Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Breakfast followed by a sightseeing tour of Tashkent:

• Historical Khast Imam Square, famous for its 7th-century Quran manuscript

• Chorsu Bazaar

Lunch, then continue the excursion:

• Independence Square

• Amir Timur Square

Overnight in Tashkent

Transfer to the airport for the flight from Tashkent to Nukus. Excursion in Nukus, including:

• Savitsky Museum of Arts, featuring a remarkable collection of Russian avant-garde and one of Central Asia’s largest fine art collections

• Mizdakhan Necropolis, one of the oldest and most mysterious sites from the Zoroastrian era

• Nukus Market

Overnight in Nukus

Breakfast, then departure to the desert fortresses, once thriving cities of the Khorezm kingdom: visit the three fortresses Ayaz-Kala, Kizil-Kala, and Toprak-Kala.

Arrival in Khiva and visit to the Nurullabay Palace, located outside Itchan-Kala, the last construction of the Uzbek monarchy in Khiva (early 20th century). Transfer and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Khiva

Breakfast and full-day exploration of the city. Tour of the inner city, Itchan-Kala, offering a clear view of a 19th-century Central Asian city:

• Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and Minaret

• Kunya-Ark Fortress

• Muhammad Rakhimkhan II Madrasah

• Juma Mosque

• Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum

• Islam Khodja Madrasah and Minaret

• Tash Khauli Palace

Overnight in Khiva

Breakfast, then departure for Bukhara, the city of Eastern tales with over 2,500 years of history. Travel through the Kyzylkum Desert with a tea break by the Amu Darya River. Continue to Bukhara with lunch en route. Evening arrival and hotel check-in.

Overnight in Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by city excursions:

• Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Bukhara’s oldest monument (10th century)

• Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, linked to the prophet Job

• Bolo-Khauz Mosque

• Ark Fortress, former residence of Bukhara’s governors

Lunch, then continue:

• Medieval trading domes (16th century)

• Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Bukhara’s tallest

• Mir Arab Madrasah (16th century, still active)

• Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs

• Lyabi Hauz Complex

Overnight in Bukhara

Breakfast, then further excursions in Bukhara:

• Bakhouddin Nakshbandi Complex, honoring the founder of the Nakshbandi Sufi order

• Chor Bakr Complex

• Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace, the summer residence of the Emir of Bukhara

• Chor Minor Madrasah

Optional: traditional women’s hammam with authentic treatments

Overnight in Bukhara

Breakfast, then a day of adventure toward Lake Aydarkul. Stop in Vobkent to admire the famous 12th-century Vobkent Minaret. Continue to Nurata to visit the ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress and the Chashma Spring. Lunch in Nurata, then drive to Sarmishsay, a site of millennia-old civilization in the Nurata mountains. Continue to Lake Aydarkul for a nature walk. Arrival at the yurt camp, check-in, outdoor dinner, and Kazakh songs by the fire.

Overnight at the yurt camp

Breakfast, then depart for Samarkand via Mitan. Visit a local family to experience village life and participate in a plov-making workshop. Explore the village before continuing to Samarkand. Arrival and hotel check-in. Free time for the rest of the day.

Evening suggestions:

• Stroll through the Russian Quarter

• Traditional costume theater El Merosi (optional)

Overnight in Samarkand

As Amin Maalouf said, “Samarkand, the most beautiful face the Earth has ever turned to the sun.”
Breakfast, then city excursions:

• Bibikhanum Madrasah, built by Timur in honor of his favorite wife

• Local bazaar

• Registan Square, the city’s historic center

• Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Timurid dynasty (15th century)

Overnight in Samarkand

Continue visiting Samarkand:

• Konigil village and its paper factory

• Ulugh Beg Observatory

• Mausoleum of Prophet Daniel

• Afrosiab Museum

• Shakhi Zinda Complex, tomb of the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin

• Khudjum Carpet Factory

Overnight in Samarkand

Transfer to the airport for the return flight.