Hidden Treasures of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan

Discover the heart of the Silk Road and beyond

16 days £2,995 pp (was £3,295 pp) This is the per person group tour price, based on 2 sharing. The price is subject to change with exchange rate and flight cost fluctuations.
Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

This in-depth tour of Uzbekistan showcases the best this country has to offer - from majestic Silk Road cities to remote archaeological ruins, and from rugged, tree-covered mountains and striking canyons to historic fortresses and high-speed bullet trains.

Beyond the iconic Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, this journey takes you off the beaten track to discover some of the country’s lesser-known wonders. Explore the ancient Buddhist treasures of Termez, discover prehistoric petroglyphs in the Nurata Mountains, and some of the finest avant-garde art at the Savitsky Museum in Nukus.

Interact and dine with local people and experience their enduring warmth. Take part in hands-on workshops showcasing Uzbekistan’s world-renowned craftsmanship in fine floor and wall textiles.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ancient ruins of Fayaz Tepe in Termez
  • UNESCO-listed folk traditions of Baysun
  • Sublime monuments in Samarkand, World Tourism Capital 2023
  • Nuratau Mountains, an oasis of alpine nature and villages
  • UNESCO Silk Road city of Bukhara
  • UNESCO-listed Ichin Kala in Khiva
  • Uzbekistan's crucible of old and new, Tashkent.
  • Savitsky Museum's Russian avant garde art

Places Visited

Tashkent - Karshi - Termez - Baysun - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand - Nurata - Bukhara - Khiva - Kyzylkum Desert - Nukus

What's Included

Arrival & departure transfers
Ground transport with driver
Bullet train tickets (economy class)
Accommodation *
Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks

* Accommodation is subject to availability and will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Contact us today

Itinerary
Image 3

Day 1 : Tashkent

You will be met by our representative at Tashkent International Airport and transferred to your hotel for early check-in and a rest.

After lunch, proceed for an afternoon of sightseeing starting in Old Tashkent, at the Khast Imam complex. These attractive monuments offer a glimpse of what is to come in the Silk Road cities. At the Muyi Muborak Library you will see what is thought to be the world’s oldest surviving Quran: it belonged to Caliph Uthman, who is said to have been martyred whilst reading it in 656. His blood still stains the vellum pages. A walk around Chorsu Bazaar reveals the commercial heart of Tashkent. There are plenty of spices and dried fruits and nuts on sale, plus fresh produce and bakeries churning out thousands of loaves every day. Popping into the nearby Tashkent Metro, a subterranean art gallery, you’ll then see famous faces from the Soviet space programme at the appropriately-named Kosmonaut station.

Don’t miss the State Museum of Applied Arts, which is located in a remarkably decorative building dating from the turn of the 20th century. There are galleries for suzanis (embroidery), carpets,  ceramics, musical instruments, jewellery, and more. There will be time for a drive past several of Tashkent’s other famous sites, including the Brutalist Hotel Uzbekistan and Amir Timur Square, before dinner. Dinner will be served at a popular local restaurant.

Overnight in Mirluxe Plaza, Tashkent

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has had a long and turbulent history. Early on, it fell under first Sogdian, then Turkic, and then Islamic rule before being destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1219. Tashkent rose again as it profited from its position on the Silk Road, but was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1966, after which it was largely rebuilt again by the Soviets.

Read more
Image 3

Day 2 : Tashkent - Karshi

It is an early start this morning as you will take the comfortable Afrosiyob bullet train from Tashkent to Karshi, the capital of Kashkadarya Region. The city grew up around a river crossing for Silk Road caravans, a point marked by the gorgeous Nikolayev Bridge, which is similar in design to the Si-o-se Bridge in Isfahan. Having walked over the bridge and taken photos, you will stop in the central park to see Soviet-era tanks and helicopters (some of which you can climb on or get inside); visit the 16th century Odina Mosque, which was at one stage a prison and now houses an exhibition remembering the victims of political repression;  and then admire the colourful modern stained glass which decorates Karshi’s war memorial. 

Dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.

Overnight in Hotel Sultan , Karshi

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Karshi (aka Qarshi) dates back 2,700 years and was a strategic position on the Great Silk Road, thus attracting invaders over the ages. Karshi has Sogdian roots and is known for its impressive medieval madrassas, mausoleums and mosques. It also has a reputation for producing some of the finest flat-weave carpets. The city is also home to the most impressive and elaborate WWII memorial in Central Asia.

Read more
Image 3

Day 3 : Karshi - Termez

After breakfast, you will travel south by coach to Termez (275km, 5-6hr), which is the capital of the Surkhandarya Region. You will stop for a picnic lunch in the village of Sayrob, where a pair of 1,000 year-old plane trees have been hollowed out and used variously as administrative offices, a school, and a shop! Local people still gather water from a holy spring across the street.

Reaching Termez by mid afternoon, you will have a tour of Termez Archaeological Museum, which displays the most important finds from Surkhandarya’s many ancient sites. The museum visit provides important historical context for the many archaeological sites you will see in and around Termez. Head just outside the city and also see Kyrk Kyz, a fortified caravanserai named after a local legend which describes how 40 girls rose up to fight against invaders.

Dinner will be served at a restaurant in the city.

Overnight in Termez Palace, Termez

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The city of Termez lies near the Hairatan border to Afghanistan in the south of Uzbekistan, the hottest part of the country. Termez is one of Central Asia's ancient cities that later became a significant Buddhist centre. The old city was destroyed in 1220 - by Genghis Khan - following the cities refusal to surrender peacefully. A new city was later built not far from these medieval ruins.

Termez Archaeological Museum was opened in 2002 in commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of Termez. The museum exhibits archaeological remains that range from the Stone Age to the times of the Khanates. This consists of over 27,000 exhibits, including household pieces, paintings, sculptures and statues. 

The ancient ruins of Fayaz Tepe lie in the heart of old Termez. The Buddhist temple was constructed during the 1st century AD and destroyed during the Sassanid invasion of the 3rd century BC. The temple complex was rediscovered in 1963, when excavations revealed rich paintings and well-preserved sculptures. Today, Fayaz Tepe is also home to a museum, where further research and restoration efforts are ongoing. 

Read more
Image 3

Day 4 : Termez

Your full day of sightseeing in and around Termez will begin with a focus on the Buddhist monasteries of Fayaz Tepe and Kara Tepe, which date from the 3rd and 2nd centuries respectively. Buddhism spread here from India during the Kushan period, and along with Zoroastrianism, it was commonplace until the arrival of Islam. You'll also get to visit Kampir Tepe, a vast archaeological site dating from c. 320 BC. The likelihood is that there will be no one else there; few tourists ever venture this far south.

Your sightseeing programme continues to the shrines of Al Hakim At Termizi and Sultan Saodat, two religious complexes which have grown up around the graves of Islamic saints. They are important pilgrimage sites for local Muslims, and have fine tiles and painted ceilings. 

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. 

Overnight in Termez Palace, Termez

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Image 3

Day 5 : Termez - Baysun - Shakhrisabz

In the morning, you will drive to Baysun District (3 hours), an area recognised by UNESCO for its Intangible Cultural Heritage. En route you will stop at the 12th century Jarkurgan Minaret, which has stunning decorative brickwork and some similarity in style with the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan. On arrival in Baysun, visit the Museum of National Applied Art and Crafts Centre. Here you will learn about the embroidery and carpet weaving techniques which earned the district its UNESCO status.

After lunch, proceed for Shakhrisabz (3 hours). Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Kesh Palace, Shakhrisabz

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Baysun District is located in south-eastern Uzbekistan on the route from Asia Minor to India, is one of the oldest inhabited areas of Central Asia. With the diminishing importance of the Silk Road and the political changes in Central Asia, the region became quite isolated, which favoured the preservation of ancient traditions that show traces of several religions, including shamanistic beliefs, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Islam. Ancient practices are still often used to conduct wedding ceremonies, funeral rites and shamanistic rituals to cure the sick. Among other popular traditions are ritual chants linked to annual festivals, epic legends and dances. UNESCO has classified Baysun District as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.  Source:  ich.unesco.org

Read more
Image 3

Day 6 : Shakhrisabz - Samarkand

This morning’s sightseeing tour will be on foot, as all Shakhrisabz’s UNESCO-listed monuments are within easy walking distance of the hotel. You will start at the Ak Saray, the mighty palace of Amir Timur; then continue through the huge new city park to see the Dorus-Saodat (Seat of Power and Might) and the Kok Gumbaz Mosque. You will have an early lunch in a converted caravanserai, and then drive onto Samarkand.

You will have an hour or two before dinner in a local restaurant to take a stroll past the Russian Orthodox Church and the main administrative building of Samarkand State University, a magnificent piece of architecture which wouldn’t look out of place in Saint Petersburg. After dinner, we will drive past the Registan for the first time, stopping to take photos of this architectural masterpiece at night.

Overnight in Hotel Royal, Samarkand

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Shakhrisabz translates to "Green City". Founded over 2,700 years ago when it was known as "Kesh" or "Kish", it is one of Central Asia's most ancient cities. Throughout history, the city has fallen under the rule of various dynasties, including Alexander the Great in 329 BC. Today, Shakhrisabz is renowned for its handicrafts including carpet weaving, embroidery and tubeteikas (a traditional Uzbek hat). 

Read more
Image 3

Day 7 : Samarkand

Samarkand is the heart of the Silk Road, and a full day of sightseeing awaits. You will start at the magnificent Shah-i Zinda, the jewel-like royal necropolis of the Timurids, which is photogenic from every angle but best appreciated before the sun is directly overhead and the shadows become harsh. You will then see Ulugbeg’s Observatory, where Timur’s grandson made groundbreaking astronomical discoveries; and the excellent Afrosiyob Museum, with its remarkable Sogdian frescoes. You'll also visit Gur-i Amir, Amir Timur’s mausoleum; and the recently renovated Ak Seray nearby. These buildings have the most spectacular interiors in Samarkand, and are a credit to the imagination and skill of the artisans who painted them. 

Lunch will be in the courtyard of a former caravanserai, a few minutes’ walk from the Registan. There will be ample time to explore Uzbekistan’s most iconic UNESCO monument, with the guide and independently, before walking along the pedestrianised street to the Bibi Khanym Mosque and Siyob Bazaar. You will then end the afternoon with free time for more sightseeing and souvenir shopping, or a visit to see weaving at the Samarkand Bukhara Silk Carpet Factory.

Dinner will be served in a city restaurant.

Overnight in Hotel Royal, Samarkand

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Samarkand is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, with evidence of human activity stretching back over 40,000 years to the late Paleolithic era. The city itself is 2,700 years old. Falling variously under Greek, Persian, Arab, Turkic and Mongol rule throughout its history, it prospered greatly as a key junction on the Silk Road and reached its golden age under the rule of Timur. The city's backdrop of madrassas, mosques and mausoleums highlights its rich medieval history. Today it is Uzbekistan's second largest city and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001.

Registan Square lies at the heart of the city of Samarkand. Three of the square’s four sides are framed by grand madrassa buildings that were built between the 14th and 16th centuries, each with a unique design that displays traditional oriental architecture. All were active until the 1920s, when the Soviets shut them down. Registan translates to “sandy place”, as the central square was covered by sand and functioned largely as a trading market before the three madrassas were built.

Gur-e-Amir is the mausoleum of Timur (a.k.a. Tamarlane) and his male ancestors. The tomb was built in 1403 for Timur’s favorite grandson, Mohammad Sultan, but also became his own, after he died suddenly of pneumonia on his way to conquer China at the age of 69. The grand entrance to the mausoleum features ornately carved bricks and mosaics, whilst the interior displays a high-domed chamber decorated with hand-painted niches and archways. Stalin dug up Timur’s bones in 1941 to prove it was indeed him, despite Timur’s warnings to those who would disturb him. The next day Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union!

Built in 1399 by Timur to commemorate his conquest of India and named after his favourite wife, the Bibi Khanum mosque was the largest mosque in the world until the Blue Mosque in Constantinople eclipsed it in the early 15th century. Earthquakes and weathering caused it to fall to ruins, but it has undergone extensive reconstruction efforts, which are still ongoing. The restored main chamber and minarets feature beautifully ornate details and decorative mosaics, whilst just outside visitors can see the symbolic statue of a Koran stand.

Read more
Image 3

Day 8 : Samarkand - Nuratau Mountains - Hayot Village

You will leave Samarkand this morning and drive to the Nuratau Mountains, stopping en route for a picnic. Hayot Village is in the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve and is an anchor for community-based tourism in the region. Your charming, family-run guesthouse has a stream running through the garden, and in the late afternoon  there will be time to walk into a side valley above Hayot to see mouflon, wild mountain sheep, which are breeding in the nature reserve. In the valley there are also a small number of petroglyphs depicting hunting scenes.

Dinner will be served at the guesthouse. 

Note: Guesthouse rooms and facilities are on a shared basis. 

Overnight in Nurata Guesthouse , Hayot Village

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The small town of Nurata is nestled in the foothills of the Nurata Mountains. The origins of the town are unknown - some associate this with the construction of fortress Nur by Alexander the Great in 327 BC, whilst archeological excavations suggest that humans have inhabited the region for forty thousand years. Today, Nurata is the administrative and cultural centre of the mountainous Navoi region.

Hayot is a small stone village located along the walking trail through the Nurata Mountains. A microcosm of rural life in the mountains of Uzbekistan

Read more
Image 3

Day 9 : Hayot Village - Nurata - Navoi - Gijduvan - Bukhara

Enjoy a leisurely morning before beginning your descent from the mountains around eleven o'clock. Your first stop is at Nurata, where Alexander the Great built a fort with impressive views, and there’s also a large shrine complex popular with local pilgrims. You will have an early lunch in the garden of a private home, then continue on to see the Rabati Malik and Sardoba Malik, a UNESCO-listed caravanserai and domed reservoir, as we pass the industrial city of Navoi. 

You'll then stop by Gijduvan, a village famed for its ceramics, so here you will visit the Narzullaev family’s workshop and museum. Alisher and Olimjon Narzullaev represent the sixth and seventh generation of ceramicists, and their work is often exhibited abroad. Their female family members and neighbours produce traditional suzanis and carpets, so you will see all three of these crafts in one place. 

Upon arrival in Bukhara, settle your things at your hotel before enjoying dinner at a restaurant in the city: it is an atmospheric walk there and back.

Overnight in Komil B&B , Bukhara

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Hayot is a small stone village located along the walking trail through the Nurata Mountains. A microcosm of rural life in the mountains of Uzbekistan

UNESCO-listed Bukhara was a key staging point on the Silk Road. According to myth the city was founded by a Persian prince who escaped his wicked stepmother across the Oxus river in search of new fortunes . The city today is home to over 140 largely intact architectural monuments. Constructed on an artificial hill in the 5th century BC, the Ark Fortress is Bukhara’s oldest building. The former military structure became the winter residence of Bukhara’s emirs before it fell under rule of Russia in 1920. Besides an edifying visiti to the Ark Museum, the Fortress houses the former Russian Embassy, the former home of a progressive vizier named Kush Begi, and the throne room, where emirs were coronated and coins were minted.

Read more
Image 3

Day 10 : Bukhara

Nowhere compares to the beauty of Bukhara, one of the world’s most complete medieval cities, which is rightly protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your sightseeing tour will include Bukhara’s main synagogue; the trading domes and Lyabi Hauz complex; the Poi Kalon, with its 12th century minaret, madrassa, and mosque; the vast Ark Fortress; and the groundbreaking Samanid Mausoleum and nearby Ayub Chashma.

Dine out at a restaurant in the city; after the meal you will have the option to go to the atmospheric hammam (extra cost applies).

Overnight in Paradise Plaza, Bukhara

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Image 3

Day 11 : Bukhara

Today you will have free time to continue exploring: the major sites are all within walking distance of the hotel, and your guide can point you in the direction of the best places to shop.

For anyone who would like to go, there will be an optional visit in the morning to the Jeyran Eco Center, approximately 40km south of Bukhara. This nature reserve was set up to breed endangered species of goitered gazelles (jeyrans). Learn about the conservation work being done here and then return to Bukhara.

Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure before dinner.

Overnight in Paradise Plaza, Bukhara

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

UNESCO-listed Bukhara was a key staging point on the Silk Road. According to myth the city was founded by a Persian prince who escaped his wicked stepmother across the Oxus river in search of new fortunes . The city today is home to over 140 largely intact architectural monuments. Constructed on an artificial hill in the 5th century BC, the Ark Fortress is Bukhara’s oldest building. The former military structure became the winter residence of Bukhara’s emirs before it fell under rule of Russia in 1920. Besides an edifying visiti to the Ark Museum, the Fortress houses the former Russian Embassy, the former home of a progressive vizier named Kush Begi, and the throne room, where emirs were coronated and coins were minted.

The Ark Fortress is Bukhara’s oldest building, constructed on an artificial hill in the 5th century BC. The former military structure became the winter residence of Bukhara’s emirs, before it fell under rule of Russia in 1920. Today, the Ark is home to a museum that depicts its history and you can visit the former Russian Embassy, the former home of a progressive vizier named Kush Begi, and the throne room, where emirs were coronated and coins were minted.

Poi Kalyan is a religious site that encompasses Kalan Minaret, Kalan Mosque and the Mir-i- Arab Madrassah. Kalyan Minaret, which stands at around 46.5m high, was built in 1127. It’s often called the "Tower of Death", as during the reign of Emir Nasrullah – the Butcher of Bukhara - many of those sentenced to death were thrown from the top. Kalyan Mosque was built during the 1500s, on the site of a former mosque that had been destroyed by Genghis Khan. Modelled on Naqsh-e-Jahan square in Isfahan in Iran and built by Persian craftsmen, it served as a warehouse during Soviet rule. The ornate Mir-i Arab Madrassa was built by Ubaidullah-khan in honour of his spiritual mentor, Sheikh Abdullah Yamani of Yemen. A great blue dome stands above the intricate murals that adorn the great entrance. 
 


Read more
Image 3

Day 12 : Bukhara - Khiva

You will see two final monuments before departing from Bukhara. Sitorai Mohi Xosa was built as a summer palace by Emir Alim Khan, the last ruler of Bukhara, and it combines vernacular architecture with fashions from Russia. The palace also has small museums of suzanis and luxurious costumes.
The decadent palace contrasts with the Baha-ud-din Naqshband complex, a religious shrine around the grave of the venerated 14th century Sufi scholar Baha-ud-din Naqshband Bukhari (aka Saint Sheikh). Naqshband founded the Naqshbandi order of mystical Islam, which still has many followers, including in the UK.

After lunch, it's time to make the drive to Khiva on which you'll pass through the Kyzyl Kum Desert and stop by the banks of the Amu Darya River. In the evening, settle into your hotel.

Overnight in Bankir Hotel, Khiva

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Kyzylkum Desert is located in Central Asia, between the Amu Darya (Oxus) and Syr Darya rivers. “Kyzyl Kum” means “Red Sands” in Uzbek. As you can infer, this desert has many red sand dunes and clay takirs, which are also known as salt flats. Animals found in the desert include the Russian tortoise and the large Transcaspian lizard. The historic Amu Darya river (formerly Oxus river) is one of the longest rivers in Central Asia. Until relatively reaching into the Aral Sea, the Oxus flows a total length of 2,400 kilometres from its source in Afghanistan through to Uzbekistan. Intensive irrigation of the river that began under Soviet Rule to enable extensive cotton farming in the lower basin of the river has taken a devastating effect on those that relied on the river and the Aral Sea.

Read more
Image 3

Day 13 : Khiva

Spend the day exploring Khiva and the many monuments within Ichin Kala, the Friday Mosque and Tashauli Palace. Gain a deep understanding of these UNESCO protected sights and their preserved Muslim architecture and cultural highlights. End the day with dinner and an evening at rest.

Overnight in Bankir Hotel, Khiva

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Khiva is a city located in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan. Its history stretches back to at least the 6th century BC, though possibly much longer. Khiva is made up of an outer town (Dishan Kala) and inner town (Ichin Kala), which are surrounded by fortified brick walls that date back to the 10th century. Ichin Kala was the first site in Uzbekistan to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 


The Friday (or Juma) mosque of Khiva is typical of Arabian mosques built during the 18th century, consisting of moonlight holes in the ceiling and carved wooden columns. The mosque has over 200 such columns, many of which were carved from the trunks of trees. Some columns sport Arabian inscriptions, which are believed to date back to between the 10th and 12th centuries and reused when building this mosque.

Read more
Image 3

Day 14 : Khiva - Nukus

This morning brings visits to the ancient Khorezmian Fortresses and archaeological sight of Ayaz Kala. Break for lunch before you continue on toward the desert fortresses of Kizil Kala and Toprak Kala from where the final stretch to Nukus will be driven.

Overnight in Hotel Jipek Joly, Nukus

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Ayaz Kala is one of the largest castles of ancient Khorezm, consisting of a lower, middle and upper fortress. These clay frontiers are believed to have been constructed between the 4th century BC and 7th century AD to protect against nomadic raids. It is estimated to have remained in use until the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.

The city of Nukus is surrounded by the Kara Kum, Kizil Kum and Ustyurt deserts. The former village of Nukus became the site of a large military fort during Soviet rule in the 19th century. The village began to expand in size around this fortress and later became the economic, administrative, political and cultural centre of the autonomous province of Karakalpakstan. 

Read more
Image 3

Day 15 : Nukus - Tashkent

This morning you'll visit the famous Savitsky Museum, known for its impressive avant- garde collection of Russian art. After a while of wandering it's halls, head for lunch before an afternoon which is yours to explore or relax. Enjoy your final dinner in Uzbekistan before you make your way to the airport for your late evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Mirluxe Plaza, Tashkent

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Savitsky Museum is one of the key sights in Nukus. This art museum was opened in 1966 - and houses a collection of over 82,000 items. These include folk and fine art, along with the second largest collection of Russian avant garde in the world. The museum is divided between three buildings. Building 1, the oldest, is closed for renovation; Building 2 houses the museum’s storage facilities, and is accessible to visiting researchers with prior approval from the museum’s director; and Building 3 – home to the Savitsky museum’s avant-garde collections – was fully renovated in 2024/5 and is open to the public. The museum is named after its founder, Igor Savitsky, who was a Russian painter, archaeologist and collector.

Read more
Image 3

Day 16 : Departure

At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your onward journey home. If you have time before your departure, you may like to visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral or the Railway Museum, both of which are within walking distance of the hotel.

Note:  extensions elsewhere in Central Asia can also be arranged. Contact us for more information.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

Image 3

Hotel Sultan

Karshi (1 night)

Hotel Sultan  is a high-class hotel that was opened on March 17, 2017. A modern three-star hotel, located in the center of Karshi. The spacious rooms at Sultan Hotel are decorated in a classic style with wooden furniture. All rooms have climate control, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. The hotel has an entertainment and health complex. The complex includes a swimming pool, sauna, fitness and billiards room. 

Visit hotel's site
Image 3

Termez Palace

Termez (2 nights)

The hotel is designed to meet the modern requirements of the modern traveler. From technical spaces to inspiring design, affordable standard rooms to royal suites that promise to make our guests’ stay memorable and delightful. For relaxation, there are three types of thermal zones: a steam room (hamam) and a Finnish sauna, a swimming pool with hydromassage (for adults) and a gym.

Attentive attitude to the individual needs of each guest, harmony, peace and comfort, gives guests maximum immersion and relaxation after a hard day’s travel.

Visit hotel's site
Image 3

Hotel Royal

Samarkand (2 nights)

Image 3

Nurata Guesthouse

Hayot Village (1 night)

Charming village guesthouse along the trail through the village of Hayot in the Nurata mountains.

Visit hotel's site
Image 3

Komil B&B

Bukhara (1 night)

Located in the heart of the old city of Bukhara, the building was built over 100 years ago. Today the interior of each room remains as it did in 19th century Bukhara with intricately carved and hand painted walls and shelving. The family-run, owned and managed Bed and Breakfast offers a combination of traditional Bukharan style and atmosphere, with modern conveniences and personal attentive care.

Image 3

Paradise Plaza

Bukhara (2 nights)

Image 3

Hotel Jipek Joly

Nukus (1 night)

Amenities include TV and Wi-Fi. The rooms are spacious and the location is right in the city centre of Nukus. The central market is a 10 minute walk from the hotel. 

Visit hotel's site
Extensions

Uzbekistan Extension Ideas (8 days)

Extend your trip in Uzbekistan

Culinary Uzbekistan

Enrich your taste buds and culinary skills

Navoi Extension (5 days)

Discover petroglyphs and valleys on this extension.

Village Walks in Tajikistan (5 days)

Village walks around the Fann Mountains

The Fergana Valley (2 days)

Silk Road wares and the fertile Fergana.

The Aral Sea Extension

See what became of this vast freshwater lake.

Five Stan Odyssey (along the Silk Road) (30 days)

Get under the skin of all five 'Stans'

Hidden Treasures of Uzbekistan (16 days)

Discover the heart of the Silk Road and beyond

Silk Road Secrets of Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson (14 days)

Discover ancient sites and traditions in Uzbekistan

The Silk Roads of Uzbekistan & Tajikistan (14 days)

Desert Highways & Mountain Lakes.

Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan Explorer (14 days)

From desert citadels to alpine lakes.

Silk Road Cities & Villages of Uzbekistan (11 days)

Get under the skin of Uzbekistan's towns and villages

Uzbekistan Odyssey (11 days)

Ancient cities, spell-binding architecture and stunning landscapes

Essential Uzbekistan (8 days)

Connecting Classic Silk Road Cities.

Ski The Silk Road (7 days)

Silk Road sites and ski slopes

Reviews

A well-planned trip, allowing us to see some of the amazing rich history of Uzbekistan, and giving us a chance to see some of the excellent craftspeople who still produce gorgeous handmade items.

Deborah Conway-Read , Uzbekistan Odyssey

The Uzbekistan Odyssey was a well constructed and executed tour of Uzbekistan. We saw so much of the country, including towns, cities, deserts and mountains, and experienced the wonderful architecture, the turbulent history and the beautiful arts and crafts of the country. And all that with the background of the romance of the Silk Roads!

Doreen Hutchings , Uzbekistan Odyssey

We spent a memorable month in Central Asia, travelling through four 'Stans. The long history of ethnic diversity and exchange of cultural ideas make it a fascinating place. The architecture and landscapes were breathtaking and the hospitality and warmth of the people unforgettable.

Dave Every , Tailormade 'Stans'

The Silk Road trip is the second tailored tour we have made with Travel the Unknown. The itinerary was well-planned and we found every guide knowledgeable and good company. Thank you.

Tony & Chris Cram , Tailormade Uzbekistan

Travel The Unknown proved to be knowledgeable, efficient and flexible. An extensive and packed itinerary ran like clockwork. The quality of accommodation, food, guides and the friendliness of all the people of Central Asia were all surprisingly good and better than anticipated. An excellent trip!

Peter & Janice Lacey , Tailormade Five Stans

The itinerary and arrangements for our trip to Uzbekistan were perfect. The local guide, Shovkat, was helpful and knowledgeable and made us feel very welcome.

David York , Tailormade Uzbekistan

Our trip to Uzbekistan with Travel the Unknown was our first visit to a Central Asian country. Our guide Alisher was excellent in all respects and Sophie was a wonderful tour leader. The local people were incredibly friendly and our visit to Termez and the lack of international tourists there especially made it feel like we were doing what was on the tin, travelling the unknown. As returning clients to Travel the Unknown, the trip was another great success and a hugely interesting experience.

The Clarkes , Silk Road Secrets of Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson

I have always wanted to go to Uzbekistan and this tour was recommended to me by a friend after Covid cancelled my previous plans. Travel the Unknown was certainly the theme of our Silk Road trip to Uzbekistan, exploring remote regions with extraordinary ancient sites under expert guidance. The archeological finds near Termez were a highlight and it was great to get off the beaten track.

Joanna , Silk Road Secrets of Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson

We loved our varied and comprehensive trip to Silk Road Secrets of Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson. The intinerary was varied and fascinating taking us from the ruined fort of Alexandria on the Oxus in 329BC to the stunningly beautiful Registan Square in Samarqand, the UNESCO historic centre of Bukhara and its highly colourful madrasas and mosques to the enchanting Itchan Kala. We visited Boysun set in the wonderful mountainous landscape, a centre of the handicraft tradition, which was amazing in its colour and diversity of design. The Savitsky Museum of Art in Nukus was such a treat and well worth the journey there on the extension. Sophie Ibbotson gave us such a brilliant idea of Uzbekistan and its formation through history. We would not have missed this and learnt so much.

The Burroughs , Silk Road Secrets of Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson

Our trip to Uzbekistan led by Sophie Ibbotson and organised by Travel the Unknown was very well organised with a more diverse and interesting itinerary than that offered by other agents. It included visiting Termez on the Afghanistan border where very few tourists go to. Our guide Ali was first class, always cheerful and helpful and took very good care of us; the driver was also excellent. Hotel choice was good and food choice was better than anticipated. We would definitely recommend this trip.

The Roses , Silk Road Secrets of Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson
More reviews