Uzbekistan Discovery Trails : March 29th to April 5th
Famous for its incredible historical cities; delightful Uzbekistan is the land of the great Khanates and Sultanates – the kingdoms that controlled the Silk Road of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.
Once home of the mighty warlore Timur, Samarkand’s highlight is the great Registan Square, surrounded with grand madrassah. Bukhara perfectly captures the atmosphere of Central Asia before the Russian domination, and has many spectacular buildings such as the Kalon Mosque and the Ark Fortress. We will also be visiting Tashkent, the countries capital and the most modern Uzbeki city. The elaborately decorated metro stations of Tashkent are a sight to be seen.
And outside of the cities, Uzbekistan is just as full of surprises – like the traditional villages of the Nuratau Mountains, where we will be staying for a night to experience the lifestyle and customs of the Uzbeki and Tajiki people. This is an experiential journey of Uzbekistan, in all its charming glory.
Essential Info
Cost: Rs 64500/- per person
Country: Uzbekistan
Start: Tashkent
End: Tashkent
Start Date: 29th March’ 2025
End Date: 5th April’ 2025
Duration: 8 Days
Group Size : Min 5 / Max 10
Theme: Culture, Adventure
Highlights
– Explore the best of the ancient silk road towns of Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent.
– Experience a high speed train journey through the Uzbekistan landscape.
– Spend a day in a traditional Tajiki village in the beautiful Nuratau Mountains.
– Explore the much-photographed Registan in Samarkand, one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture.
– See the Soviet and Central Asian influence in Tashkent
– Spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukharas ancient silk road cities drenched in history and culture.
– Explore the Central Asian markets and taste some mouth-watering local cuisines.
ITINERARY
Day 1: March 29th : Tashkent
Welcome to the eclectic capital of Uzbekistan, where modern skyscrapers mix with Soviet-era architecture and mosaic mausoleums. The largest city in Central Asia, Tashkent is a mix of Russian and Uzbek styles, an indication of the fact that for many years it was a key city of the USSR. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Evening we set out for a walking tour of Tashkent. You can visit the Amir Temur square, Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church and Independence Square. Later you can take a metro train ride to see some of Tashkent’s beautiful subway stations and try some Uzbeki kebabs and pilaf for dinner. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2: March 30th : Tashkent – Samarkand ( 310 kms / 2.5 hrs / High Speed Train )
After breakfast, we take one of Uzbekistan’s high speed train to the ancient Silk Road hub of Samarkand. The city has long been a center of artisans and traders as well as the prize for many a conquering army, leaving behind a rich and complex history. Make a visit to the Gur Amir Mausoleum. Stand on the iconic Registan Square with three mosaic-adorned madrassas towering over you. Visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, overlooking the busy and colourful Siob Bazaar, full of bustling stalls and friendly local traders. Continue to the holy Shah-i-Zinda complex, the so-called ‘Town of the Dead’ necropolis, with more than 20 beautifully decorated unique buildings. After your city tour, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening to soak up the magic of this historical city. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 3: March 31st : Samarkand
Spend a full day in Samarkand continuing to take in the ancient sights and sounds. We start with Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning avenue of mausoleums decorated with beautiful blue tiles. Its holiest, most loved shrine is built around what’s thought to be the grave of Quasam ibn-Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Mohammed and the man who brought Islam to the region many centuries ago. Another highlight is a visit to the workshop of Zarif Mukhtarov, one of the few people producing handmade paper in Central Asia as per a 1000-year-old process. Also, visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory. Built-in the 1420s by the Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg. For lunch, we can try the plov/pilaf, the national dish of Uzbekistan. Afternoon, free to stroll and explore Samarkand on your own, have a cuppa in a local tea house or wander around the bazaars. Overnight at Samarkand.
