Welcome to Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, where ancient heritage meets Soviet architecture and modern charm. Upon your early morning arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for early check-in, allowing you some well-deserved rest after your overnight flight.

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After breakfast and a leisurely morning, your exploration of Tashkent begins at 11:00, delving into the historic part of the city. Visit the Khast Imam Complex, a significant spiritual and historical center, home to the original Quran of Khalif Othman, which dates back to the 7th century. Stroll through the complex, including the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Friday Mosque, and Mui Muborak Madrassah, feeling the echoes of centuries of devotion. The bustling Chor-Su Bazaar will awaken your senses with its vibrant energy, colorful stalls, and local handicrafts.

In the afternoon, continue your discovery in the modern part of Tashkent. Experience a ride on the Tashkent subway, a remarkable display of Soviet and Uzbek architectural styles. Visit Mustakillik Square (Independence Square), a symbol of Uzbekistan’s independence, as well as Amir Temur Square and Theatrical Square. Take a moment to pause at the Monument of Courage, which commemorates the city’s resilience following the devastating earthquake of 1966.

Highlights of the Day:

• Khast Imam Complex – Visit the spiritual heart of Tashkent, and view the world's oldest Quran.
• Chor-Su Bazaar- Discover Tashkent's most vibrant and colorful marketplace.
• Tashkent Subway and Squares – Admire the unique architecture of the Soviet era alongside Uzbekistan's modern symbols.

Travel Details: Expected sightseeing duration: ~5 hours Overnight in Tashkent (B / – / –)

Wake up early for a high-speed bullet train journey to Samarkand, the city of emperors, poets, and dreamers. As you arrive, the air itself seems filled with the echoes of history, inviting you to enter a world of blue-domed splendor and legendary tales.

Your journey begins at the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, where the great conqueror Amir Timur rests beneath an azure dome. Then, stand in awe at Registan Square, a masterpiece of architecture where golden mosaics and towering madrassahs tell stories of a glorious era. Experience the vibrant pulse of the Silk Road as you stroll through the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and the lively Siab Bazaar, where the scent of freshly baked Samarkand bread and exotic spices fills the air.

In the afternoon, visit the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, where intricate turquoise tiles shimmer like a celestial gateway. End your day at Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, where, centuries ago, a visionary ruler charted the stars with remarkable precision.

As the sun sets over Samarkand, the city glows in shades of gold and blue—a moment that lingers in your soul.

Highlights of the Day:

• Registan Square – Immerse yourself in the magnificence of one of the world's most stunning architectural wonders.
• Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis – Stroll through a celestial passage of shimmering turquoise and intricate beauty.
• Siab Bazaar & Bibi-Khanum Mosque – Experience the sights, scents, and flavors of the vibrant heart of the Silk Road.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~340 km by bullet train (Tashkent – Samarkand: EDT: 07:21a.m. – EAT: 09:51a.m.); Overnight in Samarkand (B / – / –)

After an inspiring day exploring Samarkand’s majestic landmarks, today is yours to slow down, wander freely, and embrace the rhythm of this ancient city. Without a set itinerary, you can let your curiosity to guide you—whether it’s diving deeper into the city's cultural heart, lingering in quiet corners untouched by time, or simply enjoying the warm hospitality of the locals over a cup of fragrant tea.

Perhaps the day begins with a slow morning in a traditional chaykhana (teahouse), watching life unfolding around you as the scent of freshly baked Samarkand bread fills the air. You may then lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of the old city, where daily life flows much as it did centuries ago—craftsmen shaping ceramics, women embroidering vibrant suzani, and bakers pulling golden loaves from clay ovens.

For those craving more discovery, a short journey outside the city reveals the Konigil Silk Paper Workshop, where artisans keep alive the ancient tradition of crafting silk paper from mulberry bark, just as it was done along the Silk Road. Alternatively, visit the Afrasiab Museum, which houses relics from Samarkand’s earliest days, when it was a thriving city long before the rise of Timur’s empire.

As the sun begins to set, return to Registan Square, where the fading light casts a golden glow over its magnificent facades. With the call to prayer echoing in the distance, take a moment to simply stand still and absorb the spirit of Samarkand, a city that has welcomed travelers for centuries.

Highlights of the Day:

• The time is yours to enjoy Samarkand – Wander freely, soak in the atmosphere, and allow the city to reveal its hidden charms. Whether you find yourself in a bustling bazaar, a quiet teahouse, or an artisan’s workshop, feel the timeless essence of the Silk Road.

Travel Details: Free day in Samarkand; Overnight in Samarkand (B / – / –)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Samarkand before boarding the high-speed bullet train to Bukhara. As the train glides across golden plains and vast steppes, you will feel the pull of the desert, leading you deeper into the heart of the Silk Road's most storied city.

