This unique tour offers you an exceptional journey through the legendary melodies of the East and invites you to discover the extraordinary historical heritage: the cities of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, located at the crossroads of Chinese, Indian, Persian, and European civilizations, have for centuries been a testament to the splendor of the East. They represent extraordinary stages of caravans bringing not only silk, spices, and jewels but also a rich cultural exchange through music and traditional songs of the shining cities with luxurious palaces and lush gardens.

Day 1 Flight from Europe to Tashkent on a regular flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Tashkent in the morning, meet your French-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel for freshening up and breakfast. Full-day city tour of Tashkent.

Discover the capital of Uzbekistan, an important crossroads on the “Silk Road” and “Golden Path”. The capital has managed to preserve its exotic atmosphere through its open-air markets and parks filled with typical oasis vegetation. Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the luxurious residence of Prince Polovtsev, designed in 1907 in Uzbek style, showcasing rich collections of traditional Uzbek crafts, including national musical instruments, wood and metalwork, fabrics, carved wood, embroidery, ceramics, and silver jewelry. Explore the ancient city: the Khast Imam Complex, the colorful Chorsu Bazaar, and the home-museum of Yunus Rajabi (1897–1976), a composer, People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, academician, and laureate of the state prize.

Lunch during the city tour. In the evening, flight to Urgench at 18:20 on regular flight HY1057, arriving and transferring to Khiva, check-in at the hotel, overnight stay in Khiva.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Khiva
Explore the ancient city, its madrasas and mausoleums, ancient palaces, and numerous minarets. Lunch under a yurt in Ichan Kala. In the afternoon, continue visits.

In the evening, musical meetings around traditional Khorezmian songs with Abdulla Kurbanazarov, known as Norbek Bakhshi, and a female singing specialist, a tradition that was once only heard in harems or private homes. This tradition, called Khalfa, is a unique musical path rediscovered in the 19th century.

The title “Bakhshi” is an honorary title given to popular singers who perform traditional epic songs, which for centuries have been the sole oral transmission of history.

Bakhshi – the voice echoing ancient history…

During these meetings, you will have the opportunity to get close to the ancient musical traditions of Khorezm, specially created for you. You will be introduced to and explained this tradition: lessons and debates.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Khiva – Bukhara
Drive from Khiva to Bukhara (450 km), with a view of the Amu Darya River and crossing the Kyzylkum Desert. Picnic along the way. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. First acquaintance with Bukhara, visit the heart of the old city, Lyabi Hauz Square. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Bukhara
Explore the Chor Minor Madrasa, the entire Lyabi-Hauz area and its madrasas, the market under its arcades, the Bolo Khauz Mosque, lunch at Lyabi-Hauz, and visit the Ark Citadel, the elegant and magnificent Samanid Mausoleum (Ismail Samani), the oldest monument in the city. Visit the Poi-Kalon complex, the Minaret, the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, and the Great Mosque—one of the largest in Central Asia. In the afternoon, visit the 15th-century Ulugh Beg Madrasa and the 17th-century Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa.

In the evening, a special meeting at a privileged location with the Academy of Traditional Songs unique to Bukhara, explaining the history of “Mavrig”, a very ancient song performed by men with the accompaniment of tambourines. This Bukhara vocal specialty involves an exchange between singers, beginning at a slow rhythm and ending in a fast-paced verbal duel, accompanied by playful rhythms.

Debates around this ancient tradition.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Bukhara – Samarkand, 265 km
Departure for Samarkand. Stop at Gijduvan to visit the workshop of its ceramists, where Mr. Abdullah Narzullaev will explain the traditional art of pottery making. Continue the journey towards Samarkand for lunch. Check-in at the hotel.

Visit Registan Square.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Samarkand
Visit one of the oldest cities in the world, enriched by Timur with palaces and madrasas. Visit Ulugh Beg’s Observatory (15th century), the Afrasiab Museum, the 14th-century Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and the Siyob Bazaar. Lunch and in the afternoon, visit the Chahi-Zinda Necropolis on Afrasiab, at the site of ancient Samarkand.

Samarkand has always had a classical music tradition, and we will meet the director of the Music Academy, who will show us the institution with numerous explanations and instrumental and vocal demonstrations by the professionals of the place on the topic of “Shashmakom”, a traditional school of fundamental Uzbek music and song protected by UNESCO. Animations and debates.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Samarkand – Europe

Transfer to Samarkand Airport for return flight to Europe via Istanbul.