UZBEKISTAN
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan – at the heart of the Silk Road
Caravan routes once crossed mountains and deserts to meet here – where East and West traded goods, ideas and beauty. In cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the past lives on in tiled domes, silent courtyards and colourful markets.
Step into a land where history shines and hospitality runs deep – and follow ancient footsteps through the crossroads of empires.
Two remarkable journeys await you – each unforgettable in its own way.
The Explorer Journey takes you to extraordinary places, offering carefully chosen, authentic comfort.
The Signature Journey refines the experience with even more exclusive, hand-picked accommodations and elevated comfort throughout.
Explorer
Journey
comfortable accomodations
flexible departure dates
9 days
for 2 or more gueststrip intensity: easy
Signature
Journey
premium accomodations
flexible departure dates
9 days
for 2 or more gueststrip intensity: easy
Explorer
Journey
At the heart of the Silk Road – where empires met and legends remain
This 9-day journey brings the magic of the Silk Road within reach – rich in discovery and thoughtfully curated for the curious traveller.
Wander through ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where turquoise domes rise above age-old bazaars and stories echo through madrasa courtyards. Trace legends in remote valleys, visit observatories and palaces, and meet artisans who keep centuries-old traditions alive.
Well-paced days and meaningful encounters make this Explorer Journey a rewarding way to experience Uzbekistan – vivid, welcoming, and full of wonder.
Highlights at a Glance:
- Tashkent – city of contrasts with Soviet avenues, Islamic heritage and Chorsu Bazaar
- Samarkand – Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the sacred Shah-i-Zinda necropolis
- Ulugbek’s Observatory and the ancient ruins of Afrosiyab
- Day trip to Tajikistan – the Seven Lakes of Haft Kul, mountain legends and landscapes
- Shakhrisabz – Timur’s birthplace with monumental palace and mausoleums
- Bukhara – Lyabi-Hauz, Kalon Minaret, trading domes and timeless madrasas
- Kyzylkum Desert crossing – following the Oxus to the oasis town of Khiva
- Khiva (Itchan Kala) – UNESCO-listed walled city with minarets, mosques and palaces
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent – First impressions of a Silk Road capital
Early morning arrival in Tashkent. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred straight to the hotel for immediate check-in and time to rest after the flight.
Later in the morning, we begin exploring Uzbekistan’s capital – a city shaped by over 2,000 years of trade, transformation and resilience. From its roots as ancient Shash to its Soviet-era avenues and grand monuments, Tashkent is a meeting point of tradition and modernity.
Our city tour takes us into the heart of the old town: the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, the Kukeldash and Barak-Khan madrasas, and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum. Then we shift into the “new” Tashkent – the Independence Square, Earthquake Memorial, and a short ride on the Soviet-built metro.
Accommodation:
2 nights at Inspira-S Hotel, Oscar Boutique Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast 2x
Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand – A legendary name along the Silk Road
After breakfast, we take the high-speed train to Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s great cultural centres and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On arrival, we explore the iconic Registan Square with its three splendid madrasas: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari. We also visit the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque, then stroll through the nearby bazaar.
Later, we walk through the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis – a hillside row of beautifully tiled mausoleums, some dating back to the 11th century.
Accommodation:
Orient Star Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 3: Samarkand – Astronomy, archaeology and a free afternoon
This morning we visit the ancient site of Afrosiyab, where early excavations revealed rich traces of Sogdian culture. The museum offers a glimpse into Samarkand’s pre-Islamic past.
We continue to the Ulugbek Observatory, an extraordinary 15th-century structure built by Timur’s grandson – once one of the most advanced astronomical centres of its time.
Later, we visit the stunning Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, resting place of Timur and his dynasty. The afternoon is free to explore more of Samarkand at your own pace.
Accommodation:
Orient Star Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 4: Day trip to the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan – Where Seven Sisters Wept
Today we cross into Tajikistan for a scenic day trip to Haft Kul – the Seven Lakes of the Fann Mountains. After a short drive to the border and formalities on foot, you’re met by your Tajik guide and driver.
We follow a winding road through steep valleys, visiting several lakes along the way – each with its own shape and shimmering hue, from deep blue to turquoise. Your guide shares the local legend of their origin as we pause at Mizhgon, Soja, Hushor and Nofin Lakes, with time to walk, rest and enjoy a picnic in the mountain air.
