8-Day Uzbekistan Tour from Tashkent: Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand 2027
Overview
This Uzbekistan tour takes you across almost the whole country, from the medieval walls of Khiva in the west to the modern capital Tashkent in the east, travelling as a small group with a private vehicle and local guides in every city.
A short domestic flight takes you straight from Tashkent to Khiva, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Central Asia. From there, cross the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara, stopping at the 2,000-year-old fortresses of ancient Khorezm on the way. Explore Bukhara’s madrasahs, trading domes and the Ark fortress, and enjoy a dinner with a folk show in a historic madrasah. Continue via the pottery town of Gijduvan to Samarkand, home of the Registan and the turquoise avenue of Shah-i-Zinda, and finish in Tashkent with its bazaar, Plov Center and grand squares.
Group transport by private vehicle, the Tashkent–Urgench flight, daily breakfast, the folk show dinner and all entrance fees are included.
Highlights
Is this trip for you?
- First-time visitors who want most of Uzbekistan in one week
- Couples, friends and solo travellers who like travelling in a small group
- Travellers arriving in Tashkent who don’t want to backtrack across the country
- You don’t enjoy long road days — Day 3 is 6–7 hours across the desert
- You need step-free access everywhere — the old towns are cobbled
- You want all meals included
Our honest opinion
- The flight to Khiva on Day 1 saves a full day of driving
- It covers the whole country west to east, with no backtracking
- Small group with a private vehicle and local guides in every city
- Relaxed 10:00 starts on most days
- Day 1 is long if you land at night: rest at the Tashkent hotel, then an evening flight to Khiva
- Day 3 is long: fortresses in the morning, then about 6–7 hours to Bukhara
- Only one night in Samarkand, so keep the Registan-at-night evening free
- Day 6 ends with a 4-hour evening drive to Tashkent
This is the classic route through Uzbekistan, made easy for travellers who land in Tashkent. Flying straight to Khiva means you start in the oldest, quietest city and travel east towards the energy of the capital. If you can spare one more day, spend it in Samarkand.
The trip in numbers
Your route
Line style shows how you travel each leg: solid = train, dotted = car, dashed = flight.
Day by day
Pick-up at Tashkent International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Tashkent (early check-in to rest after your flight).
Free time in Tashkent.
17:00 – Evening flight to Urgench.
Arrival at Urgench International Airport.
Private transfer to Khiva (about 30 minutes).
Check-in at your hotel.
Free time to relax or enjoy a first walk through the old city as the evening light falls on its minarets.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – Start of the guided city tour of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Main visits:
Kalta Minor Minaret – the unfinished, turquoise-tiled minaret that became the symbol of Khiva.
Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah – the largest madrasah in Khiva.
Kunya Ark Citadel – the fortified residence of the Khiva khans.
Tash-Hauli Palace – a palace famous for its tiled courtyards and harem.
Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum – the resting place of the poet and wrestler who is Khiva’s patron saint.
Juma Mosque – a unique hall supported by more than 200 carved wooden columns.
Islam Khodja Minaret – the tallest minaret in Khiva.
This day offers a deep immersion in one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Central Asia.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 – Departure for Karakalpakstan.
Excursion to the ancient desert fortresses:
Ayaz-Kala Fortress – mud-brick fortifications rising from a hilltop above the desert.
Kyrk-Kyz Kala Fortress – the “Fortress of Forty Girls”, one of the mysterious strongholds of ancient Khorezm.
These archaeological sites date back more than 2,000 years. They offer panoramic desert views and a rare insight into the ancient Khorezm civilisation.
13:00 – Transfer to Bukhara by private vehicle across the Kyzylkum Desert.
Arrival and hotel check-in.
19:00 – Free time. Optional visit:
Chor Minor Madrasah – the charming four-towered gatehouse, one of Bukhara’s most photographed sights.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – Start of the guided walking tour of Bukhara.
Main visits:
Poi Kalon Architectural Complex – the heart of Bukhara, with the great Kalon Minaret and mosque.
Mir-i-Arab Madrasah – a working Islamic school with striking blue domes.
Ark Fortress – the massive citadel of the Emirs of Bukhara.
Ulugh Beg Madrasah – one of the oldest madrasahs in Central Asia.
Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah – known for its rich decoration and painted interiors.
Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble – the shaded pool square at the centre of old Bukhara.
