Trip Overview
Travel through history from Nomadic tribes and Muslim preachers to Silk Road traders and Soviet spies
Who can mention Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva without conjuring images of the romance and intrigue of the Great Game, of skull caps and silk sashes, of fabulously coloured mosaic domes and minarets, or of a newly arrived caravan train of traders just out of the deserts of the east? This journey to the heart of Central Asia takes us back across the centuries but also reveals a modern Uzbekistan.
Select departures of this trip feature extra inclusions to mark the occasion: a visit to the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art at the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, a local meal at Ayaz Kala and a special edition Exodus kitbag. The selected departures on this trip start in Tashkent on 1 June 2024 and 28 September 2024.
At a Glance
- Nine nights in standard hotels and one night in a yurt (three to four people per yurt) with basic shared washing facilities
- Travel by private bus/minibus, train and internal flight
- Some long drives
- Experience local culture and nature
Highlights
- Enjoy time to explore Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan
- Visit the Kunya-Ark, the 12th-century fortress of the Khans
- Discover Bukhara, a city with more than 900 historic monuments
- Spend the night in a traditional yurt camp
- Explore Samarkand, the greatest city on the Silk Road
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
This is a generally undemanding trip with reasonable roads for the most part and time for sightseeing. Most of the accommodation is modest but clean, mostly with private facilities.
This is an extremely rewarding trip if you want to explore the heart of Central Asia and are prepared for a few long drivers, early starts/long days, and hot (and sometimes cold) temperatures. Tourist services and facilities can be patchy and erratic. Tolerance and flexibility are required, and for this you will be rewarded with an insight into local life. The camel ride at Aidarkul Lake is optional and usually people walk alongside the camels after an initial 20-minute to 30-minute ride.
Adult min age:
16
Min group size:
4
Max group size:
16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Tashkent
- End City: Tashkent
Land Only Itinerary
The adventure begins at our hotel in Tashkent. In the afternoon, we start our sightseeing of this Central Asian capital. This includes visiting Independence Square, which is flanked by public buildings and water fountains, and the Old City, home to mausoleums and bazaar. Tashkent was largely destroyed by earthquakes in the 1960s and was rebuilt in true Soviet style with pleasant leafy boulevards and lots of fountains to cool the summer heat. There are also very interesting museums and mosques.
Check-in on arrival is included today for those who arrive on flights in the early hours of the morning.
Accommodation: Gabrielle Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)
In the early morning, we fly to Urgench, our base to visit Khiva and the desert sites. On arrival, we transfer to Khiva and visit the living museum that is the perfectly restored old city. We 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 (the patron saint of Khiva). Many wedding parties and pilgrims visit the tomb and drink water from the courtyard well.
Please note: On occasions, it may not be possible to secure seats for the group on the flight to Urgench. In this instance, we will buy flights to Nukus instead, and the activities today and tomorrow will be reversed.
Additionally – select departures of this trip feature extra inclusions to mark Exodus’s 50th year: a visit to the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art – the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, a local meal at Ayaz Kala and a special edition Exodus kitbag. On these dates we’ll fly to Nukus rather than Urgench.
Accommodation: Malika Khiva Hotel or Malika Kheivak (or similar)
After breakfast, we head to the arid plains of Khorezm, which were once densely populated marshlands, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These nomadic horseback archers fought to retain the land, even defeating Persian emperor Cyrus the Great in 529 CE.
We visit the 2,000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak-Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais mountains as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BCE under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. Three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel remain, but the parchments and paintings found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings, and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress from the sixth century. We later return to Khiva to spend the night.
We travel approximately 185 miles (300 km) today, meaning around 6 hours in the vehicle over the course of the day.
Accommodation: Malika Khiva Hotel or Malika Kheivak (or similar)
Today we take a 6 to 8-hour drive on sometimes poor roads to Bukhara, first crossing the fabled Amu-Darya (Oxus) River and then the Kizilkum Desert. If time allows, we may make a first visit to old Bukhara and have a cup of green tea at the fascinating chai-khana (tea house) at Laby Khauz (one of the water-filled stone pools).We break up the journey today with stops en route.
Accomodation: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or Kabir Hotel (or similar)
We have two days sightseeing in Bukhara, the next of our great Central Asian cities. Bukhara has more than 900 historic monuments, and we spend time visiting many sites and wandering at leisure among the old city streets. Unlike Samarkand, the district of the old town has remained separate from the rest of Bukhara and has undergone lots of restoration and preservation in recent years. In addition to its importance as a trading centre, it is the perfect setting to sit and watch the world go by much as it has done for hundreds of years. Of particular interest is the Fortress Ark where, in the 19th century, the Emir of Bukhara had the English officers Stoddart and Connolly imprisoned and killed, and the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a beautiful example of early Islamic architecture dating to the 10th century. We also visit the Emir’s rather kitsch Summer Palace, the old town with its domed bazaars and khauz (stone pools, which used to be the only water supply for the city), and the attractive 12th-century Char Minar. One of the great landmarks of Bukhara is the Kalyan minaret, known as the death tower, where many an unfaithful wife has met a sticky end.
