Highlights of Uzbekistan

Experience Overview

Travel across Uzbekistan along the old Silk Road, linking the great trading cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. These centres of learning and commerce reveal their stories through madrasahs, mosques and mausoleums that span more than a thousand years. We move between cities by rail – a mix of Soviet-era and modern high-speed trains – and by private bus, allowing time to absorb the changing desert landscapes. Alongside the headline sights, we meet artisans, learn traditional crafts and share meals that reflect regional flavours.
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us. Itinerary: A mix of Uzbekistan’s most famous destinations and some less visited areas. This is an extremely rewarding trip if you want to explore the heart of Central Asia and are prepared for a few long drives, early starts/long days, and hot (and sometimes cold) temperatures.
Eating Drinking
Please note, vegetarian food choices may be rather limited. If you are strictly vegetarian, or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In Uzbekistan, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home. Drinking water is included and will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
Transportation
The longest distances are covered by rail, with three train journeys in total. These include one Soviet-era train, offering a step back into the region’s recent past, and two high-speed bullet train journeys that link the main cities efficiently. All other travel is by private minibus, allowing flexibility and easy access beyond the rail network.
Joining Instructions
Key information Recommended arrival time: We recommend arriving at Urgench International Airport around 7am to join the group transfer Airport: Urgench International Airport (UGC) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Catching your return flight There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.
Weather Information
These areas of Central Asia have long, extremely hot summers, but the winters are very cold. The July and August departures may be rather hot with afternoon temperatures often reaching 40C (104F). Other trips are planned for spring and autumn when the temperature should not be below 5C (41F) at night and may be up to 25C-30C (77F-86F) during the day. Sunny weather with clear skies should be experienced but there can be some rain at this time of year. Occasionally, there are periods of unexpectedly hot or cold weather.
Spending Money
The amount of spending money required can vary depending on how much you spend on drinks and souvenirs, but as an indication, we recommend you bring at least US$200 for meals not included and a further US$80 for souvenirs, drinks and other incidentals. Photo fees are payable at nearly all the sites: they vary from 20,000 soms (US$1.80) to 30,000 soms (US$2.65). SIM card availability: — You have the option to purchase a SIM card for Uzbekistan either before your trip or upon arrival. — If you prefer purchasing a SIM card upon arrival in Uzbekistan, you’ll find several options available, including at airports, convenience stores, and local network provider outlets
Tipping
Tipping has become customary in Uzbekistan, especially for tour leaders and drivers, though this is at your discretion. For the tour leader, we suggest US$50-US$60 per person for the duration of the trip. Your tour leader can suggest appropriate amounts to tip drivers if asked and you may wish to do this together as a group. You could budget in the region of US$3-US$4 per day. If a hotel porter takes your bags to your room, a tip equivalent to approximately US$1-US$2 is about right. Many restaurants add a service charge to your bill and a tip would not be expected on top of this.

Highlights

— Explore Silk Road cities: Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand — Travel by rail, including a Soviet-era sleeper train — Learn to cook shivit oshi during a Khiva masterclass — Meet master artisans in miniature painting and traditional paper making — Discover Soviet-era Tashkent, including its metro and opera house — Visit Uzumfermer winery for a guided tour and wine tasting

Trip Details

Product Code: 40479

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Moderate

Transport: network.

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Budget

Tour Operator: Exodus Travel

Supplier Code: AUZ

Starts:

Finishes:

Duration: 9 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Unknown

Includes

All accommodation: 6 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotel) — All breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners — Immersive itinerary with all transport (train and private bus/minibus) and listed activities — Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure — Group arrival and departure transfers available

Accommodation

Hotels
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines. The typical hotels we use are on the daily itinerary but below are some of the standout hotels we use in our 2027 departures. Khiva: Kamil Palace (nights 1-2) Step straight into Khiva’s walled old city from this small hotel set just outside Khiva’s walled old city. Many of the city’s mosques, minarets and madrassas are just a few minutes away on foot. Traditional Uzbek design features throughout, while a quiet courtyard provides a welcome pause after exploring the Silk Road streets. Bukhara: Zargaron Boutique (nights 3-4) Base yourself in the historic heart of Bukhara, within a five-minute walk of the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble. Rooms feature handcrafted Uzbek details and warm textiles, while a rooftop terrace offers views across the domes and minarets of the old city—an atmospheric spot as evening settles in. Samarkand: Zarafshon Parkside (nights 5-6) End the adventure beside one of Samarkand’s green parks at this refined boutique near the city centre. The Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum is around a 10-minute walk away, while spacious rooms provide a relaxed place to unwind after visiting the grand monuments of the Silk Road city. Worth knowing Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.2026 departures: On some dates, we use hotels in Khiva and Samarkand of a different standard or location to those used on other departures. Where this is the case, the alternative hotels are mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4085 ($454 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Adventure begins in Khiva

