Detailed itinerary

Day 1
We meet you at the Tashkent International Airport and accompany to the domestic flights terminal for your flight to Nukus by Uzbekistan Airways (1.5 hours). You check in the local hotel and then start excursion of Nukus, capital of Karakalpakstan. You will visit the famous Art Museum of Savitsky, where paintings of Central Asian classic and modern artists are exhibited. Then, you undertake an excursion to the dried bed of the Aral Sea to see the ship cemeteries, where huge vessels of Soviet time are all surrounded by dunes, and only wind howls in the abandoned crew rooms.

Day 2
You drive straight to see the ancient Khiva, the capital of the ancient Khorezmian Kingdom. In Khiva, you visit the most prominent monument of the Mongol era, the 14th century tomb of the Sufi master Said Allauddin, Kunya Ark, Muhammad Aminkhan Madrassah and minaret, Juma Mosque and minaret with carved wooden columns, the Stone Yard (harem) of Khiva rulers, the tomb of Pakhlavan Makhmud, a famous ancient wrestler and poet, who was declared Saint. Overnight in a Khiva hotel.

Day 3 You are taken to see ancient Khorezmian clay fortresses Tuprak-kala and Ayaz-kala dating back to the 2nd century AD. If lucky, you may still find in the dust archaic debris, such as pieces of ceramics, coins and arrow heads in the gloomy dark of half-buried rooms. You will have early lunch in a Yurt (nomadic tent) on the top of a hill right next to the huge clay fortress with a smaller fortification on the slopes of the hill. Return and overnight in Khiva.

Day 4
Early in the morning you start your longest drive in this tour, to Bukhara, 480 km through the desert (5-6 hours). On the way, you make stops to enjoy specatular views of the great Amudarya (Oxus) river. Overnight in a Bukhara hotel.

Day 5
The whole day is devoted to Bukhara, the majestic pearl of Central Asia. The city tour includes Ark fortress, Bolo Hauz mosque, Ismail Samani's mausoleum with magnificent brickwork, Chashma Ayub, great Kalyan minaret, Maggoki Attori, Mir-i-Arab Madrassah, Lyabi Hauz, a complex with three buildings and a beautiful pool where swans live. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 6
You drive south-eastward to Samarkand (360km, 6-7 hours) via Shakhrisabz, a city where Tamerlane was born. In Shakhrisabz you visit the famous Ak Saroy (White Palace), Kok Gumbaz, Doru Saodat and Doru Tillovat. After lunch you continue to Samarkand, check in the hotel and have free time. Overnight in a Samarkand hotel.

Day 7
You start your tour of Samarkand: you go to see Great Observatory of Ulugbek and Afrosiab Museum. Then you see Bibi Khanum Mosque, Shahi Zindah (Complex of Mausoleums) and Oriental Bazaar. Then, the three gorgeous Madrassahs at the Registan Square and the mausoleum of Tamerlane, Guri Amir. Next stop is the memorial complex of Ismail Al Bukhoriy, with a spectacular mausoleum made of whole onyx slabs. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 8
You drive to Tashkent (289km, 4 hours) and after settling in a hotel and quick fresh up, we will invite you to have a half day excursion in Tashkent. It will include a visit to the mausoleum of Kafal Shashi and Barak-khan Madrassah followed by a walk inside the largest covered market in Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar. Attending the Library of the Clerical Board of Moslems, where a copy of the Koran written by Osman, the fourth Caliph, is kept behind a thick glass. Overnight in a Tashkent hotel.

Day 9
On this day you head east, to the Fergana Valley, either by car or plane (see flights to Fergana). If you drive, you will see the city of Kokand en route. After arrival in Fergana, yoiu will be offered an excursion in the city and around it. Overnight in a Fergana hotel.

Day 10
You leave Fergana, and on the way back to Tashkent, you visit Margilan, with its famous silk-weaving factories, and Rishtan, a small town with ancient tradition of ceramic production. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 11
On this day, based on your flight schedule, you will be seen off to the Tashkent Airport, full of new experiences and great memories of Uzbekistan.

Note: Air tickets Tashkent-Nukus need to be purchased in advance. This can be done through our agency. Air fare is subject to change without prior notice by Uzbekistan Airways.