Trail of Tamerlane: Tashkent, Samarkand & Bukhara
A guaranteed 7-day group tour through Tashkent, Samarkand, Gijduvan and Bukhara, tracing Timurid-era architecture, Silk Road bazaars and living ceramic traditions.
A seven-day guaranteed tour through the legendary cities of Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Samarkand — one of the oldest cities in the world at over 2,700 years old — sacred Bukhara, and the artisan town of Gijduvan.
The route connects a city of contrasts: the capital Tashkent, where modernity sits beside antiquity; Samarkand, with the azure majolica of its mausoleums; Bukhara, a center of learning and crafts recognized by UNESCO as a "City of Crafts" since 2022; and Gijduvan, home to a centuries-old pottery tradition.
The program includes a visit to a family ceramics workshop, exploration of medieval architecture (madrasahs, mosques, mausoleums), and time at Eastern bazaars. The tour is guaranteed to run even with a single traveler and departs every Monday from February through December.
Additional options: individual transfer (20-30 USD one-way), extra night (50 USD single / 70 USD double).
Trip highlights
- →Registan Square and the mausoleums of Samarkand
- →Gijduvan pottery workshop of the Narzullaev dynasty
- →Bukhara’s Ark citadel and Poi-Kalyan complex
- →Guaranteed departure from just 1 traveler, every Monday
Route & itinerary
Your 7 days, city by city
Route
Tashkent → Samarkand → Gijduvan → Bukhara
Day 1 • TashkentArrival in Tashkent
+
Arrival in Tashkent
Meet at the airport with a name board and group transfer to the hotel. Check-in from 14:00, free time to rest after the flight.
Day 2 • Tashkent → SamarkandTashkent city tour
+
Tashkent city tour
Breakfast, then a guided tour of the old town: Khast Imam Square, Barak Khan Madrasah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah, and Chorsu Bazaar. Afternoon transfer to Samarkand.
Day 3 • SamarkandSamarkand highlights
+
Samarkand highlights
Guided city tour: Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Registan Square (Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori madrasahs), Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and the Ulugbek Observatory.
Day 4 • Gijduvan → BukharaGijduvan pottery & transfer to Bukhara
+
Gijduvan pottery & transfer to Bukhara
Drive to Gijduvan to visit the Narzullaev family pottery workshop, a dynasty whose ceramics are held in museums worldwide. Continue to Bukhara for check-in.
Day 5 • BukharaBukhara city tour & surroundings
+
Bukhara city tour & surroundings
City tour: Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, covered bazaars, Samanid Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Mosque, the Ark citadel, Poi-Kalyan complex, Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan madrasahs. Out-of-town visit to the Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum and Sitorai Mokhi Khosa palace.
Day 6 • Bukhara → TashkentReturn to Tashkent
+
Return to Tashkent
Check-out by 12:00. Evening transfer to Bukhara train station/airport, high-speed train or flight to Tashkent, meet and transfer to hotel.
Day 7 • TashkentDeparture
+
Departure
Check-out by 12:00. Group transfer to Tashkent airport for departure.
Inclusions & activities
What the trip covers
Tashkent · Samarkand · Gijduvan · Bukhara
Breakfast
3* hotel
Included in the price
- 3* hotel accommodation (standard rooms, AC, private bathroom, Wi-Fi, breakfast buffet)
- Daily breakfast
- Air-conditioned transport for the whole route
- Group airport arrival/departure transfers
- Guided group excursions with a Russian-speaking guide
- Tour escort for groups of 8+ for the whole route
- Travel agent commission included in the price
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic Bukhara-Tashkent flight/train (+40-80 USD)
- Museum entrance fees (paid on site)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks
- Photo/video fees at museums
- Tips and porter services
- Medical insurance
Fixed departures
Dates & prices
| Dates | Duration | Status | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30 – Oct 7, 2026 | 8 days | Guaranteed | 6 spots left | $1,200 | Request this date → |
Uzbekistan essentials
Do I need a visa to visit Uzbekistan?
+
US citizens do not need a visa since January 1, 2026 — visa-free entry for stays up to 30 days, with a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival. Citizens of most EU countries and the UK also enter visa-free. If your nationality is not covered, an e-visa is issued online; we confirm the exact requirement for your passport when you book.
When is the best time to go?
+
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal: 15-28°C, clear skies, and the busiest monuments still workable in the mornings. Summer (June-August) regularly passes 40°C — tours still run, with early starts and shaded afternoons. Winter (December-February) is cold, quiet and cheap.
What currency is used, and can I pay by card?
+
The currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). Cards are accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, but bazaars, craft workshops and taxis are cash-first. ATMs issuing som are common in the cities on our routes; bring some crisp USD or EUR notes as backup.
What is the climate like?
+
Sharply continental: hot, dry summers (35-40°C in July), cold winters (often below 0°C at night), and mild springs and autumns. Rain is rare outside March-April. The dry heat is easier to handle than the numbers suggest — but summer sightseeing is planned around it, not through it.
Is Uzbekistan safe?
+
Yes. The US Department of State lists Uzbekistan at Level 1 — its lowest advisory level, shared with most of Western Europe. Petty crime is rare in tourist areas. You get a 24/7 local emergency contact for the whole trip.
Will I have mobile internet?
+
Yes. Local SIM cards (Beeline, Ucell, Mobiuz) cost a few dollars for generous data and are sold at the airport and in city offices — bring your passport for registration. eSIM options work too. Hotels on our routes have Wi-Fi; expect it to be slower than at home.
Small groups
From 1 to 20 travelers depending on the trip. Real conversations, real connections.
Locally run
Based in Samarkand. The people who plan your route and answer your email work here, not in a call centre abroad.
Talk to a human
No bots, no call centres. Email or chat directly with our team.
Transparent pricing
What you see is what you pay. No fuel surcharges, no hidden fees.
Take the itinerary with you
The full day-by-day plan for Trail of Tamerlane: Tashkent, Samarkand & Bukhara as a PDF — read it offline, print it, or share it.
Ready to plan
Let’s talk about your dates
Tell us when you want to travel and how many people you are. We come back within 24 hours with a tailored proposal and exact pricing — no auto-replies.