7 Mysterious Nights — the Silk Road in a Week

7 Mysterious Nights — the Silk Road in a Week

The classic loop through Uzbekistan's four Silk Road cities in eight days: Tashkent, Samarkand, Shahrisabz, Bukhara and Khiva — the essential monuments at a steady, private pace.

Pricing

This is a private, tailor-made tour — the price depends on your dates, hotels and group size. Send the form and we will send you a detailed quote within 24 hours.

Quick facts

  • RouteTashkent → Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Bukhara → Khiva → Tashkent
  • Duration8 days / 7 nights
  • PricePrivate tour · price on request
  • CitiesTashkent, Samarkand, Shahrisabz, Bukhara, Khiva
  • StylePrivate, guided · hotels throughout
  • Best seasonApr–Jun & Sep–Oct

Eight days and seven nights — the most efficient way to see all four of Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities without rushing the highlights.

From Tashkent to Samarkand and Shahrisabz, on to Bukhara and finally the walled city of Khiva, with a local guide, comfortable hotels and the return flight arranged for you.

What makes this special

  • All four Silk Road cities
  • Shahrisabz on the way
  • Internal flight, no backtracking
  • The full loop in a week

How it works

  • Tashkent & Samarkand

    A morning in the capital, then the fast train to Samarkand and two days among its monuments.

  • Shahrisabz & Bukhara

    Over the pass to Timur's birthplace, then two days in the old city of Bukhara.

  • Khiva

    The long desert drive to the walled city of Khiva, and a full day inside Ichan-Kala.

  • Fly home

    The flight back to Tashkent for your onward departure.

4 Silk Road cities
Shahrisabz
Internal flight included
Local guide throughout
Departure Day 1 · Arrival, Tashkent
Return / Drop-off Day 8 · Departure, Tashkent

Day 1 · Tashkent — Arrival

City tour · overnight Tashkent
Included today Hotel Breakfast
  1. STOP AT

    Arrival & City Tour

    You are met at Tashkent airport and, after settling in, take a city tour: the religious heart at Hasti-Imam Square — the Barak-Khan madrasah and the Kaffal Shashi mausoleum — and the old town.

    • Hasti-Imam Square
    • Barak-Khan madrasah

Day 2 · Tashkent → Samarkand

~4–5 hrs · overnight Samarkand
Included today Transfer Hotel B/L
  1. STOP AT

    To Samarkand

    An early drive to Samarkand, then after lunch the first of the great sights: the Registan square, the Bibi-Khanum mosque and the Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of Timur.

    • The Registan
    • Gur-e-Amir
    • Bibi-Khanum
    Why travellers love it: The Registan is the image of Uzbekistan.

Day 3 · Samarkand

Full-day tour · overnight Samarkand
Included today Hotel Breakfast
  1. STOP AT

    Observatory, Daniel & Shah-i-Zinda

    The observatory of Ulugbek, the tomb of the prophet Daniel (Khoja Daniyor), the Afrasiab museum on the site of ancient Samarkand, the Bibi-Khanum bazaar and the tiled avenue of tombs at Shah-i-Zinda.

    • Ulugbek observatory
    • Tomb of Saint Daniel
    • Shah-i-Zinda

Day 4 · Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Bukhara

Over the pass · overnight Bukhara
Included today Private car Hotel Breakfast
  1. STOP AT

    Shahrisabz, then Bukhara

    South over the Tahtakaracha pass to Shahrisabz, Timur's birthplace: the Ak-Saray palace ruins, the Kok-Gumbaz mosque and the Hazrati Imam ensemble. Then on across the steppe to Bukhara.

    • Ak-Saray palace ruins
    • Kok-Gumbaz mosque
    • Over the pass

Day 5 · Bukhara

Full-day walking tour · overnight Bukhara
Included today Hotel Breakfast
  1. STOP AT

    The Old City

    A full day in Bukhara: the Ark fortress, the Bolo Hauz mosque, the Samanid and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums, the Kalyan minaret and mosque, and Lyabi-Hauz with the Nadir Divan-Begi madrasah — plus the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa summer palace.

