14-day Highlights of Uzbekistan Tour
Explore the best of Uzbekistan’s historical Silk Road cities and off-the-beaten-track outdoor destinations with a small group during this unique 14-day Uzbekistan Tour adventure: Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Kyzyl Kum Desert, Aydarkul Lake and the Tian Shan and Nuratau Mountains!
If you’re from Belgium or the Netherlands, you can read the description in Dutch.
14-DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF UZBEKISTAN TOUR DATES 2026:
September 16th – September 29th (departure confirmed, reserve your place now!)
October 5th – October 18th (book now: small group – max. 11 travelers!)
Price: from €2250 per person*
*depending on group size, see tour costs below for more info
Would you like to join this adventure in 2027? Click on the button below and be among the first to receive the new tour dates and booking details!
Reviews: What travelers say about the hIGHLIGHTS OF uZBEKISTAN Tour
Ismat is a guide whose love for Uzbekistan shines through in everything he does. He becomes completely absorbed in his stories, shows us the most beautiful perspectives wherever we go and is always ready for a joke.
We also thoroughly enjoyed the overnight train journey: the cosy atmosphere, sipping cups of tea and waking up to a vast, deserted landscape outside the window. It was all incredibly impressive.
We also look back very fondly on Ismat’s warm and professional guidance. He truly went above and beyond to give us the journey of a lifetime. A huge thank you to both of you!
The group size is just perfect. It was my second trip to central Asia with Journal of Nomads and I’m sure this wasn’t the last one.
Big thanks to Cynthia, Ismat and my fellow travellers!
TOUR OVERVIEW: What to expect on the Highlights of Uzbekistan Tour
- When:
- September 16th – September 29th, 2026
- October 5th – October 18th, 2026
All tours are guided by my good friend and local (English- and French- speaking) guide Ismat
- Start & Finish: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Maximum group size: 11 people
- Housing & lodging: hotels, guesthouses, yurt camp, tent
- Transport: Minivan & train
- Who can join: The Highlights of Uzbekistan Tour is suitable for adventurous and physically fit travelers aged 18 and above. Families with kids aged 12 and above and who are used to hiking and camping are also welcome. have The average age of the travelers who’ve joined so far is between 20 and 65 years. The participants are usually solo travelers, friends, and couples.
The 14-day Highlights of Uzbekistan Adventure Tour offers the ideal combination to explore the culture, history and nature of this exquisite Central Asian country. This tour is for you if:
- you’re interested in learning about the culture and history of Uzbekistan
- you love spending time in nature and don’t mind camping in a tent for 2 nights without sanitary facilities
- you are in great physical shape to make a 2-day and a 3-day trek in the mountains and can handle distances of max 20km per day on rough mountainous terrain
- you feel comfortable sharing a yurt for 2 nights with 4 to 6 people from the group
- you are open-minded and comfortable with unexpected events that an adventure trip might bring
Together with a small group, you’ll travel along the ancient caravan trails in Uzbekistan, during which you’ll visit the most fascinating historical cities of the Silk Route in Central Asia: Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent.
You’ll also travel to off-the-beaten-track destinations like the steppes, Uzbekistan’s desert and its mighty mountains where you’ll meet varied local ethnic groups living in remote villages.
This adventure includes a 2-day hike in the Chatkal Mountain Range of the Tian Shan Mountains and a 3-day trek in the Nuratau Mountain Range of the Pamir Mountains, where you’ll camp in tents.
The 3-day trek is very unique as no other guide or tour company in Uzbekistan knows about this trail! You won’t see any other travelers or people during the trek, except for some local shepherds.
You’ll also visit the Kyzyl Kum desert, where you’ll stay in a yurt camp and swim in Aydarkul, a lake in the midst of the desert.
The 14-day Highlights of Uzbekistan Tour is not your typical (group) tour.
Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively in and returned multiple times to Uzbekistan (like you can read on my blog) to explore everything that the country has to offer.
This tour is based on my experiences and personal highlights, and the outdoor destinations in this itinerary are very hard (and expensive) to reach if you’d be traveling independently. I work together with experienced freelance drivers and guides and small family-run businesses in Uzbekistan to support its local economy.
With the help of my Uzbek friend and guide Ismat (who will be your tour leader), I designed this tour for adventurous travelers who like to discover the architectural marvels of Uzbekistan’s mystical cities, dive into the culture and the life of its various ethnic groups, and immerse themselves entirely in its well-preserved and untouched nature.
