Silk Road Cities: Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva Group Trip
Duration
9 Days 8 Nights
Pickup
Tashkent International Airport
Drop
Tashkent International Airport
Type
International (long-haul)
Overview & Highlights
This group trip follows the old Silk Road through Uzbekistan's most storied cities. You begin in Tashkent, then travel by high-speed train to Samarkand for Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda. From there you continue to Bukhara, with its old trading quarter, minarets and madrasahs. After a long scenic drive across the desert region, you reach Khiva and its walled inner city, Itchan Kala. A domestic flight returns you to Tashkent for a final night before your flight home. A trip captain travels with the group throughout, so you can focus on the sights. Indian meal options are available on request.
- Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand
- Afrosiyob high-speed train between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara
- Bukhara's Kalyan Minaret, Ark Fortress and Lyab-i-Hauz pond
- Walled inner city of Itchan Kala in Khiva
- Ulugh Beg Observatory and Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Scenic drive across the Kyzylkum desert region
- Trip captain with the group and Indian meal options on request
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
- Arrive at Tashkent International Airport and meet our representative.
- Transfer to your hotel and check in.
- Relax and enjoy an evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay in Tashkent.
2Day 2: Tashkent City Tour | Train to Samarkand
- After breakfast, tour Tashkent including the Hazrati Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar.
- Transfer to the station and board the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand.
- Check in at your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay in Samarkand.
3Day 3: Samarkand | Registan Square and Gur-e-Amir
- After breakfast, visit Registan Square with its three grand madrasahs.
- Continue to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
- Explore Siab Bazaar and enjoy free time in the afternoon.
- Overnight stay in Samarkand.
4Day 4: Samarkand | Shah-i-Zinda | Train to Bukhara
- After breakfast, visit the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the Ulugh Beg Observatory.
- Transfer to the station for the train to Bukhara.
- Check in at your hotel and relax.
- Overnight stay in Bukhara.
5Day 5: Bukhara Old Town Walk
- After breakfast, explore Bukhara on foot, including the Kalyan Minaret and the Ark Fortress.
- Visit the Lyab-i-Hauz pond and the old trading domes.
- Enjoy free time for shopping and tea in the old town.
- Overnight stay in Bukhara.
6Day 6: Bukhara to Khiva Scenic Drive
- After an early breakfast, begin the long drive to Khiva across the Kyzylkum desert region.
- Enjoy comfort and photo stops along the way.
- Arrive in Khiva, check in and relax.
- Overnight stay in Khiva.
7Day 7: Khiva | Itchan Kala Walled City
- After breakfast, explore Itchan Kala, the walled inner city of Khiva.
- See its minarets, mosques and old palaces on a guided walk.
- Enjoy free time on the city walls and in the bazaars at sunset.
- Overnight stay in Khiva.
8Day 8: Khiva to Tashkent by Flight
- After breakfast, transfer to Urgench airport for the domestic flight to Tashkent.
- Transfer to your hotel and check in.
- Spend the afternoon at leisure for last-minute shopping.
- Overnight stay in Tashkent.
9Day 9: Departure from Tashkent
- After breakfast, complete check-out formalities.
- Transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your flight home.
- Depart Uzbekistan with warm memories.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- Hotel accommodation on twin sharing for 8 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Afrosiyob high-speed train tickets for the Tashkent to Samarkand and Samarkand to Bukhara sectors
- Domestic flight from Urgench to Tashkent
- Private road transfer from Bukhara to Khiva
- Sightseeing in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva as per the itinerary
- Entry tickets to the monuments listed in the itinerary
- A trip captain accompanying the group
- Indian meal options on request
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa fees and processing
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Camera permits and optional activities
- Local city or tourism taxes payable at the hotel, where applicable
- Anything not listed under inclusions
- GST and TCS as applicable
Other Info
Must carry
- Passport and visa copies
- Return flight tickets
- Travel insurance copy
- Forex or international debit/credit card
- Power adapter (Type C or F, 220 V)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
- Comfortable walking shoes and modest clothing
Notes
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The itinerary order may change with weather, road, flight or operational conditions without reducing the sights covered.
- Rates and availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
- Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.
- This is a small-group departure with a maximum group size as per the departure listing, and it runs on minimum numbers.
- A trip captain accompanies the group throughout.
- The drive from Bukhara to Khiva is long, so please carry water, snacks and any travel-sickness medication.
- Dress modestly at mosques and madrasahs; shoulders and knees should be covered.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.