Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent. I will personally meet you at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After check-in (14:00), we will have a brief meeting to cover the little details (food allergies, tour speed, desired adjustments, etc.). Then dinner at the local Uzbek restaurant and early clock out for good night rest.

Samarkand

Hotel pick-up in the early morning to the train station. Journey begins on the high speed train to Samarkand. Drop-off luggage at the hotel then start the tour with a professional guide. You will learn about: the ancient city; the era of Tamerlane's (Amir Timur) reign; modernity - European part of the city, soviet era, and today; traditional applied arts - tour 8th century silk paper factory. [The places we will visit: Registon square, Ulugbek Madrassah, Tillya Kori Madrassah, Sherdor Madrassah, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Khoja Akhrori Vali complex, Ulugh Beg Observatory, and Khoja Daniyor mausoleum.] During the tour you will have lunch - Samarkand pilaf in a local cafe. After a six hour experience (car/walk) - time for rest because in the evening a traditional dance show awaits with dinner.

Bukhara

Flexible day. Breakfast. Morning train (not too early) to Bukhara. Free time. I suggest to walk the ancient city and it’s cozy small streets where you will find various aspects of the culture (save the questions for the tour). Lunch. In the evening you will have the option: join master class on cooking Uzbek pilaf, or learn about the fabrics of traditional carpets. And finish of with the Bukharian dinner.

Bukhara

Breakfast. A four hour walking tour with professional guide. We will walk through the old part of the city, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here you will not only get acquainted with outstanding architectural monuments, but also feel the atmosphere of past eras. [Places we will visit: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ark of Bukhara, Kalan Mosque, Ulugbek Madrassah, Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah, covered bazaars, Magoki Attori Mosque, Lyab-i Hauz complex, and Chor-Minor Madrasah.] Lunch. Free time. In the evening you will attend the 16th century hammam were Emir himself bathed. Evening dinner under the night sky.

Khiva

Early-early morning train (if not available then minivan in the morning). Free time. We will visit the lake in the middle of the desert next to the Turkmenistan border and have local fish for lunch. In the evening, a beautiful sunset awaits over the old city. Walk. Then dinner.

Khiva

Breakfast. Tour with the professional guide. We will walk through the streets of Khiva, past the colorful markets, and the walls of the ancient fortress of Ichan-Kala. We will explore the main historical monuments of Khorezm from the outside and from the inside: Juma Mosque, Pahlavān Mahmoud mausoleum, Toshhovli Palace, in addition, you will learn about the cult religion of Zoroastrianism. Free time. Traditional Khorezm dinner.

Tashkent

Morning flight back to Tashkent. Lunch. To tie it all together you will be joined by a professional guide and we’ll explore all the visiting cards of the city: the TV tower, the Khast-Imam religious complex, Mustakillik Square, Amir Temur Square, the subway and the Minor Mosque. You will have the final option for lunch: Tashkent pilaf, somsa, or Korean (yes, we have large Korean diaspora in the city). Last meeting - brief exchange of final thoughts.