Extended Uzbekistan Group 12-day Tour 2025-2026

Tashkent – Arrival

Upon arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Check-in available from 14:00. Enjoy free time at your leisure.

Tashkent – Nukus

Start the day with breakfast before embarking on a guided tour of Tashkent, the largest metropolis in Central Asia and the starting point of your 12-day Extended Uzbekistan Group Tour. Begin in the Old City, where you’ll explore the Khast-Imam Complex and the bustling Chorsu Bazaar. At Khast-Imam, visit the renowned Quran of Caliph Uthman and see landmarks such as the Barak-Khan Madrassah, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, the Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Stroll through Chorsu Bazaar, a lively marketplace.

Next, take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to the city center, where you’ll visit the Museum of Applied Arts. Continue with a walk past Navoi Theater, leading to Amir Timur Square, where the city tour concludes. Enjoy some free time before heading to the airport for your evening flight to Nukus at 18:05 (1,255 km, 1 h 40 min). Upon arrival in Nukus at 19:45, transfer to your hotel.

Sightseeing tour duration: 5-6 hours

Nukus – Khiva

Start the day with breakfast before visiting the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art named after I.V. Savitsky*. This museum is home to the world’s second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde paintings, along with an impressive display of Karakalpak applied art.

Take a brief drive around central Nukus, stopping by key landmarks such as the statue of Berdakh, a renowned Karakalpak poet, the Nukus City Hall, and the Karakalpak Music and Drama Theatre.

In the afternoon, set off on a journey to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 hours). Along the way, explore the ancient Khorezm archaeological sites: Chilpyk-Kala, a Zoroastrian dakhma (also known as the Tower of Silence), and Toprak-Kala, which once served as the capital of Khorezm in the 3rd century.

Arrive in Khiva and check in at the hotel.

Please note that due to ongoing renovations at the Savitsky Museum, certain sections displaying archaeological artifacts and applied arts remain closed indefinitely.

Khiva

Begin your day with breakfast, followed by a guided walking tour through the ancient city of Khiva. Explore the Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit architectural treasures such as the Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the tallest minaret in Uzbekistan, Islom Khodja.

Enjoy free time in the afternoon to discover the city at your own pace. In the evening, take part in a masterclass at the National House of Zaravshan-opa, where you’ll learn how to prepare tukhumbarak — traditional egg dumplings from Khiva.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Sightseeing duration: 5 hours
Tea/coffee break
Meals: Dinner

Khiva – Bukhara

After breakfast, set off on a journey to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 hours*), following the ancient Silk Road route that once connected these two historic cities through the Kyzylkum Desert. Along the way, take a break to admire the landscapes of the Amudarya River and the vast desert.

Arrive in Bukhara in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax or take a stroll through the city’s historic streets, surrounded by centuries-old architecture.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Travel time may vary depending on road conditions, as certain sections are currently under renovation.

Note: As dining options along the route are quite limited, you may want to bring a packed lunch. Your hotel or guide can assist with arrangements the day before.

Bukhara

Start the day with breakfast before embarking on a guided walking tour through Bukhara’s historic Old City. Discover key landmarks, including the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, and the city’s ancient trading domes. Visit the iconic Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrasah, followed by the Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs. Explore the Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, and Chashma-Ayub.

Enjoy a tea/coffee break during the tour.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Sightseeing duration: 6-7 hours

Bukhara

After breakfast, begin your second day with a visit to Sitorai-Mokhikhosa, the summer palace of Bukhara’s final emir, which features an intriguing blend of Oriental and Russian architectural styles.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Bukhara at your own pace. Later in the evening, attend a traditional puppet show.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Sightseeing duration: 3-4 hours
Tea/coffee break

Bukhara – Nurata – Yurt Camp

After breakfast, leave Bukhara and head towards a yurt camp located in the Kyzylkum Desert (230 km, 4 hours*). Along the way, make a stop in Gijduvan to visit a pottery workshop, where you can take part in a traditional pottery masterclass.

After lunch, continue the journey to Nurata town to explore the Chashma Complex of Religious Buildings and its renowned holy spring. Next, visit the Nurata Pass to view the Zukarnay Petroglyphs, which date back to the Bronze Age.

Upon arrival at the yurt camp, enjoy a camel ride and some free time to soak in the surroundings. In the evening, savor a delicious dinner by the campfire, accompanied by a performance of Kazakh akin (traditional folk singers).

Overnight at the yurt camp.

Meals: Dinner

Yurt Camp – Samarkand

After breakfast at the yurt camp, head to Aidarkul Lake, which is nestled in the heart of the desert. Spend some free time at the lake and enjoy a picnic lunch.

In the afternoon, depart from the yurt camp and drive to Samarkand (270 km, 5 hours). Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy some time to rest.

Meals: Picnic lunch

Samarkand

After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour of the captivating city of Samarkand at 9:00. Explore the magnificent Registan Square, the Gur Emir Mausoleum (the final resting place of Tamerlane), the ruins of the Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis.

Next, drive to the village of Konigil, where you’ll learn about the traditional method of making Samarkand paper from mulberry tree bark.

The evening is free for relaxation.

Overnight at the hotel.

Sightseeing duration: 6-7 hours
Tea/coffee break

Samarkand – Tashkent

After breakfast, check out of the hotel by noon. You’ll have some free time to explore Samarkand further or shop for traditional local crafts. Enjoy a farewell lunch in Samarkand before heading to the railway station for your train ride to Tashkent (300 km, 2 h 10 min).

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Lunch
Tea/coffee break

Tashkent – Departure

After breakfast, check out of the hotel by noon. You will have free time until it’s time for your transfer to Tashkent International Airport for departure.

This marks the end of your 12-day Extended Uzbekistan Group Tour.