
Uzbekistan Discovery Trails : June 10th to 18th' 2023
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. Khiva is the best preserved Khanate. Its long and bloody history is fascinating, and the walls that used to provide sanctuary for Silk Road travellers are as intact as the old town inside. 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 or a desert-bound yurt camps. This is Uzbekistan, in all its charming glory.
Essential Info
Cost: Rs 59500/-
Country: Uzbekistan
Start: Tashkent
End: Tashkent
Start Date: 10th July’ 2023
End Date: 18th July’ 2023
Duration: 9 Days
Group Size : Min 5 / Max 10
Theme: Culture, Adventure
Highlights
– Explore the best of the ancient silk road towns of Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent and Khiva.
– Experience a high speed train journey through the desert.
– Spend an evening in the isolated Kyzylkum Desert, warming yourself by the fire and sleeping in a yurt.
– 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 Bukhara and Khiva, ancient silk road cities drenched in history and culture.
– Explore the Central Asian markets and taste some mouth-watering local cuisines.
ITINERARY
Day 1: June 10th : 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. After some rest and lunch, we explore Tashkent. First, we visit the Khast Imom Complex including the Barak Khan madrassa (a college for Islamic instruction), Kaffal Shashi mausoleum, Quran Library, and Mosque, which holds what’s said to be one of the oldest and holiest Koran in the world. 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. Later we take a metro ride to see some of Tashkent’s beautiful metro stations. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2: June 11th : Tashkent – Samarkand
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: June 12th : 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: June 13th : Samarkand – Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp
After breakfast, we drive out of the city to the Kyzylkum desert crossing Nurata town. The city proper was founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, though archaeological remains date the first inhabitants of the area many thousands of years earlier, and the ruins of his fortress can still be seen today. Visit the Chashma Complex in Nurata which contains multiple important Islamic sights including the Juma Mosque and spring. The spring is believed to heal diseases and attracts many visitors. From Nurata, we head into the Kyzylkum desert to spend the night sleeping in yurts. Visit Aydar Lake and choose to take an optional camel ride in the desert. Later enjoy an evening campfire and local music with tonight’s dinner underneath the desert stars. Overnight at Yurt camp.
Day 5: June 14th : Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp to Bukhara
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: June 15th : 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: June 16th : Bukhara – Khiva
Wake up really early in the morning to take the early morning 4.30 a.m. train to Khiva. You’ll travel through the Kyzyl-Kum (Red Sands Desert), the largest desert area in Central Asia. It’s long been inhabited by various nomadic people and on the way you might pass cowboys on their camels. Arrive by noon and check into the hotel and after lunch and some rest explore Khiva. As one of the ancient cities situated along the Silk Roads, Khiva has been a centre of education, science, and culture, and served as a cradle of civilizations spanning millennia, with ‘Ichan Kala’ inner city of the ancient oasis of Khiva inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.
We 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-colored buildings. Overnight at Khiva.
Day 8: June 17th : Khiva to Tashkent ( Flight )
After breakfast free to explore more of Khiva on foot and around the afternoon we take the flight to Tashkent. Evening check into the hotel and free to explore Tashkent’s nightlife. Overnight at Tashkent.
Day 9: June 18th : Tashkent ( Departure )
After breakfast transfer to airport. End of tour.
Trip Info
Tashkent
Samarkand
Bukhara
Khiva
Nurata
Kyzylkum Desert
INCLUDED
– 2 nights stay each in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara AND 1 night each at Khiva and Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp.
– Breakfast on all days ( 8 Breakfast )
– All airport transfers during tour in Suv / Mini Van
– City tours and Desert Tour in Suv / Mini Van
– Train – Tashkent to Samarkand AND Bukhara to Khiva
– Flight – Khiva 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: June 10th – Tashkent
Hotel : South Hotel – OQ UY Hotel or Similar
Included Activities : City sightseeing tour, Market walk
Included Transport : Airport pickup
Meal : None
Day 2: February 11th -Tashkent – Samarkand
Hotel : Hotel Mohina – Furkat Guesthouse or Similar
Included Activities : City Sightseeing
Included Transport : Train, Car / Van
Included Entry tickets : None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 3: June 12th : Samarkand
Hotel : Hotel Mohina – Furkat Guesthouse or Similar
Included Activities : City Sightseeing
Included Transport : Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 4: June 13th : Samarkand – Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp
Hotel : Yurt Camp
Included Activities : Visit Nurata, Kyzylkum Desert & Aydar Lake
Included Transport :Full day tour
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 5: June 14th : Kyzylkum Desert Yurt Camp – Bukhara
Hotel : Ikat – Eshoni Pir or Similar
Included Activities : Gidjuvan & Bukhara Sightseeing
Included Transport :Full day tour
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 6: June 15th : Bukhara
Hotel : Ikat – Eshoni Pir or Similar
Included Activities : City Sightseeing
Included Transport : Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 7: June 16th : Bukhara – Khiva
Hotel : Gold Khiva – Art House Boutique Hotel or Similar
Included Activities : City Sightseeing
Included Transport : Train, Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 8: June 17th : Khiva to Tashkent ( Flight )
Hotel : South Hotel – OQ UY Hotel or Similar
Included Activities : City wlak
Included Transport: Flight, Car / Van
Included Entry tickets :None
Meal :Breakfast
Day 9: June 18th – Departure
Included Transport : Drop to airport
Meal :Breakfast
- Rs 2500/- Discount ( For our regular guests)
- Rs 1500/- Discount ( For 2 to 3 person booking together )
- Rs 3500/- Discount ( For 4 or more people booking together )
- Stay will be in Standard category hotels and Bed n Breakfast places with good reviews on a double/twin sharing basis.
- Local and Western food is available at most places.
- Breakfast ( Included ) will be western and/or local breakfast at most places.
- Private car/van for Airport transfers
- Private car/van for all travel and sightseeing
- High-Speed Train – Tashkent to Samarkand AND Bukhara to Khiva
- Flight – Khiva 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