10-Day Uzbekistan Silk Road: Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva Cultural Discovery

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Marokand / Chorbog (or similar)

Transportation:

• Fast train Tashkent – Samarkand

  • Departure: 07:26

  • Arrival: 09:45

  • Distance: approx. 300 km

City Introduction

Samarkand is one of the world’s oldest cities and a jewel of the Great Silk Road, renowned for its monumental architecture and cultural legacy.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Afrosiyob Museum – Ancient Samarkand history

• Ulugbek Observatory – Medieval astronomical center

• Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis – Mausoleum complex of royal and religious figures

• Bibi-Khanum Mosque (ruins) – Once the largest mosque in Central Asia

• Siab Bazaar – Traditional oriental market

Cultural Experience

• Plov Cooking Masterclass at a local family home

Overnight: Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Samarkand

Sightseeing Highlights

• Gur-Emir Mausoleum – Tomb of Amir Timur (Tamerlane)

• Registan Square – Iconic ensemble of three grand madrasahs

• Bibi-Khanum Mosque – Symbol of Timur’s empire

• Siab Bazaar – Tasting of dried fruits and oriental sweets

Cultural Insight

Learn about the regional varieties of Uzbek plov and local culinary traditions.

Overnight: Samarkand

Distance: 180 km | approx. 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House in Gilon Village

Village Introduction

Gilon is a remote mountain village located at 2,000 meters above sea level, offering authentic rural life and breathtaking scenery.

Activities

• Scenic drive through mountain passes

• Lunch at a local resident’s home

• Walking tour of the village

• Visit to a traditional blacksmith workshop

• Meeting with a local artist

Overnight: Gilon Village

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bukhara

Shakhrisabz – Birthplace of Amir Timur

Historic city and former royal residence of Tamerlane.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Ak-Saray Palace Ruins – Timur’s summer residence

• Jakhongir Mausoleum – Tomb of Timur’s eldest son

• Dorus-Saodat Complex

• Kok Gumbaz Mosque – Built by Ulugbek

• Gumbazi-Seyidan Mausoleum

Transportation

• Evening transfer to Samarkand

• Fast train Samarkand – Bukhara

  • Departure: 22:20

  • Arrival: 00:04

Overnight: Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Rayyan / Shahnishin (or similar)

City Introduction

Bukhara is one of Central Asia’s most sacred cities, featuring over 140 preserved monuments.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Samanid Mausoleum (9–10th c.)

• Chashma Ayyub Complex

• Bolo Hauz Mosque

• Ulugbek & Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasahs

• Magoki-Attari Mosque

• Trading Domes – Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Sarrafon, Toki-Tilpak-Furushon

• Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble

• Ark Citadel – Former Emir’s residence

• Poi-Kalon Complex – Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasah

• Bukhara Synagogue

Cultural Stop: Tea break at a silk carpet showroom

Overnight: Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Bukhara

Excursion Highlights

• Sitorai Mohi Khosa Palace – Summer residence of the last Emir

• Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum – Major Sufi pilgrimage site

• Chor Bakr Necropolis – Open-air memorial complex

Afternoon: Free time to explore Bukhara independently
Overnight: Bukhara

Distance: approx. 490 km | 6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Kosha Darvoza (or similar)

Transportation

Scenic transfer across the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva.

Overnight: Khiva

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Khiva

Ichan-Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• City walls and gates

• Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah

• Kalta Minor Minaret

• Kunya Ark

• Juma Mosque – 218 wooden columns

• Tash-Khauli Palace

• Islam Khoja Minaret & Madrasah

• Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum

• Dishon-Kala (outer city)

Evening: Night walk in Ichan-Kala and dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Khiva

Meals: Breakfast

• Transfer to Urgench Airport (08:00)

• Domestic flight Urgench – Tashkent

• International departure from Tashkent