In the land of Scheherazade
Duration: 12 days/10 nights | Destination: Uzbekistan
The crossroads and cradle of the ancient civilizations, connecting China, the Mediterranean, India, Siberia, Persia, and the Russian plain, this vast steppe empire has always captivated travelers and conquerors alike. Over centuries, its turbulent history has shaped a rich and diverse landscape, blending Islamic and shamanistic cultures, nomadism and settled life.
Today, Eurasia is again making history. The fireworks of identity and independence are reshaping the ethnic and political landscape.
This tour, guided by an experienced French-speaking guide, will offer you a deeper understanding of this still underexplored region.
Day 1: EUROPE – URGENCH
Flight to Urgench via Uzbekistan Airways or Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). Overnight flight.
Day 2: URGENCH – KHIVA (30 km)
Arrival at Urgench airport. Meet your local French-speaking guide. Transfer to Khiva, check-in at the hotel. Rest and breakfast. Explore the old city of Itchan-Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its well-preserved monuments like the Muhammad Amin Khan Medrese, the Kunya Ark Fortress, the Juma Mosque, and more.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon continues with visits to more historical sites and a visit to a woodcarving workshop. Dinner in a traditional teahouse. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: KHIVA – KHORESM FORTRESS – BUKHARA
Breakfast. Explore ancient Khoresm fortresses, including Ayaz-Kala and Toprak-Kala. Visit the ancient ruins and then return to Urgench for dinner before taking a flight to Bukhara. Arrival and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: BUKHARA
Full-day exploration of Bukhara, including the Poi-Kalyan Complex, the Bolo Haouz Mosque, and more. Visit the ancient bazaars, mausoleums, and the Ark Fortress. Evening dinner and overnight.
Day 5: BUKHARA
Breakfast. Continue visiting Bukhara’s architectural gems like the Chor-Minor Medrese, the Sitorai-Mohi-Hossa Summer Palace, and the necropolis of Chashma-Ayub. Lunch and afternoon visits to local artisans’ workshops. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 6: BUKHARA – GIDJUVAN – SAMARKAND (300 km)
Drive towards Samarkand. Visit Gidjuvan to explore pottery workshops and meet local artisans. Lunch in a village house in Kunjirot. Continue the journey to Samarkand. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Day 7: SAMARKAND
Explore Samarkand, including the Registan Square, the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Visit the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and enjoy a historical costume performance in the evening. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: SAMARKAND
Visit the Khodja Daniyar Mausoleum, the ruins of Ulugh Beg’s observatory, and the Afrosiab Museum. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9: SAMARKAND – SHAKHRISABZ – SAMARKAND
Day trip to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Visit the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace and the Dorus-Siatat Complex. Return to Samarkand for the evening.
Day 10: SAMARKAND – TASHKENT (Express)
Visit the Ismail al-Bukhari Mausoleum and other significant religious sites. In the afternoon, transfer to Samarkand’s train station and take the express train to Tashkent. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Day 11: TASHKENT
Explore Tashkent, including the Khazrati Imam Complex, Chorsu Bazaar, and other landmarks. Visit the subway and enjoy a walking tour of the city’s squares. Dinner and overnight.
Day 12: TASHKENT – EUROPE
Visit the Museum of Applied Arts and the Museum of the History of the Peoples of Uzbekistan. Lunch before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Europe.
What’s Included:
All land transfers by air-conditioned car
Standard 3* accommodation in a double room with breakfast
French-speaking guide
Entrance fees to museums and scheduled sites
Ticket for the high-speed train Samarkand-Tashkent in second class
El Merosi Theater in Samarkand
What’s Not Included:
International flight, domestic flight (if applicable)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Insurance, photography and video recording rights at visited sites
Single room (additional charge 250 euros)
Drinks, tips
Registration and Rules: Registration for this trip will be considered confirmed after written approval and payment of a 30% deposit from the total cost of the trip by the participant. An invoice with the prepayment method will be sent to you via email after you accept the offer. The remaining balance must be paid one month before the departure date, without reminders from our side. If you register less than one month before the departure date, you will be required to make full payment upon acceptance of the offer.
Cancellation by the Client: If you cancel for any reason more than 40 days before departure, the deposit paid will be refunded to you, minus a fixed fee of 50 euros per person (application fee and bank charges).
Cancellations within 40 days of departure will incur the following deduction scale:
40 to 22 days: 25% of the trip cost
21 to 15 days: 50% of the trip cost
14 to 8 days: 75% of the trip cost
Less than 8 days: 100% of the trip cost Please note: In case of cancellation, kindly inform us as soon as possible by email or fax, as the date of cancellation receipt will be used to calculate the refund.
Any trip interrupted or shortened by the participant for any reason will not be eligible for a refund.
Cancellation by Roksi Sam Travel: Cancellation may occur due to circumstances beyond our control (political unrest, security issues, etc.). In such cases, cancellation will be made by Roksi Sam Travel in full, but no further compensation will be provided.
Your guide
to Central Asia
CONTACTS
- +998 78 210 02 09
- +998 66 234 98 64
- Email: roksisamtravel@mail.ru
- Samarkand city, st. Mirzo Ulugbek, 75