Arrive at Tashkent International Airport (code: TAS), where you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital. After settling in, take some time to relax and recover from your journey, or step out to experience Tashkent’s unique blend of modernity and tradition.

The city smells like fresh bread early in the mornings, because of hundreds of tandoor bakeries. A massive Soviet-era TV tower dominates the skyline; it’s shaped like a UFO landing gear. You may wish to stroll through Tashkent's wide boulevards, visit a nearby café, or simply enjoy the city’s welcoming atmosphere. This is the perfect opportunity to get your first glimpse of Uzbekistan’s rich culture and warm hospitality before beginning your unforgettable Silk Road adventure.

Meals included: None

P.S. MonkeyInc and part of the group will be crossing the border from Turkmenistan. You’ll be joining them in Khiva. Please refer the note in the inclusions for option to combine both countries.

Fly from Tashkent to Urgench, swapping the buzz of the capital for the ancient heartbeat of the Khorezm region. A short drive brings you to Khiva, and trust us — nothing prepares you for how absurdly well-preserved this Silk Road city is. After checking in, unwind for a bit before stepping out for an evening walk that feels like entering a medieval time capsule.

Inside the old town of Itchan Kala, everything looks so untouched it’s basically a living museum. Mudbrick walls, carved wooden balconies, narrow alleys… locals swear some lanes look exactly the same as they did when Genghis Khan rolled through (minus the horses). This entire inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wandering through it at golden hour is magic — quiet courtyards, tiled madrasas, mosques glowing in the last light of day.

Don’t miss the Kalta Minor Minaret, Khiva’s famous turquoise stumpy tower that was meant to be the tallest in Central Asia… until construction mysteriously stopped. Now it’s iconic, photogenic, and impossible not to stare at.

You’ll end the day with a warm welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant — think steaming pilaf, local delicacies, and fresh non bread straight from a tandoor. The soft desert breeze, the glow of the old city, and that early-hit Silk Road nostalgia make this the perfect first night in Khiva.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Today is all about getting lost — in the best possible way — inside Khiva’s old town, a place so perfectly preserved it feels like someone pressed pause on the 12th century. Enclosed within the thick mudbrick walls of Itchan Kala, this entire inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and honestly, it’s one of the most atmospheric spots on the Silk Road.

We kick things off at the iconic Kalta Minor Minaret, Khiva’s famous turquoise tower that was supposed to be the tallest minaret in Central Asia… until construction abruptly stopped. Now it’s short, chunky, brilliantly tiled, and completely unforgettable. From there, we step into the Juma Mosque, known for its hypnotic forest of 213 carved wooden columns, each with its own personality and pattern — some dating back to the 10th century.

Next up is Kunya Ark, the former royal residence of the Khivan khans. Think courtyards, harem quarters, throne rooms, and views from the watchtower that make you feel like you’re scanning the desert for incoming caravans. The whole place is packed with stories of royal drama, diplomacy, and a little mischief.

We wander through Khiva’s maze of narrow alleys — tiled madrasas, sunlit courtyards, wooden balconies, and that unmistakable Silk Route charm around every corner. End the day on a rooftop café, sipping tea (or something stronger) as the sun dips behind minarets and the whole city glows gold. It’s a sunset you don’t forget.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Today we take one of the most iconic drives in Central Asia — a six-hour journey from Khiva to Bukhara, following the same Silk Road path once travelled by merchants, mystics, and camel caravans loaded with silk and spices. The road cuts straight across the Kyzylkum Desert, a huge sweep of gold dunes and rugged steppe that feels endless in the best, most meditative way. Long? Yes. Boring? Absolutely not — you’re literally cruising through history’s original highway.

Arrive in Bukhara, one of the oldest and most soul-filled cities on the Silk Road. After checking in and unwinding, head out for a gentle evening walk through the old town — glowing lanterns, cobbled alleys, and the echo of prayer calls floating through the air. This place is pure magic at twilight.

The towering Kalyan Minaret steals the show — a 47-meter beauty so impressive that Genghis Khan refused to destroy it (and he destroyed almost everything else). Around you, Soviet-era teahouses still buzz with old men sipping endless cups of green tea, while centuries-old madrasas, caravanserais, and domed bazaars glow softly under the night sky.

End your walk at the Poi Kalon complex, its massive minaret and mosque rising like a dream against the dusk. Bukhara has history, mystery, and atmosphere for days — and tonight, you get your first taste of it.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we explore Bukhara, a city so well-preserved it feels like someone hit pause on the medieval Silk Road. We start at the legendary Poi Kalon complex, the spiritual heart of the city, where the mighty Kalyan Minaret, the grand Kalyan Mosque, and the beautiful Mir-i-Arab Madrasa stand together like a power trio of Islamic architecture. Fun fact: that minaret has survived everything from earthquakes to Genghis Khan’s invasion (he liked it too much to destroy).

Next, we walk to the Ark Fortress, the oldest structure in Bukhara and the former palace of the Bukharan emirs — think throne rooms, courtyards, royal drama, the works. Just across the road is the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque, famous for its carved wooden pillars and the shimmering pool that reflects them perfectly on calm days.

We continue to the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, where local legend says the Prophet Job struck the ground and created a spring of healing water. Then it’s time to dive into Bukhara’s trading domes — buzzing bazaars where artisans still craft silk scarves, handwoven carpets, brassware, and intricate metalwork the same way their ancestors did.

