Embark on a captivating 14-day journey through the heart of Central Asia, exploring the vibrant cultures, ancient cities, and untouched natural beauty of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This meticulously curated expedition offers a deep dive into the wonders of the Silk Road, where historical narratives unfold at every corner, and the great outdoors beckons with its serene landscapes.
Tashkent: The Gateway to Uzbekistan
Your adventure begins in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, where modernity and tradition converge. Discover the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, set against a backdrop of blue-tiled mosques and madrasahs. Wander the wide avenues and green parks, and find serenity at the Kukeldash Madrasah, a historical jewel amongst the urban tapestry.
Khiva: A Living Museum
Step into the walled inner city of Khiva—Ichon-Qala—a UNESCO World Heritage site that seems frozen in time. Within its ancient walls, discover over 50 historic monuments and houses transformed into a living museum. The stunning Kalta-Minor Minaret and the grandiose Kunya-Ark Fortress await to transport you back to the Khwarezmian epoch.
Bukhara: The Noble One
Bukhara, the ‘Dome of Islam’, boasts over a thousand years of history. The city’s very skyline is dotted with minarets and domes, like the iconic Po-i-Kalyan complex and the ark fortress of the Emirs. Delve into the labyrinth of its old town, and you may just stumble upon the next story in its fabled narrative.
Samarkand: Crossroads of Culture
Behold the majesty of Samarkand, the epitome of Silk Road splendor. Stand in awe before the Registan, the city’s heart for centuries, and let the beauty of Shah-i-Zinda’s mausoleums captivate you. Samarkand is not just a city but a testament to human creativity and endurance.
Khujand: The Pearl of Tajikistan
Cross into Tajikistan and arrive in Khujand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Explore the historical citadel and the bustling Panjshanbe Market, where trade has flourished since the Silk Road era. Khujand’s rich cultural tapestry is an inviting canvas for visitors to immerse themselves in the local way of life.
Penjikent: An Ancient Awakening
Next, Penjikent beckons with ruins harking back to the 5th century. This ancient Sogdian town offers a glimpse into a past filled with grandeur, still evident in its remains of palaces and temples, adorned with frescoes that have withstood the sands of time.
Seven Lakes: Nature’s Palette
The journey into the Fann Mountains reveals the Seven Lakes, each a different hue. Trekking from one to the next, you are treated to one of nature’s most vivid displays, encompassing a spectrum of cerulean blues to emerald greens, dramatically set against towering peaks.
Iskanderkul: Alexander the Great’s Legacy
Iskanderkul, a stunning alpine lake named after Alexander the Great, is a jewel among Tajikistan’s natural offerings. Revel in the tranquility, take a hike to the nearby waterfall, and bask in the serenity of this picture-perfect landscape.
Dushanbe: A Modern Metropolis
The final stop is Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, a city of wide boulevards and lush parks. Its bazaars, the Museum of National Antiquities, and the strikingly modern Hissar Fortress, just outside the city, illustrate a story of a modern nation deeply connected to its roots.
This cultural odyssey is brimming with experiences to fulfill the wanderlust of history buffs, nature lovers, and adventurers alike. Now, let’s delve into the 10 highlights that make this tour a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
With expert guides leading the way, deluxe accommodations ensuring your comfort, and authentic culinary experiences igniting your palate, this journey weaves a tapestry of unforgettable memories. Escorted transport, insightful excursions, and personal touches ensure that every day of this tour enriches your understanding of these storied lands.
This 14-day tour is not merely a holiday; it’s a deep dive into the cultural heart and soul of Central Asia. It’s a voyage back in time on the Silk Road, underpinned by the warm hospitality of its people, eager to share their heritage and traditions.
Join us on this extraordinary adventure and discover why the legendary cities of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khujand, Penjikent, and Dushanbe have captured the imaginations of travelers for centuries. This is more than a travel experience; it’s an expedition that stitches the vivid patterns of history with the threads of the present, creating a journey that will be etched in your heart and memory forever. Book your place on this enchanting tour and unlock the secrets of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with us.
| Number of pax | Price per person |
| 1 person | $ 4700 |
| 2 persons | $ 2600 |
| 3 persons | $ 2100 |
| 4 persons | $ 1900 |
| Single supplement | $ 350 |
Guided sightseeing tour 12 nights hotel accommodation (shared double/twin room) Economy class ticket for flight Tashkent-Urgench Economy class ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent Entrance fees to the museums, mausoleums and other sights All transportation throughout the tour Full board (lunch and dinner) in Tajikistan Dinner with folklore show program at Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah in Bukhara, farewell lunch in Tashkent
Any Private Expenses Other Lunches & Dinners
Wonders of the Registan: Samarkand’s iconic square, flanked by three majestic madrasahs, is a testament to Islamic architecture’s grandeur.