Begin our adventure in Khiva, a UNESCO-listed oasis city whose mud-brick walls once protected a key Silk Road trading hub. After arriving at Urgench airport, we transfer (around one hour) to Khiva, stopping en route to visit Ulli Khovli, a fine example of local domestic architecture. Early check-in is included, giving us time to rest after our flights. Around 2pm, we meet our tour leader for a welcome briefing - a great chance to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. This is followed by an afternoon walking tour inside Khiva’s compact old town. We explore landmarks including the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasah, Kunya Ark fortress, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum and the slender Islam Khodja Minaret, with our tour leader unpacking the political and religious past of the city. Finish the day with a relaxed welcome dinner at a local restaurant, our first taste of Uzbek cuisine. Want more time in Khiva? Secure extra hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation 2026: Farovon Hotel (October) / Darvaza Hotel (November) Accommodation 2027: Kamil Palace (or similar)

2

Day 2: Delve deeper into Khiva • Shivit oshi cooking masterclass

Continue exploring Khiva this morning, focusing on buildings that reveal how the city functioned day to day. Inside the Juma Mosque, its forest of wooden columns shows centuries of reuse and repair, while the Tash Hauli Palace offers insight into court life behind richly decorated walls. We also visit Nurullabay Palace, built in the early 20th century as Khiva responded to changing political influences. Late morning, we join a shivit oshi masterclass, learning how this regional noodle dish gets its distinctive green colour from dill, before sitting down to lunch. The afternoon is left free to wander the old town independently, revisit favourite sites or enjoy the shifting light on Khiva’s walls as the day cools. Accommodation 2026: Farovon Hotel (October) / Darvaza Hotel (November) Accommodation 2027: Kamil Palace (or similar)

3

Day 3: Cross the desert to Bukhara

Leaving Khiva, we drive (two hours) into the surrounding desert to visit Ayaz Kala, one of several ancient Khorezmian fortresses rising from the plains. We then continue (1hr 30min) to Urgench to board a Soviet-era train bound for Bukhara. Travelling in four-berth compartments, we pass through the Kyzyl-Kum Desert as daylight fades, a fitting way to experience the distances that once defined Silk Road travel. Boxed snacks are provided for dinner, and we arrive late evening. Accommodation: Zargaron Boutique (or similar)

4

Day 4: Unpack the history of Bukhara • Watch a traditional folk performance

Today is dedicated to Bukhara, long regarded as one of Central Asia’s great centres of learning. Our guided walk takes us from the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a landmark of early Islamic architecture, to the Ark fortress, which served as the seat of power for centuries. We continue through the Poi Kalyan ensemble, where the 12th-century minaret once guided caravans across the desert, before visiting Ulugbek’s Madrasah and the lively Lyab-i-Hauz area, historically a social and commercial meeting point. After free time for lunch, we explore further monuments including Magok-i-Attari Mosque and the Nadir Divanbegi complex. In the evening, we attend a traditional folk performance staged within a historic madrasah courtyard. Accommodation: Zargaron Boutique (or similar)

5

Day 5: Meet artisans and continue to Samarkand

Leave the city this morning to visit the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Ensemble, an important pilgrimage site linked to the influential Sufi order. Nearby, we are welcomed into Davron Toshev’s miniature workshop, where the artist introduces us to the techniques and symbolism behind this delicate art form. Lunch is included at the workshop. Mid-afternoon, we transfer to Bukhara railway station and board the bullet train (1hr 45min) to Samarkand, arriving early evening. Accommodation: Zarafshon Parkside (October 2026: Samaria Hotel and Spa)

6

Day 6: Explore the monuments of Samarkand

Samarkand reveals the ambition of empire, and today we explore the most celebrated sites. Begin at Gur-e Amir, the mausoleum of Timur, before stepping onto Registan Square, framed by three monumental madrasahs that once formed the intellectual heart of the city. Later, we visit the Hudjum Silk Carpet Factory, where master weavers demonstrate time-intensive techniques passed down through generations. In the afternoon, we continue to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, a processional avenue of mausoleums, and Ulugbek’s Observatory, linking Samarkand to major advances in medieval astronomy. This evening, we share dinner at Antica B&B, often joined by host Diyora Rafieva, who offers personal insight into heritage protection in Uzbekistan. Accommodation: Zarafshon Parkside (October 2026: Samaria Hotel and Spa)

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Day 7: Learn traditional crafts and travel to Tashkent

A short drive takes us to Konigil village, where we visit the Meros paper workshop. Here, mulberry bark is still transformed into paper using techniques recorded over a thousand years ago, and we have time to try the process ourselves. After free time for lunch, we board the afternoon bullet train (2hr 30min) to Tashkent, watching the landscape flatten as we approach the capital. Accommodation: Manor Hotel (or similar)

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Day 8: Discover modern Tashkent

Today we focus on Tashkent’s Soviet and post-Soviet identity. Our city tour includes a ride on the metro, where each station reflects a distinct architectural theme, along with Amir Temur Square and the Monument of Courage, commemorating the 1966 earthquake that reshaped the city. Then, enjoy a guided visit inside the Alisher Navoi Theatre, gaining access rarely available to independent travellers. In the afternoon, we travel (one hour) to the Tashkent region to visit Uzumfermer winery. After lunch, we tour the vineyard and cellars before a tasting, then return to the city. Accommodation: Manor Hotel (or similar)

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Day 9: Adventure ends in Tashkent

We’ve traced the Silk Road across Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, travelled Uzbekistan by rail and met artisans keeping traditional crafts alive, but now it’s time to begin our return journey home. Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our range of extension options.

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