In this series of “thematic discovery tours,” Sheherazade Voyages invites you to explore topics specifically related to Central Asia and Uzbekistan.

You should know that the country’s history has been shaped over centuries by unique cultural and spiritual elements that we aim to share with you. Religion has played a significant role in Uzbekistan’s past, and to understand it better, we offer you a thematic and non-religious introduction to Sufism.

Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, originated in Central Asia in the 10th century. Of the four Sufi brotherhoods that exist in the region, two were founded in Uzbekistan: Kubraviya, founded in Bukhara by Muhammad Bahauddin (1317–1389), also known as “Naqshband—the artist” in Persian; and Naqshbandiyya, active in the Fergana Valley, Karakalpakstan, and Termez, near the Afghan border where the mausoleum of At-Tirmidhi is located. Other notable cities include Uchkuduk, Samarkand, and Bukhara, where the tomb of Naqshband is a major pilgrimage site.

Sufi mystics traveled through China, India, Afghanistan, Arabia, and even Spain. Names like Bahauddin Naqshband and Abdulkhaliq Ghijduvani are known to all Muslims. During this journey, we will explore Sufism in depth. You’ll have the chance to “pilgrimage” to the mausoleums of great Islamic theologians and sacred Sufi sites.

Each Sufi master is surrounded by disciples and leads a brotherhood. Sufism involves various forms of meditation, yogic practices, and silent recitations (dhikr) to bring the believer closer to God. Throughout the centuries, Sufism has remained the most tolerant and open expression of Islam, incorporating ideas from Buddhism, Shamanism, and Christianity. It is a deeply personal, silent expression of faith that doesn’t require mosques, public prayers, or imams to maintain its core essence.

Day 1: Europe – Tashkent

Evening departure from Europe to Tashkent. Overnight flight.

Day 2: Tashkent Arrival

Meet our French-speaking local guide at the airport. Transfer to a *** hotel.
City tour: Barak Khan Madrasah and Mosque, Zangiata, traditional lunch, and further visits to Sheikh Zainuddin Bobo Mausoleum, Sheikhantaur Complex, Kaffal al-Shashi Mausoleum.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (Flight + 30 km)

Breakfast and early transfer to the airport.
Flight to Urgench, drive to Khiva, check-in at the hotel.
City tour: Kunya Ark Citadel, Firuz Madrasa, Tash Khauli Palace, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, Said Alauddin Mausoleum.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara (450 km)

Departure by bus through the desert and cotton fields.
Picnic lunch en route. Arrival and hotel check-in.
Evening tour of Lyabi-Hauz—its pools mark a key point in regional urban planning. Visit madrasahs from the 16th–17th centuries and the Magok-i-Attari Mosque.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara

City tour: Located in the Zerafshan Valley, Bukhara maintains its authentic charm.
A major Silk Road hub where merchants once traded carpets and jewelry. Though Islam originated elsewhere, Bukhara became a key religious center. It houses hundreds of madrasahs, mosques, and shrines of Islamic saints.
Sites include Mir-i-Arab Madrasah, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Poi Kalon, Lyabi-Hauz, Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrasah, Tim Abdullah Khan (Silk Market), jewelry market, Bukhara Carpet Market, and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Bukhara – 7 Sufi Saints

Breakfast.
Today we visit 7 holy Sufi sites with the head of the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.
We’ll start with a khanaqah—a dervish lodge built around 1620 in central Bukhara, used for prayer and meditation.

• Faizobod Khanaqah (1598–1599): A major Sufi sanctuary northeast of Bukhara with a domed meditation hall surrounded by arched galleries.

• Zainuddin Khanaqah (1555): Near Kalon Mosque, decorated with polychrome mosaics and marble-based columns.

• Boqarzi Khanaqah (13th–14th c.): Sheikh ad-Din Boqarzi, a disciple of Najm ad-Din Kubra, converted Berke Khan of the Golden Horde. His richly decorated terracotta mausoleum was later built near Bukhara.

Buyan Kuli Khan (14th–16th c.): Sufi brotherhoods, especially Naqshbandiyya, were instrumental in defending Islam against invasions.

Day 7: Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand (450 km)

Depart for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Visit Ak-Saray Palace, Kok Gumbaz Mosque, Khazrati Imam, and Gumbazi Sayidan Mausoleum.
Lunch during the visits.
Continue to Samarkand, arrive in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Samarkand

Explore the Timurid capital:
Visit the Registan Square (15th–17th c.), Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Rukhobod Mausoleum, Gur-e-Amir (Tamerlane’s tomb, also holding his sons and grandson).
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Samarkand – Sufi Sites

Breakfast. Visit sacred sites with a Sufism expert:

• Tomb of Imam Ismail al-Bukhari (compiler of “Al-Sahih”)

• Tomb of Prophet Daniel

• Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum

• Kusam ibn Abbas Mausoleum (Prophet Muhammad’s cousin)

• Rukhobod Mausoleum

• Sheikh Burkhanuddin Kilich Sagardji Tomb

• Hodja Abdi Darun’s Tomb
  Dinner at a traditional guesthouse. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Samarkand – Sufi Arts and Music

Breakfast.
Visit the Afrasiyab archaeological site and museum (219 hectares). Lunch during the tour.

In the afternoon, explore Sufi musical arts:
Visit the Academy of Music with its director, featuring instrumental/vocal demonstrations of Shashmaqom, a classical Uzbek musical tradition recognized by UNESCO.

Shashmaqom (“six maqams”) blends vocal and instrumental music, rhythm, and Sufi poetry. Performed by soloists or groups with lutes, violins, drums, and flutes, it includes instrumental prelude and nasr, the vocal centerpiece.

Evening discussion and animations.
Dinner with Uzbek delicacies in a traditional house. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Samarkand – Jizzakh – Tashkent (300 km)

Morning departure for Jizzakh, between Samarkand and Tashkent.
Visit a training center inspired by the teachings of Sufi saint Khoja Ahmad Yasawi (12th century), offering courses in philosophy, medicine, meditation, breathing, martial arts, literature, poetry, music, choreography, and Sufi lifestyle.
Tour and discussion with the center’s director.

Dinner at a traditional guesthouse. Evening transfer to Tashkent. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Tashkent – Europe

Free morning.
Transfer to the airport. Return flight to Europe.