Upon arrival in Bukhara, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can settle in and take a moment to appreciate the city’s serene, old-world charm. Bukhara is a place to slow down and feel history all around you, where timeworn streets, domed caravanserais, and shaded courtyards invite you to explore at your own pace.

This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Stroll through the narrow alleys of the old town, where the rhythm of daily life unfolds much as it did centuries ago. Find a traditional teahouse, sip fragrant green tea, and watch as artisans weaving silk carpets, engraving copperware, or embroidering delicate suzanis.

As the sun begins to set, Bukhara takes on a golden glow, with its mosques and minarets illuminated by warm light, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.

Highlights of the Day:

• A scenic train journey to Bukhara, traveling through the stunning landscapes of the Silk Road.
• The time is yours to explore Bukhara, meandering through its ancient streets and uncovering its serene charm.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance ~285 km by bullet train (Samarkand - Bukhara); Overnight in Bukhara (B / – / –)

Today, immerse yourself in the living history of Bukhara, a city that has stood for over two millennia as a center of culture, trade, and spirituality along the Silk Road. This full-day city tour will guide you through its most cherished landmarks.

Begin at the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, followed by the Chashma-i-Ayub Mausoleum, where legend speaks of a sacred well struck by the prophet Job. Stroll through the Bolo-Hauz Complex, which once served as a royal place of prayer, before entering the formidable Ark Fortress, the historic seat of Bukhara’s rulers for centuries.

Continue to Poi-Kalyan, where the majestic Kalon Minaret has stood sentinel over the city since the 12th century. The surrounding Djuma Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrassah create a stunning ensemble of turquoise domes and intricate mosaics. The tour leads you through Bukhara’s medieval trading domes, where merchants once bartered silk and spices, and into the courtyards of the Ulugbek, Abdul-Aziz, and Miri-Arab Madrasahs, each a masterpiece of architectural design and scholarship.

The day ends at the Lyab-i-Hauz Ensemble, a serene square where the reflections of madrasahs shimmer in the tranquil waters of an ancient pond. As you wander through the heart of the city, Bukhara reveals itself not merely as a place to visit, but as an experience to feel—where the past is always present.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~7km; Full-day city tour in Bukhara; Overnight in Bukhara (B / – / –)

After breakfast, board the coupe train to Khiva (or Urgench), crossing the vast Kyzylkum Desert, where endless horizons and golden sands whisper tales of ancient caravans. As you arrive in Khiva, it feels like stepping into a time capsule—a perfectly preserved Silk Road city, with its mudbrick walls and towering minarets standing as they have for centuries.

After settling into your hotel, embark on an afternoon city tour of Itchan Kala, Khiva’s stunning open-air museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin at the Kunya-Ark Fortress, the ancient residence of Khivan rulers, where the Kurinish Khana (Hall of Reception) offers a glimpse into royal life. Marvel at the Mohammed-Amin-Khan Madrassah and the striking Islam Khodja Minaret, the city’s tallest, offering breathtaking views over the maze of domes and courtyards. Wander through the Palvan-Kari Complex and the Uch Avlioli Mausoleum, experiencing the deep spiritual presence that lingers in Khiva’s sacred spaces.

Continue to the Juma Mosque, renowned for its 213 carved wooden pillars, each telling a silent story of craftsmanship and devotion. Step into the ornate Tash Hauli Palace, where intricate blue tiles and labyrinth-like courtyards reveal the grandeur of Khiva’s khans. The day ends at the Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, a pilgrimage site dedicated to the city’s beloved poet, philosopher, and warrior.

As the sunset casts a golden glow over the city, the minarets and domes are bathed in soft light, creating an unforgettable scene—one that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back into the days of the Silk Road.

Highlights of the Day:

• Train journey through the Kyzylkum Desert, tracing the path of ancient caravans.
• Explore the walled city of Itchan Kala, a living masterpiece of the Silk Road. Step inside palaces, madrasahs, and mosques, where the history of Khiva unfolds at every turn.

Travel Details: Train: Bukhara – Khiva/Urgench (Coupe train, varies by day); Khiva city tour; Overnight in Khiva (B / – / –)

As the first light of dawn touches the ancient walls of Khiva, it is time to bid farewell to this mesmerizing city. In the stillness of the early morning, the labyrinthine streets of Itchan Kala feel eternal, as if history itself is lingering for one last moment with you.

A transfer takes you to Urgench Airport, marking the end of this extraordinary journey. Yet, the spirit of the Silk Road will travel with you, carried in the memories of grand minarets, bustling bazaars, and the warmth of those who welcomed you.

Your journey through Uzbekistan may be coming to an end, but as you depart, you take with you more than just memories—you may keep and carry the soul of a land where the past and present intertwine, beauty endures, and the whispers of the Silk Road echo forever.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~35km; Transfer from Khiva to Urgench Airport for departure (BB/-/-)