Uzbekistan - From Alexander the Great to our days

Price

€1350

Days

Tour description

From emirs and khans who conquered India, to a short stay in the USSR. We will explore the entire amazing history of one of the oldest civilisations on Earth. And, yes, you will learn the secrets of the famouse Uzbek pilaf!

Walk in the narrow wattle and daub streets in Bukhara, which seemed to come out of the tales of "One Thousand and One Nights"
Feel the greatness of the largest ancient empire on Registan square in Samarkand
Visit the artisan workshops and watch unique traditional ceramics, majolica glaze and hand-made knives being made
Relax in a traditional sauna that has been open since the 16th century
Stand on top of the fortress, which is more than 2 thousand years old, and feel the serenity of the vast Kyzylkum desert around you.

Tour departures

18 May 2025 - 26 May 2025

€1350

Book

The price of the tour includes

Flight from Tashkent to Urgench
Accommodation during the entire trip
All transportation including trains, buses, cars, taxis and public transportation of all kinds
Traditional breakfasts in all hotels
Professional guiding services.

What is NOT included

Flight to Tashkent and back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals)
Tickets to palaces, museums and other places of interest ($50)
Food, except breakfasts ($10-12 per person per day)
Insurance (mandatory).

Tour map

Tour itinerary

Day 1

The capital Tashkent, Kukeldash madrassah, Hast-Imam square, Chorsu bazaar

We arrive in Tashkent, check into a hotel and begin our group trip to Uzbekistan with a walk to the 16th century madrassah (Islamic school) Kukeldash. Built as a school, it soon became a caravanserai (hotel), and later was turned to a fortress. Russian conquerors shot Uzbek rebels from these walls in 1860. It was even a place for execution - until 1865, women accused of adultery were dumped on the stone floor from the height of this building...

We head to the Hast-Imam square - the centre of old Tashkent. Previously, there were areas of wattle and daub houses, and now it is an island of history among asphalt, concrete and glass. Here we will see an impressive collection of Korans. The oldest one dates back to the 13th century!

For dinner we head to the Chorsu bazaar, known since the Middle Ages. They still make the most delicious pilaf, kebabs, and chobra here. Refreshed, we walk along a huge bazaar. Pay attention to traditional hand-made ceramics. By the end of this trip you will understand the meaning of all these patterns and even identify the regions where this ceramics came from!

Day 2-3

Ancient Khiva, The second tallest minaret in Central Asia, Forts in the Kyzylkum desert

In the morning we fly to Urgench (2 hours), and then take a taxi to Khiva (40 minutes) where we will continue our guided tour to Uzbekistan. Khiva is an ancient city in the Khorezm state, which existed from the 16th century until 1920, until the Russian army overthrew the last khan.

We will stay in a traditional hotel in the old town of Ichan-kala and explore the colorful mosques and minarets. Next, let`s head to Kyzylkum desert. Here, in the endless sands, stand two fortresses - Ayaz-kala and Toprak-kala. They remember the times when this land was part of the ancient Kushan kingdom and the local people were Buddhists and Zoroastrians...

Climb to the top of the fortress to feel like a warrior of ancient times. Look closely at these endless sands - somewhere on the horizon, where the sand merges with the blue of the sky is India. Only 1700 years ago, India and Uzbekistan were one country! We drive to Bukhara through the desert (5-6 hours on the way) and check into a traditional hotel in the old town.

Day 4-5

Bukhara, 5th century Ark citadel, Traditional sauna

Get lost and found on narrow streets between wattle and daub houses, between the arches of the old bazaar, small mosques and madrassas. Pay attention to the doors - they are all hand-carved. We learn more about the history of this city and the tragic fate of the last Bukharian emir during a walk through the huge Ark citadel, built in the 5th century.

In the mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshband - the founder of one of the main orders of Sufism - we learn more about Sufis and Dervishes. We will see a tree, which local pilgrims believe has grown in the place where the saint stuck his staff into the ground.

You will love Bukhara for traditional music, handmade souvenirs that are not sold anywhere else - majolica and hand-painted tiles, embroidery, handmade knives, Bukhara sweets and wines. And how about traditional sauna, which has been working since the 16th century? Enjoy the spa!

Tour leaders

Yevgeniy Ikhelzon

co-founder, tour leader

Sergiy Pylypenko

tour guide

Is this trip for you?

This trip is of easy physical grade. It involves one 8-hour long car ride through the desert and several short car rides (3-5 hours). We will also take one short domestic flight. We will also walk in cities and towns. Accommodation in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels, all will have attached bathroom, hot water, wi fi internet and traditional Uzbek breakfast.