In the afternoon, we return to the Uzbek side and drive back to Samarkand.
Accommodation:
Orient Star Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch (picnic)
Day 5: Shakhrisabz & onward to Bukhara – Tracing Timur’s legacy
After breakfast, we travel by car over the scenic Takhta-Karacha Pass to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Timur. Once called the “Green City,” it holds impressive remnants of the empire he built in the 14th century.
With a local guide, we explore the massive Ak-Saray Palace, the Gok-Gumbaz Mosque, and several beautifully restored mausoleums within the Darus Saodat complex – all reflecting the power and ambition of a rising dynasty.
In the afternoon, we return to Samarkand and board the train to Bukhara, one of the crown jewels of the Silk Road. Arrival at nearby Kagan station and short transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation:
Omar Khayyam Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 6: Bukhara – A holy city shaped by merchants and mystics
Today we explore Bukhara, one of Islam’s seven sacred cities and a former trading hub on the Silk Road. Time seems to slow here – in its clay houses, quiet courtyards, and ancient markets.
We begin at Lyabi-Hauz, a peaceful plaza surrounded by madrasas and caravanserais. Nearby, we meet one of Bukhara’s traditional puppet makers for a short insight into local craft and storytelling.
Highlights of the day include the Ark Fortress, the Kalon Minaret with its grand mosque and madrasa, and the Mir-i-Arab Seminary, still active after 400 years. We also visit the Magoki-Attori Mosque, several domed bazaars, the Samanid Mausoleum, and the colourful Chor-Minor Mosque with its four blue towers.
Accommodation:
Omar Khayyam Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 7: Bukhara – Khiva – Along the Oxus to a City of Legends
Today’s journey takes us deep into the Kyzylkum Desert, following the course of the Amu Darya River – once known as the Oxus. As we cross vast desert plains, glimpses of wild camels, river oases and clay villages break the stillness.
By late afternoon, we arrive in Khiva, an ancient oasis town on the Silk Road. After check-in, there’s time for a short stroll through the atmospheric old town.
Accommodation:
Orient Star Khiva or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 8: Khiva – Through the Gates of the Walled City
Step into Khiva, a living museum behind ancient mudbrick walls. The old town, Itchan Kala, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 50 historic monuments – mosques, palaces, mausoleums and madrasas – all nestled within this well-preserved oasis.
With your local guide, you’ll explore the Tosh-Khovli Palace, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Djuma Mosque, the elegant Kalta Minor Minaret, and several richly decorated madrasas and mausoleums from the time of the Khans.
Winding alleyways, turquoise domes and rising minarets make Khiva one of Central Asia’s most atmospheric towns – and the perfect finale to your Silk Road journey.
Accommodation:
Orient Star Khiva or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 9: Khiva – Urgench Airport – Departure
An early transfer takes you to Urgench Airport (approx. 35 km). After final farewells and departure formalities, your return flight begins – with your mind full of impressions: tiled domes, desert roads, ancient cities and the warmth of the people along the way.
Meal plan: Breakfast (box)
What is included?
- Transfer from Tashkent airport, transfer to Urgench airport
- 9 nights in selected hotels
- All transfers and excursions in air-conditioned cars or minibuses
- Local German-speaking guides for city tours as per program
- Breakfast, plus 1 lunch during the Tajikistan excursion
- Private car (max. 3 guests) or minibus (max. 6 guests) for the Shakhrisabz excursion
What is not included?
- International flights to/from Uzbekistan
- Visa fees (currently €0 for EU citizens)
- Train Tashkent – Samarkand (economy class): €27 per person (subject to change)
- Train Samarkand – Bukhara (economy class): €21 per person (subject to change)
- Additional meals and optional excursions
- Photo/video permits at sites
- Personal travel insurance (cancellation, health, etc.)
- Drinks, snacks and optional meals
- Further individual excursions & activities outside the program
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, phone, laundry, tips)
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Tourist tax in Uzbekistan: €41 per person per trip (subject to change)
Important information
If any accomodation should be fully booked at your travel time, we will reserve an equivalent alternative – this does not constitute a deficiency and does not entitle to a price reduction.
The order in which the activities and tours take place might vary, depending on the best day to travel.
