Spiritual & Cultural Uzbekistan – Tashkent, Samarkand & Bukhara

Arrive at Tashkent International Airport, where our representative welcomes you and arranges a comfortable transfer to your hotel. After check-in, relax and refresh; the afternoon is intentionally unhurried to help you acclimatize. Later enjoy a gentle orientation walk near the hotel to sample local café culture and first impressions of Tashkent. In the evening a relaxed welcome dinner introduces Uzbek flavours and hospitality. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay, preparing for tomorrow’s full sightseeing programme.

After breakfast, visit the revered Khazrati Imam Complex, home to the rare Uthman (Samarkand) Kufic Quran, then stroll the colourful stalls of Chorsu Bazaar and explore the 16th-century Kukeldash Madrassah. After lunch, drive to the tranquil Zangi Ota Complex to admire its religious architecture and local traditions. In the afternoon depart for Samarkand, enjoying scenic countryside on the way. Arrive and check in to your hotel, with the evening free to relax and wander the historic streets.

Begin with the majestic Gur Emir Mausoleum, the ornate tomb of Amir Temur, its turquoise domes shimmering in sunlight. Continue to the luminous Shahi Zinda Complex, walking among intricately tiled mausoleums. After sampling local treats at Siyab Bazaar, visit the monumental Registan Square, framed by three magnificent madrasahs that define Timurid architecture. If time permits, stop at the peaceful Khoja Ahrar Complex. Return to your hotel to rest, then enjoy an evening stroll soaking in Samarkand’s atmospheric blend of history and living culture.

Depart early for a full-day excursion to Termiz, a frontier town rich in archaeological significance. Explore the revered Shrine of Termiziy, visit surrounding villages to witness traditional rural life and crafts, then tour Buddhist-Bactrian archaeological sites that reveal the region’s ancient multicultural past. After lunch, spend time in the informative Termiz Museum, viewing artifacts excavated from local digs. In the late afternoon return to Samarkand, reflecting on the day’s rare discoveries and the deep historical layers of southern Uzbekistan.

 After breakfast, visit the serene Mausoleum of Abu Mansur Al-Matrudi and the splendid Imam Al-Bukhari Memorial Complex, dedicated to the famed Hadith scholar. Following a midday break, begin your scenic drive toward Bukhara, pausing en route at the resting place of Khoja Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani, a noted spiritual landmark. Continue through steppe and foothill landscapes as historic towns and shrines pass by the window. Arrive in Bukhara by early evening, check in to your hotel, and absorb the city’s evocative evening atmosphere.

Today is devoted to ziyarat: visit the sacred shrines of Khoja Arif Riwgari, Khoja Anjir Faghnawi, Khoja Ali Ramitani, and Khoja Muhammad Baba Sammasi. Each site offers tranquil courtyards, devotional rituals, and centuries of Sufi tradition; local custodians share stories and practices that illuminate the spiritual life of the region. Pause for a traditional lunch at a nearby teahouse, then continue your devotional visits in the afternoon. Return to your hotel in the evening to reflect on the day’s meaningful encounters and enjoy a peaceful overnight stay in Bukhara.

After breakfast, visit the revered mausoleums of Sayyid Amir Kulal and Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, then explore Bukhara’s architectural treasures: the Samanid Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Mosque, and the majestic Poi Kalon Ensemble with its Kalan Minaret. Wander through the atmospheric Mir Arab Madrassah, stroll by Lyabi Hauz, and browse the ancient trade domes where artisans sell silk, ceramics, and textiles. End the day with handicraft shopping and a relaxed evening absorbing Bukhara’s timeless ambiance.

 Transfer to Bukhara Airport for your morning flight to Tashkent. On arrival enjoy a concise city orientation including Amir Temur Park, the Earthquake Monument, and the Applied Art Museum showcasing Uzbek decorative arts. After lunch, take a ride on the ornately decorated Tashkent Metro, experiencing stations famed for their mosaic and Soviet-era grandeur. Later, transfer to the international airport for your departure, carrying vivid memories of Uzbekistan’s spiritual sites, Silk Road cities, and rich cultural tapestry.