10-day tour to Uzbekistan

Urgench → Khiva: Getting to Know the Museum City.

The first day of the tour is dedicated to exploring Khiva, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Central Asia. After meeting your guide, you'll begin your immersion in this ancient oriental city, rightfully considered an open-air museum. After breakfast at the hotel, you'll embark on a tour of the Ichan-Kala historical complex—the inner city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khiva's main architectural symbols are concentrated here:

• the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and the Kalta-Minor minaret, which have become the city’s calling card;
• Kunya-Ark fortress - Muhammad Rahimkhan Feruz madrasah;
• Juma Mosque with a unique forest of carved wooden columns.

• Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmud, a poet, philosopher and national hero of Khiva;
• madrasah and minaret of Islam Khoja, the tallest minaret in the city;
• Tashkhauli palace complex, the former harem of the Khiva khans;
• an ancient caravanserai where oriental shops still operate.

Khiva → Bukhara

On the second day of the tour, you'll depart Khiva for Bukhara, one of the oldest cities on the Silk Road. The journey takes place by train or comfortable vehicle and takes most of the day. The route passes through the Kyzylkum Desert, allowing you to see a less touristy side of the country and appreciate the vastness of Central Asia.
Upon arrival in Bukhara, check into your hotel and enjoy free time. In the evening, you can take a self-guided stroll through the old town or join a guided tour to get a first taste of the city's atmosphere. Optionally, you can visit a working 16th-century hamam, where traditional treatments such as scrubs and massages are offered (recommended before or 90 minutes after dinner).
The day passes at a leisurely pace and serves as a comfortable transition from the busy Khiva excursion program to a more in-depth acquaintance with Bukhara the following day.

Bukhara

This day is entirely dedicated to sightseeing in Bukhara, a city that has been the region's religious, commercial, and cultural center for centuries. After breakfast at your hotel, you'll embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the historic city. In the morning, you'll visit Bukhara's key landmarks:

• Ark Fortress - an ancient citadel and residence of the Bukhara emirs;
• the architectural complex of Poyi Kalon, including the Kalon minaret and mosque;
• the operating Mir-Arab madrasah is one of the main Islamic educational centers of Central Asia;
• Ulugbek Madrasah, built in the 15th century;
• 16th-century trading domes, where craft shops still operate today.

• Magoki-Attori Mosque - one of the oldest in the region;
• workshop of a famous Bukhara puppeteer;
• the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble with an artificial reservoir is a popular place for walks;
• monument to Khoja Nasreddin, a hero of eastern folklore.

Bukhara → Kyzylkum desert → Aydarkul (yurt camp)

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll leave Bukhara and head towards the Kyzylkum Desert. Along the way, you'll stop at a 13th-century sardoba, an ancient reservoir that served caravans along the Silk Road. It's a prime example of medieval Eastern engineering.
The route then passes through the city of Nurata, where you'll visit a mosque and mausoleums, a fortress attributed to Alexander the Great, and a sacred spring considered a pilgrimage site. After lunch at a traditional teahouse, the journey continues deeper into the desert.
In the afternoon, you'll arrive at the yurt camp. Accommodations are in comfortable yurts, furnished and equipped with lighting. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner, live music, akyn (singing folk singers) singing around the campfire, and an introduction to nomadic traditions. The night passes in the silence of the desert and the starry sky.

Aydarkul → Samarkand

The morning begins with breakfast and a trip to the shore of Lake Aydarkul. Here, you'll have time to relax on the sandy beach and swim in the lake (if the water temperature is favorable). This is a rare opportunity to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing and enjoy Uzbekistan's natural beauty at a leisurely pace.
Lunch will be served on the banks of Lake Aydarkul, after which the journey to Samarkand begins. En route, you may stop in the town of Gijduvan, renowned for its ceramics masters. Here, you can witness the pottery-making process and purchase authentic handmade souvenirs.
In the evening, you'll arrive in Samarkand, check into your hotel, and have free time. Dinner is self-service, allowing you to choose a restaurant to suit your tastes and soak up the city's evening atmosphere.