Day 4: April 1st : Samarkand – Nuratau Mountain Village Homestay (180 kms / 3.5 hrs / Luxury Van )
After breakfast, we drive out to a mountain village in the Nuratau mountains crossing Nurata town. The mountains overlooking the Adyar lake is one of the highlights of the tour where you stay in a Tajik village and experience the life of the mountain people. Late afternoon for a walk in the village and the trails around it or just explore the oasis of cherry, almond, apricot, apple and berry trees in the village. Overnight at Nuratau Mountain Village Homestay.
Day 5: April 2nd : Nuratau Mountain Village – Gijduvon – Bukhara ( 340 kms / 5.30 hrs / Luxury Van )
After breakfast travel to Bukhara, known as one of the most charming cities in the country. Stop along the way in Gijduvan, famous for its ceramic pottery, where you’ll have the chance to visit a pottery workshop. Witness the pottery process from start to finish and see a small museum to uncover the centuries-old history of ceramics in this area. Reach Bukhara by afternoon and after lunch explore the old city bazaars. One can also try a traditional Uzbeki Hammam in the evening. Overnight at Bukhara.
Day 6: April 3rd : Bukhara
A UNESCO-listed site, Bukhara is widely regarded as Central Asia’s holiest city with monuments dating from the 8th to the 18th century. The meticulous restoration of many of the mosaic and majolica decorations give you a true sense of how these buildings looked in their original glory. Visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the Bolo-Khauz Mosque, the ruins of the 5th-century Ark Fortress and the imposing Poikalon complex. Taki Zargaron and the trading domes near here still offer a colorful array of goods including embroideries, jewellery, spices, handicrafts, and all manner of Silk Road treasures. Enjoy a free evening here – the twilight hours lend themselves to wandering around the central Lyabi-Hauz and its surrounding areas. Overnight at Bukhara.
Day 7: April 4th : Bukhara – Tashkent ( 570 kms / 4.15 hrs / High Speed Train )
After breakfast transfer to the railway station to take the Afrosiyob train to Tashkent. Arrive in Tashkent by late afternoon. Evening free to explore Tashkent and visit Khast Imom Complex including the Barak Khan madrassa (a college for Islamic instruction). Then leave behind the spiritual world and venture into the real-life hustle and bustle of Chorsu Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia. Wandering through this giant marketplace is a fantastic way to see locals going about their daily lives. Overnight at Tashkent.
Day 8: April 5th : Tashkent ( Departure )
After breakfast transfer to airport. End of tour.
Trip Info
Tashkent
Samarkand
Bukhara
Gijduvan
Nurata Mountain
INCLUDED
– 2 nights stay each in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara AND 1 night stay in Nuratau Mountain Homestay.
– Breakfast on all days ( 7 Breakfast )
– All airport transfers during tour in Suv / Mini Van
– Walking Tour
– City tours and Nuratau Mountain Homestay Tour in Suv / Mini Van
– High Speed Train – Tashkent to Samarkand AND Bukhara to Tashkent
– Service charges
– Taxes
EXCLUDED
– Flight Charges ( Your city to Tashkent and back )
– Visa
– Entry tickets and camera charges ( wherever applicable )
– Dinner & Lunch
– Other than those mentioned
Day 1: March 29th – Tashkent
Hotel : Avant Hotel Tashkent / Art Plaza Hotel OR Similar
Included Activities : City sightseeing tour, Market walk
Included Transport : Airport pickup
Meal : None
Day 2: March 30th -Tashkent – Samarkand
Hotel : Usman / Samarabonu Hotel OR Similar
Included Activities : City Walking Tour
Included Transport : Highspeed Train , Station Drop ( Tashkent ), Station Pickup ( Samarkand )
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal : Breakfast
Day 3: March 31st : Samarkand
Hotel : Usman / Samarabonu Hotel OR Similar
Included Activities : City Sightseeing
Included Transport : Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 4: April 1st : Samarkand – Nuratau Mountain Homestay
Hotel : Village Homestay
Included Activities : Drive to Mountain Homestay
Included Transport : Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 5: April 2nd : Nuratau Mountain Homestay – Bukhara
Hotel : Hotel Shams / Hotel Fatima Boutique OR Similar
Included Activities : Gidjuvan visit, Bukhara Walking Tour
Included Transport : Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 6: April 3rd : Bukhara
Hotel : Hotel Shams / Hotel Fatima Boutique OR Similar
Included Activities : Full day city tour
Included Transport : Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 7: April 4th : Bukhara – Tashkent
Hotel : Avant Hotel Tashkent / Art Plaza Hotel OR Similar
Included Activities : None
Included Transport : Highspeed Train, Station Drop ( Bukhara ), Station Pickup ( Tashkent )
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal : Breakfast
Day 8: April 5th : Departure
Meal : Breakfast
Included Transport : Airport drop
- Rs 2500/- Discount ( For our regular guests)
- Rs 3500/- Discount ( For 3 or more people booking together )
- Stay will be in Standard/Deluxe category hotels and Bed n Breakfast places with good reviews on a double/twin sharing basis. All the stays chosen are 3.5* very highly rated properties.