Accommodation: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or Kabir Hotel (or similar)
From Bukhara we transfer to Gijduvan, which is renowned for its ceramics school. The skills have been passed from generation to generation and today Gijduvan is home to the sixth generation of potters from the Narzullayevs family. There will be a chance to visit the Museum of Ceramics and perhaps you might like to pick a souvenir at the potter’s shop. We’ll be treated to tea and Uzbek sweets here too.
Next, we drive to Rabat-i-Malik (a few kilometres before Navoi city) – medieval ruins of the Karakhanid epoch, where we make a short stop. This site was a portal of the caravanserai but sadly much of the rest of the rabat was destroyed in the 1968 earthquake. We’ll stop for lunch in Navoi and then drive to our Kazakh yurts. These are traditional round felt tents, which are spacious, colourful and comfortable inside. The Kazakh nomads still use them today. Our camp offers a glimpse into what life was like on the Silk Road and with a bit of luck we will watch a wonderful sunset, and then sit around the fire listening to a local musician (akyn).
We’ll drive about 180 miles (300 km) today, taking about five hours in total with stops along the way.
Accommodation: Yurt camp (three to four people per yurt)
Today we walk and there is also the chance to ride camels for a short time towards Aidarkul Lake. The lake stretches through the desert within sight of the Nuratin Mountains; once there, we are free to explore the shoreline or swim.
Later, we transfer to Nurata, formerly known as Nur and founded in the third century BCE by Alexander the Great. This ancient town was once regarded as the frontier between the cultivated lands and the steppes, and the ruins of Alexander’s hilltop citadel stand testament to its ancient history. The city was also an important Muslim place of pilgrimage, reaching its peak in the 10th century as devotees flocked to its many significant graves and memorials. We stop at a 10th-century mosque and holy sites that have attracted pilgrims from across Central Asia. After a traditional lunch at a teahouse, we drive to Samarkand, a journey of about 215 miles (350 km), taking around five hours.
Please note, it is not possible for the whole group to ride camels at the same time due to camel numbers.
Accommodation: Dilshoda Hotel or Ideal Hotel (or similar)
Samarkand is a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. We have a busy full day, taking in all the sights. There is the exquisite jade mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the resting place of Tamerlane, who is now being rapidly reinstated by the Uzbek government as a national hero. Perhaps the greatest treasure is Registan Square, Tamerlane’s outstanding creation, a vast complex of domes and minarets, mosques and medrassas. We also visit the equally beautiful necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda and the old observatory of Ulugh Beg, the greatest Muslim astronomer. Samarkand is still a major centre for textiles, carpets and art and is the perfect city to try your bargaining skills and explore the ancient site of the bazaar.
Accommodation: Dilshoda Hotel or Ideal Hotel (or similar)
This morning is left free for us to enjoy just a little more time in Samarkand. Perhaps visit the local bazaar to sample delicious fresh produce, or maybe return to the many stalls in the Registan Ensemble to find that perfect souvenir. Our adventure in Uzbekistan is almost complete as we leave Samarkand and take a high-speed train back to Tashkent in the late afternoon (please note, the train cannot be guaranteed as occasionally it is booked out by government officials or is unavailable, in which case we will drive instead). Tonight, we have a farewell dinner to mark the end of our travels and reflect on all we have seen.
Accommodation: Gabrielle Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)
The trip ends after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Tashkent.
Accommodation
Well-located hotels and a traditional yurt
We spend nine nights in standard hotels and one night in a basic yurt. The hotels are typically small and well located for our adventures, often close to the main sites and attractions. Below are the hotels we typically use:
- Tashkent: Gabrielle Hotel or Milan Hotel (nights 1 and 10)
- Khiva: Malika Khiva Hotel or Malika Kheivak (nights 2-3)
- Bukhara: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or Kabir Hotel (nights 4-6)
- Yurt camp: (night 7)
- Samarkand: Dilshoda Hotel or Ideal Hotel (nights 8-9)
About our yurt camp: We stay in traditional yurts, which are spacious and comfortable. Kazakh nomads still use them today and our stay provides us with a chance to see what life was like on the Silk Road. The yurt has basic washing facilities with simple basins (water can be heated on request) but there are no showers. There will also be a toilet tent/basic outhouse and a dining yurt. You may have to share a yurt with more than one other person (three to four people to a yurt). While every effort is made to ensure men and women who are not travelling together don’t have to share a yurt, this cannot be guaranteed.
