Day 1 (Sat, 25 Apr 2026): Arrive into Urgench & drive to Khiva (30 kms)

Upon arrival in Urgench, after clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, make your way to the exit where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your pre-booked hotel in Khiva. The morning is at leisure to relax or take a first stroll through this atmospheric desert town. 

In the afternoon, we begin exploring Khiva. It is a city made for walking; compact and bathed in a golden desert light, Khiva's old town, the Ichan Kala (inner citadel), is a perfectly preserved slice of Silk Road history. Our walking tour includes highlights such as the truncated Kalta Minor Minaret, the Kunya Ark (former ruler’s residence), Madrassah Rakhimkhon, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, and the slender Islam Khodja Minaret. You can climb up for panoramic views over the town and surrounding desert. With its over 2,000 years of history, Khiva remains untouched by modern development within the citadel walls, offering an evocative sense of the past. 

Time permitting, we will also visit the Friday Mosque and the Tashauli Palace, including its ornately decorated harem. 

Overnight at Hotel Malika Kheivak or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 2 – Sunday, 26 April: Khiva 

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of Khiva with a visit to Operation Mercy, a textile centre located within the Ichan Kala. Here, local women revive ancient techniques, weaving Timurid-style silk rugs and hand-embroidering Suzani textiles using naturally dyed silk threads. Witness the process of preparing silk and see traditional looms in action. 

Later, enjoy a hands-on masterclass in cooking Tukhum Barak, a Khorezmian specialty, at the charming national house of Zarafshan opa, where you'll learn and dine with a local family. 

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Khiva at your own pace. 

Optional: You can attend a Suzani making workshop at Operation Mercy. 

Overnight at Hotel Malika Kheivak or similar (Breakfast & Lunch) 

 

Day 3 – Monday, 27 April: Khiva to Bukhara (470 km, 6–7 hours) 

Today, we travel by road to Bukhara, crossing the vast and arid Kyzylkum Desert, whose name means “Red Sands.” This route closely follows the ancient path of the Great Silk Road, which once connected Bukhara and Khiva. Along the way, we'll stop for photos of desert flora and fauna, and visit the banks of the Amudarya River, the legendary Oxus of antiquity. 

Arrive in Bukhara by late afternoon and check into your hotel. 

Overnight at Hotel Shahriston or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 4 – Tuesday, 28 April: Bukhara 

Today, we begin exploring Bukhara, one of Central Asia’s most culturally rich cities and a UNESCO-listed treasure. Stroll through the Jewish quarter, explore ancient, covered trading domes, and browse shops selling everything from hand-embroidered shoes to intricate metalwork and ceramics. Visit key landmarks including the Lab-i-Hauz ensemble, the Nadirkhon Devanbegi Madrassah, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari Mosque, the Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, and the twin Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan Madrassahs. 

Later, see the Balakhauz Mosque and visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, one of the most beautiful and oldest structures in Bukhara, and Chashma Ayub ("Job’s Well"). 

Optional: For textile lovers, there's an opportunity to visit the workshop of Rakhmon Toshev, a master of Suzani embroidery, where you'll see an incredible private collection of antique tapestries and witness the embroidery techniques up close. 

Overnight at Hotel Shahriston or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 5 – Wednesday, 29 April: Bukhara 

This morning, visit the ancient Ark Fortress, a 2,000-year-old citadel that once housed Bukhara’s rulers and their courts. The Ark served as a refuge in times of siege and was a self-contained city with its own mosque, shops, and stables. 

Continue to the delightful papier-mâché doll museum, dedicated to a nearly forgotten Bukhara art form. These dolls, steeped in fairy tales and folklore, are still handcrafted today, and available to purchase as unique souvenirs. 

Time permitting, we’ll also explore the local market, alive with the colours, scents, and sounds of everyday Uzbek life. 

Later, drive just outside Bukhara to visit the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the Summer Palace of the Emir of Bukhara, meaning “Where Stars Meet the Moon.” Explore its decorative interiors, peaceful gardens, orchards, and zoo. 

The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace. 

Overnight at Hotel Shahriston or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 6 – Thursday, 30 April: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand 

After breakfast, depart Bukhara for Samarkand, stopping en route in Gijduvan, a town renowned for its distinctive ceramic tradition. 

Visit the Narzullayev family workshop, where generations of master potters have perfected the unique Gijduvan school of ceramic art. See the entire process from throwing to firing and painting and enjoy a lunch of famous Gijduvan kebabs with the ceramists. 

Optional: Take part in a short ceramic-making masterclass to try your hand at this intricate craft. 

 Continue to Samarkand, one of the most fabled cities of the Silk Road and a former capital of Tamerlane’s empire. Check in to your hotel and enjoy your first impressions of this grand city of domes and minarets. 

Overnight at Hotel Kosh-Havuz or similar (Breakfast & Lunch) 

 

Day 7 – Friday, 1 May: Samarkand 

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of Samarkand, one of the most legendary cities of the Silk Road. Begin with the magnificent Registan Square, the symbolic heart of the city and one of Central Asia’s most awe-inspiring architectural ensembles. Framed by three spectacular madrasas, the square was the site of public gatherings and royal proclamations during the Timurid era. 

A short walk from Registan brings you to the delightful “Happy Bird” Art Gallery, housed in a restored caravanserai from the 19th century. The gallery is a treasure trove of Uzbek heritage, filled with handwoven carpets, traditional garments, ceramics, vintage jewellery, paintings, and Suzani textiles, curated by art historian Helen Ladik. 