- Local and Western food is available at most places.
- Breakfast ( Included ) will be western and/or local
- Private car/van for Airport transfers
- Private car/van for all travel and sightseeing
- High-Speed Train – Tashkent to Samarkand AND Bukhara to Tashkent
- Uzbekistan visa can be made online ( Your passport must be at least 6 months valid from the date of entering )
For this trip
This tour is for travelers who want to experience some of the best destinations Uzbekistan has to offer. We have tried to create a good mix of culture, nature, and experiences for this trip .
For all our trips
Our small group tours also allow enough time for yourself ( mostly in the evenings ) and the group leaders will assist you too if you need to do your own thing.
Stay and the food is a big part of the travel and we make sure you are made comfortable therefore we choose some of the best-reviewed places to stay and eat.
We try to incorporate more local experiences on our tours with the help of our experienced tour leader and local guides to make your experience even more memorable.
Our tours are not standard sightseeing package tours, it’s more experience-oriented so as to give real travel value to the guests.
Who are we?
Exotic Expeditions is an experiential based travel company founded in 2010. We are based out of Bangalore and Mumbai and we create uniquely designed tours that have high travel value. We include activities, local interactions, and offbeat destinations so that the guests go back with experiences to remember for a long time.
What are all included in our tours?
A comprehensive list of inclusions and exclusions is mentioned on the respective trip page, but across all our trips, we have these in common: exclusive private transfers, breakfast on most days, good accommodation, unique experiences,
expert guides and an experienced trip leader who’s there to assist you around the clock.
Are flights & visas included in your costs?
No.We don’t include flights and visa costs in our prices unless specified. We, however, will help you with booking flights and getting the visa done.
What is the typical group size?
We believe that a small group is can enjoy the journey better and have closer interactions with the group members, therefore, we restrict our group size to a maximum of 15. Group size typically between 5 and 15. Our travelers are
friendly, open-minded, well traveled and we have a good gender mix on our tours.
Who can join this trip?
Anyone above 18 years of age can join our trips. Participants below the age of 18 must be accompanied by an elder.
Which cities do travelers come from?
Our travelers come from all over India. Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Calcutta are represented the most.
What are the payment options?
You can make payments through credit and debit cards, net-banking, cash or cheque. Installment options are also available.
Can solo travelers join one of the tours?
Yes. On most of our tours, we have a high turnout of solo travelers seeking a different travel experience. Many of them even end up becoming friends after the tour.
How safe is it to travel with you?
Your safety is our number one priority and we design our travel journeys keeping this in mind.
- You can contact us at contact@exoticexpeditions.org / exoticexpeditions@gmail.com
- Call / WhatsApp us at 9986450370
- Bookings can be done by online bank transfer/cash/ cheque or credit/debit card
- Installment options are also available
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