UZBEKISTAN: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF THE SILK ROAD

13 Days UZBEKISTAN: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF THE SILK ROAD
Uzbekistan is a unique country located in the heart of Central Asia, famously known as a "double-landlocked" nation—meaning it is landlocked and surrounded entirely by other landlocked countries. Covering approximately 448,900 square kilometres, it is home to around 38.07 million people (as of October 2025), making it the most populous country in Central Asia. The capital city, Tashkent, is not only the political centre but also a renowned ancient city in the region, with a population exceeding 3 million.
As a shining jewel on the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan boasts world-famous cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which preserve the magnificent legacy of great empires like that of Timur (Tamerlane). The country is exceptionally rich in natural resources, with its core industries vividly described by the "Four Golds": gold (with reserves ranking tenth in the world), "white gold" (cotton), "black gold" (oil), and "blue gold" (natural gas). Since gaining independence in 1991, and especially in recent years under the reforms of the current president, this multi-ethnic (home to over 130 ethnic groups) and multi-faith nation has been showcasing its captivating charm to the world. With its unique cultural heritage, tradition of warm hospitality, and rapidly developing economy, Uzbekistan stands as a fascinating crossroads where modernity meets history.
Prices from £2800.00 per person based on 15 People
Including International and Domestic Flights, Ground Transfers, Activities and 4* Hotel Accommodations
Group Departures: 9 June & 8 September 2026
Single Supplement £300.00 Per Person Including tips
ITINERARY
D1: LONDON – TASHKENT
On Depart from London for Tashkennt
D2: TASHKENT (B,L,D)
Our Silk Road adventure begins the moment we land in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. After passing through customs, the warm embrace of Central Asia awaits. We' will be met and whisked away to our hotel, early check in.Rest after night flightBreakfast at the hotel
12:00 CITY TOUR IN TASHKENT (MODERN AND ANCIENT PARTS), , we delve into the city’s dual personality. Our morning begins in the modern heart of Tashkent, where wide, tree-lined avenues lead us to the majestic Independence Square. We'll pause to admire the statue of Amir Timur, the great conqueror, and the elegant Alisher Navoi Opera Theatre. Then, we descend into the city's glittering underworld—the Tashkent Metro—where each station is a palatial work of art.
Overnight in Tashkent
D3: TASHKENT (B, L, D)
After breakfast, this morning, we step back in time. The old city envelops us with its distinct aroma of spices and history. At the sacred Khazrati Imam Complex, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (15th c.), Barak-Khan Madrasah (16th c.), Muyi-Mubarak Mosque - storehou se of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of Prophet Muhammadyou'll come face-to-face with relics of profound significance: the mausoleum of a saint, ancient madrasahs, and the legendary Uthman Quran, one of the world's oldest. As the sun begins to dip, we lose ourselves in the vibrant chaos of the Chorsu Bazaar, a vast, domed market where you can haggle for spices, sweets, and silk, just as travellers have done for centuries. Overnight in Tashkent.
D4: Tashkent – CHIMGAN- TASHKENT (B, L, D)
After Breakfast, Today, we trade city sights for mountain air. Leaving Tashkent behind, we drive into the rugged beauty of the Chimgan Mountains. Our destination is the Chimgan recreation complex, where a gentle cable car lifts us high above the landscape. From this vantage point, the world unfolds below—a tapestry of deep gorges and green hills. We’ll spend unhurried time here, breathing in the fresh air, capturing photographs of the stunning panoramas, and feeling a world away from the bustle below. After descending, we return to Tashkent, with a possible stop at the Samarkand Darvaza mall for those seeking a more modern taste of local shopping.
Overnight in Tashkent
D5: Tashkent - urgench - ayazkala – toprakala - khiva (B, L, D)
After an early breakfast, An early flight carries us west to Urgench, the gateway to a landscape that feels like another planet. Here, the great Kyzylkum Desert stretches to the horizon, and scattered across it are the ghosts of empires. Our journey begins with a drive to the ancient fortresses of a lost civilization. We first encounter the ruins of Kyzyl-Kala, a silent sentinel from the Kushan-Afrigid period. Then, we climb the dusty paths to Toprak-Kala, the capital of ancient Khorezm in the 3rd century AD. Often called the "museum of fine arts in the desert," its excavated walls whisper tales of a sophisticated kingdom, Our final stop is the breathtaking Ayaz-Kala, a vast fortress complex perched high on a hilltop. Built 1,900 years ago, it wasn't a city, but a powerful stronghold guarding the empire's frontiers. As the sun casts long shadows across the sand, we drive to the fairy-tale city of Khiva, where we'll rest for the night within its ancient walls.
D6: khiva (B, L, D)
After breakfast, STEPPING INTO A LIVING MUSEUM: ICHAN-KALA, Wake up in a city that seems frozen in time. Today is dedicated entirely to exploring Ichan-Kala, the inner walled city of Khiva and a perfectly preserved UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through its gates is like stepping onto the pages of "One Thousand and One Nights."
We'll wander through a maze of wonders: the tiled majesty of Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, the unfinished but iconic Kalta Minor Minster, and the harem opulence of the Tash-Khovli Palace. We'll stand in the cool, dark silence of the Djuma Mosque, its roof pierced by shafts of light. Every corner reveals another masterpiece—the slender Islom Khodja Minaret, the intricate tiles of the mausoleums—a day spent walking in the footsteps of khans and scholars.
Overnight in Khiva.
