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Uzbekistan 8 nightsCultureFood

Courtyards Along the Silk Road

Explore three cities over eight nights, with time to stop and look around.

  1. 1Tashkent
  2. 2Samarkand
  3. 3Bukhara

From, per person~US$1,160

Designed by @snuck Shaped around your dates No payment to ask

Best Apr, May and Sep, Oct

By @snuckUpdated 11 November 2026

Travel Uzbekistan’s main rail route, spending two nights in Samarkand and three in Bukhara, with time to explore between monument visits. Private guides, hotels with courtyards and a lunch where you cook plov with a host make the trip feel personal.

Length
8 nights
Route
Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara…
Best time
Apr, May and Sep, Oct
Ideal for
Travellers who enjoy history, crafts and time to explore

Why you'll love it

  1. Spend three nights in Bukhara’s old town
  2. Explore Samarkand’s main monuments with a private guide
  3. Cook plov with a host and enjoy lunch
  4. Meet a craftsperson at work in Bukhara
  5. Travel between all three cities on fast trains

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Tashkent

    Meet your driver and settle into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or take a gentle walk nearby.

    • Stay: Central Tashkent, premium 4-star or 5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private airport transfer, approximately 20–40 minutes

  2. Day 2

    Explore Tashkent

    Spend the morning exploring Khast Imam and Chorsu Bazaar with your private guide. After lunch, visit a few metro stations and the wide squares in the city centre. Then return to your hotel.

    • Stay: Central Tashkent, premium 4-star or 5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 1–1.5 hours total; short metro ride

  3. Day 3

    Samarkand and Registan Square

    Take a morning train to Samarkand, then have lunch and settle into your hotel. Visit Registan Square later in the day. The evening is free.

    • Stay: Historic Samarkand, premium boutique hotel
    • Getting there: High-speed train, approximately 2 hours 15–40 minutes; private transfers, 45–75 minutes total

  4. Day 4

    Explore Samarkand With Breaks

    Start at Shah-i-Zinda, then visit Bibi-Khanym and nearby Siab Bazaar. Rest at your hotel in the middle of the day. Later, make a shorter visit to Gur-e-Amir.

    • Stay: Historic Samarkand, premium boutique hotel
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 1 hour total

  5. Day 5

    Into Bukhara’s Courtyards

    Travel to Bukhara and check into your hotel with a courtyard. After lunch, take a first walk around Lyabi-Hauz. Choose a quiet café for the evening.

    • Stay: Bukhara old town, characterful courtyard boutique hotel
    • Getting there: High-speed train, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes–2 hours; private transfers, 1–1.5 hours total

  6. Day 6

    Bukhara’s Old City

    Visit the Ark, Bolo-Hauz Mosque and the Poi-Kalyan group of buildings with your guide, stopping to sit down for tea. Return to your hotel after lunch. The rest of the day is yours.

    • Stay: Bukhara old town, characterful courtyard boutique hotel
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 20–40 minutes total; old-town walking

  7. Day 7

    Local Crafts and Cooking

    Meet a craftsperson at work and learn about local embroidery or metalwork, depending on workshop availability. Prepare plov with a host and enjoy it for lunch. Spend the afternoon browsing on your own or resting.

    • Stay: Bukhara old town, characterful courtyard boutique hotel
    • Getting there: Private local transfers, approximately 30–60 minutes total

  8. Day 8

    Back to Tashkent

    Take your time over breakfast before your ride to the railway station. Travel to Tashkent and settle into your hotel for the final evening. Get dinner suggestions to suit your tastes.

    • Stay: Central Tashkent, premium 4-star or 5-star hotel
    • Getting there: High-speed train, approximately 4–4.5 hours; private transfers, 1–1.5 hours total

  9. Day 9

    Time to Fly Home

    Enjoy breakfast and some free time if your flight schedule allows. Your private driver takes you to the airport.

    • Getting there: Private airport transfer, approximately 20–40 minutes

Where you'll stay

  1. 2 nights · days 1 to 2Central Tashkent, premium 4-star or 5-star hotel
  2. 2 nights · days 3 to 4Historic Samarkand, premium boutique hotel
  3. 3 nights · days 5 to 7Bukhara old town, characterful courtyard boutique hotel
  4. 1 night · day 8Central Tashkent, premium 4-star or 5-star hotel

When to go

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Aprgood time to go
  5. Maygood time to go
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sepgood time to go
  10. Octgood time to go
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Best from Apr, May and Sep, Oct. Other months work too; we'll tell you what to expect for your dates.

Included

  • Eight nights in the listed hotel types, two people sharing a room
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private rides to and from airports and railway stations
  • Reserved standard-class tickets on high-speed trains
  • Private English-speaking guides for the listed sightseeing
  • Entry tickets to the listed monuments
  • Plov cooking session with a host and lunch
  • Private visit to a craftsperson’s workshop

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals other than those listed
  • Craft purchases and tips
  • Early check-in or late checkout

Good to know

  • Prices start at about ₹109,000 per person, with two people sharing a room, excluding flights. Spring and autumn dates can cost more.
  • Old-town lanes have uneven paving. Bring comfortable shoes and modest clothes for religious sites.
  • Your final night is in Tashkent, so you do not need to catch a train on the day of your international flight.

Before you go to Uzbekistan

Capital:
Tashkent
Languages:
Russian, Uzbek
Currency:
UZS

Questions

How many days is the Courtyards Along the Silk Road trip?

8 nights and 9 days: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent.

How much does it cost?

From ₹1,09,000 per person, twin sharing, without international flights. We confirm the price for your dates.

When is the best time to go?

Apr, May and Sep, Oct.

What is included?

Eight nights in the listed hotel types, two people sharing a room, Daily breakfast, Private rides to and from airports and railway stations, Reserved standard-class tickets on high-speed trains, Private English-speaking guides for the listed sightseeing, Entry tickets to the listed monuments, Plov cooking session with a host and lunch, Private visit to a craftsperson’s workshop.

What is not included?

International flights, Visa fees, Travel insurance, Meals other than those listed, Craft purchases and tips, Early check-in or late checkout.

Can the trip be changed?

Yes. A trip designer shapes the pace, stays and length with you before you book.

Make it yours.

Change the pace, the stays or the length. A trip designer shapes it with you, and we confirm the price for your dates.

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From ~US$1,160