Exploration of major sites on the Silk Road, Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara and immersion in local life
- Appreciate the astonishing architecture of the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva,
- Immerse yourself in the daily life of the villagers of the charming village of Sentop,
- Explore the Kizyl Kum desert and the surprising citadels of Ayaz Kala,
- Enjoy our authentic accommodation in the heart of the old towns.
Pro tip!
To get in the mood, watch both seasons of the TV series “Marco Polo” – Producer: Netflix
Your adventure
Embark on a thrilling journey to the heart of Central Asia. Travel the legendary Silk Road and let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of the three pearls of Uzbekistan, the fascinating Khiva, the majestic Bukhara hidden behind imposing ramparts and the enchanting Samarkand and its emblematic Registan Square! Between the exploration of these cities with their singular charms and the encounters with a people with legendary hospitality, this trip promises to be a magical and unforgettable adventure.
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Day 1
Flight to Uzbekistan.
Flight towards Tashkent. Meals and overnight on board.
GOOD TO KNOW: the majority of flights arrive in the early morning. Sometimes in season, some flights arrive in the middle of the night. In the latter case, you will then be transferred to the hotel to rest before the start of the tours the next day.
On board
Day 2
Welcome to Tashkent, the Uzbek capital.
Arrival in the morning in Tashkent. Welcome by our local guide and transfer to have breakfast. Then, we will begin the exploration of Tashkent, this green and flowery city nestled between the Tchimgan mountains and the valleys of Tchirtchik and Syr Darya. 1st stop of the day its covered bazaars, real living places of the capital. We will stroll through the aisles of some of them like Oloy, Chorsu or Farhod, to admire stalls loaded with a thousand and one delicacies. It’s also an opportunity to taste some of the region’s gastronomic specialties. This capital is also home to numerous monuments which give it a unique identity. In the heart of the old city, is the Khasti Imam complex, made up on one side of the Barak Khan Medersa, the mausoleum of the saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Chachi, and the Islamic Institute of Imam al Boukhari. On the other side, we will admire the Tilla Sheikh mosque, famous for its library, rich in oriental manuscripts, including the mythical Koran of Khalif Osman from the 7th century, the oldest written version existing to date. Lunch before continuing towards the historic highlights of Tashkent. We will take the metro to go to the museum dedicated to the builder Amir Timur, more commonly called Tamerlane, and to his historical legacy. We will continue towards the Museum of Applied Arts. Exhibited in the sumptuous residence of a former Tsar diplomat, we will admire unique pieces of Uzbek craftsmanship, delicate silk suzanis, Gijduvan ceramics and traditional musical instruments. Dinner at a local restaurant then transfer to Tashkent station to board the train to Urgench. Night on board in our cabins.
Night train journey Tashkent-Urgench: approx. 2:18 p.m. / approx. 970km / timetable: 11:58 p.m. – 2:16 p.m.
Times given for information only, may be modified.
GOOD TO KNOW: If your flight arrives early in the morning of day 2, we will provide you with a shared room to allow you to shower before starting the day’s visits.
By sleeper train
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 3
A ticket to the Khiva oasis.
This morning, waking up on the train. This morning, we will enjoy the contrasting landscape that passes before our eyes from our window. Breakfast and picnic lunch on board the train. We will eventually reach Urgench station early in the afternoon. When we get off the train we will take the road towards Khiva, this museum city, surrounded by high ramparts and which extends over almost 25 hectares. This ancient city of Turkestan, capital of the khanate since the 17th century, is located in the heart of the Khorezm oasis. It was one of the largest markets in Central Asia and its prosperity lasted until the beginning of the century. The Khiva oasis is especially famous for being one of the essential stops on the ancient Silk Road. According to legend, Khiva was founded at the place where Shem (the son of Noah) dug the well of Keivah. Our urban stroll will put us on the route of a number of madrassas, mausoleums and mosques, always dominated by their unique minarets. The inland town of Itchan Kala is a real open-air museum, offering us a unique stroll through its shaded streets. Dinner in a local restaurant and night in a caravanserai.
Transportation time: approx. 1 hour / approx. 28km
GOOD TO KNOW: no shower available in our sleeping car, bring wipes to clean up before arriving in Khiva.
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 4
Palace, Mosque and Madrasa of Khiva.