Next, visit Gur-e-Amir, the splendidly tiled mausoleum of Tamerlane (Amir Timur), one of the greatest conquerors of the 14th century. The complex is richly adorned with mosaics and inscriptions from the Quran. 

In the afternoon, continue to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, a grand architectural feat constructed with the help of elephants after Timur’s campaign in India. Though it crumbled for centuries, it has now been restored to its former grandeur. Afterwards, visit the adjacent Siyob Bazaar, a lively local market selling fresh produce, dried fruits, nuts, spices, and traditional goods — unchanged in spirit for centuries. 

Return to your hotel in the evening. 

Overnight at Hotel Kosh-Havuz or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 8 – Saturday, 2 May: Samarkand – Gus Village – Samarkand 

Today, venture into the rural heartland of Uzbekistan with a day trip to Gus Village, located 50 km outside Samarkand. Here you will visit the home of a Suzani embroidery master, where you can admire intricate needlework passed down through generations. 

You’ll also take part in a bread-baking masterclass, learning how to prepare traditional Uzbek bread using time-honoured techniques. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch with your hosts, offering a chance to experience the warmth and hospitality of rural Uzbek life. 

In the afternoon, return to Samarkand where the evening is at leisure. 

Overnight at Hotel Kosh-Havuz or similar (Breakfast & Lunch) 

 

Day 9 – Sunday, 3 May: Samarkand – Tashkent (Evening Train) 

This morning, continue your discovery of Samarkand with visits to some of its most historic and spiritual sites. Begin at the hauntingly beautiful Shahi Zinda necropolis, a stunning avenue of tiled mausoleums that span several centuries. Then visit Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, built by the 15th-century astronomer-king who helped advance medieval astronomy. 

Continue to the Afrosiab archaeological site, considered to be the original settlement of ancient Samarkand. Legends say it was founded by the mythical king Afrosiab, and excavations have revealed a wealth of historical layers and artifacts. 

In the afternoon, travel to Konigil village, just 10 km from the city, to visit a traditional paper-making workshop. Here, skilled artisans still produce paper from mulberry bark, using ancient techniques that Samarkand was once renowned for. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in each step — from stripping bark to polishing and even decorating the final product. 

Later, transfer to the railway station to board the high-speed train to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle in. 

Overnight at Lotte City Tashkent Palace (Breakfast) 

 

Day 10 – Monday, 4 May: Tashkent 

Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital, Tashkent. Begin at the Museum of Applied Arts, which houses a rich collection of Uzbek craftsmanship — from embroidered skull caps and carpets to jewellery and ceramics, with some items dating back to the 19th century. 

Then descend into Tashkent’s famed metro, known for its ornate Soviet-era stations, each uniquely decorated with mosaics, marble, and intricate chandeliers. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar, the city’s largest and most atmospheric market, where locals shop for everything from spices and dried fruit to kitchenware and hand-made crafts. 

Visit Kukeldash Madrassa, an impressive 16th-century Islamic college located near what was once Tashkent’s own Registan square. Then head to the Khast Imam Complex, the city’s spiritual heart and home to the world’s oldest Quran, believed to be from the 7th century. 

As you explore the city, you’ll also see several elegant squares and the beautiful façade of the Opera and Ballet Theatre, a legacy of Tashkent’s Soviet past. 

Overnight at Lotte City Tashkent Palace (Breakfast) 

 

Day 11 – Tuesday, 5 May: Tashkent – Margilan (Morning Train) 

This morning, transfer to the station for your train to Margilan, located in the lush Fergana Valley, the heart of Central Asia’s textile and silk traditions. Margilan was once a flourishing stop on the Silk Road, famous for its finely woven fabrics, many of which reached as far as Baghdad and Athens. 

Today, it remains the region’s foremost centre of ikat silk weaving. You’ll visit the Hunarmand Centre, where Atlas silk and velvet are produced using traditional techniques. The manager will accompany you, providing insights into each stage of the process. 

Later, visit a smaller private workshop, where you’ll get a more intimate glimpse into the painstaking artistry of hand-weaving ikat patterns. This visit provides a unique contrast to the larger centre and offers a deeper appreciation for the skill involved. Please note that the well-known Yodgorlik Factory no longer produces silk but functions primarily as a showroom. 

After your visits, drive to Fergana city for your overnight stay. 

Overnight at Ikat Guesthouse or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 12 – Wednesday, 6 May: Kokand 

This morning, set off for Kokand, around 90 km away, a historic city that once served as the capital of the Kokand Khanate. Begin your exploration with a visit to the Jume (Friday) Mosque, now a space for local artisans; from halva makers to woodworkers, to showcase their crafts in the mosque’s large courtyard. 

Continue to the Royal Cemetery, where members of the royal family are buried, and nearby, discover a WWII cemetery where Japanese, German, Korean, and Italian prisoners of war are laid to rest, a solemn reminder of a lesser-known chapter of local history. 

Kokand is full of fascinating architecture. Highlights include the Kazan Monastery, the former residence of the Romanov family, the Russian Asiatic Bank building, and even a solar museum housed in a Soviet-era structure. 

The day concludes with a visit to the striking Khudayar Khan Palace, once the home of the Khan of Kokand, famed for its ornate tile work and elaborately carved wooden interiors. 

Return to Fergana in the evening. 

Overnight at Ikat Guesthouse or similar (Breakfast) 

 

Day 13 – Thursday, 7 May: Fergana – Departure 

After breakfast, transfer to Fergana Airport for your flight home, concluding your immersive journey through Uzbekistan. 

 

END OF SERVICES