Trip Overview
Travel through history from Silk Road traders and Soviet spies to a traditional village in the Nurata Mountains
Who can mention Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva without conjuring images of newly arrived Silk Road traders, of the romance and intrigue of the Great Game, of skull caps and silk sashes, or of fabulously decorated mosaic domes and minarets? This trip explores Uzbekistan in depth. In addition to the famous Silk Road cities, we travel to the semi-autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, learn about the tragic shrinking of the Aral Sea, and spend a night in a traditional village in the Nurata Mountains.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 11 Classic nights (hotels), 3 Simple nights (1 homestay, 1 yurt, 1 sleeper train)
- Travel by train, sleeper train and private bus/minibus
- Some long drives
- Experience local culture and nature
- A mix of Uzbekistan’s most famous destinations and some less visited areas
Highlights
- Follow ancient traders to the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara
- Admire avant garde art once hidden from Soviet authorities at the Savitsky Museum
- Sleep in a yurt close to Aydarkul lake
- Experience life in a remote mountain village with a night in a homestay
- Stroll leafy boulevards and discover Soviet architecture in Tashkent
- Witness the tragic results of an environmental disaster at the Aral Sea
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Itinerary: This is an extremely rewarding trip if you want to explore the heart of Central Asia and are prepared for a few long drives, early starts/long days, and hot (and sometimes cold) temperatures. Tourist services and facilities can be patchy and erratic. Tolerance and flexibility are required, and for this you are rewarded with an insight into local life.
Adult min age:
16
Min group size:
4
Max group size:
16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Tashkent
- End City: Tashkent
Land Only Itinerary
Our adventure begins in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. There are no arranged activities today, as many flights arrive very late in the evening or early tomorrow morning.
Classic accommodation: Gabrielle International Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)
Late morning, we explore this Central Asian capital, which includes visiting Independence Square, which is flanked by public buildings and water fountains, and the Old City, home to mausoleums and a bazaar. Tashkent was largely destroyed by earthquakes in the 1960s and was rebuilt in true Soviet style with pleasant leafy boulevards and lots of fountains to cool the summer heat. There are also very interesting museums and mosques. This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel.
Please note: Some flights arrive into Tashkent very early this morning, giving a few hours to rest before the city tour.
Classic accommodation: Gabrielle International Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)
Travel to Samarkand by high-speed train (approximately 2hr 15min) this morning. Samarkand is a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. We have a busy day, taking in many of the sights. There is the exquisite jade mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the resting place of Tamerlane, now considered by many to be an Uzbek national hero. Perhaps the greatest treasure is Registan Square, Tamerlane’s outstanding creation, a vast complex of domes and minarets, mosques and madrassas. We visit the grandiose Bibi Khanum mosque, and the magnificent Gur-Emir mausoleum, where Tamerlane, his sons, and his grandson Ulugbek are buried.
Samarkand is still a major hub for textiles, carpets and art and is a great place to try your bargaining skills and explore the bazaar.
Classic accommodation: Ideal Hotel or Malika Prime (or similar)
We continue our exploration of Samarkand today, visiting: Ulugbek Observatory; Shahi-Zinda, the necropolis of the rulers and nobility of Samarkand, home to magnificently decorated mausoleums; and Siab bazaar.
We also enjoy a masterclass on making and painting ceramics, plus a demonstration on creating silk paper using medieval technology in the village of Konigil.
Classic accommodation: Ideal Hotel or Malika Prime (or similar)
Enjoy free time in Samarkand this morning for shopping or further exploration. In the afternoon, we drive to the Nurata Mountains through the central Jizzakh Region.
Our destination is the ancient mountain village of Sentyab, nestled into a fertile river valley. We have time for a scenic walk to explore the village, before cooking a traditional dish with our hosts.
Simple accommodation: Homestay
This morning, we hike (three to four hours) to the ruins of the ancient village, where the houses were originally built of flat stone. We descend to the river to inspect petroglyphs and visit local craftsmen who weave carpets and embroider suzani (a highly decorative textile).
After lunch, we drive west for three hours to the Kyzylkum desert, where we stay overnight at a simple yurt camp. After arriving, we take a walk in the vicinity of the camp and get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the desert. After dinner, we sit around a large bonfire while listening to traditional folk musician, who sings with a dombra (a stringed instrument).
Simple accommodation: Yurt camp
After breakfast, we can take a short ride (optional) on two-humped Bactrian camels, before heading to nearby Aydarkul, a huge lake (more than 125mi/200km long) surrounded by the sands and dunes of the Kyzyl-kum desert. Here we can relax, swim from the sandy beach, and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we drive towards the city of Navoi. En route, we visit Nur, a place of pilgrimage, for a short exploration of the city. After, we continue to Navoi and take a sleeper train departing around 8.30pm to Kungrad, arriving around 9.30am tomorrow.
Simple accommodation: Overnight train
We arrive into Kungrad and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous (at least in name) republic of Uzbekistan. The Karakalpak people have a culture and language closer to that of the Kazakhs than Uzbeks. Once an area of agricultural importance, Karakalpakstan now suffers greatly from drought. The Amu Darya River (historically known as the Oxus) ran into the Aral Sea but Soviet-era irrigation schemes, particularly for the production of cotton, mean the river no longer reaches the sea, causing an environmental tragedy and the dramatic shrinking of the sea.
We drive from Kungrad to Moynaq which takes about two hours. Moynaq was formerly an important fishing port on the shores of the Aral Sea. The sea is long gone and all that’s left behind are the rusting remains of the fishing fleet sat on the dry seabed amid what is now a bleak, lunar-like landscape. We have time to look around and see the town’s small museum. At times, the area can be dusty, temperatures high and air quality poor, caused in large part by the disappearance of the sea. We leave Moynaq and drive about three hours to Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan for the night.
Classic accommodation: Pana Hotel or Jipek Joli Hotel (or similar)
Visit the Savitsky art museum this morning, which houses an important collection of Soviet avant-garde art, plus a collection of historic artifacts of ancient Khorezm and a collection relating to Karakalpak culture.
Leaving Nukus, we visit the Mizdakhkan necropolis before beginning the drive to Khiva (which takes about six hours). On the way, we visit the Zoroastrian Chilpik dakhma and the ancient Ayaz-Kala fortress, where we enjoy dinner at a yurt camp before the final leg of our journey to Khiva.
Classic accommodation: Malika Kheivak or Bek Minor (or similar)
We spend today exploring Khiva, starting with a visit to Ichan Kala, a World Heritage Site, the inner fortress of Khiva. While exploring the open-air museum-city, we see the tile-decorated Kalta Minor minaret, Kunya Ark Fortress (the former residence of Khiva khans), the complex of Pahlavan Mahmud (a national hero and poet), Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah, Juma Mosque, the Tash Khauli and Allakuli Khan palaces. We also visit the workshops of local artisans and see the production of Khiva wool and silk carpets, embroidery, ceramic products and wood inlays.
Classic accommodation: Malika Kheivak or Bek Minor (or similar)
Today we travel across the Kyzyl-Kum desert from Khiva to Bukhara by train. Bukhara has more than 900 historic monuments, and we spend time visiting many sites and wandering at leisure among the old city streets. Unlike Samarkand, the district of the old town has remained separate from the rest of Bukhara and has undergone lots of restoration and preservation in recent years. In addition to its importance as a trading hub, it is the perfect setting to sit and watch the world go by, much as it has done for hundreds of years.