Pilgrimage to Shah-i-Zinda: A necropolis filled with the ornate tombs and mausoleums of royalty and nobles, adorned with dazzling blue tiles.
Bukhara’s Step Back in Time: The heart of Bukhara comes alive in its vibrant marketplaces and the historic Ark Fortress, which offers insights into the lives of Emirs.
The Kalon Minaret: Standing at an awe-inspiring 46 meters, the ‘Tower of Death’ has been a beacon for travelers since 1127.
Khiva’s Moonlit Legends: Experience the Ichon-Qala at night, when the moonlight casts an otherworldly glow over its cobblestone paths and majestic structures.
Magnificent Minarets and Mosques of Khujand: The Masjidi Jami Mosque and Minaret stand as symbols of the city’s Islamic heritage and resilience.
Seven Lakes’ Symphony of Colors: Trek through the heart of the Fann Mountains, witnessing the shifting colors of each lake set in a dramatic mountainous backdrop.
Silk Road Echoes in Penjikent: Wander among the ancient ruins, visiting a place where history still whispers in every stone and corner.
Iskanderkul’s Mirror of the Sky: Reflect upon legends and calm waters at a lake that bears the name of one of history’s greatest conquerors.
Tashkent’s Blend of the Epochs: From the classical Kukeldash Madrasah to the modern Independence Square, Tashkent straddles several eras with grace.
Arrival in Tashkent. Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Check in at noon. Free day. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Urgench. Arrive Urgench, transfer to Khiva. Starting city tour – inner town of Ichan Kala (XIV-XX CC) with Muhamad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Juma Mosque and Minaret, Tash Hauli Palace, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrassah, Shirgazi Khan Madrassah, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum. Overnight in Khiva.
After breakfast depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h). The Great Silk Road once routed from Khiva to Bukhara through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road does nowadays. Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amudarya River and the desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Dinner and national show at Nodir Devan Begi Madrasah.
Breakfast. In the morning start walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara that will last around 6-7 hours. Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
At 08:00 depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h.). On the way stop at Rabat-i-Malik. Continue driving. Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel.
Later start Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane, remains of Bibi Khahum mosque, Siab Bazaar. Free evening. Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
In the morning meet with your guide and driver at the lobby of the hotel. Continue sightseeing: visit Ulugbek Observatory and Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum & archaeological site – a hilly area of 212 hectares surrounded by a moat, Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry.
At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the fast-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 17:30 (300 km) and arriving in Tashkent at 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Guided sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran, holy book, of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center, stroll around Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and visit Applied Arts Museum. Farewell lunch in one of the restaurants in Tashkent. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Drive to Penjikent (260 km, 5-6 h.). Arrival and check in to the guest house. Meet you guide to start sightseeing: Museum of Rudaki considered as the father of Persian Poetry; ancient Penjikent – ruins of old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Overnight at the guest house.
Penjikent is a Sogdian city, which flourished from the 5th to 8th centuries. It is well preserved and it was called “Central Asia’s Pompeii”. An opulent governor’s palace, homes, and temples can be seen. At one time Sogdiana controlled a key section of the Silk Road, but in the 8th century Empire collapsed and people fled to the mountains. Descendants of this ancient kingdom still live in the more remote regions of present-day Tajikistan name Jagnob Valley and still speak a remote dialect of Sogdian. City Sarazm, some 20 km from Penjikent, is one of the most ancient settlements of Central Asia, dating from the Bronze Age.
Drive to Seven Lakes (80 km). On the way you will visit Sarazm, one of the most ancient settlements in Central Asia with 5500 years old history. In 2010 Sarazm was added to the UNESCO Human Heritage list. The main spot of the day is HafKul meaning seven lakes in Persian. These lakes in the mountains of Tajikistan are famous for their different colours: 1.Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin lakes (2139 m above sea level), Khurdak, 6.Marguzor, 7.Hazorchashma lakes (2400 m above sea level). Picnic at the lake. Drive back to Penjikent (80 km). Overnight at the guest house.
