Uzbekistan: The Aral Sea and Oasis of Ancient Cities
Stunning tour to Uzbekistan 2025: Adventure Jeep Tour to the Aral Sea
and Sightseeing in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
| Country: | Uzbekistan | View route map »» |
| Duration: | 11 days / 10 nights | |
| Itinerary: | Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Urgench – Nukus – Kungard – Ustyurt Plateau – Sudochie lake – Aral Sea – Muynak – Khodjeyli – Mizdahan necropolis – Nukus – Aral Sea – Nukus – Tashkent. | |
The tour Itinerary combines the two most popular types of travelling in Uzbekistan: a guided tour of the country with excursions to the legendary historical cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand with grandiose architectural monuments and a jeep trip to the Aral Sea across the uninhabited and stunning Ustyurt Plateau.
This tour of Uzbekistan will cover the most popular travel sites, the best places to visit and the country’s main tourist attractions. You will thus travel in two absolutely different dimensions – first in the urban world of human genius, centuries-old culture, oriental cuisine and authentic hospitality, and then in the world of unique nature and enormous areas with extraterrestrial landscapes away from civilization. We will cross the former seabed. There are no roads, only directions. We will drive through the exotic Ustyurt plateau with its steep multicoloured cliffs, rocks of bizarre shapes, fascinating takyrs and salt marshes. We will see Lake Sudochie, where thousands of birds nest, including pink flamingos, white swans and pelicans. Finally, we will witness the stunning sunrise on the coast of the Aral Sea, which is not only alive but also incredibly beautiful.
May your vacation and adventure holidays in Uzbekistan be interesting, eventful and diverse!- Itinerary
Services & Cost - VISA
- FAQ
- Useful Information
Route Map
| Tour itinerary 2025 | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting at Tashkent airport. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Guided sightseeing tour around Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Chor-Su Bazaar, Kukeldash Madrasah; after lunch: Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 2. | Tashkent – Samarkand by a high-speed train (2 hours). Early breakfast at the hotel (or breakfast boxes). Transfer to the railway station. Transfer to Samarkand by Afrosiab high-speed train (07:28-09:42). Upon arrival in the city, we start our busy day in a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. There is the mysterious jade Mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the graveyard of Tamerlane. One of the greatest treasures is Registan Square, Temur’s outstanding creation, a huge complex of minarets, mosques and madrassas. Further we move on to Bibi Khanum Mosque, the gorgeous necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda, and the old observatory of Ulugbek, the greatest Muslim astronomer, and the neighboring Ulugbek museum. Accommodation at the hotel in the evening, rest and overnight. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 3. | Samarkand - Bukhara by evening train, 1.5 hours. Continuation of the sightseeing tour in Samarkand. Visit Afrosiab museum and settlement, Saint Daniel’s tomb, Khujum carpet factory, Silk paper workshop and Siab Oriental bazaar. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 4. | Bukhara. Breakfast at the hotel. Meet the guide and start the sightseeing tour. Bukhara is filled with over 900 historical monuments, here we will spend time visiting many sites and wandering amongst the old city streets. Our focus will be directed today on Samanids Mausoleum and Bolo-Khauz Mosque. Further we proceed to the Fortress Ark, the old citadel of over 20 m in height. In the afternoon we will visit Poyi Kalon Architectural Ensemble that consists of Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque and Miri Arab Madrasah; Ulugbek Madrasah; Abdul-Aziz Khan Madrasah, Lyabi Khauz Complex and the Trading Domes – Coumpol Bazaar, that has been existing here from the times of the Great Silk Road. Transfer to the hotel in the evening. Rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast . |
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| Day 5. | Bukhara – Khiva by road (440 km) . Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer across Kyzyl-Kum Desert and along Amudarya River to Khiva. Lunch en route. Arrival in Khiva. Leisure time. Visiting traditional workshops and souvenir shops is recommended. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 6. | Khiva. After breakfast start of the guided sightseeing tour around Khiva. Visit the sights of Ichan Kala (historical inner city): Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hoja Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch visit Tash Khauli Palace, Juma Mosque, Muhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah. In the evening return to the hotel for rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 7. | Khiva – Khorezmian fortresses – Nukus by road (200 km). Breakfast at the hotel and further transfer to Nukus – the capital city of Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. En route we will stop twice to explore the ruins of the anceint Khorezmian fortresses of Ayaz-Kala and Toprak-Kala. On arrial in Nukus – accommodation at the hotel for freshen up. After lunch time visit famous Savitskiy Art Museum.Return to the hotel and rest. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 8. | Nukus – Kungrad – Ustyurt Plateau – Sudochye Lake – Aral Sea by road (400 km). Early breakfast at the hotel. At 07:00 in the morning departure from Nukus. Proceeding to Kungrad, then up to Ustyurt Plateau. Transfer to Sudochye Lake. Proceeding to Village of Urga, first Russian settlement in Khorezm and Aral Sea region, lunch en route. Then transfer to Aral Sea. Photographing canyons en route. Arrival at camp site; descent to shoreline. Dinner. Overnight in tents. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 9. | Aral Sea – Muynak – Khodjeyli – Mizdakhan Complex – Nukus by road (400 km). Landscape: steppe, desert, saline land, cliffs, bottom of gone-away sea. Breakfast in tent camp. Proceeding to Muynak along the bottom of the disappeared sea. Visiting monument to the victims of the Second World War (now a monument to the Aral Sea), which is the highest point of the town of Muynak providing a wonderful panorama of the town and the bottom of the former sea. Visiting famous “Cemetery of Ships” in Muynak. Next visiting a museum at the House of Culture in Muynak, where you can familiarize yourselves with the works of artists F. Madgazin and R. Matevosyan, who used to depict the Aral Sea and the Amudarya River. Lunch in traditional guest house of Muynak. Proceeding to and visiting Mizdakhan Complex: Caliph Erejep, Jumart-kassab hillock, half-underground Mazlumkhan-sulu Mausoleum, Shamun-nabi Mausoleum. Transfer back to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch . |
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| Day 10. | Nukus – Tashkent by morning flight . After breakfast transfer to the local airport for further flight back to Tashkent. On arrival – meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel (check-in time at 14:00). Free day. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 11. | Departure from Tashkent. Morning transfer to the international airport. Departure. Overnight at the yurt camp. Meals: breakfast. |
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Tour price includes:
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Tour price does not include:
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*Tickets for a high-speed train are subject of availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance
Information on the hotels
| City | Hotel 3* | Hotel 4* | ||
| Tashkent | Sato Hotel 3* or similar | Inspira-S Hotel 4* or similar | ||
| Samarkand | Arba Hotel 3* or similar | Grand Samarkand Hotel 4* or similar | ||
| Bukhara | Devon Hotel 3* or similar | Asia Bukhara Hotel 4* or similar | ||
| Khiva | Arkanchi Hotel 3* or similar | Asia Khiva Hotel 4* or similar | ||
| Nukus | Jipek Joli Hotel 3* or similar | Jipek Joli Hotel 3* or similar | ||
| Aral Sea | Yurt camp | Yurt camp | ||
Information on the vehicles
| Group | Vehicle |
| Group of 1-2 pax | "Chevrolet Lacetti" or similar |
| Group of 4 pax | "Hyundai Starex minivan" |
| Group of 6-8 pax | "King Long minivan" or similar |
| Group of 9-15 pax | "Eurise minivan" or similar |
Visa to Uzbekistan:
Visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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A great number of other countries can obtain an e-visa to Uzbekistan by simply visiting the governmental portal e-visa.gov.uz.
Frequently Asked Questions
► Memo: Useful tips for tourists »»
- Is it necessary to get a stay permit (temporary registration of stay) while visiting Uzbekistan?
Any foreigner to Uzbekistan is to get a stay permit within 3 working days (consecutive or not) during his / her visit to the country. If he / she stays at an Uzbekistan hotel or a guesthouse, such a stay permit for the period of stay at it is granted automatically. (Inquire whether the hotel / guesthouse you want to stay at provides such a permit unless your accommodation is organized by a host tour operator. Also make sure you are given your stay permit certificate with the seal of your hotel / guesthouse when you check out.) If you stay at other lodging facilities during your visit, you will have to get your stay permit from a local visits registration police department. - What is Uzbekistan’s currency? Where can I exchange money?
