Pearls of Uzbekistan — Samarkand, Gijduvan, Bukhara, Khiva — 7 Days

If your goal is the three great historic capitals and nothing else, this route is built exactly for that: no Tashkent, no Shakhrisabz, no extra days lost to driving. Fly straight into Samarkand, out of Urgench — maximum architecture, minimum logistics.

Route

Samarkand → Gijduvan → Bukhara → Khiva → Urgench.

Why this tour

• The most concentrated route through the ancient cities in our catalog — every day is dedicated to architecture, with no “transit” days.
• Flying into Samarkand and out of Urgench saves time otherwise spent on internal flights and transfers.
• Gijduvan, on the way to Bukhara, is a small but essential stop with hereditary potters.
• Ideal for travelers who’ve already seen Tashkent or aren’t planning to visit it on this trip.

Day by day

1. Arrival in Samarkand, check-in, free evening.
2. Samarkand: Registan Square, the Gur-Emir mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym mosque, Siyob bazaar, the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble.
3. Drive to Gijduvan — a masterclass with the ceramicists, a kebab lunch. On to Bukhara in the evening.
4. Bukhara: the Samanid mausoleum, the Ark fortress, the Poi-Kalyan ensemble, Lyab-i Hauz.
5. Drive to Khiva across the Kyzylkum desert, a stop by the Amu Darya river.
6. Khiva: Ichan-Kala, the Kunya-Ark fortress, the Tash-Khauli palace, the Islam-Khoja minaret.
7. Transfer to Urgench airport, departure.

Included (placeholder — confirm before publishing)

• Comfortable air-conditioned transport
• Guide in each city
• Breakfasts, lunch at the Gijduvan ceramicists’ house
• Entrance tickets to listed monuments

Not included

• International flights, insurance
• Dinners not listed in the itinerary

Confirmed hotel categories, guaranteed departure dates and the final price are arranged with your travel consultant at booking.