Uzbekistan - Tajikistan - Kyrgyzstan

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby. A sightseeing tour of Tashkent includes both: the old town and the modern city.

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, and the largest city in Central Asia. Start with the old town and explore  Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. Get a taste of Uzbek cuisine and traditions at Chorsu Bazaar, a famous traditional market located near the historic Kukeldash Madrasah in the old city center. The bazaar is one of the largest and oldest in Central Asia, known for its iconic blue-domed structure. It offers a wide variety of goods, including fresh produce, spices, meats, textiles, handicrafts.

In the afternoon, take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center and visit Applied Arts Museum . Walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

• Breakfast
• Hampton by Hilton 4*

Private transfer to the airport in the morning. Flight to Urgench takes about 2 hours.  Upon arrival in Urgench, private transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 min.).  Hotel check in and free time to explore on your own.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Faravon Khiva 4*

We spend most of the day on a sightseeing tour of Khiva. Khiva is a stunning historical city in Uzbekistan, known for its well-preserved walled inner city, Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is an open-air museum filled with beautiful architecture and history. Wander its narrow streets and admire the mudbrick walls and intricate architecture. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

• Breakfast
• Hotel Faravon Khiva 4*

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.)*. The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road** does nowadays. Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amu Darya River and the desert.  Arrive in Bukhara late in the evening, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel. *As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before). **Some parts of the road are in mediocre condition.

• Breakfast
• Mercure Old Town Bukhara 4*
• 480 km

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour of Bukhara with a local guide. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

• Breakfast
• Mercure Old Town Bukhara 4*

Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

In the afternoon take a fast train from Bukhara to Samarkand, or drive (280 km, 4 hours) with stop  at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to your hotel. Driving time: 4-5 hours / Fast Train: 2 hours

• Breakfast
• Zarafshon Parkside Hotel 4*
• 280 km

• Breakfast
• Zarafshon Parkside Hotel 4*

In the morning, visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel.  Then drive to  Uzbekistan - Tajikistan border point, Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Upon arrival, go through the customs and passport control on both sides. Then proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, meet your local Tajik guide and driver and drive to  Seven Lakes.

Seven Lakes  are located in the western part of the Fann Mountains. Each lake has its own color, varying from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Have lunch at the guest house next to the 4th lake. Those who would like to enjoy the view from the 7th lake there is an opportunity to hike from the 6th lake up to the 7th lake.  Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

• Breakfast / Dinner
• Penjikent Plaza 3* or Guesthouse in the Fan Mountains
• 150 km

Drive to ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins.

In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours

After the tour drive to the Jartepa border crossing. Complete the border formalities. On the Uzbek side, your driver will meet you and transfer to Samarkand train station. In Samarkand, take a fast train to Tashkent. Arrive to Tashkent late in the evening. Transfer to the hotel.

• Breakfast
• Hamptons by Hilton 4*

Drive to Fergana Valley (320 km drive till Fergana city). The steep road* connecting Fergana Valley with the rest of Uzbekistan runs via picturesque mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m. above the sea level). The first stop will be in the city of Kokand where you will visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, Kamol-Kazy Madrasah, and Norbut-biy Madrasah. Continue driving to Fergana city (80 km). Visit Akhmad Al-Fergani Park in Fergana. Check in to the hotel. *Part of the road is currently under reconstruction. Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

• Breakfast
• Hotel Asia Fergana 4*
• 320 km

In the morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border point. after all border and passport control procedures on both sides, proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, your Kyrgyz guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Transfer to Osh. Have a short city tour in Osh which according to legends was founded by King Solomon 3000 years ago. Visit Suleyman-Too (Solomon’s Mountain), National Museum of History and Archaeology, and the Osh Bazaar located at that same place from time when Osh was an important trading center on the Great Silk Road.

In the afternoon transfer to local airport for flight to Bishkek. End of the tour

• Breakfast