The architecture of the Tashkent Metro is one of the most beautiful in the world, and it is a traditional destination for tourists and guests...
Tours
Ring of Uzbekistan
A cradle of culture for more than two millennia, Uzbekistan is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sights alone, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's biggest draw and most impressive showstopper.
On this 12 days journey you’ll explore Uzbekistan, the country steeped in antiquity with a lasting legacy from the warriors and emperors who made their mark. Visit some of the oldest cities in the world such as the legendary Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Each one boasts a glorious architectural legacy that is simply dazzling.
This itinerary covers the famous sites of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan. You will visit 7 cities of Uzbekistan in 12 days within this tour. During the trip to Karakalpakstan you will have a chance to witness planets worst environmental disaster, drying Aral Sea and see the ship cemetery in Moynak. Famous Savitskiy Museum of Nukus and archaeological complex Mizdakhan is also included in the program. Despite the relative closeness of these cities, Khiva is an actual open-air museum; Bukhara is rich in history and dramatic architecture; in Samarkand you will feel yourself as playing a part in one of the fairy tales from “1000 and 1001 Nights”; Tashkent surprises everybody with wide boulevards, green parks and lively night life.
It is not only impressive fortresses that the routes of the old Silk Road and the legacy of its traders and conquerors they left behind, but also traditions for local cuisine and the haggling for bargains in an Uzbek market. From the capital Tashkent through to Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, you will discover the range of goods sold on the Silk Road today.
Aside from its ancient heritage the country also shows traits of its more recent Soviet past and it is this colourful mix of the old and the new that really appeals to the visitor. Her people are an eclectic mix of Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kazakhs and others.
As Uzbekistan continues to develop and open up, now is the time to discover this double landlocked Central Asian nation.
Program at glance
Arrive by plane to Nukus - the capital of Karakalpakstan and drive to former fishermen’s town Muynak (220 km, 3 h), which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea. There, you will see rusted remains of ships like midshipmen stuck in the sands of the sea having retreated in the face of human madness. You will also visit I.V. Savitsky Museum in Nukus which keeps a unique collection of Russian avant-garde, the world second largest and most important. Your next stage is the evocative city of Khiva, one of the most complete and best-preserved cities on the ancient Silk Road. The journey then moves to Bukhara. It was the beauty of the Kalyan minaret that saved it from being destroyed by Ghengis Khan in 1220 when the rest of the city was razed to the ground. The next stage is to Samarkand, which survived the arrival of Islam, the havoc of the Mongolian hordes and then flowered under the rule of Tamerlane. On the way to Samarkand you will make a stop over in Shakhrisabz for city tour and will visit the burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. After Samarkand you will be taken back to Tashkent. This tour is a good introduction to Uzbekistan, its culture and rich historical heritage. You will enjoy an amazing beauty of architectural monuments of the antiquity and Middle Ages, visit famous oriental bazaars and, of course, learn more about national Uzbek culture, traditions, way of life coupled with a true oriental hospitability.
Tour Highlights
- Tashkent - Wander through Tashkent's bazaar for a wonderful insight into daily life and mingle with the locals in the lively Chorsu market
- Khiva - Visit to the most romantic city on the Silk Road, a UNESCO protected site and perhaps the most perfectly preserved of all the Silk Road cities
- Bukhara - Admire Islamic architecture, browse bustling bazaars and take tea adjacent to the beautiful pool of Lyab-i-Khauz
- Samarkand - Discover the cultural gem of the Silk Road and visit the awe-inspiring restored madrassas standing on three sides of Registan Square
- Shahrisabz - Excursion to Shahrisabz, birthplace of Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur
- Konigil village - Visit ceramic workshops and a silk paper-making workshop
- Savitskiy Art Museum - The Museum is well known for its huge collection of Russian avant-garde paintings and Karakalpak folk art in the world
- Ship cemetery - Experience one of the worst environmental disasters in Central Asia, driving across a dried Aral sea bed with its graveyards of ships, and wonder if the once vast lake can ever be restored
Itinerary program
day
1
Arrive Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
day
2
Tashkent – Nukus – Muynak – Nukus
Morning flight to Nukus (2 h. 45 min. flight). Arrive in Nukus and drive to former fishermen’s town Muynak (220 km, 3 h.), which used to be situated on the shores of Aral Sea. On the way stop at archaeological complex Mizdakhan. In Muynak have a look at a former port with abandoned ships in the sand – “Cemetery of ships”. Then visit Local History Museum with art exhibits of the Aral Sea history. In the afternoon return to Nukus. Overnight at the hotel.
