The Ancient Cities: A Private Silk Road Odyssey
Travel through Uzbekistan’s five greatest cities in complete privacy. This 8-day private tour lets you set your own pace through Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Shahrisabz — the birthplace of Tamerlane. With your personal guide and driver, discover Central Asia’s most magnificent architecture.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Tashkent Arrival
Airport meeting with your private guide. Transfer to downtown hotel. Evening walk through Tashkent’s Broadway.
Day 2: Tashkent to Khiva
Morning flight to Urgench. Full day exploring Khiva’s Ichan Kala — the complete medieval walled city. Visit the Kunya-Ark Citadel, Tash Khauli Palace, and the Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Sunset from the ancient city walls.
Day 3: Khiva to Bukhara
Drive across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara (7 hours). This historic route follows ancient caravan trails. Arrival in Bukhara and evening at the Lyab-i Hauz plaza.
Day 4: Bukhara Sacred Sites
Visit the Samanid Mausoleum (9th-10th century), the magnificent Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, Mir-i Arab Madrasah, the Ark Citadel, and Chor-Minor — the “four minarets” madrasah. Traditional puppet show in the evening.
Day 5: Bukhara to Samarkand
Morning visit to Sitorai Mohi Hosa — the Emir’s Summer Palace. Afternoon train to Samarkand. Evening view of the illuminated Registan Square.
Day 6: Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures
Explore Registan Square in-depth, the Gur-i-Amir Mausoleum, and the Shakhi-Zinda necropolis. Visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory — one of the world’s first modern observatories, built in the 1420s.
Day 7: Shahrisabz – Tamerlane’s Birthplace
Day trip to Shahrisabz UNESCO site. Explore the ruins of Tamerlane’s Ak-Saray Palace, whose entrance was once the largest in Central Asia at 38 meters high. Visit the Dorut Tilovat and Dorus Saodat complexes.
Day 8: Samarkand to Tashkent & Departure
Morning at leisure in Samarkand. High-speed train to Tashkent. International departure.
Included
- 7 nights in 3-star hotels and boutique guesthouses
- Daily breakfast
- Private car with driver throughout
- Private English-speaking guide
- Domestic flight Tashkent-Urgench
- High-speed train Bukhara-Samarkand, Samarkand-Tashkent
- All entrance fees
- Shahrisabz day trip