The national currency of Uzbekistan is the som (UZS). There are 100, 200, 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000 and 50.000-som banknotes used currently. The banknotes are similar in size but vary in color; they depict Uzbekistan’s cultural and heritage sites.
You can exchange money at Uzbekistan’s National Bank outlets, most of the hotels and official currency exchange offices commonly located near bazaars and at shopping centers. You will need your passport to exchange money through them.
Note that the most common foreign currency in Uzbekistan is US dollars. The US banknotes you exchange in the country should be in good condition - without defects, bad folds, worn areas and scribbles - or it will be hard to exchange them. - Can I use credit cards in Uzbekistan?
You can use Visa and MasterCard cards mainly in Tashkent and at fewer locations in Samarkand and Bukhara for cash withdrawals through ATMs (cash machines) in their large hotels or banks. You can also make payments with these cards at some hotels, restaurants and stores in Tashkent. However, technical failures of the card handling equipment may occur, so it is advisable to always have enough cash on you. - What is the difference between GMT and Uzbekistan time?
It is GMT plus 5 hours in Uzbekistan. - Can foreigners to Uzbekistan use the services of a local mobile network operator during their stays in the country?
Yes, they can if they have a stay permit to show. - Can I bring alcoholic beverages into Uzbekistan?
A person is permitted to bring a maximum of 2 liters of alcoholic drink(s) into the country. - What maximum amount of cash can I bring into Uzbekistan?
There is no limit on the amount of cash in a currency that is foreign to Uzbekistan a person can bring into the country. If you bring in over 5,000 USD (or the equivalent in other currencies), you will be given a ТС-28 certificate. If you bring in over 10,000 USD, you will have to pay a 1% duty on this sum. - What maximum amount of cash can I take out of Uzbekistan?
The amount of cash (in a currency foreign to Uzbekistan) you can take out of the country must not exceed the sum you brought in as per your arrival customs declaration. Taking out the amount exceeding the sum you brought in is possible if permitted by Uzbekistan’s Central Bank or another Uzbekistan’s authorized bank. Note that taking out Uzbekistan soms is not permitted unless they are several souvenir coins or banknotes. - Can I use a photo / video camera at the tourist sites?
Photographing and videoing at the tourist sites is allowed unless a site has a prohibition sign. They charge fees for using cameras at most tourist attractions though. Photographing and videoing is prohibited in Tashkent metro, at the airports and railway stations. Using a camera at the functioning mosques is possible if allowed by the worshippers there. - What kind of clothes should I wear in Uzbekistan? Are there any clothing requirements for women in the country?
Clothes made of cotton and other natural textiles will be the best choice in warm and hot weather. Both men and women will feel best in T-shirts and shorts. Your footwear must be comfortable, light and strong, since you will have to walk a lot. Have sunglasses, a light headwear and sunblock lotion.
If you travel early in spring (March to the beginning of April) or at the end of autumn (October to November), it is advisable to take a windbreaker, a sweater or a similar garment. In winter the temperature may fall to minus 10°С or so, so a raincoat, a warm coat and headwear will be necessary.
There are no strict limits on women’s clothing in the country. However, you should be considerate towards the local traditions, culture and religion. While visiting religious places women should wear loose garments covering most of their arms and legs, and of course the cleavage. Headscarves will also be advisable to put on. Note that you will have to take off your shoes while entering some of the sacred places. - What languages do people in Uzbekistan speak?
The official language is Uzbek; it is spoken by a majority of the population. Russian is spoken by the country’s largest Slavic minority and is still used widely in business and as a lingua franca, especially in Tashkent and other major cities. Tajik is widespread in Samarkand and Bukhara for their large Tajik ethnic minorities. Karakalpak is spoken in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan where it is an official language besides Uzbek. English is popular as a foreign language to study but there is little chance of coming across a good English speaker in the street. However, in the historic cities of Bukhara and Samarkand many young souvenir sellers dealing with foreigners speak elementary English.
Useful Information on Traveling to Uzbekistan
Route Map
Photos of the tour:
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