Samarkand

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll continue exploring Samarkand, a city rightfully considered the heart of the Silk Road. This day's excursion combines architectural monuments, craft traditions, and a vibrant urban atmosphere.
In the morning, you'll visit a Samarkand paper factory, where 12th-century technologies are still used. Here, you'll see the process of making paper from mulberry trees and learn why Samarkand paper was prized far beyond the region. Next, you'll visit a silk factory, where you'll learn about the traditions of weaving and making silk products.
After lunch, the tour continues. You'll visit the famous Siyab Bazaar, Samarkand's main market, where fruits, spices, nuts, and traditional sweets are sold. Then, you'll visit the Shahi-Zinda architectural complex—a complex of mausoleums of Samarkand's nobility, stunning in its rich mosaics and ornamentation.
The program also includes a visit to the Mausoleum of St. Daniel, a pilgrimage site for representatives of various religions, and the observatory of Ulugh Beg, a renowned astronomer and 15th-century ruler. Dinner and free time in the evening. Optionally, you can attend the El Merosi Costume and Dance Theater (advance booking is recommended).

Samarkand → Tashkent

After breakfast, you'll depart for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The journey takes between 2 and 4 hours by bus or train, depending on your chosen mode of transport. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour of the city begins, allowing you to see both the historical and modern sides of the capital.
The tour includes a visit to the Besh-Kazan Plov Center, where thousands of portions of the national dish are prepared daily. Next, you'll ascend the Tashkent TV Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city. Also on the itinerary is the "Courage" monument, dedicated to Tashkent's post-earthquake reconstruction, and the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in an early 20th-century mansion.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the Abdul Qasim Sheikh Madrassa, then head to the modern Tashkent City district. Here you'll see the singing fountains, which are compared in scale and spectacle to the fountains in Dubai. After the tour, transfer to your hotel for some rest.

Tashkent → Institute of the Sun → Amirsay → Mountains

After breakfast, you'll depart Tashkent for the mountainous regions of the Western Tien Shan. Your first stop is the Institute of Solar Physics, a unique scientific complex housing one of the most powerful solar concentrators in the world. The tour will allow you to learn about scientific developments and see how solar energy is used in research.
The route then continues to the Amirsay ski resort. Here, you'll ride a cable car in modern enclosed cabins to an altitude of approximately 2,290 meters above sea level. The observation decks offer panoramic views of the mountain ranges and valleys. After the climb, you'll enjoy lunch at one of the resort's restaurants.
In the afternoon, you'll head to the Charvak Reservoir. Depending on the weather and your group's preferences, a boat ride or paragliding is possible. In the evening, you'll arrive at your mountain hotel, check in, and relax. You'll spend the night in the mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Jade lakes Urungach

After breakfast at a mountain hotel, we depart for the village of Urungach. The minibus journey takes approximately four hours and takes us along a picturesque mountain road with panoramic views of gorges and forests. Upon arrival, we begin our hike to the Lower and Upper Nephrite Lakes.
The hike is leisurely and suitable for those with basic fitness. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the mountain slopes and crystal-clear lakes, changing their hue depending on the light. Lunch and a rest period are provided on the shore of one of the lakes, and water activities are also available during the warmer months.
In the afternoon, the group returns to the transport and heads back to the mountain lodge. The evening is dedicated to resting after an active day, followed by dinner and overnight in the mountains.

Paltau Waterfall → Tashkent → departure

After breakfast at a mountain hotel, you'll head towards Paltau Waterfall. The journey takes you through picturesque mountainous terrain. Upon arrival at the checkpoint, you'll purchase entrance tickets for the national park, after which you'll begin your hike to the waterfall.
By 12:00 PM, you'll reach Paltau Waterfall—one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Tashkent. Here, you'll have free time to rest, stroll, and grab a light snack. The waterfall is surrounded by rocks and greenery, making it a perfect end to the active part of the trip.
After a restful break, the return journey to the transport and departure for Tashkent begins. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for departure. Your 10-day Uzbekistan tour comes to an end, leaving behind vivid impressions of ancient cities, mountainous nature, and Eastern hospitality.