Best of Tajikistan & Uzbekistan Tour

After breakfast, Enjoy a Full-day sightseeing tour:

• National Museum of Tajikistan: displays exhibits on history, natural history, and art. The Reclining Buddha in Nirvana is one of the museum’s most valuable treasures.
• Botanical Garden: a beautiful garden with ancient trees, and a favorite leisure spot among locals.
• Bazaar: a traditional oriental market and the busiest place in the city.
• Hissar Fortress: remains of an 18th-century fortress, inhabited until 1924, located 30 km west of Dushanbe.

Nearby are two madrasahs dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a 16th-century mausoleum. Back to the hotel and overnight in Dushanbe.

After breakfast, depart for the spectacular Iskanderkul Lake, situated at an elevation of 2,255 meters in the breathtaking Fann Mountains, one of Central Asia's most scenic regions.

Travel through the Istiklol Tunnel at 2,630 meters while enjoying magnificent mountain landscapes and panoramic views along the way. Upon arrival, take a relaxing walk along the shores of the crystal-clear lake before enjoying a 40-minute hike to a nearby waterfall.

Tajikistan is renowned for its abundant natural beauty and ranks second among CIS countries for water resources, boasting more than 1,000 rivers, 2,000 lakes, and 8,000 glaciers.

Overnight in Iskanderkul.

ollowing breakfast, depart for the historic city of Khujand.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing with visits en route:

• Mug Tepa (Ura-Tube): one of the oldest settlements in Tajikistan, believed to have been founded by Cyrus on the northeastern frontier of the empire.
• Khazrati Shoh Architectural Complex: includes the Khazrati Shoh Mausoleum (tomb of the brother of Kusam ibn Abbas), the Khudayar Valami Mausoleum, and the Namozgoh Mosque. The complex also once included a cemetery and a 19th-century madrasa.
• The Oriental Bazaar, where all kinds of local products can be found.

In Khujand:

• Archaeology Museum and Fortress (7th–8th centuries): a 300 x 200 m fortress surrounded by defensive Walls, destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history.
• Payshanba Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Central Asia, is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, sounds, and flavors.
• Shikh Muslihiddin Mosque and Mausoleum (17th–19th centuries).

Overnight in Khodjent.

After breakfast, depart for the border crossing between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Upon arrival, complete border formalities and meet your Uzbek guide before continuing to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

After hotel check-in and lunch at a local restaurant, begin your guided city tour.

• Khasti Imam complex, including the Quran Museum, Barak Khan Madrassa, and Kafal Shahi Mausoleum, is one of Tashkent's most important spiritual monuments. The square is located in the heart of the old city.
• Chorsu Bazaar - the main oriental market in Tashkent.
• Tashkent Subway (several stations)- it was the first subway system in Central Asia. Construction was completed, and it opened in 1977. Each station has its own unique architectural style: marble, granite, and rows of columns
• Amir Temur Square – central park with the equestrian statue of Amir Temur and the so-called “Broadway”
• Independence Square – the most important square in Tashkent.
• Monument of Courage.

After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

Meet the driver at the lobby. Transfer to the train station to take a fast train to Afrosiab (approx. 7:30 - 9:43 / 8:00-10:25 / 8:30-10:49). The city of Samarkand, which was invaded by Alexander the Great and reduced to ashes by the hordes of Genghis Khan. Samarkand, nevertheless, became the most brilliant city in the 14th century, under Tamerlane, who made it his capital.

Upon arrival, start the excursion:

• Gur Amir Mausoleum – Timur's mausoleum, which, in Persian, translates as "the king tomb". It contains the tombs of Timur, his sons Shohruh and Miran Shah, his grandsons Ulugbek and Muhammad Sultan, and Timur's tutor, Sayyid Baraka. Construction of the complex began after the Death of Muhammad Sultan, Timur's heir and favorite grandson.
• Registan Square (15th-17th centuries), located in the city center. Its features include the Ulugbek Madrasa (1417-1420), the Sher-Dor Madrasa (1619-1636), and the Tilla-Kari Madrasa (1647-1660).
• Bibi-Khanum Mosque (15th century), one of the largest constructions of the Tamerlane era.
• Shakhi Zinda (9th–14th, 19th centuries), located on the southeastern mound of Afrosiab. This architectural complex consists of 44 tombs distributed among more than 20 mausoleums. Its greatest significance lies in the fact that it contains the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin.
• Siab Bazaar – the main bazaar of Samarkand, staying on the crossroads of ancient trading routes.
• Visiting Samarkand and not paying a visit to Siab market means missing one of the most interesting adventures.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we continue our excursion:

• Ulugbek Observatory - Ulugbek, grandson of Timur (Tamerlane), ruled the country for 40 years.
• During his reign, Samarkand became one of the world's leading scientific centers. In Samarkand, Ulugbek established the Scientific School, which brought together the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians. Ulugbek built the Gurjani Zij Observatory in Samarkand (1428-1429). It housed a giant marble sextant with a radius of over 40 meters and an arc length of 63 meters. This instrument was used to determine the coordinates of the sun, moon, and other planets. Ulugbek also created the astronomical catalog "Tables of the Stars".
• Afrosiab Museum – Explore the history of ancient Samarkand through impressive archaeological artifacts and exhibits that reveal the city's rich Silk Road legacy.
• Konigil - Explore the traditional paper-making workshop, where paper is still produced using ancient methods.
• Khudjum – carpet factory.
• Free time to discover the city on your own.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the station to take the high-speed train to Bukhara (approx.9:53-11:39 or 10:59 - 12:42).

Upon arrival, transfer to the old city of Bukhara. Start the excursion:

• Poikalon complex (XII – XVI c) architectural ensemble in the center of old Bukhara – includes the cathedral mosque “Masjidi Kalon”, “Miri Arab” madrasah and the highest minaret (46 m) at that time in the Orient.
• Trading Domes consist of three trading centers: Tok-i-Zargaron (1570) – Jeweler’s Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon (Cap Maker’s Bazaar, and Tok-i-Sarrafon (Moneychanger’s Bazaar.
• Magoki Attori – in 937, the four-pillared mosque was burned to the ground in a city-wide fire, and in the 12th century, the present mosque was erected, from which the focus of the mosque, the original Southern portal, remains.
• Lyabi – Haus (XVI – XVII c) – a complex with Nodir–Devon Begi madrassah, khanaka and big pool surrounded by trees.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we visit:

• Ismail Samani Mausoleum – A masterpiece of early Islamic architecture and one of the most significant monuments in Central Asia.
• Bolo Khauz Mosque (1712). Bolo Hauz was built in 1712 and is one of the last buildings constructed before the modern era. The building served as a Friday mosque, and the Emir of Bukhara would often visit for Friday prayers.
• ARK Fortress (VI – XIX c) – in the Middle Ages, it was a whole town with the emir's house, with wives, mosques, mint place, government institutes, store rooms, a prison, and a square for public executions.
• Traditional Folklore Show at Madrasah.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast/breakfast boxes at the hotel. Transfer to the train station: Train (regular) 14:50-21:32 - 5:32- 11:12 (coupe: 4-bed compartment)

• Upon arrival, meet the driver.
• Lunch and check-in.
• Evening walk around the city.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel, then discover the enchanting city of Khiva, where the ancient walled town of Ichan-Kala welcomes you with cobbled streets, traditional clay houses, magnificent mosques, elegant mausoleums, towering minarets, and vibrant turquoise domes reminiscent of a real-life fairy tale.

Start the excursion:

• Kalta Minor Minaret & Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah – Visit one of the largest madrasahs ever built in the Islamic world, located opposite the Kunya Ark (Old Fortress).
• Kunya Ark (17th century) – The inner citadel of Khiva, housing former administrative buildings, law courts, a mosque, and gunpowder workshops
• Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex (14th–19th centuries) – Khiva’s most revered architectural ensemble, renowned for its exquisite tilework and spiritual significance.
• Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah (1908) – At 45 meters, the tallest structure in Khiva, featuring an observation platform with panoramic views of the old city.
• Djuma Mosque (10th–17th centuries) – A cathedral mosque supported by 212 intricately carved wooden columns, noted for its unique acoustics and innovative natural lighting.
• Mausoleum of Seyid Alaudin (14th century) – Known for its exceptional gravestone made of multicolored majolica, unique in world architectural ceramics.
• Tash Hovli Palace – The summer residence of the Khiva Khans, built in the first half of the 19th century, featuring three courtyards connected by a maze of corridors.
• Return to the hotel by the end of the excursion.

Overnight in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your driver and transfer to Urgench International Airport for departure.