D7: khiva – bukhara (B, L, D)
After What was once a perilous month-long caravan journey is now a memorable day’s drive. After breakfast, we set off across the Kyzylkum Desert, the "Red Sand," heading for the fabled city of Bukhara, the territory of Khorezm, which was called in the past as a “State of Thousand and Hundred Cities”. The landscape transforms into a surreal expanse of sand, scrub, and open sky. Keep your eyes peeled for caravans of Bactrian camels and the occasional sight of a nomadic yurt. We’ll follow the path of the great Oxus River (the Amu Darya), imagining the merchants and adventurers who made this crossing for millennia. Arriving in Bukhara in the late afternoon, we'll feel the palpable weight of its history as we check into our hotel, ready to explore it tomorrow.
Overnight in Bukhara.
D8: bukhara (B, L, D)
THE SACRED HEART OF BUKHARA
Bukhara is not just a city; it's an idea, the holiest city in Central Asia. Today, we immerse ourselves in its spiritual and architectural heart. We begin at the imposing Ark Citadel, a massive fortress that was a city-within-a-city for millennia. From there, we journey through the centuries. We'll stand in awe before the simplicity of the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of 10th-century brickwork, and then feel the profound power of the Poi-Kalon Ensemble. The Kalon Minaret towers above us, its sheer scale and beauty so immense that even Genghis Khan is said to have been moved to spare it. Our exploration continues along a spine of history: the 15th-century Ulugbek Madrasah, the bustling Lyabi-Hauz plaza centred around a tranquil pool, and the fascinating Magoki-Attori Mosque, one of the oldest in the city. By day's end, you will have walked through a thousand years of history. Overnight in Bukhara.
D9: bukhara (B, L, D)
Our second day in Bukhara takes us beyond the city walls. We drive first to the Bakhouddin Naqshbandiy Memorial Complex, a deeply spiritual site dedicated to the founder of a major Sufi order. It’s a place of quiet contemplation and pilgrimage.
Returning to the city, we shift from the spiritual to the imperial at the Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the whimsical summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, where Persian luxury meets Russian imperial style. The afternoon is dedicated to the soul of the Silk Road: commerce. We'll wander through Bukhara's ancient trade domes—the Toki Saraffon (Moneychangers' Bazaar), Toki Zargaron (Jewelers' Bazaar)—where you can practice the time-honored art of haggling for silk, ceramics, and carpets in the very spots where traders have bartered for centuries.
Overnight in Bukhara.
D10: Bukhara – gijduvan - samarkand (B, L, D)
After breakfast, We bid farewell to Bukhara and take to the open road once more. Our first stop is the charming town of Gijduvan, famous for its ceramics. Here, we visit the home and workshop of a renowned local potter, where we can witness the ancient craft in action, transforming clay into beautiful, vibrant masterpieces, just as his ancestors did. After soaking in the artistry, we continue our journey towards the most glittering jewel of the Silk Road: Samarkand. Arriving in the late afternoon, the anticipation is almost tangible.
Overnight in Samarkand.
D11: samarkand (B, L, D)
THE GLEAM OF REGISTAN AND THE STARS OF ULUGHBEG Prepare for your breath to be taken away. Today, we stand at the heart of Tamerlane’s empire. Our first stop is the Registan Square, the most magnificent public square in the world. Flanked by three grand madrasahs—Ulughbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kori—their turquoise domes and intricate tilework blaze under the Central Asian sun. In the afternoon, we venture to the outskirts of the city to visit the Ulughbek Observatory. Here, the great astronomer-king studied the stars, and we can see the remains of his massive sextant, a testament to the 15th-century quest for knowledge. We'll end the day with a sensory feast at the Siab Bazaar, the vibrant heart of modern Samarkand, before resting for our final day of exploration.
Overnight in Samarkand.
D12: samarkand - tashkent (B, L, D)
After Breakfast, start our final day in Samarkand begins at the Shakhi-Zindeh, the " Avenue of Mausoleums." This breathtaking necropolis is a cascade of stunning, tile-clad tombs that climb a hillside, each one more beautiful than the last. It's a place of deep spirituality and incomparable beauty. We then pay our respects at the Guri Emir, the final resting place of Tamerlane himself. The majesty of his tomb, with its golden inscriptions and fluted azure dome, is a fitting tribute to the man who shaped Central Asia. We'll also marvel at the colossal Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a cathedral mosque built for Timur’s favourite wife, whose massive size and soaring arches are a true wonder. In the afternoon, we board the high-speed train for a swift and comfortable journey back to Tashkent. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel for a final night in the capital. Overnight in Tashkent.
D13: TASHKENT - London (B)
. After breakfast and a final chance to savour the memories of your journey, it’s time to say goodbye. You'll be transferred to Tashkent International Airport, taking with you the echoes of minarets, the taste of fresh bread, and the vibrant colours of a land that has enchanted travellers for centuries. Khayr khosh, until we meet again"
Arrival at London Heathrow and having enjoyed an INCREDIBLE TOUR say goodbye to your new friends.
- END OF PROGRAMME -
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- Return International and Internal flights inclusive of taxes
- 4* accommodation as stated
- All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
- Local English speaking guides
- All entrance fees as per program
- Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program:
- All Tips
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
- Drinks
- Visas
- Mineral water beyond that supplied
- Early check-in or late checkout
- Insurances
- Optional excursions and activities
- Additional transfer required due to an emergency situation
- Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
- All not mentioned above
- Excess baggage charges
HOTELS (4*)

- TASHKENT Afrosiyob Regency or similar Hotel www.hotelafrosiyob.uz
- KHIVA Zarafshon Boutique www.zarafshonboutiquehotel.uz
- BUKHARA Asia Hotel www.bukhara.asiahotels.uz
- SAMARKAND Shaxzoda Elite www.shaxzoda-elite.com
100% FINANCIAL PROTECTION
All our holidays are 100% financially protected.
Our ATOL bond protects all of our holidays booked in the UK with flights.
Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.




