Flexible
14 days
Uzbekistan
About this tour
"The Memory of Ancient Routes"
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Type of trip: Guided tour;
- Private group: From 2 participants;
- Key features: A total change of scenery and unexpected wonders;
- Program: Guided tours and free time;
- Meals: All dinners are free (not included) except for the dinner with the miniature artist;
Uzbekistan: The Great Silk Road Adventure (14 Days)Day 1: France – Uzbekistan
Three flight options are available:
Three flight options are available:
- Paris – Istanbul – Tashkent
- Paris – Urgench
- Paris – Tashkent Overnight flight to Uzbekistan.
- 05:45 AM: Arrival in Tashkent and greeting by your French-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel.
- Morning: Rest and free time.
- Early Afternoon: Meet with the guide for lunch in the city.
- Afternoon: Visit the dynamic capital of Uzbekistan, a metropolis of over 3 million people and an ancient Silk Road city with 2,200 years of history.
- Sightseeing:
- Chorsu Bazaar and the Khasti Imam Complex (a grand square featuring mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums preserved after the earthquake).
- The Mushaf Ousman, the world's oldest Quran (7th century).
- (Time permitting) Independence Square, Amir Timur Square, and the famous Tashkent Metro.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- 07:00 AM: Transfer to the airport for the flight to Urgench.
- 08:30 AM: Arrival in Urgench and transfer to Khiva.
- Morning: Begin exploring Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. The city is a "living museum" divided into Itchan Qala (inner city) and Dichan Qala (outer city).
- Sightseeing: Ota Darvoza gate, the Kalta Minor turquoise minaret, Mohamed Aminkhan madrasa, the Mennonite Museum, Kunya Ark (the ancient citadel), and Pahlavan Mahmud mausoleum.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Visit Juma Mosque (Friday Mosque), the Caravan Saray, Tosh Khavli Palace, and the Khan’s Harem.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Visit the Nurullabay Palace (19th century), an immense complex with five courtyards and beautifully maintained ceremonial halls.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Free time to soak in the atmosphere and stroll through the narrow streets.
- Optional Activities: Swimming, sketching, reading, or walking along the ancient city walls.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Khiva – Bukhara (450 km)
- Morning: A long drive toward Bukhara. You will cross the Amu Darya River and travel through the Kyzyl Kum Desert ("Red Sand"). Depending on the season, you may see desert flora and sand dunes.
- Duration: Approximately 7 hours.
- Lunch: Organized en route.
- Evening: Arrival in Bukhara and transfer to the hotel.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Discovery of Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage city known as the "Holy Land" and "City of Knowledge."
- Sightseeing: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, and the Ark Fortress (offering a panoramic view of the old city). Visit the Bolo Khauz Mosque.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Walk through the old town to the Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret, Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, and the Great Mosque).
- Artisan Visits: Visit traditional workshops: carpet weaving, cutlery, suzani embroidery, and puppet making.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Outskirts of the city to visit the Naqshbandi Memorial, one of the most sacred Sufi pilgrimage sites. Continue to the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (Emir’s Summer Palace) and the unique Chor Minor madrasa.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Participate in a miniature painting masterclass with a master artist. You will have the chance to paint your own miniature alongside the students.
- Dinner: Hosted at the miniaturist's studio. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Depart for the desert toward Yangi Gazgan. Stop at Gijduvan to visit a master ceramicist and the historic town of Nurata.
- Lunch: In Nurata.
- Afternoon: Visit Lake Aydarkul for swimming or relaxing on the sandy shores.
- Evening: Arrival at the Yurt Camp. Enjoy a camel ride at sunset.
- Night: Dinner by the campfire followed by a traditional Kazakh folk performance under the stars. Overnight in a yurt.
- Morning: Drive toward Samarkand. Stop in Nurata to visit the sacred spring (Chashma) believed to have healing properties.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Introduction to Samarkand: Visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and the legendary Registan Square (Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari madrasas).
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Samarkand
- Morning: Further exploration of the "Pearl of the East." Visit the Ulugbek Observatory and the Afrosiyob Museum.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Visit a traditional papermaking workshop to see how Samarkand paper is made using ancestral methods.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Travel south through the Zeravshan mountain foothills to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane.
- Sightseeing: Ak-Saray Palace ruins (White Palace), the Dorut Tilovat complex, and the Dorus Siyadat necropolis.
- Lunch: In Shahrisabz.
- Evening: Travel to Urgut for a homestay experience. Join a local family for a Plov cooking masterclass.
- Dinner & Night: Stay with the local family.
- Morning: Return to Samarkand. Visit the Khodja Akhrar Vali complex and the Russian Quarter, including the Orthodox Church of St. Alexis.
- Lunch: In Samarkand.
- Afternoon: Free time for personal discovery.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Final treasures of Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the vibrant Siab Bazaar, and the stunning Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.
- Lunch: In the city.
- 16:51: Transfer to the station for the Afrosiyob (TGV) high-speed train to Tashkent.
- 19:17: Arrival in Tashkent.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
- Morning: Further exploration of the "Pearl of the East." Visit the Ulugbek Observatory and the Afrosiyob Museum.
- Lunch: In the city.
- Afternoon: Visit a traditional papermaking workshop to see how Samarkand paper is made using ancestral methods.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Travel south through the Zeravshan mountain foothills to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane.
- Sightseeing: Ak-Saray Palace ruins (White Palace), the Dorut Tilovat complex, and the Dorus Siyadat necropolis.
- Lunch: In Shahrisabz.
- Evening: Travel to Urgut for a homestay experience. Join a local family for a Plov cooking masterclass.
- Dinner & Night: Stay with the local family.
- Morning: Return to Samarkand. Visit the Khodja Akhrar Vali complex and the Russian Quarter, including the Orthodox Church of St. Alexis.
- Lunch: In Samarkand.
- Afternoon: Free time for personal discovery.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Morning: Final treasures of Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the vibrant Siab Bazaar, and the stunning Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.
- Lunch: In the city.
- 16:51: Transfer to the station for the Afrosiyob (TGV) high-speed train to Tashkent.
- 19:17: Arrival in Tashkent.
- Dinner: In the city. Overnight at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
