Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan – Uzbekistan by Train – a 11 day Tailormade Tour from £1785 per person.
The Silk Road cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, and the Khanates of Bukhara, Khiva are all names that have resonated through the centuries, heavy with exoticism and remoteness.
It’s surprising to see that most are now linked by high speed ‘Bullet Train’. Let Undiscovered Destinations show you how to explore this region by train.
After exploring Tashkent, take the only domestic flight on the itinerary to the northern outpost of Urgench and a visit to the stunningly preserved inner town of Khiva. Then travel in comfort by train to Bukhara and Samarkand and revel in a plethora of exquisite architecture, and immerse in the incredible depth of history of the fabled Silk Road.
It is difficult to be unmoved by beauty inherent in the design and execution of mosques, minarets, mausoleums and madrassas. Uzbekistan is home to an exhilarating array of architecture and ancient cities, the unrivalled showstopper of Central Asia. Discover it all on the Uzbekistan by Train Tour.
- Fitness
- Off the beaten track
- Culture
- History
- Wildlife
Tour pace
Moderate
Tour style
Traveller
Relaxed Pace
Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.
Moderate Pace
Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.
Busy Pace
A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.
Pioneer Class Tours
On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.
Traveller Class Tours
Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.
Itinerary.
Day 1 – Arrival in Tashkent
On arrival in Tashkent transfer to your centrally located hotel accommodation. The rest of the day will be at leisure with no guided activities. Overnight Navruz Hotel or similar.
Day 2 – Tashkent
Spend the day exploring Old Tashkent, including the impressive Khast Imam Square, the spiritual heart of the city where the Telyashayakh Mosque houses the Uthman Koran, said to be the world’s oldest. Afterwards there will be time to wander through Chorsu Bazaar, the largest farmer’s market in Tashkent, filled with the heady smell of spices. Also visit Temur Square, the oldest public park in Tashkent. Overnight Navruz Hotel or similar. (B)
Note – On certain days it is also possible to take a sleeper train from Tashkent to Khiva. If you would prefer to take this option then please let us know at the time of your enquiry.
Day 3 – Tashkent – Urgench - Khiva
(Approximate driving time today: two hours)
This morning we head to the airport for a flight to Urgench in the North East of the country. On arrival you will be transferred by a driver to the ancient khanate of Khiva where the rest of the day will be at leisure for you to start to explore independently. Overnight Malika Khiva Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 4 – Khiva
Today there’s a full day guided city tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ichan Kala, or inner town. Highlights include the 18th century Juma Mosque where 213 black elm pillars support the prayer hall’s roof, and the later 20th century Islam Khoja Minaret whose colourful stripes reach almost 57 metres. Afterward, explore the 12th century Kunya Ark, a fortified residence of Khiva’s khans, and its watchtower. Elsewhere, in the tiled courtyard of the 18th century Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, there’s time to appreciate what must be one of the city’s most beautiful retreats. Later visit the bazaar and a one of Khiva’s many historic caravanserais. Overnight Malika Khiva Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 5 – Khiva- Bukhara by train
(Approx. train journey time is 5.5 hours)
After breakfast transfer to the train station for the journey to Bukhara, where the city’s historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel and the remaining time today will be at your own leisure. Overnight Minzifa Hotel or similar. (B)
Note – The train operates on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at the time of writing. Refreshments are available on the trains but you may wish to stock up in Khiva.
Day 6 – Bukhara (UNESCO)
Bukhara is one of the region’s most spectacular cities, where a superbly preserved old quarter lends itself to exploration on foot. Highlights of today’s city tour include the spectacular 12th century Kalyan Minaret, one of the defining symbols of Bukhara and once the tallest building in Central Asia, and the three domed bazaars; the Jewellers’ Bazaar, the Cap Makers’ Bazaar and the Moneychangers’ Bazaar. Explore the emphatic bastions of the Ark fortress, a royal town within a town and home to the city’s khans for over a millennium. Finally, just outside the historic centre if time allows, observe the Samanid Mausoleum, an exceptional example of early Islamic architecture, completed in 905 AD. Overnight Minzifa Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 7 – Bukhara (UNESCO)
A further day of exploration awaits you in this remarkable museum city. Overnight Minzifa Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 8 – Bukhara- Samarkand by train
(Approx. train journey time: two hours)
Spend this morning at leisure in Bukhara before boarding a train around mid-afternoon on the comfortable and modern high speed Afrosiyob service to the legendary city of Samarkand, where on arrival in the evening you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel. Overnight Malika Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 9 - Samarkand (UNESCO)
Samarkand has a spectacular collection of architecture, the most famous of which are found at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Registan. Early western travellers wrote extensively of Samarkand’s remarkable mosques, madrassas and mausoleums, all elaborately decorated by blue ceramic tiles and traditional Islamic art. Nearby, at Gur-e-Amire, lies the 15th century tomb of Amir Timur, also known a Tamerlane, one of the most effective military leaders in history, and his grandson, Ulugh Beg a visionary astronomer. Elsewhere, after admiring the impressive Bibi Khanym mosque continue to the extensive Siab Market. This afternoon visit Shakhi Zinda, a collection of richly tiled mausoleums for rulers and nobles of Samarkand. The site’s name translates to Living King and refers to an original shrine thought to be the grave of Qusam ibn- Abbas, a cousin of the prophet Muhammad. Overnight Malika Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 10 – Samarkand at leisure – Train to Tashkent
(Approx. train journey time 2.5 hours)
Today is at leisure for you to explore further the exquisite delights of Samarkand independently before transferring to the station for a late afternoon on the comfortable and high speed Afrosiyob service to Tashkent. On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight Navruz Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 11 – Departure from Tashkent
The tour ends with a transfer to the airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)
Dates & Price.
We offer this Discovering Uzbekistan by Train tour for private departures only.
Prices start from £1785 per person, based on two people travelling and sharing a room.
We can also tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans.
Tour Notes
Single Supplement
The Single Supplement on the Uzbekistan by Train tour starts from £285.
Flights
Return flights from London to Tashkent to join the Uzbekistan by Train holiday start at £590. Contact us for a quotation.
Transfers
Airport transfers are included in the tour price.
Extra Accommodation
Extra night accommodation pre and/or post the Uzbekistan by Train tour in Tashkent costs from £35 per person, per night sharing a twin/double room and £62 per person in a solo occupancy room.
Please note that the prices quoted above are for the category of accommodation and hotel used for this particular tour. Depending on the hotel eventually confirmed there may be some difference in the rate advertised by the hotel, and the prices available through Undiscovered Destinations. It should be noted we will not apply a surcharge should more expensive accommodation be used. At the same time in the event that a lower rate is available for the confirmed hotel we are unable to offer a refund.
Download PDF.
Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Tour inclusions.
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Domestic flight Tashkent to Urgench
- Train journeys as mentioned in the itinerary
- Private vehicle transport where required
- All accommodation as per itinerary – other properties can be booked/requested
- Services of English-speaking local guides
- Daily breakfast except on Day 1
- Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Tour exclusions.
- International flights
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature
- Meals other than daily breakfast
Read more about Uzbekistan and our Silk Road Tours
Undiscovered Destinations
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