Trading domes and caravanserais – the covered bazaars of the Silk Road merchants.
Crafts Center – traditional workshops of local artisans.
19:00 – Dinner with a folk show and fashion performance at the Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah.
20:00 – Free time. Optional visits:
Samanid Mausoleum (9th–10th century) – a masterpiece of early brick architecture.
Shukhov Tower – the historic steel lattice watch tower of Bukhara.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – Visit to the Summer Palace of the Emir of Bukhara, a blend of Eastern and European styles.
12:00 – Drive to Gijduvan to visit a family of hereditary potters.
13:00 – Workshop tour and introduction to traditional Gijduvan ceramics, one of Uzbekistan’s most famous crafts.
15:00 – Transfer to Samarkand by private vehicle.
18:00 – Arrival in Samarkand and hotel check-in.
Free time. Optional visit:
Registan Square at night – the three madrasahs are beautifully illuminated after dark.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – Guided city tour of Samarkand by private car.
Main visits:
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum – the final resting place of Amir Timur.
Registan Square – the legendary architectural masterpiece of the Silk Road.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque – once among the largest mosques in the Islamic world.
Shah-i-Zinda Memorial Complex – an avenue of turquoise mausoleums and one of Uzbekistan’s most sacred sites.
Silk paper workshop – where paper is still made by hand using centuries-old techniques.
16:00 – Private transfer to Tashkent (approx. 4–4.5 hours).
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – Start of the guided city tour by private car.
Main visits:
Khast Imam Complex and the Museum of Manuscripts – home to one of the world’s oldest Qur’an manuscripts.
Chorsu Bazaar – the city’s iconic traditional market.
Independence Square – the symbolic heart of modern Uzbekistan.
Plov Center – a local food experience with Uzbekistan’s national dish (lunch at your own expense).
Romanov Palace – a reminder of the city’s imperial past.
Amir Timur Square and Broadway – elegant architecture and a lively pedestrian street.
Hotel Uzbekistan Observation Deck – panoramic views over central Tashkent.
Breakfast at the hotel (depending on your flight time).
Private transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure flight.
End of the tour.
What’s included
What’s not included
Where you’ll stay
Or equivalent, depending on season.
Choose your hotel category
Same itinerary, same guide — pick the comfort level that suits you. The price switch is in the booking box.
- TashkentMarwa
- SamarkandShahristan Art
- BukharaEmerald
- KhivaAnor Qal'a
- TashkentSwissotel
- SamarkandMovenpick
- BukharaMisgaron
- KhivaMercure
Dates and prices
Good to know
Most nationalities enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30–90 days. If your passport needs an e-visa, it takes 2–3 working days online — we check your case and guide you at booking.
We meet you at the airport whatever the time and take you to the hotel, where an early check-in lets you rest before the evening flight to Khiva.
The longest is Day 3: about 6–7 hours across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara after the fortress visit. Bukhara to Samarkand and Samarkand to Tashkent are each about 4 hours, with stops along the way.
Breakfast every day from Day 2 and the dinner with a folk show in Bukhara. Other lunches and dinners are your free choice — your guide will recommend good local places.
The local currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). Visa and Mastercard work in city hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; keep some cash for bazaars, taxis and tips. ATMs dispense som and sometimes USD.
April–May and September–October are warm and pleasant — ideal for walking the old cities. July–August is very hot, often 40 °C or more; winter is cold but sunny and quiet.
Plug types C and F, 220 V — the same as most of Europe. Travellers from the UK, US and Asia need a standard Euro adapter.
Everyday dress is relaxed in every city on the route. Inside mosques and madrasas, shoulders and knees should be covered; headscarves for women are only needed in a few active mosques — your guide will tell you when.
Hotel Wi-Fi works well in the cities and mobile data is cheap with a local SIM. Your coordinator stays reachable on WhatsApp or Telegram throughout.
Free cancellation 40 days or more before departure. 39–30 days: 30% of the price is kept; 29–15 days: 50%; 14 days or less or no-show: 100%. One free change of dates or hotel category 45+ days before departure.
Medical insurance for your days in Uzbekistan is included in the tour price. It does not cover cancellation or baggage, so we recommend your own travel insurance as well — we can suggest trusted providers.
Yes. This is a small-group tour with fixed departure dates, but we can add extra nights in any city before or after the tour.
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