Breakfast. We will begin our visit with the Tach-Kaouli Palace, with its harem, its reception rooms and its court of justice. The whole complex, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, is a veritable labyrinth where the sovereign “Allakouli Khan” and his court lived. We will head towards the Khan Moukhammed-Amin madrassah, the largest in Khiva, where the surprising Kalta-minor minaret stands. Built by Moukhammed-Amin, it was intended to be the tallest minaret in the Muslim East, but following a defeat, he never set foot in Khiva again, and its construction remained unfinished. We will continue to the mausoleum of Sayid Alaoudin, erected in 1303 in memory of the sheikh of the same name. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, it is above all the oldest in Khiva and still in remarkable condition. This museum city, surrounded by high ramparts, which extends over nearly 25 hectares, houses its main mosque, the Djuma mosque with its 218 carved wooden columns. We will be surprised by its singularity which is distinguished by its atypical architecture without entrance arches, portals, or even domes. Behind the mosque rises the most emblematic architectural building of Khiva, the mausoleum of Pakhlavan-Makhmoud, popular poet and essential figure in the history of this city. We will also discover the Kounya-Ark, a fortified palace which served as the main residence of the Khans of the time. It houses the chancellery, the Throne Room, several mosques with sublime blue and white ceramics and a mint. Finally, we will end this day with the Islam-Khodja madrasa and its 44.5 m high minaret, the tallest minaret in Khiva. Dinner and night in the caravanserai.
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 5
Discovering the fortresses of the Ayaz Kala desert.
Breakfast. Departure this morning towards the ancient capital of Khorezm. Still preserved, we will discover the Kalas, “Kyzil Kala”, “Ayaz Kala” and “Toprak Kala”, these terracotta fortresses built in the 1st century BC. Even today, archaeologists wonder about the reasons which prompted the inhabitants to desert, 8th century later, these citadels in the heart of the desert. In a remarkable state of preservation, they were only discovered in 1938. During this visit, our guide will immerse us in the fascinating history of these kalas. Picnic lunch. At the end of the afternoon, transfer by road to Urgench station and boarding the train towards Bukhara. Picnic dinner on board the train. On arrival, transfer and overnight at the hotel.
Transport time by road: approx. 3h30 / approx. 170 km
Urgench – Bukhara train journey: approx. 06:05 / approx. 435km / time: 6:20 p.m. – 12:18 a.m.
Times given for information only, may be modified.
In the hotel
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 6
Exploring legendary Bukhara.
Breakfast. This Central Asian city was built thanks to the visits of the best artists and craftsmen from the Mongol empire, the neighboring kingdoms of Persia, Iraq and even India. One of the finest examples of this magnificent oasis is the fascinating Ark Citadel, which served as the residence of the emirs until 1920. Legend has it that the foundation of the fortress contains seven pillars placed in the order of the constellation of the Great Bear. Today, behind its massive walls and high towers, we can admire the throne room, the mosque, the entrance portal and the history and ethnology museum. Opposite the Ark citadel is the Bolo Khaouz Mosque, a UNESCO world heritage site. Built in 1712, it will captivate us with its porch decorated with 20 sculpted pillars and sumptuously decorated and tinted in warm colors. Lunch. This afternoon, we will visit a pottery workshop to discover all the manufacturing secrets of one of the region’s master craftsmen. Let’s take advantage of a short stop to relax in the heart of a Chaikhana at tea time. Free time for personal exploration before dinner. Night at the hotel.
In the hotel
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 7
Be enchanted by the treasures of Bukhara.
Breakfast. Bukhara has managed to preserve its beauty and its rich architectural heritage. Even today, it continues to captivate visitors. We will start our day with the Liab i Khaouz, this mecca of conviviality in the heart of the old town. This pool is one of the rare ones to have stood the test of time. Around it, we can also admire one of the masterpieces of Bukhara, the Medersa Nadir Divan-Begi. Our gaze will be captivated by the 2 splendid semourgues, these 2 birds with blue and green plumage, which adorn the gate and which fly towards the sun. Bukhara is also recognized as one of the centers of Uzbek craftsmanship whose know-how is passed down from generation to generation. We will have the pleasure of meeting some of its talented artisans who passionately perpetuate their art. We will discover the secrets of making delicate miniatures. Lunch. We will continue towards the majestic Poï-Kalon complex, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. There you can admire the minaret of the same name dating from the 11th century. Culminating at 48 m, it served as a lighthouse for caravans heading towards the city. But also, the Kalan mosque, with architecture from the Timurid era, with its imposing interior courtyard decorated with vaulted galleries with 288 domes supported by 208 columns. We will also be captivated by the beauty of the mosaics of the Medersa Mi Arab, located opposite the mosque. Let’s take advantage of a short stop to relax in the heart of a Chaikhana at tea time. Free time to relax or for more personal exploration. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
In the hotel
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 8
Nourata, Oasis on the Silk Road.
Breakfast. We leave Bukhara towards Nourata, this oasis nestled on the Silk Road. Legend has it that travelers having wandered for a long time in the desert, headed towards Nourata, attracted by a ray of light. It was founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. Inspired by the constellation Ursa Major, he built the Nour fortress, which literally means “ray of light”. This city marked the border between the desert steppe and fertile agricultural regions. Many legends surround Nourata, one of which tells that a meteorite crashed and created a source of water with curative properties. In the heart of the city, we will discover the Tchashama complex, “the source”, which houses the Panjvakhta mosque, built by the last Khan of the Chaybanid dynasty. Breakfast in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will continue towards the Tchil Ustun mosque, famous for its 40 columns and its dome, the largest in Central Asia. Finally, this exploration will end with the mausoleum of Sheikh Abdoul Khassan Nouri. We will then head to the village of Sentop for a dive into the heart of rural Uzbekistan. Dinner with locals.