14-day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent – Chimgan + 8km hike
Day 3: Chimgan (8km hike) – Tashkent – Khiva
Day 4: Khiva
Day 5: Khiva – Bukhara
Day 6: Bukhara
Day 7: Bukhara – Chasma – Chaldyrak Spring (16km hike)
Day 8: Chaldyrak Spring – Honaqo (20km hike)
Day 9: Honaqo – Langar (8km hike) – Kyzyl-Kum Desert
Day 10: Day trip to Aydarkul Lake
Day 11: Kyzyl-Kum Desert – Samarkand
Day 12: Samarkand
Day 13: Samarkand – Tashkent
Day 14: Departure from Tashkent
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Welcome to Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan! Our driver will meet you upon your arrival at the Tashkent International Airport.
Your guide will welcome you and the group around noon at the hotel before heading out into the ancient city of Tashkent.
We’ll go the heart of Tashkent’s history in Hasti Imam Square where we’ll wander around the Kaffol Shoshiy mausoleum, the Barak Khan madrasa and the Tilla Sheikh mosque. Many of these structures were built in the 16th century.
We will also go to the Mouyi Mubarak mausoleum, where a Kuran dating back to the 7th century is kept.
Next we’ll head to the Chorsu market where you can savor Uzbek spices, fruits and treats. It’s a truly sensory experience jam-packed with sizzling grills, spice scents and the hustle and bustle of nomadic people and residents.
We’ll also take time to check out the dazzling architecture of the metro stations, before exploring Amir Timur Square and enjoy a meal together at an Uzbek restaurant.
Meals included: Dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel
Facilities: wi-fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilets.
Day 2: Tashkent – Chimgan: HIKE IN TIAN SHAN MOUNTAINS
Hike distance: 8km Hike time: around 4-5 hours Ascent/descent: +400m/ -500m
Today we head out into nature to see some of Uzbekistan’s greatest skylines – the Tian Shan mountain range.
After breakfast at the hotel in Tashkent, we drive north for two hours before going on a 8km hike up Mount Kyzyl-Dzhar. Its red cliffs are spectacular and on the ascent we’ll discover the area’s juniper and ancient trees.
At the base of its summit, we’ll be gifted with views of the magnificent Kungur-Buka mountains and the village of Chimgan. At sunset, the valley’s rocks come alive with pink, ocher and dark red pigments.
On our descent, we’ll have a delicious picnic in the lush pastures and stop to relax. Then we’ll wander through fruit trees and arrive in Chimgan (it’s also known as ‘Uzbek Switzerland’!), where we’ll stay the night in a chalet.
You’ll have free time in the early evening to explore this ski resort or rest and marvel at the views.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room at the chalet
Facilities: wi-fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilets.
Day 3: Hike in Chimgan – Tashkent – Night train to Khiva
Hike distance: 8km Hike time: around 4-5 hours Ascent/descent: +520m/ -600m
After a nourishing Uzbek breakfast, we’ll prepare for a 8km hike to the Small Chimgan peak at 2,100m altitude. From the chalet, we’ll take a short drive to the start point of the trail.
It’s a beautiful path, bursting with flowers and wildlife and has sandy terrain, juniper bushes and rocky ridges. We’ll take a short rest at the Pesochny Sand Pass (1830m) and soak in the magnificent views before continuing to the summit.
It is a feast for the eyes at the top, with views of Lake Charvak, lush green meadows of Chimgan and snow-dusted peaks of the Tien Shan mountains in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. We’ll have a picknick on the mountain top before we make the descend back to Chimgan.
Our driver will take us back to Tashkent, where we’ll have dinner and board the night train to the desert city of Khiva. Taking the night train in Uzbekistan is a fun adventure and a great way to get a chance to chat with local people.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: bunk bed in train compartment.
Facilities: western-style toilet.
Day 4: Khiva
We have a chilled morning on the train (more time to sleep!) before arriving at Khiva station in the late morning.
Khiva is the only completely preserved town from the time of the Great Silk Road. It is a rare treasure of Uzbekistan and you’ll immediately see why.
Azure tiles adorns its structures and madrassas, minarets and mosques shine with their intricate designs. The town functions as an open-air museum city with UNESCO heritage and it’s a magical place to explore.
We get transferred to the hotel to drop off our luggage. Then we delve into Khiva’s historical delights on a guided tour around the city.
We check out the Mohamed Amin Khan madrasa, one of the largest madrasas ever built in the Islamic world, the fortress Kounya-Ark citadel, and the palaces and caravanserais of Khiva’s Khans.
In the evening, we head out to a restaurant to taste some traditional Khiva dishes. We spend the night in a family-owned hotel in the center of Khiva.
Meals included: Lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in family-owned hotel.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilet.
