8-day Uzbekistan Classic Tour from South Africa8 Days | Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva

Our 8-day Uzbekistan Classic Tour from South Africa is a short journey through the most beautiful ancient cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. On this tour you will explore architectural masterpieces of the Eastern Middle Ages, stroll through the narrow streets of traditional neighbourhoods and enjoy delicious Uzbek cuisine in local restaurants.
This tour to Uzbekistan from South Africa begins and ends in Tashkent, the capital and a modern metropolis that still preserves historical sites and monuments from the Soviet era. From Tashkent, head west to Khiva, an open-air museum city. Then cross the Kyzylkum Desert to the vibrant city of Bukhara, known for its colourful architecture. The tour culminates with a visit to Samarkand, home to the most monumental buildings that have amazed travellers with their grandeur for more than 500 years.
Read the detailed itinerary of the 8-day Uzbekistan Classic Tour from South Africa and start planning your unforgettable trip to the world of oriental fairy tales today!

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Tashkent – Arrival

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00. Your Uzbekistan classic tour will start with meeting your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center to walk through Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand

Morning transfer to the railway station for the high-speed Afrosiyob

train ride to Samarkand (journey time 2 h 10 min). Your guide and driver will meet you at train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 3: Samarkand

Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 4: Samarkand – Bukhara

In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara (280 km, 4 h*). Stop on the way at Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai. Continue driving to Bukhara. Arrive in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Spend your afternoon in fascinating Old Bukhara which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Explore Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trade domes, Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Chor-Minor Madrasah. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
*The drive on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.

Day 5: Bukhara

Start the second day in Bukhara discovering Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Samani dynasty and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Then visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 6: Bukhara – Khiva

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 h*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Bukhara to Khiva through Kyzylkum desert**. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon. Check-in to the hotel. Free evening in Khiva. Overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.

Day 7: Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent

Check-out from hotel till noon. Today you will visit Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour features visits to Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum and Islam-Khoja minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Free time in the afternoon. In the evening you will be transferred to Urgench airport (30 km, 35 min) for flight to Tashkent (1093 km, 1 h 40 min). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Here you will complete your Uzbekistan classic tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 8: Tashkent – Departure

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of Uzbekistan Classic Tour from South Africa.

Price includes:

All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3-7 pax by minivan type car; 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14 pax and more by 40-50 seat bus;
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Ticket for train Tashkent-Samarkand (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
Economy class ticket for flight Urgench-Tashkent.