Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour

Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour

Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour

Prices

From $1,450USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels, guesthouses

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Highlights

Spend 10 days experiencing the colourful culture of Uzbekistan

Visit the bustling Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent to get your first taste of Uzbek food and craftsmanship.

Learn about traditional cooking techniques and participate in making dolma (stuffed grape leaves).

Witness world-renowned textile craftsmanship while marveling at colourful silks and delicate needlework.

Explore the legendary Silk Road city of Samarkand and revel in its rich history.

The Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour is a spectacular adventure in Central Asia that is geared towards those who appreciate excellent textile craftsmanship and mouthwatering food. Aside from visiting the legendary Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent, travellers will also explore both the Ferghana valley (Kokand, Rishtan, and Margilan) and Nurata Mountain range village (Uhum).

Uzbekistan is a welcoming, one-of-a-kind country that few travellers have come to know. This tour is the perfect way to experience a food scene quite unlike anywhere else, with the bonus of cultural experiences. All the sights and sounds along this excellent tour will be sure to excite the senses, making for an experience that will be colourful and delicious!

Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Tashkent

After your arrival in Tashkent, you will meet the tour guide at the airport gates before transfering to the hotel with an early check-in.

In the afternoon, you will set out on a city tour that includes the Chorsu Bazaar, where you can investigate the colourful textiles and delicious street food. You will also visit the Applied Art Museum and an old part of the town to get a feel for its history.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Tashkent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch

Day 2 Visits in Kokand and Rishtan and Cooking in Dolma

In the morning, you will transfer to the train station and take the Ozbekiston #060 train to
Kokand. Upon arrival, you will visit the famous Khudayar Khan’s Palace and Dahmai Shahon (Grave of
Kings).

Afterwards, guests will drive to Rishtan to visit a ceramicist's family and a Kyrgyz family making wool products. From here, you will drive to Margilan, where you can participate in cooking Dolma (stuffed grape leaves) and try it for dinner.

Overnight Location
Guesthouse in Margilan
Meals
Breakfast, dinner

Day 3 The Silk Factory Visit

After breakfast, you will visit Margilan to take in the expert craftsmanship of several artisans. Here, you will visit the Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah, which is home to a number of craftsmen producing handmade carpets and silk. Walk to the traditional market and continue to Yodgorlik Silk factory to see the production process of silk with traditional Ikat patterns.

Afterwards, you will drive back to Tashkent via a picturesque mountain pass. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with popular dishes such as Mastava (soup with rice) and Narin (made of finely chopped lamb meat (or horse meat) with onion sauce. Overnight at the Hotel.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Tashkent
Meals
Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 Flight to Urgench and Drive to Khiva for City Tour

On day 4 of your adventure you will transfer to Tashkent Domestic airport for a morning flight to Urgench. Upon arrival you will transfer to Khiva, where you can check-in at your accommodation.

The afternoon will see you experience a city tour of Khiva and its many historic/cultural highlights. Participation in the preparation process of a famous Khorezmian dish – “Shivit Oshi” (green noodle), which you can try for dinner at a local family café.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Khiva
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Drive to Bukhara

Today you will have an early drive to Bukhara through the Kyzylkum desert, stopping along the way for a photo opportunity at the banks of the Amudaryo River. On arrival, you will transfer to your hotel accommodation. In the afternoon you will visit the Buyuk Ipak Yuli silk making factory, followed by a fashion show during dinner.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Bukhara
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Exploring the Colorful Bukhara

You will spend today exploring Bukhara, which is the centre for local artisans. Here, you will be able to watch artisans work on a variety of handicrafts at the Bukhara Artisan Development Centre. You will also spend some time visiting colorful local markets, where the Karavan Saray (Trade Domes) and former madrassas offer splendid, colorful handmade “Suzani'' products and gold embroidery, as well as other forms of textiles, clothing, jewelry, carpets, and costumes.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Bukhara
Meals
Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 Drive to Uhum Village

Day 7 of the tour will begin with breakfast, followed by a drive to Uhum village. Upon arrival, you will be shown your accommodation in a local guesthouse. This family house has a large orchard with fruit trees where tourists can spend some of their time at leisure on tapchan sofas (traditional outdoor seating).
You will also enjoy lunch in the local guesthouse.

In the afternoon, you will walk about the village to get a feel for the daily life here (how people gather firewood or feed their livestock or chickens, harvest, grind corn etc.). After getting back to the family guesthouse, there will be a masterclass where you have the opportunity to watch or participate in cooking a very popular Uzbek dish – Dimlama.