Day 5: Khiva – Bukhara
After having breakfast at the guesthouse, we board the 6-hour train to the ancient city of Bukhara, journeying through the sandy plains of the Kizil Kum desert. Bridging Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, it’s one of the largest deserts in the world.
You’ll be able to sit back, take in its magnitude, and witness its summer shrubs and flowers.
We arrive in Bukhara in the late afternoon. After checking-in at our hotel, you’ll go on a small guided tour to explore Bukhara at sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilet.
Day 6: Bukhara
Bukhara was a crucial cog in Silk Road history and today you’ll learn about its importance to Uzbekistan. This city will entice you in with its labyrinth of winding streets and magnificent minarets.
In the morning we go on a guided tour around the city to immerse ourselves in the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the eastern market of Bukhara, the Bolo Khause mosque, the Lyabi House and the Poyi Kalon Complex, which consists of mosques, minarets and madrassas dating back to the 12th and 16th century.
You have free time in the afternoon to explore Bukhara further.
We meet up again in the evening in a restaurant to try the delicious classical Uzbek cuisine.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilet.
Day 7: Bukhara – Chasma Village – Chaldyrak Spring: Hike in the Nuratau Mountains
Hike distance: 16km Hike time: around 6 hours Ascent/descent: +350m/ -300m
We tuck into an early breakfast at the hotel as a 3-day adventure in nature awaits… we are heading to the Nuratau mountains!
On the 3-hour drive from Bukhara to Chashma, we’ll take a short break and explore the ruins of an 11th-century caravanserai and a water well that nourished the Silk Road traders. We then continue on the road, the same route Alexander the Great took before he conquered Samarkand!
We’ll arrive at Chashma village in the late morning and meet the muleteers who will ready our bags for the 16km hike. Then we’ll begin our exploration of the mountains.
The hike starts gently, walking through sandy plains and snaking beneath the hills. We’ll pass magnificent granite mountains and canyons.
We’ll take lunch and soak in the beautiful Uzbek landscape before hiking to a beautiful gorge where we’ll set up camp. You can refresh yourself by the river and enjoy a simple meal under the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared tent (2 people).
Facilities: None.
Day 8: Chaldyrak Spring – Honaqo: Hike in the nuratau Mountains
Hike distance: 20km Hike time: around 7 hours Ascent/descent: +350m/ -200m
After packing our tents and breakfast, we’ll head out for a 20km hike in another picturesque valley. The trail passes beautiful small mountain villages where we catch glimpses of traditional Uzbek life and culture in the mountains.
We see a striking mix of arid land and green pastures, thanks to water springs trickling down from the peaks. You’ll truly be immersed in the remote beauty of Uzbekistan and you’ll understand how valuable the mountains are to its people.
We’ll have a picnic near one of the villages and maybe we’ll meet some shepherds whose Angora goats and Karakul sheep roam the valleys.
After the last few kilometers, we set up camp near a small spring and tuck into a well-earned dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: shared tent (2 people).
Facilities: None.
Day 9: Honaqo – LANGAR VILLAGE (hike) – KYZYL KUM DESERT
Hike distance: 8km Hike time: around 4 hours Ascent/descent: +500m/ -200m
Today we hike the last 8 km of the trail over the the Yomon Ketchi pass, which sits at 1,500m. During the ascent, we’ll be humbled by magnificent rock formations and take in dazzling views of mountains, valleys and little villages.
The trip ends in a small village near the Yomon Ketchi pass. There we will be picked up by the van and drive to the Kyzyl Kum desert. On the way we have a lunch break at an Uzbek homestay in the oasis town of Nuratau.
Our last stop is at a yurt camp in the Kyzyl Kum desert, where we enjoy the sunset and a hearty supper with the group.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Yurt camp.
Facilities: Electricity (limited – only available after sunset), shower, toilets.
Day 10: Day trip to Aydarkul Lake
How best to glide across Uzbekistan’s arid dunes than by camel? Note: if you don’t want to ride, you can always walk.
After having breakfast at the yurt camp, we mount the camels and follow the footsteps of the Silk Road merchants to Lake Aydarkul (2 hour ride).
Once we arrive at the lake, you can chill on its shores or even take a refreshing swim before we have lunch. We return to the yurt camp in the afternoon on foot (6 km – 2 hours), and while hiking through the desert, we’ll get close up to desert plants like saxouls and desert acacia.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Yurt camp.
Facilities: Electricity (limited – only available after sunset), shower, toilets.
Day 11: Kyzyl-Kum Desert – Samarkand
After having breakfast at the yurt camp, we hop in the car and go on a 4-hour drive to the ‘Pearl of the Orient’: Samarkand.