    • The Ark & Poi-Kalyan
    • Samanid mausoleum
    • Lyabi-Hauz
    Why travellers love it: The most complete medieval city in Central Asia.

Day 6 · Bukhara → Khiva

~480 km across the desert · overnight Khiva
Included today Private car Hotel Breakfast
  1. STOP AT

    The Desert Road

    A long drive (about 480 km, 6–8 hours) across the desert, following the Amu Darya, to the ancient Khorezm capital of Khiva. The rest of the day is free.

    • The Kyzylkum crossing
    • Along the Amu Darya

Day 7 · Khiva → Urgench → Tashkent

Ichan-Kala tour · flight to Tashkent
Included today Flight Hotel Breakfast
  1. STOP AT

    The City of a Thousand Domes

    A full tour of Ichan-Kala, the walled inner city and open-air museum: the Muhammad Amin-Khan madrasah and its Kalta Minor minaret, the Kunya-Ark, the Juma mosque with its forest of carved pillars and the Pahlavan Mahmud mausoleum. Then the flight to Tashkent.

    • Ichan-Kala
    • Kalta Minor minaret
    • Juma mosque
    Why travellers love it: A whole walled city kept as a museum.

Day 8 · Tashkent — Departure

Free time · airport transfer
Included today Breakfast
  1. RETURN

    Departure

    Free time in Tashkent, then a transfer to the airport for your onward flight. End of the tour.

    • Free time
    • Airport drop-off

What's included

Included

  • Private air-conditioned transport throughout
  • Internal flight Urgench → Tashkent
  • Local English-speaking guide in each city
  • Hotels (7 nights) with daily breakfast
  • Some lunches and dinners as shown
  • All transfers and intercity drives

Not included

  • International flights to and from Uzbekistan
  • Entrance tickets to the monuments
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance, personal expenses and tips

Best for

  • Travellers with a week who want to see all four cities
  • First-time visitors on a tighter schedule
  • Anyone who prefers a private, guided pace
  • Couples, families and small groups

Practical tips

  • Eight days is a brisk but comfortable way to see the four cities
  • The Bukhara → Khiva desert drive is long — a book and water help
  • Pack layers: hot days, cool evenings, a windy pass
  • Modest dress for mosques and shrines; a headscarf is useful for women
  • Best in spring and autumn; midsummer is very hot in the desert
  • Everything is private and flexible — add a night or a yurt camp if you like

Gallery

Frequently asked questions

How much does the tour cost?
It is a private, tailor-made tour, so the price depends on your dates, hotels and group size. Send the form with your dates and we will reply with a detailed quote within 24 hours.
Is a week enough for Uzbekistan?
Eight days is enough to see all four Silk Road cities — Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent — plus Shahrisabz, at a steady pace. If you want a slower trip or to add the Fergana valley or a desert night, we also run 10- and 13-day versions.
Is the internal flight included?
Yes. The Urgench–Tashkent flight at the end is included so you avoid the very long drive back east. The rest is by private car and, on the first leg, the option of the fast train.
What are the hotels like?
Comfortable tourist-class hotels by default, with boutique and higher-end options on request. Tell us your preference and we quote accordingly.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes — it is fully private. We can adjust the pace, change hotels, or extend it with the Nuratau mountains, a yurt-camp night or the Fergana valley.
When is the best time to go?
April to June and September to October have the most comfortable weather. Summer is hot, particularly on the desert drive; winter is cold but quiet and atmospheric.

Why Book With Jahongir Travel?

15+ Years Experience Operating since 2009 — over 3,000 guests guided across Central Asia.
Local Samarkand Guides Born and raised here — we know the stories, the people and the hidden spots.
Private Transport Included Air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver on every tour.
Fully Customisable Tell us your interests — we tailor every itinerary to match your pace.
WhatsApp Support Direct line to your guide — ask anything, any time, before or during your tour.