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Private, on your own dates · Uzbekistan

Cultural Uzbekistan

Six days through Uzbekistan’s heritage cities by high-speed train, with a day over the mountains to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Temur, and two nights in Samarkand to take it in properly.

The route3 cities.
Loading map…
6 days, 5 nightsDuration
3 citiesWhere you sleep
Hotel accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast, in the hotel class you chooseMeals

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

Cultural Uzbekistan is built around Amir Temur — the fourteenth-century conqueror who made Samarkand the most magnificent city in Central Asia, and whose buildings still define it. The tour gives Samarkand two nights and adds a day in Shakhrisabz, the town where Temur was born and where he meant, at first, to be buried.

It starts in Tashkent, with the old quarter and Chorsu Bazaar, then takes the morning Afrosiyob to Bukhara for an afternoon on foot through its pools, madrasas and covered bazaars. The next day is unhurried: free time in Bukhara and the afternoon train to Samarkand, arriving to see the Registan lit up after dark.

The road to Shakhrisabz crosses the Zarafshan range by the Takhta-Karacha pass, and the town itself holds the tomb Temur built for his son, the Kok-Gumbaz mosque and the vast broken gateway of his summer palace. The last full day is the Samarkand programme — the Gur-Emir, the Registan, Bibi-Khanym and Shakhi-Zinda — before the evening train to Tashkent.

Guides in Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand, entrance fees, the trains and two plov lunches are included. In Shakhrisabz you explore with your driver rather than a guide, and the small entrance fees there are paid on the spot.

Trip highlights

  • 01Two nights in Samarkand, Amir Temur’s capital
  • 02A day over the Takhta-Karacha pass to Shakhrisabz, Temur’s birthplace
  • 03An afternoon on foot in medieval Bukhara
  • 04All intercity travel by the Afrosiyob high-speed train
  • 05Guides, trains, entrance fees and plov lunches included

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip11 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • Hotel accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast, in the hotel class you choose
Transport4
  • All airport and railway station transfers
  • All transport during the tour as set out in the itinerary
  • Afrosiyob high-speed train tickets Tashkent–Bukhara, Bukhara–Samarkand and Samarkand–Tashkent in economy class
  • Private car and driver for the Shakhrisabz day
Entrance Fees1
  • Entrance tickets to the monuments and museums named in the itinerary
Guide1
  • Licensed local guides in Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand
Visa1
  • Visa support: an invitation letter or e-visa assistance where needed
Meals1
  • Welcome plov lunches at the Plov Centres in Tashkent and Samarkand
Other2
  • A local prepaid SIM card with 40 GB of data per group
  • Round-the-clock assistance from the local team
Plan and pay separately8 items not covered by this fare
Not included8
  • International flights
  • Lunches and dinners other than those named as included
  • Consular visa fees where a visa is required
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Personal expenses
  • Entrance fees in Shakhrisabz, about €6 per person, paid on site
  • A guide in Shakhrisabz

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

4 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route4 places
TashkentEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
BukharaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
SamarkandEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
ShakhrisabzEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside

Uzbekistan

IdealGoodFairAvoid
SepGood

Spring (Mar–May) is the best time — lush, not too hot. Autumn (Sep–Oct) is also excellent for sightseeing.

Samarkand
Average High
29°C
Rainfall
5mm
Tashkent
Average High
29°C
Rainfall
6mm
Bukhara
Average High
29°C
Rainfall
3mm

Private tour

  • This is a private programme for your party alone; the dates are flexible.
  • Prices are per person and fall as the party grows, with a separate rate for one, two and three or more travellers.
  • Children under five travel free and children under ten at half price, sharing with adults.

Trains

  • Intercity legs run on the Afrosiyob high-speed train in economy class unless stated otherwise.
  • Train times are set by Uzbekistan Railways and can move; the programme follows the confirmed timetable for your date.
  • Carry your passport on every train journey — tickets are issued in the passenger’s name.

Dress and etiquette

  • Mosques and mausoleums expect shoulders and knees to be covered; women may be asked to cover their hair at working shrines.
  • Photography inside some monuments carries a small separate fee payable on site.

Hotel classes

  • Standard, Comfort and Comfort Plus differ in the hotels used, not in the sightseeing.
  • Extra nights can be added at the start or end of the tour at a nightly supplement.

Common questions

Is there a guide in Shakhrisabz?

Not included. The sights there are close together and easy to explore with your driver; a local guide can be added on request. The entrance fees in Shakhrisabz, around €6 per person, are paid on the spot.

Is the mountain road to Shakhrisabz difficult?

It is a paved road with bends over the Takhta-Karacha pass, and the views are the point of taking it. In winter the pass can close after snow, in which case the driver takes the longer, flatter road round.

Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?

Citizens of many countries, including the UK and the EU, can enter Uzbekistan visa-free for a stay of up to 30 days; others, including Indian passport holders, apply for an e-visa, and visa support is included in the tour. Rules change, so check the current requirement for your passport before booking flights.

Which currency should I bring?

The Uzbek som. Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, but bazaars and small cafes are cash only; ATMs and exchange desks are easy to find in the cities.

What is the best time of year to go?

April to early June and September to October are the most comfortable. July and August are very hot in Bukhara, often above 40°C, and winters are cold but quiet.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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