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Private, on your own dates · Uzbekistan

Sunny Uzbekistan

Nine days that combine Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz with a journey east by train into the Fergana Valley — Kokand’s palace, Rishtan’s ceramics and the hand-woven silk of Margilan.

The route4 cities.
Loading map…
9 days, 8 nightsDuration
4 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

Sunny Uzbekistan adds the part of the country most tours leave out. After the classic cities of the Silk Road it takes the train over the mountains into the Fergana Valley, the green, crowded heart of Uzbekistan, where crafts that have died out elsewhere are still a living trade.

The first half is unhurried. Tashkent’s old quarter on arrival, then the morning train to Bukhara for an afternoon on foot and a whole free day to follow. The afternoon train reaches Samarkand in time to see the Registan lit after dark; a day over the Takhta-Karacha pass to Shakhrisabz and a full day among Samarkand’s monuments follow, before the evening train back to the capital.

Then the valley. Kokand, a khanate capital until the 1870s, has its palace and wooden-columned mosque; Rishtan has turned local clay into blue-glazed pottery for centuries; and in Margilan the Yodgorlik factory still unwinds, dyes and weaves silk ikat by hand. The train returns you to Tashkent for the flight home.

Guides, trains, entrance fees, two plov lunches and a local SIM card are included. In Shakhrisabz you explore with your driver rather than a guide.

Trip highlights

  • 01Bukhara with a whole free day, and two nights in Samarkand
  • 02A day over the mountains to Shakhrisabz, Temur’s birthplace
  • 03The Fergana Valley by train: Kokand, Rishtan and Margilan
  • 04Hand-woven silk ikat at the Yodgorlik factory
  • 05Guides, trains, entrance fees and plov lunches included

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip12 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • Hotel accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast, in the hotel class you choose
Transport5
  • 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
  • Regional train tickets Tashkent–Kokand and Margilan–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 for the sightseeing named in each day, except in Shakhrisabz
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 separately7 items not covered by this fare
Not included7
  • 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
  • Guide and entrance fees in Shakhrisabz, paid on site

Your hotels

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

7 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route7 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
KokandEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
FerganaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
MargilanEntrance 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 the Fergana Valley safe to visit?

Yes. The Uzbek part of the valley is peaceful and welcoming, and the towns on this route see a steady flow of visitors. Your guide and driver are local.

Can I buy silk and ceramics directly?

Yes. Both the Yodgorlik silk factory and the Rishtan workshops sell their own work, and there is no obligation to buy. Larger pieces can usually be wrapped for the flight.

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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