Pearls of Uzbekistan
No activities planned for today. You can rest after the flight.
Tashkent - a city where modern vitality dances with ancient whispers. Tree-lined streets and Soviet-era elegance welcome you like an old friend.
We begin in Tashkent’s Old City at the Khast-Imam Complex, where the world’s oldest Quran rests, its ancient pages whispering devotion beneath a turquoise dome. Wander through Chorsu Bazaar, a vibrant mosaic of saffron piles, dried apricots, and handwoven silks, where the air hums with the rhythm of trade as old as the Silk Road. Ride the Tashkent Metro, each station a Soviet-era masterpiece of chandeliers and mosaics, a subterranean gallery of ambition and art. Stroll to Amir Timur Square, where the statue of Timur on horseback stands proud, surrounded by fountains and greenery, a tribute to the conqueror whose legacy shaped the nation.
Then we see the Navoi Theater, a neoclassical gem where operatic notes soar under gilded ceilings, its facade a poem in alabaster and elegance. Explore Tashkent’s modernist buildings, like the Soviet-era Hotel Uzbekistan, its geometric latticework a bold ode to 1970s design. Conclude at Tashkent City Park, a verdant oasis where families gather under twinkling lights, the skyline blending modern towers with the city’s timeless pulse.
Board AM train from Tashkent to Bukhara, gliding past desert vistas and distant mountains.
Arrive in Bukhara and Check into a boutique hotel, where courtyards echo Bukhara’s UNESCO-listed serenity.
Step into Lyabi-Khauz, a plaza where a tranquil pool mirrors the dreams of travelers past. The Nadira Divan-begi Madrasah glimmers with mosaic tiles, a starry ode to craftsmanship. Sip cardamom-scented tea at a chaikhana, surrounded by the chatter of locals. Explore the Trading Domes, where silk scarves and intricate ceramics spill like treasures from a poet’s tale.
In the evening stroll Bukhara’s lantern-lit alleys, where every corner feels like a page from One Thousand and One Nights.
Awaken in Bukhara, where 2,500 years of history sing beneath azure domes. Visit the Poi-Kalyan Complex, where the Kalan Minaret soars like a poet’s quill, its brickwork a 12th-century masterpiece. The Kalan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah frame the square, their tiles glowing like a desert sunset.
Explore the Ark Fortress, a citadel of ancient kings, its weathered walls murmuring tales of glory and loss. Nearby, the Samanid Mausoleum, a 10th-century gem, stands as a quiet ode to eternity, its geometric patterns dancing in the light. Pause at the Bolo Khauz Mosque, where wooden pillars and a serene courtyard invite reflection.
Cultural Note: Bukhara’s artisans, from carpet weavers to calligraphers, preserve crafts passed through generations, their hands shaping history in vibrant bazaars.
After breakfast, visit the Chor Minor Madrasah, its four turquoise minarets standing like sentinels of a forgotten dream. Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, a 19th-century summer retreat of the Emirs, enchants with its blend of Eastern and European architecture, vibrant tilework, and serene gardens.
Then, depart Bukhara by coach to Gijduvan, a town where pottery is poetry. Visit the Gijduvan Ceramics Center, home to the Narzullayev family, sixth-generation masters. Watch clay spin into vibrant vessels, painted with natural dyes in emerald and cobalt hues, each piece a stanza of Uzbek heritage. Join a masterclass to mold your own ceramic keepsake.Explore the small museum of ceramic masterpieces, where every plate tells a story of the Silk Road.PM Continue by coach to Samarkand, arriving in the evening. Rest under Samarkand’s starlit canopy, dreaming of tomorrow’s wonders.
Awake in Samarkand, where history sings in sapphire domes. Begin at Registan Square, a trio of madrasahs—Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tilla-Kori—whose mosaic tiles shimmer like a celestial map. Visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Timur’s resting place, its fluted azure dome a crown of eternity, gilded with gold within. Stroll through Siab Bazaar, where the scent of fresh non, dried fruits, and spices weaves a sensory poem of daily life. Discover the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, its grand arches a testament to Timur’s ambition, now softened by time’s gentle hand.
Enjoy strolling around new complex “The Eternal City”, a vibrant 17-hectare cultural oasis with artisan workshops and national pavilions by the canal.
In the morning explore the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, a sacred avenue of mausoleums, their turquoise tiles glowing like fragments of the sky. Each tomb tells a story of saints and nobles, a silent elegy in ceramic splendor.
Visit Ulugbek Observatory, where 15th-century astronomers charted the stars, their legacy etched in stone.Visit the Afrasiab Museum, where artifacts whisper of Samarkand’s pre-Islamic past, and the Meros Paper Mill, where artisans craft paper as they did centuries ago, each sheet a labor of love.
In the afternoon board the train to Tashkent.
Check into your Tashkent hotel and relax after an active day.
After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore the city.
Transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure, carrying memories of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road splendor.
