To the heart of Tamerlane`s empire

Uzbekistan Tour: Tamerlane’s birthplace and beloved cities,
monumental architecture of Timurid period

 

Country: Uzbekistan View the route map »» 
Tour duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Itinerary: TashkentSamarkandShakhrisabzBukharaKhivaUrgench – Tashkent

Scheduled arrival dates in 2024:

Group #1: 28.03–04.04.2024scheduled
Group #2: 16.05–23.05.2024scheduled
Group #3: 06.06–13.06.2024 scheduled
Group #4: 12.09–19.09.2024 guaranteed!
Group #5: 17.10–24.10.2024 guaranteed!

Tour To the heart of Tamerlane`s empire

This exciting Uzbekistan tour package, that is considered to be one of the most attractive among Central Asia tours, will enlighten you on the history and culture of Uzbekistan and its world-famous ancient cities of Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, and Khiva. These cities, historical and cultural reserves boasting colossal architectural masterpieces of the Timurid time and earlier historical periods, still keep traces and legacies of the trade Silk Road cultural exchange and once-great empires of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and especially Timur, better known as Tamerlane, who made Samarkand the capital of his Empire.

A military genius whose conquests shook the world in the 14th century, Timur was also a great patron of the arts. Samarkand still boasts a number of magnificent world famous architectural monuments built during the reign of his dynasty, including his mausoleum Gur-e Amir, a gem of medieval Islamic architecture, where he lies under a huge jade slab.

Central Asia Travel invites you to see the most fascinating Uzbekistan’s monuments dating from different times. During this tour to Uzbekistan you will also visit exotic bazaars, taste delicious dishes of Uzbek cuisine, travel across impressive Uzbekistan landscapes, and meet hospitable and charming locals.

Travel to Uzbekistan and explore the land of Tamerlane’s Empire!

  • Itinerary
    Services & Cost

  • Visa to Uzbekistan

  • FAQ
  • Useful Information
    Route Map

 

Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Tashkent. Tashkent (sightseeing).
Tashkent is the flavorful capital of Uzbekistan: it carries in itself both the modern infrastructure and the preserved cozy Old Town. Tashkent’s architecture is striking in its diversity and variety: archaeological monuments from the Zoroastrianism era that are more than 2200 years old, architectural masterpieces of the Middle Ages, monumental buildings of the late 19th century, the most beautiful underground subway in the world, and of course, the numerous contemporary buildings.
At 10:00Sightseeing in Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah, the oldest bazaar of Tashkent “Chorsu”.
After lunch visiting Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square and Amir Temur Square.

Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast.

Tashkent, tour to Uzbekistan

Day 2 Tashkent – Samarkand by morning train (330 km). Samarkand (sightseeing).
Train travel time: 2 hours
Transfer to the railway station. Transfer to Samarkand by high-speed train "Afrosiab" (08:00-10:10). Meeting at the railway station and start the city tour.
Samarkand is as old as Rome, it is one of the most ancient cities in the world and former capital of the great Timur empire. It is a museum city, a city which was once the heart of the caravan trade in the midst of the Great Silk Road. Samarkand conserved its unique aura of the Oriental medieval age until this very day.
Sightseeing in Samarkand: the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square (Madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah), Gur-e Amir Mausoleum – necropolis of the Timurids.
After lunch continuation of sightseeing in Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym mosque, architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda, Ulugbek observatory.
Dinner at a local national house, a culinary master class and tasting of manti – an authentic Uzbek dish that has the form of large dumplings filled with meat and steamed in a special pot.

Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, dinner.

Ichan-Kala, Khiva, tour to Uzbekistan

Day 3 Samarkand, day trip to Shakhrisabz by road, 180 km both directions.
Morning transfer to a small town of the Tamerlane – Shakhrisabz.
On arrival – sightseeing tour in the city that gave a birth to the great Amir Temur. Visit Ak Saray Palace, Dorus Saodat Complex, Dorut Tillavat Madrasah, Kok Gumbaz Mosque.
After lunch time return to Samarkand. On arrival visit Afrosiab museum, Saint Daniel’s tomb and Siab bazaar.

Overnight at the hotel in Samarkand.
Meals: breakfast.

