Bukhara Cultural, Religious and Historic Sites Trips 2025/2026
Great cultural, religious and historic sites trips in Bukhara in 2025/2026. Compare prices for 15+ cultural, religious and historic sites tours with 190+ trip reviews. Book today and save up to 22% on Bookmundi.com!
Duration
7 days27 days
Departures
Physical Rating
Accommodations
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Guide Types
Design your own personalized Cultural, religious and historic sites trip to Bukhara with help from a local expert.
Work with a local expert to plan a seamless itinerary through Bukhara and Uzbekistan.
This was a trip full of variety and dramatic scenery, from the surreal Ashgabat, the amazing Darvaza crater, the beautiful mosques and madrasahs of Samarkand and Bukhara to the truly majestic and ever changing scenery of the Kyrgyzstan mountains. Each of the 5 countries had its own unique character. There are some long journeys but they are full of continuing interest with lots of worthwhile stops on route. 99% of the accommodation was very comfortable, spacious and spotlessly clean.
This holiday was rated “full on” and it was. Not a moment was wasted! Tashkent, Khiva, Bukara and Samarkand were all amazing. Staying in a Madrasa and in a Yurt added to the authenticity and we took the extra trip to the desert castles which was well worth it. Also the silk paper making centre was interesting. Uzbekistan is a welcoming country - very clean with no litter and we were impressed with the flowers planted along grass verges for miles.
Uncover the treasures of the Silk Road on "Premium Uzbekistan." This ten-day, easy-paced tour is tailor-made for seniors and experienced travelers eager to explore the vibrant tapestry of Central Asia. Journey from Tashkent’s cosmopolitan streets to the architectural marvels of Samarkand, the sacred sites of Bukhara, and the ancient walls of Khiva. Highlights include a hands-on cooking class with a local family and a visit to a traditional Uzbek village. The USP is the in-depth cultural immersion—combining luxury accommodations, guided sightseeing, and genuine interactions with local communities for a polished yet personal exploration of Uzbekistan’s rich heritage.
Overall, this was an excellent trip and one of the best I have done with Explore over very many years. It was certainly helped by having a good, small group and two superb leaders (one in each country), who were extremely knowledgeable and very personable. The local guides were also outstanding. The sights were extraordinary (the Islamic architecture is simply breath-taking), the people were lovely and I did not mind the long drives (on spacious air conditioned coaches) or the 9.5 hour train journey. to Samarkand As expected, the trip’s pace was full-on. As a group we took advantage of the optional extras offered and I would recommend that others seriously consider those too, especially the spectacular Uzbek music and dance show at the Grand Hall in Samarkand. Hotel accommodation was better than I had expected and generally pretty good. If I have a criticism it is that the trip should perhaps be a day longer. It would have been nice to have spent more time in Khiva and the last day in Tashkent was too long, tiring and rushed. Thankfully, I had booked an extra day in the city, although others had early morning flights. While Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are very different, I much preferred the time we spent in the latter.
My quibbles with this trip are very minor and I've told explore (update the itinerary please!) but fundamentally I loved this trip. Met lovely people. Saw amazing places and scenery. Food a bit meh but that's not why you go to either Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan. I loved the differences between the countries. Kyrgyzstan was unbelievably beautiful and Uzbekistan had amazing buildings.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Hut, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Arslanbob, Os
Tashkent, Bishkek, Arslanbob, Osh, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Yangikasgan, Karakol, Samarkand, Kochkor, Song Kul Lake, Suusamyr Valley, Toktogul Resevoir, Djalal-Abad
Vast deserts, open steppe, fertile valleys and striking mountain ranges shape the landscapes of the Five Stans, the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia. Their towns and cities reveal the movement of armies, traders, and scholars over millennia: Greek and Persian campaigns, Mongol expansion, Silk Road exchange, ambitious astronomers, and Soviet-era experiments. Encounter traditional villages, intricately tiled madrassas, alpine lakes, lively markets and wide boulevards − a vivid portrait of a region where histories overlap and contemporary Central Asian culture continues to evolve in fascinating ways.
About this trip: We have two versions of this trip. One starts in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the other runs in reverse. Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar – the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there. This itinerary runs from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek and stays in guesthouses and hotels rather than yurts. The other itinerary runs from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan, includes Son Kul Lake and there are two nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan.
Central Asia’s ancient wonders and stark beauty await on the "Bishkek to Ashgabat" tour—a 27-day overland city sightseeing journey weaving through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Traverse tranquil Son-Kol Lake, spot wildlife near Chychkan Gorge, and summit Sulumain-too Mountain in Osh, immersing yourself in landscapes as diverse as they are awe-inspiring.
Explore the blue-tiled mosques and historic streets of Samarkand, then journey into Turkmenistan for otherworldly moments at the ‘Gates of Hell’ and futuristic Ashgabat. Guided by local experts, you’ll uncover relics of the Silk Road, marvel at ancient cities, and meet welcoming communities that make the region unforgettable.
The defining feature of this trip is its rare, comprehensive access to a region few travelers know—uniting history, culture, and natural splendor over nearly a month. For those seeking a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure, this tour package opens the door to Central Asia’s most intriguing treasures.
Curious about Central Asia’s hidden gems? The "Central Asia: Five Stans Express" is a 24-day cultural journey through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Starting in Ashgabat and ending in Bishkek, this small group trip reveals the best of the Silk Road, from Samarkand’s Registan Square to Lake Issyk-Kul’s yurt camps.
Uncover the mysteries of the Darvaza Crater, known as the ‘Gates of Hell,’ ride through wild horse country, and share homestay dinners with locals. The tour’s unique selling point is its comprehensive exploration of all five Stans, guided by local experts—an immersive deep-dive into a region where history, landscapes, and cultures interweave in fascinating ways.