Overnight Location
Guesthouse in Uhum Village
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Drive to Samarkand and Walk Tour to Nurata

After breakfast in the guesthouse, you will spend a half day on a guided hiking tour of the Nurata Nature Reserve (4 km each way, a total of 4 hours). While you are hiking, you will witness some ancient irrigation channels, petroglyph sites, and a mausoleum of an Islamic priest. Return to the guesthouse and enjoy lunch before making the drive to Samarkand.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Samarkand
Distance
8km, 4 hours (hiking)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch

Day 9 Samarkand City Tour and Participation on Manti and Samsa Preparation

After a delicious breakfast, you will visit a number of highlights in Samarkand, including the Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi Zinda necropolis, Bibi Khanym mosque, Siyab bazaar (try dried fruits and Samarkand bread which is considered one of the most delicious breads in the world), and Registan Square, which is the centerpiece of the city and the most recognizable landmark for visitors. There are three madrassas framing the square, with Ulughbek madrasah being the oldest.

Later, you will participate in the preparation process of “manti” (dumpling) and samsa (samosa) with meat & greens and try them for dinner in a local family house. Overnight accommodation in a hotel.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Samarkand
Meals
Breakfast, dinner

Day 10 Samarkand Departure

On the final day of the tour, you will wake up early and transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to Istanbul.

Overnight Location
None
Meals
None

Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour Price and Dates

This guided sightseeing tour in Uzbekistan is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price depends on the size of your group.

Prices below are per person:

  • Guided group of 4: $1,450USD* per person

Note: local flights and train rides are not included. Please check ‘Dates and Prices’ on how much you should budged for these.
*-Please note that the price depends on the size of your group. Please contact us to get the exact quote.

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Accommodation on the Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour

This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have access to amenities such as hot tubs, pools, or private decks to lounge on.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of $240USD to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Please note that single rooms are only available in hotels.

Gabrielle International Hotel

This 3-star hotel features modern comforts in the heart of Tashkent. Complete with an on-site restaurant, fitness centre, bar, and lounge, this is a great place from which you can enjoy the city.

Night 3

Guesthouse (Ikat family-run)

Enjoy a cozy guesthouse that features the warm hospitality of a family-run business.

Gabrielle International Hotel

This 3-star hotel features modern comforts in the heart of Tashkent. Complete with an on-site restaurant, fitness centre, bar, and lounge, this is a great place from which you can enjoy the city.

Orient Star Khiva Hotel

Located in Khiva, this hotel is located in the buildings of a former madrassa that dates back to the 19th Century. Modern amenities and historic charm characterize this hotel.

Lyabi-House Hotel

Situated in a charming old section of Bukhara, this hotel is loaded with historic charm to make for a unique experience.

Night 8

Guesthouse in Uhum

Enjoy a cozy guesthouse that features the warm hospitality of a family-run business.

Malika Prime

Situated conveniently in the legendary city of Samarkand, this hotel features modern amenities and serves as the perfect home base from which you can experience the surrounding area.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 10 nights are included. Each night of the tour is included as well as the night before the tour begins.

Transportation during the Tour

Vehicles and drivers for you and your luggage are provided throughout the tour.

Train tickets and domestic airfare tickets are not included but can be booked during the booking process. Below is the list on how much you should budget for these:

  • Avia ticket from Tashkent to Urgench: from $95USD to $165USD
  • Train ticket from Tashkent to Kokand: from $17USD to $22USD

Also Included

  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Entrance fees to sights and museums as per program
  • Map of Uzbekistan
  • Mineral water 1L per person per day
  • Activities mentioned in the itinerary:
    • Master classes as per program
    • Folk show in Bukhara
    • Spice tea drinking in retro salon
  • Taxes

Not included

  • Video and camera fees in museums and sights
  • Tips for drivers and a guide
  • All types of personal expenses
  • Train and avia tickets
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not previously mentioned
  • Anything not mentioned as included

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades where available
  • El Merosi historical costume show on day 9: $17USDper person

Frequenty Asked Questions about Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour

How hard is the Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour?

We rate this tour as a 1 / 5. You will complete one half-day hike on easy-moderate terrain, and otherwise you will only need to be able to walk comfortably throughout the day for sightseeing.

Do I need a visa to travel to Uzbekistan?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included in the Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour?

9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

When is the best time to travel to Uzbekistan for this tour?

The best time to travel to Uzbekistan for this sightseeing tour is from March-May and August-October. During these times, travellers will avoid the hottest months of the year (June and July), which can make travel uncomfortable.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip.

How do I get to Tashkent to start this tour?

Fly into Tashkent International Airport (TAS) by Turkish Airlines from Istanbul. You will be greeted from the airport and be transferred to your hotel.

Is the Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.

Where does the Uzbek Silks and Cuisines Tour end?

The tour ends in Samarkand where you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Uzbekistan?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Uzbekistan?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.

Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $1,450USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels, guesthouses

Start Your Booking

What travellers say

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as a 1 / 5. You will complete one half-day hike on easy-moderate terrain, and otherwise you will only need to be able to walk comfortably throughout the day for sightseeing.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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