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Private, on your own dates · Uzbekistan

Magic Land of Uzbekistan

Nine days that take the classic Silk Road route out into the landscape around it: a night in a yurt camp in the Kyzylkum desert, a swim in Aydarkul lake, a day to Shakhrisabz and a day in the Chimgan mountains.

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 choose, A night in a yurt camp, with dinner and breakfastMeals

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

Magic Land of Uzbekistan is for travellers who want the country outside its cities as much as within them. It covers Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand in full, then breaks the journey between Bukhara and Samarkand with a night in the Kyzylkum desert instead of a train.

After Tashkent’s old quarter and two nights in Bukhara, the road leads through Gijduvan, a town of potters, to Nurata — a spring full of sacred fish and a hilltop fortress tied by tradition to Alexander the Great — and then out to a yurt camp for dinner under a desert sky. The next morning is spent by Aydarkul, a lake that appeared in the desert only in the last century, before the drive to Samarkand.

Samarkand gets two full days: one over the Takhta-Karacha pass to Temur’s birthplace at Shakhrisabz, with lunch at a family restaurant on the way, and one among the Registan, the Gur-Emir and Shakhi-Zinda. The evening train returns you to Tashkent for a last day in the Chimgan mountains, with a chairlift ride and the turquoise Charvak reservoir.

Guides, trains, the yurt camp with its meals, the chairlift, entrance fees and two plov lunches are included.

Trip highlights

  • 01A night in a yurt camp in the Kyzylkum desert
  • 02A swim in Aydarkul, a lake in the middle of the desert
  • 03Nurata’s sacred spring and hilltop fortress
  • 04Two days in Samarkand, one of them over the mountains to Shakhrisabz
  • 05A day in the Chimgan mountains with a chairlift ride

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip13 items covered in this fare
Hotels2
  • Hotel accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast, in the hotel class you choose
  • A night in a yurt camp, with dinner and breakfast
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 and Samarkand–Tashkent in economy class
  • Private car and driver for the Nurata, Aydarkul and Shakhrisabz days
Entrance Fees2
  • Entrance tickets to the monuments and museums named in the itinerary
  • Chairlift ticket in the Chimgan mountains
Guide1
  • Licensed local guides for the sightseeing named in each day
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
  • Entrance fees in Nurata and Shakhrisabz, about €8 per person in all, paid on site

Your hotels

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

6 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route6 places
TashkentEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
BukharaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
NurataEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
SamarkandEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
ShakhrisabzEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
ChimganEntrance 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

What is the yurt camp like?

Guests sleep in traditional felt yurts furnished with mattresses and bedding, usually shared by your party. Washrooms and showers are in a separate block. Dinner and breakfast are served in the camp.

Can you swim in Aydarkul?

Yes, from late spring to early autumn the water is warm enough, and there are sandy stretches of shore. In winter it is a walk by the water rather than a swim.

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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