Drive to Saritag via Iskanderkul (240 km, 6-7 h.). According to the legend, the Lake Iskanderkul was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great’s path to Central Asia from India laid through this lake. Arrival and overnight at the guest house.
Iskanderkul Lake is surrounded by mountains, and is about four km across. The views across the lake are impressive in all directions. At 2000 m, it is pleasantly cool in summer. “Iskandar Kul or Lake Alexander is indeed a beautiful spot”, there are many waterfowl and it is possible to fish in this tranquil and beautiful spot. We will walk to the impressive waterfall of 40m height. A platform allows spectators to stand right above the thunderous torrent.
The lake got its name after Alexander the Great – in Persian called “Iskander”. He camped at Iskanderkul’s shore during one of his campaigns en route to India. According to one of the many legends originating from this time, Alexander’s famous battle horse Bucephalus drowned in the lake – and to this day may be seen racing over its surface at full moon.
After breakfast depart Saritag and drive to Dushanbe (160 km, 3-4 h.). After lunch meet your guide and start Dushanbe sightseeing tour. Start guided city tour with visiting of National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan(closed on Mondays) that includes the exhibits on history, natural history and art (Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of the museum). Visit Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Ismail Somoni Monument and Rudaki Park.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Dushanbe is a relatively modern town that rose to prominence during the Soviet era, when it was made the capital of the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and named Stalinabad. Its name means ‘Monday in the Tajik language, arising from the fact that this was the day that the market was held when Dushanbe was still a small and fairly insignificant village. The ousted Emir of Bukhara, fleeing from the Bolsheviks, stayed in Dushanbe and cooperated with Enver Pasha’s Basmachis until he had to leave the region. From Dushanbe, he fled to Afghanistan in 1921, the year the town was freed from the Basmachis as well.
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time until transfer to Dushanbe Airport. End of the tour.
What an extraordinary adventure! The 14 days spent exploring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were sensational. The tour guide’s insights in Khujand brought the city’s rich history to life, while Penjikent’s ruins fed my archaeological curiosities. The hike to the Seven Lakes gave us incredible views and was quite the workout—the good kind! Accommodation and transportation were first-rate, with local meals that delighted every night. This tour is a must for anyone wanting to untangle the mysteries of the Silk Road while enjoying all the modern comforts. I’m recommending this to all my friends as the ultimate travel experience.
Never have I experienced a tour so rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. The carefully arranged visits to historical sites were enlightening, and the unique stays along the way were as if I was living within the pages of a storybook. The Seven Lakes trek was rejuvenating, and the warmth of the local people was heartwarming. Our accommodations were also exceptional, offering comfort after long days of exploration. The team behind this tour ensured every detail was catered for, making it feel truly bespoke. I endorse this adventure to anyone wanting to discover the real Central Asia.
As a history buff and nature enthusiast, this 14-day tour of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan left an indelible mark on my traveler’s soul. From the awe-inspiring Registan in Samarkand to the serene Seven Lakes tucked away in the Fann Mountains, every single day was filled with wonder. The local guides were not only knowledgeable but truly passionate about sharing their culture. The highlight for me was the night spent in Khiva, where the ancient city glowed under the moonlight—like stepping into a scene from Arabian Nights. This tour is a masterpiece of planning and execution. I’m left with a treasure trove of memories and thousands of photos. Bravo!
The combined Uzbekistan and Tajikistan tour promised a lot and delivered on so many levels. Each city, from the bustling bazaars in Tashkent to the hushed ancient streets of Bukhara, was a chapter from another era. The Iskanderkul day was particularly breathtaking—tranquility personified. I only wish we had a little more time at each stop to soak it all in more deeply. The group was wonderfully diverse, and we bonded over shared experiences that can only come from such a profound journey. Tour operators were fantastic; they catered to our every need with grace and professionalism.
I’m not usually one for organized tours, but this one has changed my mind. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are countries of stunning contrasts, from the regal architecture to the rugged landscapes. Our guide in Samarkand was especially impressive, with his storytelling making centuries-old tales come alive. The Iskanderkul Lake visit felt like a scene from a movie, so surreal in its beauty. The hotels were well chosen, each with its unique charm and hospitality. This trip was not only a journey through space but through time. I’d go again in a heartbeat!