day
3
Nukus – Khiva
Visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around center of Nukus: see statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. In the afternoon depart to Khiva (200 km, 4-5 h.). On the way visit archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: Chilpyk – a Zoroastrian dakhma, and Toprak-Kala – the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. Arrive in Khiva, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
day
4
Khiva
Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Qala fortress. In Ichan-Qala fortress visit Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
day
5
Khiva – Bukhara
In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 hours). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road does nowadays. Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amudarya River and the desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
day
6
Bukhara
Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
day
7
Bukhara
Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
day
8
Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz (275 km, 4 hours). Stop in Shakhrisabz for city tour. Visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand (90 km, 2 hours). Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
day
9
Samarkand
Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane, remains of Bibi Khahum mosque, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek observatory, Siab Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.
day
10
Samarkand – Tashkent
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. At 16:00 transfer to railway station to take the fast-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 17:00 (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:10. Pick-up and transfer to hotel in Tashkent. Overnight at the hotel.
day
11
Tashkent
Guided sightseeing (4-5 hours) in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran, holy book, of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center, stroll around Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and visit Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
day
12
Tashkent – departure
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.
Transport in Uzbekistan
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Duration: 12 days
Path: Tashkent - Nukus – Muynak – Khiva - Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand - Tashkent
Difficulty level: Easy
Price for tour package (for one person) in USD
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| 1 | $ | $ |
| 2 | $ | $ |
| 4 | $ | $ |
| 6 | $ | $ |
| 8 | $ | $ |
| 10 | $ | $ |
| Single supplement | $ | $ |
Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from group size, low season to peak season travel. This tour can be personalized to your specific requirements. Please contact us for details
Tour map
Tour hotels
| City |
|
| N of nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent | Uzbekistan, Shodlik Palace, Sharq | Lotte City Hotel, Miran International, Wyndham, Ramada | 3 |
| Nukus | Jipek Joli, Rahnamo |
1 | |
| Khiva | Euro Asia, Old Khiva, Malika Kheivak, Orient Star, Malika Khiva | Asia Khiva | 2 |
| Bukhara | Minzifa, K.Komil, Zargaron, Siyavush |
Asia Bukhara, Omar Khayyam, Devon Begi, Zargaron Plaza | 3 |
| Samarkand | Jahongir, Caravan Serail, Malika Classic |
Registan Plaza, Grand Samarkand, Diyora, Grand Samarkand Superior, Malika Prime | 2 |
Hotels will be booked based on availability
Included services
- Visa invitation letter;
- Transport service on comfortable tourist class vehicle (a certain type of vehicle is provided depending on the group size);
- Double/twin & Single sharing accommodation in the hotels with full breakfast and travel tax;
- English speaking guide during the entire itinerary (for the group of 8 pax and more);
- Sightseeing with a local English speaking guide in each city (for group below 8 pax);
- Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights ;
- .
Not included services
- Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Fees for the use of cameras and videos in the monuments and tourist sites;
- Fees for extra service (folklore performance, meetings, tickets for a theatre and visits to museums which are not specified in the program);
- Alcohol drinks;
- Personal items;
- Full board (lunch and dinner);
- Charges in hotels for additional services;
- Early check-ins / late check-outs;
- International air tickets;
- Travel insurance.
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Recommended monuments
View all monuments around Ring of Uzbekistan
Tashkent
Chorsu Bazaar is Tashkent’s most famous farmers market, topped by a giant green dome, is a delightful slice of city life spilling into the streets off Old Town’s southern edge. If it grows and it’s edible, it’s here.
Tashkent
Alay Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars of Tashkent. Presumably, it emerged in 12-13th centuries on the Mount Alay, but not as a market, but only a place of trade on the trade route, going from East Turkestan in the Fergana Valley.
Chimgan
Even if you are a history lover and travel to Uzbekistan with the only aim to visit its ancient cities do not make a mistake to miss a visit to The Institute of Sun that is located just 2 hours drive from Tashkent in a small imperceptible town of Parkent. Heliocomplex with a very futuristic view stands at an altitude of 1,050 meters above sea level, but it seems that it is right "under the sky"
Chimgan
You would never guess that Uzbekistan once was taking an active part in developing space technologies and taking part in space programs. And we are not talking about the middle ages Islamic astronomers. Learn more about
Other hotels in Ring of Uzbekistan
View all hotels in Ring of Uzbekistan
A comfortable hotel within easy reach of all that needs to be seen in Khiva. It's, supposedly, best or second to best in Khiva, take it; Khiva makes the effort worthy! Service is on a downside, but again for the service better go to smaller boutique hotels that are family run and treat the guests as their own friends. For a short stay of 2 to 3 days, the hotel fits the bill.
Room facilities
Central location, helpful staff. Rooms are adequate but having no character. Will do for 1-2 days stay.
Room facilities
