Classic Silk Road Tour: Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand

6 days / 5 nights

Discover Uzbekistan: A Journey Through the Heart of the Silk Road

Welcome! You’re about to explore a place where history isn't just kept in books - it’s lived on every street corner. For centuries, Uzbekistan was the heartbeat of the Great Silk Road, a meeting point for dreamers, traders, and explorers. Today, that same spirit of connection is waiting for you.

We call this land a "treasury of history," but to me, it feels more like a living museum. From the blue-tiled wonders of Samarkand to the quiet, ancient lanes of Bukhara, these UNESCO sites have stood the test of time, and they’re even more breathtaking in person.

This tour has become a favorite for travelers around the world, and I’m so excited to show you why. We can hit the open road together by car - the best way to stumble upon those hidden local spots and stunning views most people miss - or we can take the train for a fast, comfortable ride through our beautiful landscapes.

I’ve laid out a standard itinerary below. The best parts are the surprises we’ll find along the way.

I like to keep a few secrets up my sleeve to make sure your trip is truly one-of-a-kind.

Get ready for an adventure that’s going to stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1

Tashkent

The start time and duration of the excursion will be tailored to your arrival time in Tashkent.

09:00 Sightseeing tour across Tashkent:

Visit the Memorial for the Victims of Repression.
Overview the Tashkent TV tower (distant view).
Central Asian Plov Center.
Minor Mosque (White Mosque).
Monument of Courage.
Old City, Khast-Imam architectural complex: Kaffal-as-Shoshi Mausoleum, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Khast-Imam Mosque. Mui-Muborak Madrasah – the original Koran of the Caliph Usman.

13:00 Lunch. Continuation of the tour:

Chorsu's market (most picturesque market in the city).
Nations Friendship Square.
Mustakillik Square (Independence Square).
Palace of the Grand duke Romanov.
Theater of Alisher Navoiy (external view).
Amir Temur's square.
Tashkent Metro (Underground/Subway).

18:00 End of sightseeing. Transfer to hotel. Free time.

Day 2

Tashkent-Bukhara

07:20 Transfer to the railway station.

08:00 Departure by "Afrosiab" high-speed train to Bukhara (3 h. 50 min.)

12:00 Arrival in Bukhara. Transfer to hotel and check-in.

13:00 Lunch.

Sightseeing tour across Bukhara:

Samanids Mausoleum.
Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum.
Bolo-House Mosque.
The Ark (Bukhara Emir’s residence).
Poi-Kalon Ensemble: Mir-Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Minaret, Poi-Kalon Mosque.
Toki-Zargaron Trade domes.
Ulugbek's and Abdulazizkhan's madrasahs.
Telpak-Furushon Trade domes.
Magoki-Attori's mosque.
Lyabi-House Ensemble.

18:00 End of sightseeing. Free time.

Day 3

Bukhara-Samarkand

09:00 Continue Bukhara tour:

Chor Minor Madrassah.
Trip to Bakhauddin Nakshbandi Memorial Complex (Sufi sheikh)
Visit Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa - the Summer Palace of Bukhara Emir.

13:00 Lunch. Continue the tour:

House-museum of Fayzulla Khodzhayev (politician of 1920-1930).

15:00 Transfer to Railway station.

15:50 Depart by speed train to Samarkand.

17:25 Arrival in Samarkand. Transfer to hotel and check-in. Free time.

Day 4

Samarkand

09:00 Sightseeing tour across Samarkand:

Guri-Emir Mausoleum (Tamerlane's and Temurids tomb).
Registan Ensemble: (the most cult place not only in Samarkand, but, perhaps, all over Uzbekistan)

13:00 Lunch. Continue the tour:

Ulugbek's Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tillya-Kari Madrasah.
Tamerlane's (Bibi-Khanum) Mosque.
Walk on residential quarters of the old city.
Visit Ulugbek’s Observatory.
Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis.

18:00 End of sightseeing. Transfer to hotel. Free time.

Day 5

Samarkand-Tashkent

09:00 Continuation of the excursion in Samarkand:

Visit to the factory producing paper from mulberry tree branches
Trip to the "Samarkand Silk Road" Recreation and Business Tourism Center
Explore the Afrosiab Archaeology Museum and the ruins of the fortress destroyed by Genghis Khan

13:00 Lunch. Continue the tour:

Siab bazaar

16:30 Transfer to Samarkand railway station
17:00 Departure on the high-speed train "Afrosiab" to Tashkent
19:20 Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 6

Tashkent

The program for the day is determined separately, depending on your flight departure time. If your departure is in the evening, you can either continue your tour of Tashkent or take a trip to the Tian Shan Mountains.

Transfer to the airport. End of a tour.

If you wish the tour program can be tailored to your interests.

This is customized tour. Price for the tour will be set after discussing all details with you.

Tour price includes:

Tashkent-Bukhara, Bukhara-Samarkand, Samarkand-Tashkent train tickets.
All transfers: ground transportation by sedan car/crossover/minivan/bus.
Single/double room accommodation in hotel (breakfast is included).
Tour guide services.

Tour price excludes:

Lunches and dinners.
Entrance tickets to museums and historical sites.

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6-Day Silk Road Tour: Tashkent–Bukhara–Samarkand–Tashkent