Khiva Extension | Travel from Bukhara to Khiva by train

The Silk Road - Extension to Khiva Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
Destination: Uzbekistan
Programmes: Trip Extensions
Activity Level:
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: XXF

Trip Overview

Add a stay in Khiva to your journey along The Silk Road.

Following the end of The Silk Road tour, this extension sees you stay an extra night in Bukhara, giving time to relax and explore this very walkable city further before travelling by train across the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva, the most remote of Uzbekistan’s major Silk Road cities. A two night stay in Khiva and a full day tour allows time to explore this well preserved city, its dazzling madrassas and impressive city walls.

At a Glance

3 nights standard hotels (1 night Bukhara, 2 nights Khiva)
Travel by train (plus transfers by private car or minibus)
From £479 per person. Single supplement £75.
Can only be booked as an extension to our Silk Road trip.

Highlights

An extra day in Bukhara to explore on your own
A guided tour of Khiva's walled city - the Ichan Kala
Cross the Kyzylkum Desert by train

Is This Trip for You?

This is a generally undemanding extension. However, not that it is not accompanied by a tour leader, so you need to be happy exploring Bukhara on your own for a day, and being unaccompanied on the train from Bukhara to Khiva. A local guide in Khiva is included for a tour of the city. Transfers to/from the train stations, and a departure transfer to Urgench airport are also included.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 1

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Bukhara
End City: Urgench airport

Land Only Itinerary

You have an extra day in Bukhara today, unguided. Walk the historic streets, visit bazaars, or spend time in a tea house, all within easy walking distance from your hotel in the old town.

Accommodation: Kavsar hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

You’ll be met at your hotel in Bukhara and driven to the train station.

Travel by daytime train from Bukhara to Khiva, the journey takes about six hours. Trains are modern and reasonably comfortable.

On arrival in Khiva you’ll be met at the train station and taken to your hotel.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

You have a walking tour of Khiva with a local guide today. Visit the living museum that is the perfectly restored old city. See the khan’s old residence, the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress, the tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (which was originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara) and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva’s patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard. Also visit the Juma mosque – supported by 218 wooden carved columns.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

You’ll be driven from your hotel in Khiva to Urgench airport today, a journey of about 45 minutes.

Accommodation

Hotels

This extension uses comfortable hotels for all three nights.

Food & Drink

2 breakfasts (due to early departure on the last day, breakfast is not included this day)

Transport

The main journey on this extension is the train from Bukhara to Khiva. In the unlikely event of the train not operating, the schedule changing or the train being fully booked, this will be a road transfer instead.

Weather & Seasonality

These areas of Central Asia have long, extremely hot summers, but the winters are very cold. The July and August departures may be rather hot with afternoon temperatures often reaching 35degC. Sunny weather with clear blue skies should be experienced but there can be some rain at this time of year. Occasionally periods of unexpectedly hot or cold weather can be experienced.

Joining Instructions

Transfer Details

This extension starts in Bukhara at the same hotel used on the main group tour. It ends at Urgench airport from where there are flights to Istanbul (and onward connections) with Turkish Airlines.

What To Take

Practical Information

Visa

Uzbekistan

Travellers from the UK and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Uzbekistan; however, US citizens normally do. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

For a full list of nationalities eligible for a visa-free visit of up to 30 days, please see: www.uzbekembassy.com.my/eng/consular_services/visa_information/

Many other nationalities are eligible for a simplified visa in advance, including the USA. Should you need an authorisation letter for your application, please contact Exodus at least eight weeks before departure as we can arrange this for you through our local operator.

Please note, it is no longer necessary for you to complete a currency declaration form upon arrival (unless you are carrying more than US$2,000 with you). However, you should keep your receipts given by each hotel that you stay in – please hold on to these as they may be checked when you leave.

There have also been greater restrictions on bringing medicine into Uzbekistan. If you have any special medicine, we recommend you check with your local Uzbekistan embassy about allowed quantities. You should also bring copies of your prescriptions and declare them upon arrival.

Vaccinations and Health

Uzbekistan

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Uzbekistan's time zone: Asia/Tashkent (UTC +05:00)

Electricity

Uzbekistan uses Continental European style 2-prong plugs type C/F

Money

Uzbekistan's currency: Uzbekistani som (UZS). Please note, the som can fluctuate significantly. Prices are correct at time of writing.

ATM Availability

There are ATMs in large hotels and at banks in Bukhara and Khiva. Some ATM machines do not accept international bank cards. It is also possible to exchange GBP in the banks in the main cities. Credit cards are rarely accepted so it is wise to take most of your money in cash. You may be able to use your credit card in the gift shops and exchange bureau at large hotels in Tashkent, and at some of the larger stores.

People, Places & Planet

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…