Our final stop is the Samanid Mausoleum, a 10th-century masterpiece built entirely of patterned baked brick — one of the oldest surviving Islamic structures in Central Asia, and genuinely stunning up close.
As you stroll back through Bukhara’s quiet lanes — tea sellers pouring endless cups, craftsmen tapping away, the call to prayer floating through the air — you’ll realise this isn’t just a city full of monuments. It’s a living, breathing Silk Road story.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

We start the morning at the serene Mausoleum of Baha-ud-Din Naqshbandi, one of the most important Sufi pilgrimage sites in all of Central Asia. Set among peaceful gardens and shaded courtyards, this place radiates calm — you’ll see pilgrims touching the ancient trees, whispering prayers, and soaking in the quiet spiritual energy. It’s the perfect gentle send-off from Bukhara.

Next, we visit the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, where European glamour meets Central Asian royalty. Think glittering chandeliers, mirrored halls, and hand-painted ceilings — the Emir was clearly living his best life between East and West.

In the afternoon, we hop on the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand, leaving at 4:10 pm and gliding across desert plains before rolling into one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — over 2,700 years old, to be precise. Samarkand has its own iconic shade of blue, known as “Samarkand Blue,” used in tiles and domes across the city — and yes, it really does look different from any other blue.

As evening settles, we head straight to the legendary Registan Square, the beating heart of ancient Samarkand. Under the golden glow of the setting sun, the three madrasas — Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori — shine like a scene from a dream. Intricate mosaics, towering facades, and perfect symmetry everywhere you look. Watching Registan light up at night is one of those moments that stay with you forever.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we dive into Samarkand, the city that once made Silk Road travellers stop in their tracks — and it still does. We begin at the stunning Guri Emir Mausoleum, final resting place of Tamerlane (Amir Timur). Its turquoise dome glows in the sunlight, and inside you’ll find some of the most beautiful Timurid architecture ever created. Fun fact: Timur wanted to be buried in Shakhrisabz, but a snowstorm forced his entourage to bring him here — lucky for Samarkand, because this mausoleum is now one of its crown jewels.

Next, we return to the iconic Registan Square, a masterpiece of symmetry and colour. The three madrasas — Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori — look even more powerful in daylight, with mosaics so detailed they feel like tile-based storytelling. This is peak “Samarkand Blue” territory — that rich, deep shade found nowhere else in the world.

We then head to the grand Bibi-Khanum Mosque, built by Timur as a tribute to his wife (and also to show off just a little). Once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, its scale and beauty are still jaw-dropping centuries later.

We wrap the day at Siyob Bazaar, where the air smells of spices, samsa, dried fruits, and freshly baked non bread. It’s busy, colourful, chaotic in the best way — the perfect window into daily life.

Meals included: Breakfast

We start the morning at the jaw-dropping Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, one of the most magical spots in all of Uzbekistan. This “Living King” complex is basically a glowing corridor of turquoise — an entire avenue of cobalt-blue mausoleums so detailed and vibrant it feels like walking through an Instagram filter in real life. Every tile tells a story, and every corner is a photography dream.

Next, we visit Ulugbek’s Observatory, built in the 15th century by Timur’s brilliant grandson — the OG astronomer-king of Central Asia. Fun fact: Ulugbek calculated the length of the solar year with an error of only 25 seconds. With no computers. No telescopes. Just math, stone, and genius. This place was once one of the most advanced observatories in the world, and standing here gives you a taste of Samarkand’s intellectual golden age.

After lunch, we head to the station for the smooth high-speed train back to Tashkent — a 2.5-hour glide through open fields, small villages, and wide desert plains. Sit back, watch the landscapes shift, and let the Silk Road stories settle in. By evening, you’re back in the capital, where modern boulevards and ancient echoes blend into one last unforgettable night.

Today we explore Tashkent, a city that blends Soviet quirks, Islamic heritage, and modern Central Asian cool in the most unexpected way. We start at the Khast Imom Complex, home to elegant mosques, serene courtyards, and one of Uzbekistan’s greatest treasures — the world’s oldest known Quran, dating back to the 7th century. It’s a powerful place where history hits different.

Next, we stroll through Independence Square and the lively Broadway boulevard, where artists sketch portraits, cafés spill onto the sidewalks, and locals wander as if every day is a festival. We stop at Amir Timur Square, the symbolic heart of the city, before admiring the grand Alisher Navoi Theatre, designed by a Japanese architect and built by prisoners of war — a strange but fascinating piece of Tashkent’s layered past.

We end at the Museum of Applied Arts, a beautifully curated collection of carved woodwork, ceramics, textiles, and colourful embroidery — basically a crash course in Uzbek craftsmanship that makes you want to redecorate your whole house.

Tonight, we celebrate with a warm Uzbek farewell dinner — plov, kebabs, fresh non bread, and lots of laughter. Raise a final toast with your fellow travellers as you reflect on Silk Road sunsets, blue-tiled cities, desert adventures, and the friendships made along the way.

After an unforgettable journey through Uzbekistan’s blue-tiled cities, desert stories, and Silk Road magic, it’s time to head home. Transfer to Tashkent International Airport (TAS) and make your onward journey, carrying with you all the colours, flavours, and memories of the adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast