Highlights of Uzbekistan
Experience Overview
While it doesn't get a lot of attention, Uzbekistan is a life-changing destination for those who visit. These 10 days will take you through some of the greatest cultural highlights the country has to offer. Marvel at the gorgeous mosques in Samarkand, experience a one-night stay in a traditional desert yurt, and immerse yourself in the diverse culture of ancient Bukhara. Uzbekistan is a must-see for any seasoned or first-time traveller.
Highlights
- Connect with the locals in a desert yurt community
- Marvel at colourful mosaic buildings
- Gain an understanding of the cultures of Central Asia
- Visit the Chashma Complex dominated by ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress
- Visit Juma and Panjvakta mosques
- Stop by a holy spring believed to heal diseases.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1620
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private vehicle, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: AUBU
Starts: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Finishes: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Orientation walk (Samarkand)
- City tour including a Registan visit
- Nurata Shrine visit
- Alexander the Great fortress visit
- Aidarkul Lake swimming stop
- Guided walking tour (half-day, Bukhara)
- Walking tours (Khiva)
- City tour (Tashkent)
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (8 nts), yurt (1 nt, multishare up to 4 people per yurt).
- 9 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
- Private vehicle, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,844 ($184 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent
Arrive at any time.
Welcome to the eclectic capital of Uzbekistan, where modern skyscrapers mix with Soviet-era architecture and mosaic mausoleums. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting, so get out there and explore.
Day 2: Tashkent/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand, known for intricately beautiful mosques and mausoleums, situated on the Silk Road. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum, dedicated to the famous conqueror who once hoped to rebuild the empire of Genghis Khan.
Day 3: Samarkand
Embark on a city tour, visiting Ulugbek Observatory, Shaki Zinda complex, the bazaar, Bibi Khanum, and Registan Square. With a free afternoon, continue exploring the Samarkand sights, have a cuppa in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar. Opt to explore the Tomb of Prophet Daniel, famous for the Biblical story of Daniel and the lions.
Day 4: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Travel out into the desert to visit Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata, dominated by ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress, Juma mosque, a bath-house, and the ancient Panjvakta mosque. All of this, hiding a holy spring believed to heal diseases. After exploring the complex, head to Aidarkul Lake and opt for a swim before continuing on for an overnight stay in a local yurt camp. Enjoy an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and an evening Kazakh singing show.
Day 5: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara, known as one of the most charming cities in the country, and get your bearings on an orientation walk. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, enjoy a traditional dinner cooked by a local family, visit a hammam (bathhouse), or just relax in the pleasant atmosphere of this Silk Road city.
Day 6: Bukhara
Explore Bukhara on a half-day guided walking tour around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets, or trading domes, that make up the Old City. A centre for pottery, cloth, and carpets, Bukhara is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees. Wander the artisan shops and narrow twisting streets and alleyways, or sit at a café table and let the evening drift by. Opt to watch a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai, or indulge in a rejuvenating hammam bathhouse.
Day 7: Bukhara/Khiva
Enjoy a scenic drive through the desert on a full day's journey to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva, well worth the arduous drive. Get to know this peaceful, picturesque city on a late afternoon orientation walk, and pick your favourite spots to explore more in-depth tomorrow.
Day 8: Khiva
Before exploring this historic town on your own, enjoy a guided tour to learn about local life here. Wander through the narrow labyrinth mudbrick alleyways of old town, bargain with locals at the bazaar, admire the madrassas, mosques, and blue mosaic domes, climb up towering minarets, and venture into the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Explore the inner walls of Ichon-Qala, and enjoy spectacular sunset views on the sand-coloured buildings.
Day 9: Khiva/Tashkent
Take a short flight back to Tashkent and enjoy a city tour, then explore on your own with some free time.
Day 10: Tashkent
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Christopher B - Traveled, October 2023
Excellent tour but with 2 concerns (hence 8/10). First concern was no earphones during the tour which meant I had to always be close to tour guide to hear. I would have preferred to be able to walk around while hearing him. Second concern was I shared cabin with someone who snored a lot so I could not get sleep. Please encourage people who snore to get single rooms by saying that anyone who wants a single room or snores should apply for single room.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Helena L - Traveled, September 2023
G Adventures ensured that I was well informed before the journey started. EVERYTHING was well organised and all the information needed for a well planned trip was provided. Questions were answered promptly, The Itinerary was extremely interesting and varied and the CEO was knowledgeable about each place that was visited. Nothing was too much trouble. I would say that G Adventures ensured that client safety was a priority.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/18/2023
Noa B - Traveled, September 2023
Everything is very well organized and you don't need to worry about anything
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Hannah B - Traveled, September 2023
Very well organised and jam packed itinerary but also free time for exploring meant you got the best of both
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/18/2023
Marcus H - Traveled, October 2023
Small group size, our guide was fantastic - knew so much about the places we were going and also very chilled and relaxed, an easy way to see places you make struggle to travel in solo.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Charlotte H - Traveled, September 2023
It was overall a great trip - very well organized!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Maurice B - Traveled, September 2023
It was our second G Adventures trip. We have really enjoyed them both.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/11/2023
Christine W - Traveled, September 2023
Travelled with G before.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Abdulaziz A - Traveled, September 2023
It's good experience overall, however, you should pay more attention to the quality of the hotels.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Jenny O - Traveled, September 2023
G Adventures have some great routes at a wonderful price. I have always had a good time on the trips.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Karine R - Traveled, August 2023
This is my third trip so far with G Adventures, and all three were excellent trips. It was well organized, and exceeded all my expectations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Clare O - Traveled, August 2023
I have already done so to several friends and family!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/04/2023
Alexander P - Traveled, August 2023
Trip was smooth and hassle-free. Guide provided interesting insight into the culture of the country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/04/2023
Pat O - Traveled, August 2023
Excellent informed guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/04/2023
Patricia P - Traveled, August 2023
I enjoyed it & most of my family & friends have similar tastes
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/04/2023
Colleen C - Traveled, September 2023
Exceeded expectations of organization and service
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Catherine D - Traveled, September 2023
The wide variety of trips and destinations offered
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Christopher F - Traveled, September 2023
It was a great trip, with good people and very good and pleasant guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Dermot R - Traveled, September 2023
The excellent programme and the people who made it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/24/2023
Susan P - Traveled, September 2023
Depends on age of friend/family member --- feel this kind of trip is not for the over 70s
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/24/2023
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