Classic accommodation: Kavsar Boutique Hotel, Hotel Fatima, Sultan Hotel (or similar)
We spend the day exploring Bukhara. Of particular interest is the Fortress Ark where, in the 19th century, the Emir of Bukhara had the English officers Stoddart and Connolly imprisoned and killed, and the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a beautiful example of early Islamic architecture dating to the 10th century. We also visit the Emir’s rather kitsch Summer Palace, the old town with its domed bazaars and khauz (stone pools, which used to be the only water supply for the city), and the attractive 12th-century Char Minar. One of the great landmarks of Bukhara is the Kalyan minaret, known as the death tower, where many an unfaithful wife has met a sticky end.
Classic accommodation: Kavsar Boutique Hotel, Hotel Fatima, Sultan Hotel (or similar)
We continue our tour of Bukhara today before boarding a high-speed train to Tashkent in the afternoon. After arriving in the evening, we transfer to our hotel and have the rest of the evening free to relax.
Classic accommodation: Gabrielle International Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)
We have a day trip out of Tashkent today visiting Ugam-Chatkal National Park in the Chimgan mountains. This includes a visit to the resort of Amirsai and a cable-car ascent to an observation point at an altitude of 7,545ft/2,300m, providing views of the snow-capped peaks of the Tien Shan, Charvak reservoir and hydroelectric dam.
We also visit The Sun heliocomplex at Parkent, a gigantic solar furnace built in the 1980s for the Soviet Union’s Institute of Solar Physics. A vast series of mirrors concentrate the sun’s rays, creating the furnace, which is still in use today.
Classic accommodation: Gabrielle International Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)
Our trip ends after breakfast this morning. If you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Tashkent.
Accommodation
Hotels, homestay, yurt and sleeper train
We spend 11 nights in hotels, one night in a yurt camp, one night in a homestay and one night on a sleeper train. The hotels are typically small and well located for our adventures, often close to the main sites and attractions. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip.
Nurata: Homestay (night 5)
Our night in a homestay takes us into the mountain village of Sentyab, where a traditional lifestyle still thrives. It provides us with an excellent opportunity to witness life in the Uzbek peaks, where cooking is often on an open fire and families typically keep livestock. The homes are very simple with shared rooms (up to four people per room). There are also shared bathrooms and showers (typically two showers and two toilets in total).
Kyzylkum desert: Yurt camp (night 6)
Yurts are not part of Uzbek culture, but the country is a mix of different ethnic groups, including Kazakhs who were nomadic and use yurts. The yurts, which are set up for tourists, have basic shared washing facilities and toilets, plus a dining yurt. You may have to share a yurt with more than one other person (two people to a yurt). The camp is very simple and offers limited comfort; however, it is well positioned to let us visit Aydarkul lake.
Navoi to Kungrad: Overnight train (night 7)
The railway has long been a popular way of travelling around the ex-Soviet Union and this is a great experience and insight into Uzbek life. On the train from Navoi to Kungrad, we use second-class carriages with four-berth cabins.
Worth knowing
- If you would like your own room, a limited number of single supplements are available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis – please request this at the time of booking. The single supplement is not available for three nights of the trip – the homestay, yurt camp and sleeper train.
- At the homestay, yurt camp and on the sleeper train, men and women who are not travelling together may have to share though we aim to minimise this.
Single supplement from £ 255
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners are included.
Please note, vegetarian food choices may be rather limited. If you are strictly vegetarian, or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In Uzbekistan, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home.
Drinking water is included and will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
Transport
This trip involves some long drives, generally on quite good roads, though there are occasional rougher sections. There is also an optional camel ride on one day, which may be uncomfortable for some. We try to book the high-speed train from Samarkand to Tashkent; however, this cannot be guaranteed as it can be booked out by government officials or be unavailable, in which case we drive.
Weather & Seasonality
These areas of Central Asia have long, extremely hot summers, but the winters are very cold. The July and August departures may be rather hot with afternoon temperatures often reaching 40C (104F). Other trips are planned for spring and autumn when the temperature should not be below 5C (41F) at night and may be up to 25C-30C (77F-86F) during the day. Sunny weather with clear skies should be experienced but there can be some rain at this time of year. Occasionally, there are periods of unexpectedly hot or cold weather.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Gabrielle Hotel, 1 Khumo St, Tashkent 100070
Phone: +998 98 115 91 19
Airport: Tashkent Airport (TAS)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Tashkent
Location end: Tashkent
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Light casual cotton clothing is recommended. Please remember, it is respectful to cover your legs, arms (to the elbow), and head during mosque visits. We recommend packing a scarf to cover your head, but they can also be easily purchased in Uzbekistan.
- Sandals are useful as they are cooler and easier to take off when visiting mosques
- Please also bring a pair of trainers (sneakers) or lightweight walking shoes/boots for visiting the fortresses near Khiva, and for walking in the desert yurt camp
- Layers for the colder nights in March-April and October
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Practical Information
Visa
Uzbekistan
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your entry date into Uzbekistan. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Anyone travelling on a British Citizen, Australian, New Zealand, or Canadian passport can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor (for tourism or business purposes) for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. For a full list of nationalities that are eligible for a visa-free visit of up to 30-days, please visit https://www.uzembassy.uk/page/319?language=en
Many other nationalities are eligible for a simplified visa in advance (without the need for an authorisation letter of invitation), including USA. If you are eligible for a visa in advance then you should apply for one as for visas upon arrival, a letter of invitation is still required. Should you need an authorisation letter, please contact Exodus at least 8 weeks before departure as we can arrange this for you through our local operator.
It is no longer necessary for you to complete a currency declaration form upon arrival (unless you are carrying over US$2,000 with you). However, as this has only recently been implemented (summer 2018), you will still need to keep your receipts given by each hotel that you stay in – please hold on to these as they may be checked when you leave.
There are restrictions on bringing medicine into Uzbekistan. If you have any medicine we recommend you check with the Uzbekistan Embassy about allowed quantities. You should also bring copies of your prescriptions and declare them upon arrival. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Vaccinations and Health
Uzbekistan
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Local Time
Uzbekistan's time zone: Asia/Tashkent (UTC +05:00)
Electricity
Uzbekistan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Money
Uzbekistan's currency: Uzbekistani som (UZS)
ATM Availability
There are ATMs in large hotels and at banks in the main cities in Uzbekistan, including Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Typically, these only accept Visa and only dispense local currency.
Credit cards are rarely accepted for payments, most sellers prefer cash in som, but you may be able to use one in the gift shops and money exchanges at large hotels in Tashkent, and at some of the larger stores. Please note, vendors who do accept card typically only accept Visa or Mastercard, so we recommend bringing one of each if possible.
We recommend taking some cash to exchange in Uzbekistan, rather than rely solely on cards. It is best to bring US dollars and exchange them in the big cities. Notes issued before 1990, and any ripped or dirty notes, or notes with writing or stamps, may not be accepted.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
The amount of spending money required can vary depending on how much you spend on drinks and souvenirs, but as an indication, we recommend you bring at least US$200 for meals not included and a further US$80 for souvenirs, drinks and other incidentals. Photo fees are payable at nearly all the sites: they vary from 20,000 soms (US$1.80) to 30,000 soms (US$2.65).
SIM card availability:
- You have the option to purchase a SIM card for Uzbekistan either before your trip or upon arrival.
- If you prefer purchasing a SIM card upon arrival in Uzbekistan, you’ll find several options available, including at airports, convenience stores, and local network provider outlets
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Uzbekistan and the local staff will probably expect some gratuity.
Tipping kitty: The tour leader will suggest to the group that they donate a sum of approximately US$35 per person towards a kitty on arrival. This money is then used to tip local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc. It ensures the hassle is taken out of various activities for you. If you do not wish to contribute to a central pool, you are, of course, free to do so.
Tour leader: If you feel your leaders have performed well over the course of your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but US$2.50 per person per day is a reasonable starting point. The ‘tipping kitty’ explained above is entirely separate from any contribution to the tour leader. Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work.
Sustainability and Impact
At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.
As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.