If the route is not passable due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions, political events or similar, the program will be adjusted accordingly. In doing so, we aim to stay as close as possible to the planned itinerary. This does not constitute a defect and does not entitle you to a reduction in the tour price.
Uzbekistan Explorer Journey – from € 1,995
Price per person sharing a double or twin room (based on minimum 2 participants traveling together)
Single supplement and group rates available on request
Trip Intensity: Easy – relaxed pace, short walks, scenic drives
Signature
Journey
At the heart of the Silk Road – where empires met and legends remain
This 9-day journey brings the magic of the Silk Road to life – rich in discovery, refined in detail, and designed for travellers who appreciate comfort with character.
Wander through ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where turquoise domes rise above age-old bazaars and stories echo through madrasa courtyards. Trace legends in remote valleys, visit observatories and palaces, and meet artisans who keep centuries-old traditions alive.
Selected boutique and heritage hotels, paired with well-paced days and meaningful encounters, make this Signature Journey an immersive yet elegant way to experience Uzbekistan – vivid, timeless, and deeply rewarding.
Highlights at a Glance:
- Tashkent – city of contrasts with Soviet avenues, Islamic heritage and Chorsu Bazaar
- Samarkand – Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the sacred Shah-i-Zinda necropolis
- Ulugbek’s Observatory and the ancient ruins of Afrosiyab
- Day trip to Tajikistan – the Seven Lakes of Haft Kul, mountain legends and landscapes
- Shakhrisabz – Timur’s birthplace with monumental palace and mausoleums
- Bukhara – Lyabi-Hauz, Kalon Minaret, trading domes and timeless madrasas
- Kyzylkum Desert crossing – following the Oxus to the oasis town of Khiva
- Khiva (Itchan Kala) – UNESCO-listed walled city with minarets, mosques and palaces
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent – First impressions of a Silk Road capital
Early morning arrival in Tashkent. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred straight to the hotel for immediate check-in and time to rest after the flight.
Later in the morning, we begin exploring Uzbekistan’s capital – a city shaped by over 2,000 years of trade, transformation and resilience. From its roots as ancient Shash to its Soviet-era avenues and grand monuments, Tashkent is a meeting point of tradition and modernity.
Our city tour takes us into the heart of the old town: the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, the Kukeldash and Barak-Khan madrasas, and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum. Then we shift into the “new” Tashkent – the Independence Square, Earthquake Memorial, and a short ride on the Soviet-built metro.
Accommodation:
2 nights at Courtyard by Marriott or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast 2x
Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand – A legendary name along the Silk Road
After breakfast, we take the high-speed train to Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s great cultural centres and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On arrival, we explore the iconic Registan Square with its three splendid madrasas: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari. We also visit the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque, then stroll through the nearby bazaar.
Later, we walk through the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis – a hillside row of beautifully tiled mausoleums, some dating back to the 11th century.
Accommodation:
Mövenpick Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 3: Samarkand – Astronomy, archaeology and a free afternoon
This morning we visit the ancient site of Afrosiyab, where early excavations revealed rich traces of Sogdian culture. The museum offers a glimpse into Samarkand’s pre-Islamic past.
We continue to the Ulugbek Observatory, an extraordinary 15th-century structure built by Timur’s grandson – once one of the most advanced astronomical centres of its time.
Later, we visit the stunning Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, resting place of Timur and his dynasty. The afternoon is free to explore more of Samarkand at your own pace.
Accommodation:
Mövenpick Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 4: Day trip to the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan – Where Seven Sisters Wept
Today we cross into Tajikistan for a scenic day trip to Haft Kul – the Seven Lakes of the Fann Mountains. After a short drive to the border and formalities on foot, you’re met by your Tajik guide and driver.
We follow a winding road through steep valleys, visiting several lakes along the way – each with its own shape and shimmering hue, from deep blue to turquoise. Your guide shares the local legend of their origin as we pause at Mizhgon, Soja, Hushor and Nofin Lakes, with time to walk, rest and enjoy a picnic in the mountain air.
In the afternoon, we return to the Uzbek side and drive back to Samarkand.
Accommodation:
Mövenpick Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch (picnic)
Day 5: Shakhrisabz & onward to Bukhara – Tracing Timur’s legacy
After breakfast, we travel by car over the scenic Takhta-Karacha Pass to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Timur. Once called the “Green City,” it holds impressive remnants of the empire he built in the 14th century.
