Jewels of the Silk Road: 7 Days, 4 Cities in Uzbekistan
7 days
$2,190～ /per person (based on double occupancy)
Price
What's Included
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic Flight Ticket from Tashkent to Urgench
- Domestic High-Speed Train Tickets
- Japanese guide
- Map of Uzbekistan
Price
What's not included
- International air tickets and taxes
- Personal expenses such as travel insurance and souvenirs
- Dinner
- Camera and Video Shooting Fees
- Tips
Recommended travel points
The Silk Road, which historically connected Asia and Europe across the Eurasian continent, served as a crossroads for people, goods, and cultures.
Uzbekistan, located roughly in the middle between East and West, is home to cities along the Silk Road that have preserved historical architecture and landscapes, conveying their rich history and culture to this day, captivating visitors.
The journey begins in Khiva, the holy city in the west, said to have been established in the 1st century. It includes a desert drive characteristic of Uzbekistan, high-speed trains, and express trains, taking you through the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bukhara, the eastern gem of Samarkand, and the capital Tashkent, where the past and present beautifully converge.
With a Japanese-speaking guide, you will explore each city, marveling at Islamic architecture adorned with beautiful mosaics and carvings, featuring robust walls and courtyards designed to withstand the heat. You'll visit the old town of Itchan Kala, centered around castles and fortifications typical of ancient Asia, as well as vibrant bazaars that remain active to this day. Naturally, you'll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites preserved in each city.
Uzbekistan's endless blue skies, the stunning blue domes of mosques, and their white walls.
You can experience incredible places that cannot be seen in Japan.
With Oooh, it's easy to adjust your plan slightly to include the activities you want to do or the places you want to visit.
Consult with a local coordinator to create a journey that's uniquely yours.
Itinerary details
Day 1
Arrival in Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent (Toshkent) at night, where a Japanese-speaking guide will greet you at the airport.
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is one of the largest cities in Central Asia and is known as a historic oasis city.
It has thrived as a central hub of trade along the Silk Road since ancient times and continues to develop as a commercial city today. The city also features modern urban landscapes, including a subway system.
You will be transferred to your hotel by a shuttle car and check in.
Breakfast: × Lunch: × Dinner: ×
Overnight stay: Tashkent
Day 2
Tashkent → Urgench Airport → Khiva
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport early in the morning.
Fly from Tashkent to Urgench (Urganch), then take a shuttle car to Khiva (Xiva). You will explore spots such as Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Juma Mosque, and Islam Khoja Minaret, enjoying the city of Khiva with a guide.
Khiva is a historic city in western Uzbekistan, praised as the 'Pearl of Oriental Medieval Architecture.'
It flourished as a hub along the ancient Silk Road, and its history and culture are still alive today. The old town of Itchan Kala, with its ancient buildings and unique atmosphere, retains the traces of a former fortress city. It was the first site in Uzbekistan to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a medieval charm that feels like stepping back in time.
Breakfast: Yes Lunch: Yes Dinner: No
Overnight stay in Khiva
Day 3
Khiva → Bukhara
After breakfast at the hotel, take a shuttle car to the city of Bukhara (Buxoro).
The journey from Khiva to Bukhara takes approximately 6 hours, but the vast desert scenery visible from the car window is breathtaking and reminiscent of the Silk Road of old, offering a unique and unfamiliar experience for Japanese travelers. Along the way, you can also see the Amu Darya River, one of Uzbekistan's two major rivers, and the red sand desert landscape.
Bukhara, an oasis city that flourished as a political and cultural center in Western Turkestan, is home to a historic old town and traditional Uzbek architecture, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and rest at your leisure.
Breakfast: Yes Lunch: Yes Dinner: No
Overnight stay in Bukhara
Day 4
Bukhara
After breakfast at the hotel, you will head out with a guide to the city of Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the center of the Silk Road with over 2,000 years of history.
While following the cobblestone paths, you will visit places where you can catch a glimpse of unique Islamic architectural structures adorned with mosaics and the splendor of the past, such as the Sitorai Mohi Hosa, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bukhara Bazaar, Ark Fortress, Poi Kalyan Architectural Ensemble, Lyabi-Hauz Complex, Ulugh Beg Madrasah, and Abdulaziz Madrasah.
The blue sky and beautiful townscape are a must-see.
Breakfast: Yes Lunch: Yes Dinner: No
Overnight stay in Bukhara
Day 5
Bukhara → Shakhrisabz → Samarkand
After breakfast at the hotel, you can freely explore the city of Bukhara in the morning. Since it is also known for industries such as textiles and carpets, it is recommended to visit and look at handicrafts and souvenirs.
In the afternoon, we will head to Samarkand (Samarqand) by high-speed train.
Samarkand, which has been inhabited and functioning as a city since around the 10th century BCE, flourished through Silk Road trade and is known as a beautiful city referred to as the 'Jewel of the East.'
Samarkand is recognized as a World Heritage Site as a cultural crossroads.
After checking into the hotel, you can relax and take your time.
Breakfast: Yes, Lunch: Yes, Dinner: No
Accommodation: Samarkand
Day 6
Samarkand
After breakfast at the hotel, you will go sightseeing in Samarkand with a guide.
During its long history, we will visit must-see spots among the countless attractions in Samarkand.
By visiting places such as the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Silk Paper Promotion Center, and the Afrosiab Hill and Museum, you should be able to feel the breath of people from long ago.
In the evening, we will also go to see the illuminated Registan Square.
Breakfast: Yes, Lunch: Yes, Dinner: No
Accommodation: Samarkand
Day 7
Samarkand→ Tashkent
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Tashkent on an early morning express train.
We will visit the must-see spots in the capital, Tashkent, where the journey began.
The cityscape allows you to experience both history and new culture, with places such as the Japanese Cemetery, Hast-Imam Complex, Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent Metro, and Independence Square.
After dinner, we will move to the airport and return to our home country.
Breakfast: Included Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation:
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