Transport time by road: approx. 4h30 / approx. 280km
GOOD TO KNOW: Comfort is simple and modest among our guests. No single room, we will therefore share the rooms and bathrooms available.
Homestay
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 9
Dive into the heart of rural Uzbekistan.
Breakfast at the locals’ home. We will stroll through the green paths of the village to admire its magnificent traditional houses. We will also meet the inhabitants of Tajik origin. We will resume our journey towards the charming village of Asraf, in the heart of the walnut tree nature reserve of the “Nouratine Mountains” mountain. We will take advantage of an excellent viewpoint to admire the breathtaking panorama of the landscapes of the region, combined between desert, countryside and Lake Aydarkul. We will take advantage of this natural stopover to enjoy our picnic lunch. We will also discover the ruins of the 13th century Mongol fortress, “Khonkeldi Qorgoni”. Free time to relax in this bucolic setting, before heading back down to the village of Sentop. Dinner and night at a local’s home.
GOOD TO KNOW: Comfort is simple and modest among our guests. No single room, we will therefore share the rooms and bathrooms available.
Homestay
Immersion (4 hours)
Day 10
Head to mysterious Samarkand.
Breakfast at the locals’ home. Departure by road for Samarkand. On arrival, we will take a break for lunch. We will stay in the heart of the old town in an old 18th century residence. Built by a Jewish family, this guesthouse is today completely restored in the pure Uzbek tradition in a traditional style. This splendid city, halfway between China and the Orient, was once one of the most important caravan stops on the Silk Road. The Afrosiyob complex houses an archaeological site and a museum bringing together the remains of the creation of Samarkand originally named Afrasiab. On the two levels of the museum, we will discover a collection of more than 20,000 pieces to better understand the history of one of the greatest stages of the Silk Road. We will continue to the tomb of Saint-Daniel, resting place of one of the great prophets of the Old Testament and the Hebrew Bible. Legend has it that it was Tamerlane who brought back a relic from Persia. We will be surprised by the surprising size of this singular tomb, more than 18 m long. Finally, head towards one of the curiosities of Samarkand, the astronomical observatory, unique for its time, built in 1430 by the astronomer-prince Ulugh-Beg. It once housed the largest sextant in the world. Today, we will discover the underground part of the giant sextant. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Transport time by road: approx. 3h10 / approx. 190km
In the hotel
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 11
The must-sees of Samarkand.
Breakfast. We will begin our visit with one of the must-see attractions of this city, the sublime Registan Square with its three legendary mosques of a thousand and one colors: Ulug-Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kari. We will continue our immersion in the history of Uzbekistan by discovering the ruins of the Bibi-Khanym mosque, which according to legend, was built on the orders of one of Tamerlane’s wives in order to impress him. A short tour of the bazaar, a place of meetings and exchanges, will allow us to wander between the stalls of Turkmen carpets, stalls and jewelry. We will also enjoy smelling the delicate scent of pomegranates, watermelons, melons, candies, and other dried fruits. Our eye will also be attracted by the generous bread of Samarkand. Uzbeks flock from all four corners of the country to consume this essential pancake-shaped dish, whose flavor is boasted by numerous legends. Lunch. This afternoon, we will admire one of the jewels of Samarkand, the Chaki-Zinda sanctuary, a sublime collection of mausoleums, mosques and tombs whose domes and minarets stand out for their dazzling blue. We will be enchanted by this majestic site considered to be the most beautiful architectural ensemble of Islamic art in Uzbekistan. Visit to a handmade paper manufacturing workshop. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
In the hotel
Culture and civilizations (4 hours)
Day 12
Our last hours in Samarkand.
Breakfast. Before our departure for Tashkent, we will take full advantage of a free day for a personal exploration of the captivating Samarkand. The opportunity to get lost in its alleys or to bring back some treasures, souvenirs of this great adventure, in our suitcases. Free lunch. At the end of the afternoon, transfer to Samarkand station to board the train towards Tashkent. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Samarkand-Tashkent train journey: approx. 02h10 / approx. 435km / timetable: 5:07 p.m. – 7:17 p.m.
Times given for information only, may be modified.
In the hotel
Discovery (3 hours)
Day 13
Return to France.
According to our schedules, transfer to the airport and flight towards France.
GOOD TO KNOW: Flight very early in the morning, so little rest this day.
N.B.:
The progress of the program is given for information purposes only. The stages may be modified on site for weather, security, organizational reasons, plane schedules or any unexpected event. In these difficult times, the local guide will do everything possible to mitigate the effects of these events beyond our control.
