dyeing and weaving the fabric on a loom. After the silk factory, take a stroll through a vibrant oriental bazaar. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent departing at 13:00. Arrival at 14:00. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours In the afternoon or later in the evening you can visit the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent on your own (optional).

Morning flight to Nukus (810 km, 1 h 40 min). Arrive in Nukus and drive to former fishermen’s town Muynak (220 km, 3 h), which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea. On the way stop at archaeological complex Mizdakhan. In Muynak have a look at a former port with abandoned ships in the sand – “Cemetery of ships”. Then visit Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history. In the afternoon return to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel.

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, a Zoroastrian dakhma (funerary tower), and Toprak-Kala,the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. Arrive in Khiva, check in to the hotel. * Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum is closed on Mondays. ** Due to renovations in Block 1 of the Savitsky Museum, some archaeological and applied arts exhibitions are closed indefinitely. Only Block 2 is currently open to visitors.

Spend a day in Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, living museum under the open sky. Take a walking sightseeing tour in Khiva: visit Tash-Khovli Palace, Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

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. Stop along the way to enjoy the views of the surrounding desert. 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.

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

Start the second 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 House Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

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.

In the morning visit desert Aidarkul Lake. Free time on the lake. Extras to do in the area: Option 1. Camel ride to Aidarkul 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. Time for rest. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch or picnic

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, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

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. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Shakhrisabz (90 km, 2 h). Have a short city tour in Shakhrisabz. Visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Siodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. In the afternoon continue driving to Termez (290 km, 5 h). Arrive in Termez, check in to the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours

Start sightseeing tour in Termez, ancient Buddhist center and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Drive out of the city to explore Zurmala Tower – Buddha's stupa, Mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termezi, Buddhist archaeological site of Fayaz-Tepe, Kampyr-Tepe – Greco-Bactrian Kingdom fortress. Return to Termez for a city tour in Old Termez: visit Kyrk-Kyz Fortress, Kokildor-Ota Khanaka, and Sultan Saodat Ensemble – a summer residence of Samani rulers. Visit Archaeology Museum to explore exhibits discovered on the territory of Termez and its surroundings. Free time. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival start city sightseeing. Visit 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, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end. Lunch break 13:00-14:00 Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.