Culinary Heritage of Uzbekistan
Discover the taste of centuries along the Silk Road
| Country: | Uzbekistan | |
| Tour duration: | 7 days / 6 nights | |
| Itinerary: | Tashkent – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Tashkent | |
A gastronomic tour of Uzbekistan is designed to give you the exclusive experiences that best capture the unique food and culinary traditions of Uzbekistan.
The Uzbek cuisine is probably one of the most diverse in Asia. Situated on the caravan routes of the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan has for many centuries been assimilating the most interesting and original recipes of food from various countries. Each meal in Uzbekistan has its own traditional way of cooking, and one and the same dish has many methods of preparation throughout the country.
With the focus on Oriental gastronomy, this tour will give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in Uzbekistan’s rich history and culture, to learn about treasured architecture of Samarkand, Bukhara - the fabled cities still keeping the memory of Tamerlane, Alexander the Great, Genghis-khan, and many trade caravans of the Great Silk Road. Tall elegant minarets, grandiose madrassahs and mosques will be branded in your mind for long. But first of all, this travel will be appreciated by gourmets. Open for yourself the world full of oriental delicacies!
- Itinerary /
Services & Cost
VISA
FAQ- Useful Information
Route Map
| Tour itinerary 2026: | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Tashkent: Welcome to the Oriental Table. Arrival in Tashkent, the welcoming capital of Uzbekistan — a city where ancient heritage meets modern rhythm. After meeting our representative at the airport, transfer to the hotel and check-in after 2:00 PM. Take some time to rest before your first delicious evening in the East. As the sun sets, we gather for a welcome dinner at one of Tashkent’s best traditional restaurants. Tonight’s highlight is the legendary Tashkent shashlik — juicy skewers of marinated meat grilled over charcoal, served with warm, crusty bread and sharp pickled onions. The lively atmosphere, fragrant smoke, and cheerful hospitality set the tone for your culinary journey ahead. Meals: dinner. |
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| Day 2. | Tashkent: Plov, Lagman & Local Flavours. After breakfast, we begin exploring Tashkent’s timeless charm. Visit Khast-Imam Square, home to the world-famous 7th-century manuscript of the Quran of Caliph Osman, admire the elegant Barak-Khan Madrasah and Kukeldash Madrasah, and stroll through peaceful courtyards filled with history. For lunch, we head to the legendary Central Asian Plov Center — “Besh Kozon”, where master chefs cook up to ten tons of plov every day in giant cauldrons. Watch as rice, meat, and spices are layered to perfection, then enjoy your serving of this beloved Uzbek dish — rich, fragrant, and unforgettable. In the afternoon, we visit Independence Square and Amir Temur Square, the heart of the capital. Dinner tonight introduces another classic — Uyghur lagman, hand-pulled noodles tossed with tender meat and vegetables in a savory sauce. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 3. | From Tashkent to Samarkand, The Pearl of the East. After breakfast, we board the comfortable train to Samarkand, the legendary “Pearl of the East.” Few cities in the world can rival its history — once the capital of Sogdiana, later Tamerlane’s imperial heart, it still dazzles travelers with its blue domes, ancient madrasahs, and timeless Silk Road spirit. On arrival, we check in to the hotel and enjoy lunch at the famous “Panjab” Plov Center, where you’ll taste Samarkand-style plov — rich, golden rice layered with tender meat, sweet carrots, and aromatic spices, slow-cooked to perfection. In the afternoon, we explore Registan Square, the crowning jewel of Central Asia, surrounded by the splendid madrasahs of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori — a masterpiece of architecture and harmony. This evening, we gather in a traditional family house for a warm, hands-on master class in making manti — delicate steamed dumplings filled with spiced meat. You’ll prepare them side by side with a local chef and then enjoy your creations for dinner. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 4. | Samarkand: Flavours, Crafts & Wine of the Silk Road. After breakfast, we continue discovering Samarkand — where every corner tells a story. Visit the majestic Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the bustling Siab Bazaar, and the sacred Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a breathtaking avenue of turquoise-tiled mausoleums. Then explore the Ulugbek Observatory and Afrasiab Museum, where the roots of Samarkand’s civilization stretch back over 2,500 years. Lunch today brings a local specialty — nokhat-shurak, a comforting stew of chickpeas and lamb, full of earthy flavors and slow-cooked tenderness. In the afternoon, we head to Konigil village, where artisans keep alive the ancient crafts of Samarkand — from handmade silk paper to fine ceramics. Then continue to the Bagizagan Winery, a family estate producing wines and brandies for five generations. Learn about local grape cultivation, tour the cellar, and enjoy a guided wine tasting in their charming degustation hall. Dinner tonight features kazan-kabob, seared in a deep cast-iron pan until crisp on the outside and juicy within — a fitting finale to a day full of colour, taste, and tradition. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 5. | From Samarkand to Bukhara: Ceramics, Kebabs & Timeless Craftsmanship. After breakfast, we set out for Bukhara, stopping en route in Gijduvan, a town famous for its distinctive ceramics and ancient traditions of craftsmanship. For centuries, Gijduvan masters have passed down their skills from generation to generation, creating pottery known for its deep turquoise hues and intricate geometric patterns. We’ll visit the workshop of the Narzullaev family, one of Uzbekistan’s most celebrated pottery dynasties. Under the guidance of a master, you’ll try your hand at shaping clay on the potter’s wheel — a meditative and rewarding experience. After the workshop, we sit down for a hearty lunch in the family’s courtyard, savoring Gijduvan-style kebabs and tandoor kabob — meat slow-roasted in a clay oven until perfectly smoky and tender. In the afternoon, we continue to Bukhara, one of the most ancient and sacred cities of the Islamic world. With its winding streets, turquoise domes, and more than 2,500 years of history, Bukhara feels like a living open-air museum. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, the heart of the old city, surrounded by madrasahs, ancient trading domes, and a tranquil reflecting pool. Dinner tonight is at a local family home, where you’ll taste damlama — a fragrant stew of lamb and vegetables, slow-cooked to tender perfection. Served straight from the kazan, it’s the essence of Uzbek home cooking. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 6. | Bukhara: The Soul of the Silk Road & Farewell to Uzbekistan. After breakfast, we continue our discovery of Bukhara, a city where every brick and minaret seems to whisper the stories of travelers, scholars, and poets who once walked its streets. We begin at the elegant Samanid Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, then visit Chashma Ayub — “Job’s Well” — with its unusual domed design and ancient legend. The Bolo-Hauz Mosque, reflected in its tranquil pond, enchants with twenty carved wooden columns that shimmer in the morning light. Next, we explore the mighty Ark Fortress, the royal stronghold that once housed emirs and their courts, before heading to the spiritual heart of the city — the Poi Kalyan Complex, crowned by the graceful 12th-century minaret. We’ll also visit the Abdulaziz Khan and Ulugbek Madrasahs, each adorned with exquisite tilework and geometric harmony. Our farewell lunch takes place at Old Bukhara Restaurant, where the table is filled with aromas of saffron, sweet carrots, and freshly baked samsa. Here, you’ll taste Sofi plov (Osh-i-sofi) — Bukhara’s signature pilaf known for its lightness and subtle sweetness — along with Alat samsa, delicate pastries baked in a clay tandoor oven. As evening falls, we transfer to the train station for our comfortable journey back to Tashkent, carrying the warmth of Uzbek hospitality and the unforgettable taste of the Silk Road (packed dinner on the train). On arrival in Tashkent, overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 7. | Tashkent: Departure with Flavours to Remember. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your flight home. As you leave, take with you the colors, scents, and memories of your journey — the taste of plov, the laughter of new friends, and the quiet charm of an ancient land that welcomes every guest as family. Meals: breakfast. |
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Tour price includes:
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Tour price does not include:
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*Tickets on a high-speed train are subject of availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance
Information on the hotels
| City | Hotels 3* | Hotels 4* |
| Tashkent | Huvaydo hotel 3* or similar | Panarams Hotel 4* or similar |
| Samarkand | Arba Hotel 3* or similar | Continental 4* or similar |
| Bukhara | Rangrez Hotel 3* or similar | Paradise Plaza Hotel 4* or similar |
Information on the vehicles.
| Uzbekistan | Vehicle |
| Group of 1-2 pax | "Chevrolet Lacetti" or similar |
| Group of 4 pax | "Hyundai Grand Starex minivan" |
| Group of 6-8 pax | "King Long minivan" or similar |
| Group of 9-14 pax | "Eurise minivan" or similar |
Visa and Visa invitation 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
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