After lunch and checking into the hotel, we will begin our exploration of this magical city in the early afternoon.
Built on a crossroad, Samarkand’s location was a pivotal artery in the Silk Road and flourished into the capital of the Timurid Empire.
We’ll start with meandering around the Registan and its three madrasas Ulugh Bek (15th century), Sher Dor and Tilla Kori (17th century), which are adorned with intricate mosaics. These buildings are truly humbling and you’ll learn so much about their presence, then and now, to Uzbek people.
We’ll then head to Gur-i-Amir, an architectural jewel of Islamic art. The last rays of sun will ignite its azure-adorned dome which stands 32 meters tall.
We’ll have dinner together and you’ll have free time in the evening to wander around the city.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilet.
Day 12: Samarkand
There are many more hidden treasures in Samarkand waiting for us to uncover.
We have an early breakfast before heading out and seeing the spectacle of the morning sun lighting up the azure-glazed roofs of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis. These breathtaking mausoleums were built in the 14th and 15th century and make up a unique part of Samarkand.
Next, we’ll head to the 14th century Bibi Khanym mosque which remains as a powerful symbol of Tamerlane the conqueror. Next to it is a bustling market, brimming with Uzbek foods and souvenirs.
We then head over to the Registan again and after the guided tour, you’ll have the afternoon free to buy souvenirs and/or explore the city on your own. We meet up again for dinner in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilet.
Day 13: Samarkand – Tashkent
Samarkand is yours to explore before we board a train back to Tashkent in the afternoon.
It’s a chance to stock up on treats from the market or soak up more culture in the city. There’s bountiful options to choose from including wandering into the Jewish quarter with its synagogue and hammam or visiting a silk carpet factory and witnessing delicate silks unwind from a silkworm cocoon.
We’ll then travel back to Tashkent where we share a last dinner with our amazing group of new friends!
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilet.
Day 14: Departure from Tashkent
After a final breakfast together, this adventure has finished! Our driver will transfer you to the international airport.
Depending when your flight home is, you could also make some more time to explore Tashkent further.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Note: This itinerary can be modified in case of weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
FAQ: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW about JOINING THE Highlights of Uzbekistan TOUR
In case you have more questions about this tour, don’t hesitate to contact me.
TOur Costs
Price for the 14-day Highlights of Uzbekistan Tour (depending on group size):
- 5 to 6 people: €2650 per person
- 7 to 8 people: €2400 per person
- 9 to 11 people: €2250 per person
What’s included in this price?
- Airport transfer to and from the airport (only on day 1 and day 14 on the tour or 1 day before or after the tour).
- All transportation: car with experienced driver, train tickets
- English-speaking tour leader
- All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary (shared rooms and sleeping spaces)
- Camping gear: tents + sleeping pads
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary
- English-speaking guides for the city tours
- Mountain guide(s) for the hiking days
- Donkeys and muleteers for 3 days during the 3-day hike in the Aktau mountains
- Cook and rental of kitchen utensils during the trek
What’s not included in this price?
- International airfares to and from Uzbekistan
- Visa fees if applicable
- Medical or travel insurance (mandatory to join this tour). I recommend SafetyWing, HeyMondo or IATI Backpacker if you want a good insurance provider (in case you don’t have one yet).
- Early check-in and late check-out at the hotel in Tashkent
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Personal expenses (such as telephone services, excess baggage charges, laundry, medical services, etc.), and souvenirs
- Tips for the (mountain) guides
- Sleeping bag and hiking poles
- Single supplement in hotels and guesthouses (€110).
- Fees related to a change of program due to your initiative
Booking & Cancellation
Confirm your participation with a deposit of €350 per person.
Deposits can be made via a standard bank transfer in EUR or via online transfer (Wise) in EUR or USD.
As soon as I receive your booking, I’ll send out the payment details. You have 48 hours to pay the deposit. If not, I have to cancel your participation and reserve the place for the next person who books.
The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (Western Union, additional fees might apply) at the latest three weeks before the start of the trip.
If you have any more questions or want more info, please contact me here!
Cancellation policy
If for any reason you can’t join this tour, we’ll refund your deposit – minus €100 administrative costs – if you cancel at the latest 3 months before the start date of the tour.
In case we have to cancel this tour due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (pandemic, political reasons, natural disasters,…), you’ll receive a full refund of the tour costs (minus transaction costs). We’re not responsible for and therefore don’t refund any flight cancellations and/or flight expenses.
Join now! It will be a beautiful adventure!
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