Uzbekistan – Tajikistan Tour
8 Days / 7 Nights

Early breakfast (take-away) at the hotel.

06:30 – Transfer to Tashkent Airport (Terminal 3) for the morning flight to Bukhara.

08:00 – Departure to Bukhara. 09:10 – Arrival in Bukhara.

Meet the driver at the exit of the terminal with a name sign. Transfer to the hotel to drop off luggage (standard check-in after 14:00).

Start walking sightseeing in Bukhara (approx. 5–6 hours):

• Ensemble Lyabi-Hauz – Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin.
• Magoki-Attori Mosque – one of the oldest surviving mosques in Bukhara, dating back to pre-Mongol times.
• Abdullakhan’s Tim – covered bazaar with handicraft shops (souvenirs, ceramics, textiles, carpets).
• Caravanserai Sayfuddin – Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara.
• Three historic trading domes: Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, Toki Zargaron – ancient centers of silk, jewelry, and currency exchange.
• Ulugbek & Abdulazizkhan Madrassas – “twin” madrassas facing each other with contrasting decorative styles.
• Poi-Kalon complex – Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque and Mir-Arab Madrassa, the spiritual heart of Bukhara.
• Ark Fortress – the ancient citadel of Bukhara dating back to the 1st century BC.

Optional (on request): visit to the Samanids Mausoleum (9th century), a masterpiece of early medieval brick architecture.

Evening: free time. Overnight in Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel in Bukhara.

09:00 – Departure from Bukhara to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz and the scenic Takhta Karacha pass.

On arrival in Shakhrisabz, meet the local guide and start sightseeing (approx. 2.5 hours):

• Ak-Saray Palace (“White Palace”) – ruins of Timur’s monumental summer palace, decorated by the best artisans of the empire.
• Mausoleum Dor-us-Saodat – burial complex known as “Place of Power”, with the tomb of Timur’s eldest son Jahongir.
• Kok-Gumbaz Mosque – often called the “House of Meditation”.
• Gumbazi-Seyidon Mausoleum – 16th-century mausoleum where descendants of Ulugbek are buried.

After the excursion, continue overland to Samarkand. Arrival in the evening, hotel check-in and time to rest.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Meet your guide and driver at the hotel and begin the full-day sightseeing tour of Samarkand:

• Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the tomb of Timur the Great and his descendants, richly decorated with carved stone and gold ornaments.
• Registan Square – the famous ensemble and heart of Samarkand, consisting of Ulugbek Madrassa, Sher-Dor Madrassa and Tilla-Kari Madrassa.
• Bibi-Khanum Mosque – once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, built by order of Timur.
• Shahi-Zinda Necropolis – unique alley of mausoleums, richly tiled and associated with the burial of Qutham ibn Abbas.
• Ulugbek Observatory – remains of the 15th-century astronomical observatory built by scholar-ruler Ulugbek.
• Siyab Bazaar – the main market of Samarkand with spices, dried fruits and local delicacies.

After the tour, return to the hotel. Free time to explore on your own or enjoy an optional evening walk.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel in Samarkand.

Meet the driver at the hotel. Depart for the Uzbek–Tajik border post Jartepa.

Border formalities usually take 30–60 minutes. After crossing into Tajikistan, meet your Tajik guide and driver.

Continue by road to the famous Seven Lakes (Marguzor Lakes) in the Fann Mountains – a chain of mountain lakes with changing colors depending on light and depth.

On the western slope of the Fann Mountains, in the valley of the Shing river, there are seven lakes. Six of them are of dammed origin, and the highest one is Lake Hazorchashma.

These lakes are collectively known as Marguzor, but each has its own name: Nezhigon, Soy, Gushor, Nofin, Khurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The altitude difference between the lowest and highest lake is about 692 meters.

Enjoy an easy hike and walks along the lakeshores, photo stops and time to admire the mountain scenery (swimming is usually not recommended – water is cold even in summer).

In the afternoon, transfer back towards Penjikent. On arrival, short tour of Penjikent:

• Sarazm archaeological site (UNESCO) – one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia, near the Zarafshan river.
• Ruins of ancient Penjikent – a 2,500-year-old Sogdian town on the Silk Road.

Evening: free time. Overnight in Penjikent (hotel or guesthouse).

Breakfast at the guesthouse/hotel.

Depart Penjikent and drive towards Istaravshan – one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan, located about 78 km southwest of Khujand in the northern foothills of the Turkistan range.

Istaravshan (historically known as Cyropolis) was founded by Cyrus the Great in 544 BC and served as a frontier fortress of the Achaemenid Empire. During the Soviet era it was called Ura-Tyube.

Overview sightseeing in Istaravshan:

• Mazori-Sharif Mausoleum.
• Kok-Gumbaz Madrassa (16th century).
• Kuhi-Mug fortress ruins with panoramic views.

Continue to Khujand, the second-largest city of Tajikistan and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. It is believed to be the farthest point reached by Alexander the Great, known then as Alexandria Eschate (“The Furthest”).

Sightseeing in Khujand:

• Pushkin Square and Kamoli Khudjandi Square.
• Timur Malik Fortress and Sughd Historical Museum.
• Muslihiddin Memorial Complex.
• Panjshanbe Bazaar – one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan (the name means “Thursday” in Persian).
• Arbob Palace.

In the afternoon, drive to the Tajik–Uzbek border checkpoint Oybek. Border crossing normally takes around 30–60 minutes.

Meet the Uzbek driver on the other side and continue by road to Tashkent (approx. 2 hours).

Evening: arrival and hotel check-in. Overnight in Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and start the sightseeing tour of Tashkent (approx. 5–6 hours), covering both modern and old parts of the city:

• Amir Timur Square – central square of the city, named after Amir Timur, surrounded by the Museum of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan Hotel and Forum Palace.
• Tashkent striking clock – one of the recognizable symbols of the city.
• Theater Square with the Alisher Navoi State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (1947), famous for both classical and national performances.
• Independence Square – main square of the country, with monuments reflecting the past, present and future of Uzbekistan, including the “Eternal Flame”.
• Earthquake Memorial – dedicated to the 1966 earthquake and the people who helped rebuild Tashkent.
• Khast-Imam Square – religious center of Tashkent, including Barak-Khan Madrassa, Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum and the library with the famous 7th-century Quran of Uthman (Othman Quran).
• Chorsu Bazaar – the main oriental market of Tashkent with a blue domed pavilion, fresh produce and handicrafts.
• Tashkent Metro – ride between a few of its artistically decorated stations (the first line opened in 1977).

After the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Free time for last-minute shopping or an optional evening program.

Overnight in Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel (if flight time allows).

Free time in Tashkent: relax in a café, take a short walk or do some last-minute shopping.

At the scheduled time, meet your driver in the hotel lobby and transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure flight.

End of the tour.