Dorus Saodat Complex, Shakhrisabz

Day 4 Samarkand – Bukhara by road, 280 km.
Morning transfer to Bukhara. On arrival – accommodation at the hotel and rest.
Bukhara is another ancient city in Uzbekistan which also was part of the Great Silk Road. Medieval Bukhara used to be one of the main political, cultural, and religious hubs of the Middle East. Over 140 architectural monuments have been preserved here. The historical center of Bukhara is included in the list of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO.
After lunch time – visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Miri Arab madrassa, Magoki Attori mosque, Mosque Ulugbek Madrasah and Lyabi Haus Square.

Meals: breakfast..

Bukhara, tour to Uzbekistan

Day 5 Bukhara.
Breakfast at the hotel. Continue exploring Bukhara. Visit of the following sites: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, local bazaar, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel with Zindan prison.
After sightseeing – participation in a culinary master class on cooking Bukhara plov. A professional chef oshpaz, who is specializing in cooking plov, will reveal culinary secrets and will tell and show how an authentic Bukhara plov is made. This will be a dinner entertainment for all participants. Dinner with tasting of Bukhara plov at a national house.

Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, dinner..

The Palace of Ak-Saray. Shakhrisabz, tour to Uzbekistan

Day 6 Bukhara – Khiva by road, 440 km.
Transfer to Khiva through the famous Kyzylkum desert along the Amu Darya River. We will pass along the road, where many Silk Road caravans once slowly followed. “Kyzylkum” translates as “Red Sands”, and the local sand really has a reddish tint. We will make several stops and walk along the picturesque dunes, admire the amazing panorama of the Amu Darya River from a viewing point
Arrival in Khiva, which is more than 2500 years old, is a museum-like city of the ancient Khwarazm, colorful and barely touched by humans, it is a true example of a medieval city in Middle East. Khiva is the only city in Uzbekistan nowadays where a its shakhristan (inner city), Ichan-Kala, has been preserved almost entirely in its untouched state.
Leisure time. Visiting the souvenir shops and workshops.

Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast.

Sher-Dor Madrasah, Registan Square. Samarkand, tour to Uzbekistan

Day 7 Khiva – Urgench by road, 35 km; Urgench – Tashkent by evening flight.
Sightseeing in Khiva (Ichan-Kala historical inner city): Pakhlavan Mahmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret, Tash Khauli Alakuli Khan Palace, Juma Mosque, Muhammadaminkhan Minaret & Madrasah.
After the city tour we make a transfer to the airport located in the city of Urgench for further flight back to Tashkent.
On arrival – accommodation at the hotel and overnight.

Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast..

Siab Bazaar. Samarkand, tour to Uzbekistan

Day 8
Tashkent (departure)
Transfer to the international airport in Tashkent.
Departure.

Meals: breakfast.

Cost of the group tour in USD

The cost for 1 person 1050 USD
Supplement for single accommodation + 150 USD

Tour price includes:

  • Accommodation at the hotels, mentioned below, or in similar, but of the same category in double/twin rooms with breakfasts, including early check in on day 1 in Tashkent; check-in at other hotels - at 14:00; check-out - at 12:00;
  • Meals - breakfasts at the hotels and 2 dinners with culinary master-classes;
  • Services of English-speaking local guides for sightseeing;
  • Comfortable air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour, including ‘airport-hotel-airport” transfers;
  • Railway transfer from Tashkent to Samarkand on a high-speed train (economy class);
  • Local flight from Urgench to Tashkent (economy class);
  • Bottled mineral water per day/per person.

Tour price does not include:

  • The cost of international flights;
  • Entrance fees to the monuments and museums listed above (can be paid on the spot - about 80 USD/per person for the whole tour);
  • Meals not mentioned above;
  • Medical expenses and insurance;
  • Porters at the railway stations and airports
  • Tips and gratitudes.

Information on the hotels

City Hotels 3*
Tashkent Huvaydo Hotel 3* or similar
Samarkand Arba Hotel 3* or similar
Bukhara Devon Hotel 3* or similar
Khiva Arkanchi Hotel 3* or similar

Information on the vehicles

Group Vehicle
Group of 1–2 pax. "Chevrolet Lacetti"
Group of 4 pax. "Hyundai Starex minivan "
Group of 6-8 pax. "King Long minivan"
Group of 9-15 pax. "Eurise minivan"

 

Visa to Uzbekistan:

Visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been established  for citizens of countries below:

  • Azerbaijan
  • Armenia
  • Belarus
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Moldova
  • Russia
  • Ukraine

Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established  for citizens of countries below:

  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • The Republic of Korea
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkey
  • Singapore
  • the Vatican
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

A great number of other countries can obtain an e-visa to Uzbekistan by simply visiting the governmental portal e-visa.gov.uz.

Read more about visa to Uzbekistan here »»

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  ► Memo: Useful tips for tourists »»

Preparation for the tour and general information:

    1.Why should I go to Uzbekistan?

    2.When is it better to come to Uzbekistan?

    3.Do I need to apply for insurance?

    4.Do I need to get any vaccinations before my trip?

    5.What is the time zone in Uzbekistan?

    6.What language is spoken in Uzbekistan?

 

Visa, customs, documents:

    7. Do I need a visa to Uzbekistan?

    8. How much foreign currency is allowed to be imported into Uzbekistan? And exported?

    9. How many alcoholic beverages can be imported?

    10. What medicine should I bring with me? What are the rules for importing medicines?

    11. Do I need to issue any important documents upon arrival?

    12. What if I have a child with me?

 

Currency:

    13. What currency is used in Uzbekistan?

    14. Where can I change my currency? Are there any nuances?

    15. How much cash do I need to have with me – for food, entrance fees, souvenirs and other additional expenses?

    16. Can I pay with a bank card or is it better to pay cash in Uzbekistan?

 

Organizational issues and transport:

    17. Where does the program start from?

    18. If I arrive at night or early in the morning on the first day of the tour, will I be met at the airport? The tour says that check-in at the hotel after 14: 00 - will I have to wait at the airport?

    19. Who and where will meet us at the airport? When will we meet the guide?

    20. What kind of transport will we use during the tour?

    21. We have railway crossings on our tours, who will give us train tickets and when?

    22. We want to independently move between cities and book hotel rooms ourselves. Can we only join city tours?

 

Group tour:

    23. What if the group is not complete enough?

    24. Can I take children with me on the group tour?

    25. Can I book an extra night at the hotel before or after the group program? In this case, what about the transfer to the airport?

    26. If I arrive on my own a few days before the start of the group program, can I cancel the airport-hotel transfer on arrival? Will the tour cost be recalculated?

 

Weather, clothing and footwear:

    27. What do I need to know about the weather and climate in Uzbekistan?

    28. Are there strict rules regarding clothing?

    29. What kind of clothes and shoes should I bring with me?

 

Nutrition and health:

    30. What will we eat during the tour?

    31. What dishes should I definitely try in Uzbekistan?

    32. What about the water? Is it possible to drink tap water?

    33. Where I can buy alcohol?

 

Culture and security:

    34. Is it safe in your country?

    35. Can I take photos/videos everywhere?

    36. Are there any national peculiarities that I should be aware of?

    37. How to behave in religious places? Tips for tourists: rules for visiting Muslim shrines.

 

Internet, mobile communication:

    38. Is there internet in hotels?

    39. Where and how can I buy a local SIM card to have mobile internet?

 

Shopping and souvenirs:

    40. What is recommended to bring home from Uzbekistan?

    41. Where and what to buy?

Photos of the tour:

Uzbekistan Tour: Tamerlane’s birthplace and beloved cities Uzbekistan Tour: Tamerlane’s birthplace and beloved cities Uzbekistan Tour: Tamerlane’s birthplace and beloved cities Uzbekistan Tour: Tamerlane’s birthplace and beloved cities

View all photos »»

Our video gallery:

Traditional cuisine of Central Asia
Cuisine of Central Asia
Pilafs in Tashkent
Pilafs in Tashkent
Wine-Making in Uzbekistan
Wine-Making in Uzbekistan
Uzbek fruit and vegetables
Uzbek Fruit and Vegetables

View all videos »»

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright owner.

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Feedbacks from tourists to the tour «To the Heart of Tamerlane’s Empire».


Yukiko Higai 24.01.2020 09:58

Dear Sofia,

I would like to express my gratitude to you and your Team for organizing my unforgettable trip.
I am back to work (unfortunately) today, with lots of memories. Everything went well, and I really felt like at home in Uzbekistan.
Also thank you for a pretty gift of Uzbekistan :-)
I will definitely come back to Uzbekistan or maybe also other neighboring countries.

Thanks again and warmest regards to you and your team.

Yukiko Higai

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