Private, on your own dates · Uzbekistan
Twelve days across the whole width of Uzbekistan — the stranded ships of Muynak, the desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm, Khiva, Bukhara, a yurt camp by Aydarkul, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz and the Chimgan mountains.
Twin share · land only, flights extra
Discovery of Uzbekistan crosses the country from its far western edge to the mountains in the east, and shows how much more there is to it than three famous cities. It starts in Karakalpakstan, at Muynak, where the fishing fleet was left on dry land as the Aral Sea retreated.
From Nukus the route follows the old heartland of Khorezm south to Khiva, stopping at mud-brick fortresses built on hilltops two thousand years ago, and gives Khiva’s walled inner town a full day before the night train across the desert to Bukhara. After a day in Bukhara the road leaves the railway behind: a potter’s workshop at Gijduvan, the sacred spring at Nurata, a night in a yurt camp and a morning at Aydarkul lake.
Samarkand is the reward for all that distance, with a day over the mountains to Shakhrisabz and a day among the Registan, the Gur-Emir and Shakhi-Zinda. The high-speed train then returns you to Tashkent for a final day in the Chimgan mountains before the flight home.
Guides in Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, the flight to Nukus, the night train, the high-speed train, the yurt camp with its meals, the chairlift and the entrance fees are all included.
Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.
Uzbekistan
Spring (Mar–May) is the best time — lush, not too hot. Autumn (Sep–Oct) is also excellent for sightseeing.
The Muynak day covers about 400 kilometres in all and the road from Nukus to Khiva about 260, broken by stops at the fortresses. The roads are paved but long and flat; the vehicle is air-conditioned.
Not especially. There is a lot of time in the vehicle and on foot in the cities, and some of the desert fortresses involve a short scramble up loose ground. A night in a yurt camp means simple shared facilities.
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.
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.
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.
Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.