With a local guide, we explore the massive Ak-Saray Palace, the Gok-Gumbaz Mosque, and several beautifully restored mausoleums within the Darus Saodat complex – all reflecting the power and ambition of a rising dynasty.
In the afternoon, we return to Samarkand and board the train to Bukhara, one of the crown jewels of the Silk Road. Arrival at nearby Kagan station and short transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation:
Wyndham Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 6: Bukhara – A holy city shaped by merchants and mystics
Today we explore Bukhara, one of Islam’s seven sacred cities and a former trading hub on the Silk Road. Time seems to slow here – in its clay houses, quiet courtyards, and ancient markets.
We begin at Lyabi-Hauz, a peaceful plaza surrounded by madrasas and caravanserais. Nearby, we meet one of Bukhara’s traditional puppet makers for a short insight into local craft and storytelling.
Highlights of the day include the Ark Fortress, the Kalon Minaret with its grand mosque and madrasa, and the Mir-i-Arab Seminary, still active after 400 years. We also visit the Magoki-Attori Mosque, several domed bazaars, the Samanid Mausoleum, and the colourful Chor-Minor Mosque with its four blue towers.
Accommodation:
Wyndham Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 7: Bukhara – Khiva – Along the Oxus to a City of Legends
Today’s journey takes us deep into the Kyzylkum Desert, following the course of the Amu Darya River – once known as the Oxus. As we cross vast desert plains, glimpses of wild camels, river oases and clay villages break the stillness.
By late afternoon, we arrive in Khiva, an ancient oasis town on the Silk Road. After check-in, there’s time for a short stroll through the atmospheric old town.
Accommodation:
Farovon Khiva Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 8: Khiva – Through the Gates of the Walled City
Step into Khiva, a living museum behind ancient mudbrick walls. The old town, Itchan Kala, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 50 historic monuments – mosques, palaces, mausoleums and madrasas – all nestled within this well-preserved oasis.
With your local guide, you’ll explore the Tosh-Khovli Palace, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Djuma Mosque, the elegant Kalta Minor Minaret, and several richly decorated madrasas and mausoleums from the time of the Khans.
Winding alleyways, turquoise domes and rising minarets make Khiva one of Central Asia’s most atmospheric towns – and the perfect finale to your Silk Road journey.
Accommodation:
Farovon Khiva Hotel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 9: Khiva – Urgench Airport – Departure
An early transfer takes you to Urgench Airport (approx. 35 km). After final farewells and departure formalities, your return flight begins – with your mind full of impressions: tiled domes, desert roads, ancient cities and the warmth of the people along the way.
Meal plan: Breakfast (box)
What is included?
- Transfer from Tashkent airport, transfer to Urgench airport
- 9 nights in selected hotels
- All transfers and excursions in air-conditioned cars or minibuses
- Local German-speaking guides for city tours as per program
- Breakfast, plus 1 lunch during the Tajikistan excursion
- Private car (max. 3 guests) or minibus (max. 6 guests) for the Shakhrisabz excursion
What is not included?
- International flights to/from Uzbekistan
- Visa fees (currently €0 for EU citizens)
- Train Tashkent – Samarkand (economy class): €27 per person (subject to change)
- Train Samarkand – Bukhara (economy class): €21 per person (subject to change)
- Additional meals and optional excursions
- Photo/video permits at sites
- Personal travel insurance (cancellation, health, etc.)
- Drinks, snacks and optional meals
- Further individual excursions & activities outside the program
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, phone, laundry, tips)
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Tourist tax in Uzbekistan: €41 per person per trip (subject to change)
Important information
If any accomodation should be fully booked at your travel time, we will reserve an equivalent alternative – this does not constitute a deficiency and does not entitle to a price reduction.
The order in which the activities and tours take place might vary, depending on the best day to travel.
If the route is not passable due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions, political events or similar, the program will be adjusted accordingly. In doing so, we aim to stay as close as possible to the planned itinerary. This does not constitute a defect and does not entitle you to a reduction in the tour price.
Uzbekistan Signature Journey – from € 2,499
Price per person sharing a double or twin room (based on minimum 2 participants traveling together)
Single supplement and group rates available on request
Trip Intensity: Easy – relaxed pace, short walks, scenic drives