Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on a 10-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at glorious architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Encounter a friendly welcome at every turn, join a local family for a traditional cooking class and get to know the ins and outs of a traditional Uzbek village. From medieval cities to charismatic communities, Uzbekistan has so much to uncover.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was an exciting way to visit a part of the world that is less travelled to. I would recommend this tour for people that are outdoorsy, active, and adventurous. Almost all meals and activities are included for this tour which is great.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Ghazza, Khuja
Tashkent, Bishkek, Ghazza, Khujand, Chong Kemin, Song Köl Lake, Tamga Village, Karakol, Saty, Almaty, Dushanbe
Very impressed and exceeded our expectations. Great group of like minded people that were on our tour and we all got on so well. With ages spanning over 30 years that’s a pretty pleasing result!!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Ghazza, Khuja
Tashkent, Bishkek, Ghazza, Khujand, Samarkand, Aydar Kŭl, Bukhara, Chong Kemin, Khiva, Song Kul, Tamga Village, Karakol, Saty, Almaty, Dushanbe
The trek in the Fann Mountains was a stand out. I would do it again despite it pushing me to my limits at times. It was like stepping into a fantasy novel- the colours, the remoteness and to my eyes the strangeness as well as the mountainous glories. The guides, cooks, porters were very supportive and I felt safe at all times. The food was excellent- even though everyone managed to get sour stomachs- it was maybe the strangeness factor. Cultural visits also well curated.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A spectacular journey of discovery in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Step into the heart of Central Asia on this in-depth journey through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, two historically rich countries shaped by centuries of conquest and trade. Trace the footsteps of Alexander the Great, whose empire once spanned from Greece to India. And follow the ancient Silk Road, where caravans carried silk, spices, ideas and cultures between China and the Mediterranean.
With expert local guides in each country, explore some of the oldest cities in the world including Samarkand and Bukhara, where minarets, mosques, and bazaars evoke the splendour of empires past. And venture beyond the well-trodden path to discover Tajikistan’s alpine lakes and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Stay in a traditional village homestay, experiencing the warmth of Central Asian hospitality, with comfortable accommodations throughout.
Whether you’re captivated by ancient history, drawn to the romance of the Silk Road, or simply seek to explore this fascinating crossroads of civilisations, this guided journey offers an unforgettable window into Central Asia.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
We enjoyed our trip to Kyrgyzstan, it was very relaxing and the scenery was amazing. The highlight was the night in the yurt camp which was lovely, very remote and we even had snow overnight. The homestays and meals in local houses were very good too.
DIY picnics by the river were a nice touch.
On the down side, this trip involves a lot of travelling, sometimes on poor roads, which could be broken up better. We arrived early afternoon in some places and because most of the accommodation was on the outskirts of a town, there wasn't really anything to see or do once we arrived. One of our group thought the hotel at Toktogul Reservoir was like the one in 'The Shining'! The swimming pools had been closed for years and everything was just a little dated.
Some of the walks were not that interesting and seemed to be there to fill the time and there was also a lot of litter in many areas which wasn't pleasant.
There were descriptions in the itinerary about various places we didn't actually visit, for example Osh sounded lovely but we didn't even stop there.
Having said all that, we did enjoy the holiday, but there just were not enough highlights to maximise each day.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Arslanbob, Os
Tashkent, Bishkek, Arslanbob, Osh, Tashkent, Karakol, Kochkor, Song Kul Lake, Suusamyr, Toktogul, Djalal-Abad
This guided Uzbekistan tour begins in the fertile Fergana Valley – the centre of traditional crafts – and continues across the country via all the main Uzbek cities, which were key points on the Great Silk Road and, as a result, were highly prosperous urban areas.
The Fergana Valley is the land of wise artisans, who have carried through centuries the secrets of skillful ancient masters specialized in producing silk and original ceramics. There you will visit a silk-weaving factory in Margilan, where the famous khan-atlas, a handmade silk, is produced following ancient technologies, and the village of Rishtan, Uzbekistan’s main pottery. Rishtan’s unique blue ceramics is highly popular among tourists, who often buy it as souvenirs.
The tour culminates in Samarkand and Bukhara – Uzbekistan’s two most famous cities, historical and cultural reserves boasting colossal architectural masterpieces of the Tamerlane's time and earlier historical periods.
You will also visit the Nuratau Mountains and immerse into the traditional life and culture. Unique folk traditions have been preserved almost unchanged there. You will see millstones for grinding grain, watch how carpets are hand-woven, try the freshest, eco-friendly products, national local dishes at homestay and enjoy freshly baked flatbread from tandoor oven. On the wild slopes of the Nurata Mountains, you can see rare animals listed in the Red Book — Severtsov’s argali, golden eagle and black vulture included in the Red Book.
The locals are very open and genuinely hospitable. You cannot see anywhere else, either in Samarkand, Bukhara or any other place, the handmade souvenirs such as local people sell.
Eco toursLocal culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This exciting Uzbekistan tour package—considered to be one of the most attractive among Central Asia tour—will enlighten you on the history and culture of Uzbekistan and its world-famous ancient cities of Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, and Khiva. These cities, historical and cultural reserves boasting colossal architectural masterpieces of the Timurid time and earlier historical periods, still keep traces and legacies of the trade Silk Road cultural exchange and once-great empires of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and especially Timur, better known as Tamerlane, who made Samarkand the capital of his Empire.
A military genius whose conquests shook the world in the 14th century, Timur was also a great patron of the arts. Samarkand still boasts a number of magnificent world famous architectural monuments built during the reign of his dynasty, including his mausoleum Gur-e Amir, a gem of medieval Islamic architecture, where he lies under a huge jade slab.
Join us and see the most fascinating Uzbekistan’s monuments dating from different times. During this tour to Uzbekistan you will also visit exotic bazaars, taste delicious dishes of Uzbek cuisine, travel across impressive landscapes, and meet hospitable and charming locals.
City sightseeingLocal culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers