Uzbekistan Uncovered

15 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Who can mention Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva without conjuring images of newly arrived Silk Road traders, of the romance and intrigue of the Great Game, of skull caps and silk sashes, or of fabulously decorated mosaic domes and minarets? This trip explores Uzbekistan in depth. In addition to the famous Silk Road cities, we travel to the semi-autonomous Republi...
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$5,265
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Follow ancient traders to the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara
    • Admire avant garde art once hidden from Soviet authorities at the Savitsky Museum
    • Sleep in a yurt close to Aydarkul lake
    • Experience life in a remote mountain village with a night in a homestay
    • Stroll leafy boulevards and discover Soviet architecture in Tashkent
    • Witness the tragic results of an environmental disaster at the Aral Sea

What's this trip about?

    Who can mention Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva without conjuring images of newly arrived Silk Road traders, of the romance and intrigue of the Great Game, of skull caps and silk sashes, or of fabulously decorated mosaic domes and minarets? This trip explores Uzbekistan in depth. In addition to the famous Silk Road cities, we travel to the semi-autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, learn about the tragic shrinking of the Aral Sea, and spend a night in a traditional village in the Nurata Mountains.Travel through history from Silk Road traders and Soviet spies to a traditional village in the Nurata Mountains

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityTashkent
End CityTashkent

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bukhara
  • Khiva
  • Samarkand

Activities

  • Culture
  • History

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Breakfasts (except on sleeper train), four dinners, two lunches
    • Tour leader throughout

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Tashkent

Our adventure begins in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. There are no arranged activities today, as many flights arrive very late in the evening or early tomorrow morning. Classic accommodation: Gabrielle International Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 City tour of Tashkent

Late morning, we explore this Central Asian capital, which includes visiting Independence Square, which is flanked by public buildings and water fountains, and the Old City, home to mausoleums and a bazaar. Tashkent was largely destroyed by earthquakes in the 1960s an...

Day 3 High-speed train to Samarkand; city tour

Travel to Samarkand by high-speed train (approximately 2hr 15min) this morning. Samarkand is a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. We have a busy day, taking in many of the sights. There is the exquisite jade mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the resting place of Tamerl...

Day 4 Explore Samarkand more; ceramics painting masterclass and paper-making demonstration

We continue our exploration of Samarkand today, visiting: Ulugbek Observatory; Shahi-Zinda, the necropolis of the rulers and nobility of Samarkand, home to magnificently decorated mausoleums; and Siab bazaar. We also enjoy a masterclass on making and painting ceramic...

Day 5 Free morning in Samarkand; drive to the Nurata mountains

Enjoy free time in Samarkand this morning for shopping or further exploration. In the afternoon, we drive to the Nurata Mountains through the central Jizzakh Region. Our destination is the ancient mountain village of Sentyab, nestled into a fertile river valley. We h...

Day 6 Mountain village walk; drive to yurt camp

This morning, we hike (three to four hours) to the ruins of the ancient village, where the houses were originally built of flat stone. We descend to the river to inspect petroglyphs and visit local craftsmen who weave carpets and embroider suzani (a highly decorative ...

Day 7 Camel ride, lunch near Aydarkul lake; tour Nur; sleeper train to Kungrad

After breakfast, we can take a short ride (optional) on two-humped Bactrian camels, before heading to nearby Aydarkul, a huge lake (more than 125mi/200km long) surrounded by the sands and dunes of the Kyzyl-kum desert. Here we can relax, swim from the sandy beach, and...

Day 8 Karakalpakstan: Witness the human-made Aral Sea disaster at Moynaq; drive to Nukus

We arrive into Kungrad and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous (at least in name) republic of Uzbekistan. The Karakalpak people have a culture and language closer to that of the Kazakhs than Uzbeks. Once an area of agricultural importance, Karakalpakstan now...

Day 9 Visit Savitsky art museum; explore ancient desert fortresses; drive to Khiva

Visit the Savitsky art museum this morning, which houses an important collection of Soviet avant-garde art, plus a collection of historic artifacts of ancient Khorezm and a collection relating to Karakalpak culture. Leaving Nukus, we visit the Mizdakhkan necropolis b...

Day 10 Full day in Khiva, walking tour of the walled city

We spend today exploring Khiva, starting with a visit to Ichan Kala, a World Heritage Site, the inner fortress of Khiva. While exploring the open-air museum-city, we see the tile-decorated Kalta Minor minaret, Kunya Ark Fortress (the former residence of Khiva khans), ...

Day 11 Train through the Kyzyl-Kum desert to Bukhara

Today we travel across the Kyzyl-Kum desert from Khiva to Bukhara by train. Bukhara has more than 900 historic monuments, and we spend time visiting many sites and wandering at leisure among the old city streets. Unlike Samarkand, the district of the old town has rema...

Day 12 Explore Bukhara

We spend the day exploring Bukhara. Of particular interest is the Fortress Ark where, in the 19th century, the Emir of Bukhara had the English officers Stoddart and Connolly imprisoned and killed, and the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, a beautiful example of early Islami...

Day 13 Morning in Bukhara, evening train to Tashkent

We continue our tour of Bukhara today before boarding a high-speed train to Tashkent in the afternoon. After arriving in the evening, we transfer to our hotel and have the rest of the evening free to relax. Classic accommodation: Gabrielle International Hotel or Milan Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 Chimgan mountains and solar furnace

We have a day trip out of Tashkent today visiting Ugam-Chatkal National Park in the Chimgan mountains. This includes a visit to the resort of Amirsai and a cable-car ascent to an observation point at an altitude of 7,545ft/2,300m, providing views of the snow-capped pe...

Day 15 End Tashkent

Our trip ends after breakfast this morning. If you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Tashkent.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,900
Price per day$260
Last Updated: 5/22/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
11 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2025
$3,900
$4,283
25 Apr 2025
09 May 2025
$3,900
$4,283
23 May 2025
06 Jun 2025
$3,900
$4,283
30 May 2025
13 Jun 2025
$3,900
$4,283
13 Jun 2025
27 Jun 2025
$3,900
$4,283
05 Sep 2025
19 Sep 2025
$4,050
$4,433
19 Sep 2025
03 Oct 2025
$4,050
$4,433
03 Oct 2025
17 Oct 2025
$4,050
$4,433
17 Oct 2025
31 Oct 2025
$3,900
$4,283
28 Mar 2026
11 Apr 2026
$4,350
$4,778

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,310
Great
3,258
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
187
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Amazing people and architecture

This holiday gives a great overview of the country and it's history visiting cities along the Great Silk Road, each with their own amazing buildings and stories We...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Brilliant trip and holiday

Amazing country and very, very friendly people. Incredible history and historical monuments. The Uzbek government is doing great work in restoring these incredible...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Go and experience Uzbekistan

An amazing trip if you’re interested in Early to modern civilisation, beautiful architecture and a country rediscovering its heritage and crafts. The people are ve...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Sucessful and Safe

It was a marvellous trip. Each day was filled with new wonders and excitement. Plenty of wow moments. A visit that was completely safe and rewarding The city of ...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Unbelievably beautiful Uzbekistan!

Fantastic trip to a wonderful country! So much beauty it hurts your eyes, and the people are incredibly warm & friendly. Each of the main cities has a totally ...

Write a Review

Other Exodus Travels Reviews

A

Annie O'Reilly Hughes

Nov 2024

Written on

Patient and knowledgeable operative

Rick was really helpful and patient. He explained things clearly, was happy to answer questions. It is a long time since I last travelled solo but I felt confident t...

T

Trevor Butler

Nov 2024

Written on

Very professional organisation

Very professional organisation, trip leaders and guides. Good cultural ethics and a genuine interest in sustainable tourism, hence Exodus values are aligned to my o...

M

Martin Mayer

Nov 2024

Written on

A great way to visit the the Silk Road sites in Central Asia

A very well-organised trip with a full itinerary seeing the natural beauty of Kyrgyztan and the amazingly beautiful Islamic architecture of Samarkand, plus a brief v...

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

9 nights standard hotels, all en suite, 1 night yurt (tent) with basic shared washing facilities Travel by private bus or minibus and internal flight Some long drives Experience local culture and nature
We spend 11 nights in hotels, one night in a yurt camp, one night in a homestay and one night on a sleeper train. The hotels are typically small and well located for our adventures, often close to the main sites and attractions. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip. Nurata: Homestay (night 5) Our night in a homestay takes us into the mountain village of Sentyab, where a traditional lifestyle still thrives. It provides us with an excellent opportunity to witness life in the Uzbek peaks, where cooking is often on an open fire and families typically keep livestock. The homes are very simple with shared rooms (up to four people per room). There are also shared bathrooms and showers (typically two showers and two toilets in total). Kyzylkum desert: Yurt camp (night 6) Yurts are not part of Uzbek culture, but the country is a mix of different ethnic groups, including Kazakhs who were nomadic and use yurts. The yurts, which are set up for tourists, have basic shared washing facilities and toilets, plus a dining yurt. You may have to share a yurt with more than one other person (two people to a yurt). The camp is very simple and offers limited comfort; however, it is well positioned to let us visit Aydarkul lake. Navoi to Kungrad: Overnight train (night 7) The railway has long been a popular way of travelling around the ex-Soviet Union and this is a great experience and insight into Uzbek life. On the train from Navoi to Kungrad, we use second-class carriages with four-berth cabins. Worth knowing If you would like your own room, a limited number of single supplements are available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis – please request this at the time of booking. The single supplement is not available for three nights of the trip – the homestay, yurt camp and sleeper train. At the homestay, yurt camp and on the sleeper train, men and women who are not travelling together may have to share though we aim to minimise this.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners are included. Please note, vegetarian food choices may be rather limited. If you are strictly vegetarian, or have any special dietary requirements, please notify us well in advance. In Uzbekistan, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home. Drinking water is included and will be provided in large containers for you to refill your bottle – please bring a reusable bottle with you.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Accommodation: 11 Classic nights (hotels), 3 Simple nights (1 homestay, 1 yurt, 1 sleeper train)
  • Travel by train, sleeper train and private bus/minibus
  • Some long drives
  • Experience local culture and nature
  • A mix of Uzbekistan's most famous destinations and some less visited areas
Trip ID
exodus-AXS

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