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Highlights of Uzbekistan

Activity

Culture

Overview

Uncover Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities through rail journeys, traditional crafts, and local insight

Travel across Uzbekistan along the old Silk Road, linking the great trading cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. These centres of learning and commerce reveal their stories through madrasahs, mosques and mausoleums that span more than a thousand years. We move between cities by rail – a mix of Soviet-era and modern high-speed trains – and by private bus, allowing time to absorb the changing desert landscapes. Alongside the headline sights, we meet artisans, learn traditional crafts and share meals that reflect regional flavours.

Key Information

Trip Code: AUZ
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Uzbekistan

What's Included

All accommodation: 6 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotel)
All breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport (train and private bus/minibus) and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Highlights

Explore Silk Road cities: Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
Travel by rail, including a Soviet-era sleeper train
Learn to cook shivit oshi
Meet master artisans in miniature painting and traditional paper making
Discover Soviet-era Tashkent, including its metro and opera house
Visit Uzumfermer winery for a guided tour and wine tasting

Itinerary

First Destination: Khiva
Next Destination: Tashkent

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Khiva
Next Destination: Tashkent

Begin our adventure in Khiva, a UNESCO-listed oasis city whose mud-brick walls once protected a key Silk Road trading hub. After arriving at Urgench airport, we transfer (around one hour) to Khiva, stopping en route to visit Ulli Khovli, a fine example of local domestic architecture. Early check-in is included, giving us time to rest after our flights.

Around 2pm, we meet our tour leader for a welcome briefing, followed by an afternoon walking tour inside Khiva’s compact old town. We explore landmarks including the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasah, Kunya Ark fortress, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum and the slender Islam Khodja Minaret, with our tour leader unpacking the political and religious past of the city.

Finish the day with a relaxed welcome dinner at a local restaurant, our first taste of Uzbek cuisine.

Accommodation 2026: Farovon Hotel (October) / Darvaza Hotel (November)

Accommodation 2027: Kamil Palace (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

Continue exploring Khiva this morning, focusing on buildings that reveal how the city functioned day to day. Inside the Juma Mosque, its forest of wooden columns shows centuries of reuse and repair, while the Tash Hauli Palace offers insight into court life behind richly decorated walls. We also visit Nurullabay Palace, built in the early 20th century as Khiva responded to changing political influences.

Late morning, we join a shivit oshi masterclass, learning how this regional noodle dish gets its distinctive green colour from dill, before sitting down to lunch.

The afternoon is left free to wander the old town independently, revisit favourite sites or enjoy the shifting light on Khiva’s walls as the day cools.

Accommodation 2026: Farovon Hotel (October) / Darvaza Hotel (November)

Accommodation 2027: Kamil Palace (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Leaving Khiva, we drive (two hours) into the surrounding desert to visit Ayaz Kala, one of several ancient Khorezmian fortresses rising from the plains.

We then continue (1hr 30min) to Urgench to board a Soviet-era train bound for Bukhara. Travelling in four-berth compartments, we pass through the Kyzyl-Kum Desert as daylight fades, a fitting way to experience the distances that once defined Silk Road travel. Boxed snacks are provided for dinner, and we arrive late evening.

Accommodation: Zargaron Boutique (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is dedicated to Bukhara, long regarded as one of Central Asia’s great centres of learning. Our guided walk takes us from the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a landmark of early Islamic architecture, to the Ark fortress, which served as the seat of power for centuries.

We continue through the Poi Kalyan ensemble, where the 12th-century minaret once guided caravans across the desert, before visiting Ulugbek’s Madrasah and the lively Lyab-i-Hauz area, historically a social and commercial meeting point.

After free time for lunch, we explore further monuments including Magok-i-Attari Mosque and the Nadir Divanbegi complex. In the evening, we attend a traditional folk performance staged within a historic madrasah courtyard.

Accommodation: Zargaron Boutique (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Leave the city this morning to visit the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Ensemble, an important pilgrimage site linked to the influential Sufi order.

Nearby, we are welcomed into Davron Toshev’s miniature workshop, where the artist introduces us to the techniques and symbolism behind this delicate art form. Lunch is included at the workshop.

Mid-afternoon, we transfer to Bukhara railway station and board the bullet train (1hr 45min) to Samarkand, arriving early evening.

Accommodation: Zarafshon Parkside (October 2026: Samaria Hotel and Spa)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Samarkand reveals the ambition of empire, and today we explore the most celebrated sites. Begin at Gur-e Amir, the mausoleum of Timur, before stepping onto Registan Square, framed by three monumental madrasahs that once formed the intellectual heart of the city.

Later, we visit the Hudjum Silk Carpet Factory, where master weavers demonstrate time-intensive techniques passed down through generations.

In the afternoon, we continue to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, a processional avenue of mausoleums, and Ulugbek’s Observatory, linking Samarkand to major advances in medieval astronomy.

This evening, we share dinner at Antica B&B, often joined by host Diyora Rafieva, who offers personal insight into heritage protection in Uzbekistan.

Accommodation: Zarafshon Parkside (October 2026: Samaria Hotel and Spa)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

A short drive takes us to Konigil village, where we visit the Meros paper workshop. Here, mulberry bark is still transformed into paper using techniques recorded over a thousand years ago, and we have time to try the process ourselves.

After free time for lunch, we board the afternoon bullet train (2hr 30min) to Tashkent, watching the landscape flatten as we approach the capital.

Accommodation: Manor Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Today we focus on Tashkent’s Soviet and post-Soviet identity. Our city tour includes a ride on the metro, where each station reflects a distinct architectural theme, along with Amir Temur Square and the Monument of Courage, commemorating the 1966 earthquake that reshaped the city.

Then, enjoy a guided visit inside the Alisher Navoi Theatre, gaining access rarely available to independent travellers. In the afternoon, we travel (one hour) to the Tashkent region to visit Uzumfermer winery. After lunch, we tour the vineyard and cellars before a tasting, then return to the city.

Accommodation: Manor Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

We’ve traced the Silk Road across Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, travelled Uzbekistan by rail and met artisans keeping traditional crafts alive, but now it’s time to begin our return journey home.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our range of extension options.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

The typical hotels we use are on the daily itinerary but below are some of the standout hotels we use in our 2027 departures.

Khiva: Kamil Palace (nights 1-2)

Highlights of Uzbekistan

Step straight into Khiva’s walled old city from this small hotel set just outside Khiva’s walled old city. Many of the city’s mosques, minarets and madrassas are just a few minutes away on foot. Traditional Uzbek design features throughout, while a quiet courtyard provides a welcome pause after exploring the Silk Road streets.

Bukhara: Zargaron Boutique (nights 3-4)

Highlights of Uzbekistan

Base yourself in the historic heart of Bukhara, within a five-minute walk of the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble. Rooms feature handcrafted Uzbek details and warm textiles, while a rooftop terrace offers views across the domes and minarets of the old city—an atmospheric spot as evening settles in.

Samarkand: Zarafshon Parkside (nights 5-6)

Highlights of Uzbekistan

End the adventure beside one of Samarkand’s green parks at this refined boutique near the city centre. The Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum is around a 10-minute walk away, while spacious rooms provide a relaxed place to unwind after visiting the grand monuments of the Silk Road city.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
2026 departures: On some dates, we use hotels in Khiva and Samarkand of a different standard or location to those used on other departures. Where this is the case, the alternative hotels are mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary

Essential Information

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: A mix of Uzbekistan’s most famous destinations and some less visited areas. This is an extremely rewarding trip if you want to explore the heart of Central Asia and are prepared for a few long drives, early starts/long days, and hot (and sometimes cold) temperatures.

Key information

Recommended arrival time: We recommend arriving at Urgench International Airport around 7am to join the group transfer
Airport: Urgench International Airport (UGC)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

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.

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.

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.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.