Oriental Dastarkhan
Gastronomic Tour to Uzbekistan.
Culinary Experiences & Chef's Masterclasses
Country: | Uzbekistan | View the route map »» |
Tour duration: | 8 days/7 nights & 10 days/9 nights | |
8 days Itinerary: Tashkent - Jizzakh - Khayat mountain village - Aydar Lake - Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Qarshi - Bukhara | ||
10 days Itinerary: Tashkent - Jizzakh - Khayat mountain village - Aydar Lake - Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Qarshi - Bukhara - Khiva - Urgench |
A Gastronomic Tour of Uzbekistan is an expert-led cultural food tour which is designed to give you the exclusive experiences that best capture the unique food and culinary traditions of Uzbek cuisine.
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 innumerable methods of preparation throughout the country.
Uzbek plov has become Uzbekistan’s main culinary brand, but it is far from being the only remarkable dish in the Uzbek cuisine. Tender manty, juicy shashlyk shish kebab, aromatic samsa pasties, rich shourpa and horsemeat sausage kazy, tandyr-kabob in Bukhara, naryn in Tashkent, nohat-shurak in Samarkand and exotic tukhum-barak and shivit-oshi in Khorezm - all of them form but a small part of the list of dishes in the Uzbek cuisine! And what about the dessert, consisting of a great number of Oriental sweets, fresh fruit, dry fruit and various kinds of nuts?
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, and Shakhrisabz - 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!
No doubt, this fascinating culinary tour for foodies will become the most 'delicious' in your collection!
Discover Uzbekistan's incredible history and cuisine!
- Itinerary /
Services & Cost
VISA
FAQ- Useful Information
Route Map
Itinerary: | ||
Day 1. | Arrival in Tashkent. | |
Short description Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting at Tashkent airport according to tourist's flight arrival time. |
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Day 2. | Tashkent (sightseeing). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
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Day 3. | Tashkent - Jizzakh - Khayat mountain village (340 km, 6-7 hrs). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
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Day 4. | Khayat mountain village - Samarkand (290 km, 5-6 hrs). | |
Short description Breakfast at the guest house. |
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Day 5. | Samarkand (sightseeing). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
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Day 6. | Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Qarshi - Bukhara (450 km, 7-8 hrs). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
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Day 7. | Bukhara (sightseeing). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
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Day 8. | Bukhara. Departure. ► Bukhara - Khiva (440 km, 8-9 hrs) for 10 days program |
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Short description Breakfast at the hotel. For 10 days program: |
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Day 9. | Khiva (sightseeing). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
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Day 10. | Khiva - Urgench (Departure). | |
Short description Breakfast at the hotel. |
Cost includes:
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Cost does not include:
Additional services:
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Hotels.
This route involves the following accommodation:
City | Standard | Comfort |
Tashkent | Orient Inn Hotel / Samir 3* or similar |
Rakat Plaza Hotel 4* or similar |
Samarkand | Arba Hotel / City Hotel or similar |
Jahon Palace 3*+ / Sultan Boutique or similar |
Bukhara | Rangrez Hotel 3* / Fatima Hotel 3* or similar |
Omar Khayam 3+ or similar |
Khiva | Shokh Jahon Hotel 3* or similar |
Bek Khiva Hotel 4* or similar |
Depending on the size of a group the following means of transportation are used during the tour:
"Hyundai Grand Starex" ![]() |
"Mitsubishi Rosa" ![]() |
"Golden Dragon" ![]() |
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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
- 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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Video of the tour:
![]() Cuisine of Central Asia |
![]() Pilafs in Tashkent |
![]() Wine-Making in Uzbekistan |
![]() Uzbek fruit and vegetables |
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