Worth knowing
- If you would like your own room, a limited number of single supplements are available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis – please request this at the time of booking. The single supplement is not available in the yurt camp (one night) and you may have to share with more than one other person on this night.
- The hotels normally used are indicated within the itinerary; however, accommodation may differ from those stated depending on your departure date.
Single supplement from USD 352
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner are included.
Please note, vegetarian food choices may be rather limited. If you are strictly vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In Uzbekistan, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home.
Drinking water is included and will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
Transport
This trip involves some long drives, generally on quite good roads, though there are occasional rougher sections. We use an internal flight from Tashkent to Urgench. There is also an optional camel ride on one day, which may be uncomfortable for some. We try to book the high-speed train from Samarkand to Tashkent; however, this cannot be guaranteed as it can be booked out by government officials or be unavailable, in which case we will drive.
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 40C (104F). Other trips are planned for spring and autumn when the temperature should not be below 5C (41F) at night and may be up to 25C-30C (77F-86F) during the day. Sunny weather with clear skies should be experienced but there can be some rain at this time of year. Occasionally, there are periods of unexpectedly hot or cold weather.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Gabrielle Hotel, 1 Khumo St, Tashkent 100070
Phone: +998 98 115 91 19
Recommended arrival time: Before 10am at the start hotel to catch the afternoon city tour
Airport: Tashkent Airport (TAS)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Tashkent
Location end: Tashkent
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Light casual cotton clothing is recommended. Please remember, it is respectful to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during mosque visits
- Sandals are useful as they are cooler and easier to take off when visiting mosques
- Please also bring a pair of trainers (sneakers) or lightweight walking shoes/boots for visiting the fortresses near Khiva, and for walking in the desert yurt camp
- Layers for the colder nights in March-April and October
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Practical Information
Visa
Uzbekistan
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your entry date into Uzbekistan. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Anyone travelling on a British Citizen, Australian, New Zealand, or Canadian passport can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor (for tourism or business purposes) for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. For a full list of nationalities that are eligible for a visa-free visit of up to 30-days, please visit https://www.uzembassy.uk/page/319?language=en
Many other nationalities are eligible for a simplified visa in advance (without the need for an authorisation letter of invitation), including USA. If you are eligible for a visa in advance then you should apply for one as for visas upon arrival, a letter of invitation is still required. Should you need an authorisation letter, please contact Exodus at least 8 weeks before departure as we can arrange this for you through our local operator.
It is no longer necessary for you to complete a currency declaration form upon arrival (unless you are carrying over US$2,000 with you). However, as this has only recently been implemented (summer 2018), you will still need to 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 are restrictions on bringing medicine into Uzbekistan. If you have any medicine we recommend you check with the Uzbekistan Embassy about allowed quantities. You should also bring copies of your prescriptions and declare them upon arrival. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
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.
The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Local Time
Uzbekistan's time zone: Asia/Tashkent (UTC +05:00)
Electricity
Uzbekistan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
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 the main cities in Uzbekistan, including Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Typically, these only accept Visa and only dispense local currency.
Credit cards are rarely accepted for payments, most sellers prefer cash in som, but you may be able to use one in the gift shops and money exchanges at large hotels in Tashkent, and at some of the larger stores. Please note, vendors who do accept card typically only accept Visa or Mastercard, so we recommend bringing one of each if possible.
We recommend taking some cash to exchange in Uzbekistan, rather than rely solely on cards. It is best to bring US dollars and exchange them in the big cities. Notes issued before 1990, and any ripped or dirty notes, or notes with writing or stamps, may not be accepted.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
The amount of spending money required can vary depending on how much you spend on drinks and souvenirs, but as an indication, we recommend you bring at least US$200 for meals not included and a further US$80 for souvenirs, drinks and other incidentals. Photo fees are payable at nearly all the sites: they vary from 20,000-30,000 soms (US$1.80-US$2.65).
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Uzbekistan and the local staff will probably expect some gratuity. The leader will suggest to the group that they donate a sum of approximately US$35 per person towards a kitty on arrival. This money is then used to tip local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc. It ensures the hassle is taken out of various activities for you. If you do not wish to contribute to a central pool, you are, of course, free to do so.
If you feel your leaders have performed well over the course of your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide approximately US$2.50 per person per day would be a reasonable starting point.
The ‘tipping kitty’ explained above is entirely separate from any contribution to the tour leader. Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus.
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…
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.
