Tashkent → Samarkand → Bukhara → Khiva → Tashkent
Classic Uzbekistan
Journey overview
Our signature route links Uzbekistan's four essential cities with comfortable train travel and a desert crossing, leaving enough time in each place to actually settle into it rather than rush through. This is the itinerary we recommend for a first visit.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Format
- Private
- Group size
- 1–12 travelers
- Route
- Tashkent → Samarkand → Bukhara → Khiva → Tashkent
Highlights
- High-speed Afrosiyob train between Tashkent and Samarkand
- A full day exploring the Registan without rushing
- Old-town walks in Bukhara and Khiva at a human pace
- A desert crossing between Bukhara and Khiva
The route
Day by day
Sample itinerary — final details are confirmed with our team before booking.
Day 1Arrival in Tashkent
Airport transfer and check-in. An easy evening walk around Amir Timur Square to settle in before the journey begins.
- Overnight:
- Tashkent
Day 2Tashkent to Samarkand
Morning visit to Chorsu Bazaar and a decorated metro station or two, then the afternoon high-speed train to Samarkand.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Samarkand
Day 3Samarkand in full
The Registan, Gur-e-Amir mausoleum and Bibi-Khanym Mosque, with time at Siab Bazaar in between.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Samarkand
Day 4Shah-i-Zinda, then on to Bukhara
Morning at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and Ulugh Beg's observatory, then an afternoon drive to Bukhara.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Bukhara
Day 5Bukhara's old town
The Ark fortress, the Kalyan Minaret and mosque, and the trading domes, finishing at Lyab-i Hauz.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Bukhara
Day 6Crossing the Kyzylkum Desert
A full day's drive across the desert toward Khiva, with a stop at a roadside caravanserai site.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Khiva
Day 7Itchan Kala, Khiva's walled city
A full day inside the walled old town, including the Kalta Minor minaret and the western gate at sunset.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Khiva
Day 8Fly to Tashkent and departure
A short domestic flight back to Tashkent, with time for a last errand before your onward flight.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
A closer look
The route on the map
Included
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Daily breakfast
- Private, air-conditioned transport with driver
- English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees to sites listed in the itinerary
- Airport and train-station transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Uzbekistan visa fees, if applicable
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners unless noted
- Personal expenses and tips
Accommodation
Boutique 3–4★ hotels in old-town locations, confirmed at booking.
Transport
Private vehicle with driver, plus the Tashkent–Samarkand high-speed train and one domestic flight.
Meals
Daily breakfast; lunches and dinners at your own choice, with recommendations from your guide.
Practical information
- Most nationalities can obtain an e-visa or enter visa-free — check current rules for your passport before booking.
- Local currency is the Uzbek som (UZS); cards are accepted in cities, cash is useful in bazaars and smaller towns.
- Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) have the most comfortable travel temperatures.
- Modest dress is appreciated at religious sites — shoulders and knees covered.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms depend on how far ahead of departure you cancel. Full terms are set out in our Cancellation Policy; nothing is charged until you confirm a booking.
Questions
Is this tour suitable for a family with children?
Yes — the pace is gentle and the route can be adjusted. Tell us your children's ages when you request the tour.
Can this itinerary be shortened or extended?
Yes, this route is a starting template — every itinerary here can be tailored once you get in touch.
