Ultimate Uzbekistan

Tour Highlights

Kukeldash Madrassah

Nukus

Bahauddin Naqshband Complex

Registan Square

Kukeldash Madrassah

A medieval madrasa built around 1570 as part of the central ensemble and located close to Chorzu Bazaar.

Nukus

Mizdahkan, an architectural islamic complex, is situated on three hills is the oldest cemetry in Uzbekistan.

Bahauddin Naqshband Complex

This memorial complex is one of the most important Muslim shrines based outside Bukhara.

Registan Square

Heart of the ancient city of Samarkand, famous for its architecture and a popular stop along the Silk Road.

Authentic Experiences

Our Ultimate Uzbekistan Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

• Uzbekistan Ceramic History

  Visit the workshop of a famous family known for their ceramics – Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov. You will learn about the history of ceramics and get to see the unique collection of their exclusive works. Enjoy the tea ceremony with local sweets baked especially for you.

• Try your hand at making Plov

  Lunch will be held at the local house of Rakhmon Toshev, one of the best suzani (tapestries) makers in the country. You will try your hand at making “plov” the main national Uzbek dish, usually cooked with mutton and rice, adding large quantities of carrots and onions with spices.

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

Booking with Confidence

With our Book with Confidence guarantee you have peace of mind with low deposits, free changes and extended final payment. Plus, find a tour with the same inclusions cheaper and we will match it AND give you a reward. See full terms and conditions.

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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

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Additional Price Information

Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 12 August 2020, subject to change.

Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Customary tipping amount approximately US$70pp (AU$100pp) is paid locally in Uzbekistan.

Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth

Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request

Land only (Tashkent - Tashkent) 11 days from $5,910 per person, twin share

Single Supplement from $860

Price listed is based on new bookings only

Ultimate Uzbekistan - Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1 -2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO TASHKENT

Fly overnight via Dubai to Tashkent. This afternoon you will explore the capital visiting the old town, Barak Khana Seminary, Tila Shaikh mosque and the archives known for the rare copy of the Quran. Later, continue to Chorsu bazaar, the oldest market in Tashkent and Kukeldash Madrassah.

DAY 3: DISCOVER NUKUS

This morning you will fly to Nukus where the day's highlight is the Igor Savitsky Museum, home to the finest collection of Soviet avant-garde art, gaining insight into Central Asia's unique cultural heritage. Also, visit the ancient city of Mizdahkan - an Islamic complex offering monuments located on three hills.

DAY 4: NUKUS TO KHIVA

Today, drive 200 kilometres to Khiva, visiting ancient fortresses en route. Chalpik Kala, also known as the Tower of Silence, Kizil Kala Fortress and Toprak Kala Fortress – an excavated town considered to be one of the most important monuments on Khorezm. You'll also get to explore Ayaz Kala, one of the biggest complexes in Karakalpakstan, comprising three fortresses.

DAY 5: KHIVA

Today, you'll set out on foot taking in all the major sights of the Ichan Kala, the citadel, seeing the Kalta Minor minaret, the Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhimkhon and Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud. In the afternoon you will continue, visiting the Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace, including the harem.

DAY 6: KHIVA TO BUKHARA

Set off today for Bukhara, taking a long drive across the famous Kyzyl Kum desert. The Great Silk Road once ran a similar route that you will be traversing today. There will be several photo opportunities along the way as well as a stop along the banks of the Amudarya River. Your journey today will take approximately seven hours.

DAY 7: BUKHARA

Begin your full day touring of this incredible city, home to hundreds of registered monuments. The main highlights will include Lab-i-khauz – modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan, Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, and Mogaki Attari mosque. After lunch, visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque and see the locals doing block printing, metal chasing, suzani embroidery as well as carving.

DAY 8: BUKHARA TO SAMARKAND BY TRAIN

Visit Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former emir of Bukhara, and then visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi – the memorial complex of famous Sufi, spiritual leaders of this region. In the afternoon you'll make your way to the train station for your journey to Samarkand.

DAY 9: SAMARKAND

Today you will explore one of the oldest existing cities in the world and the oldest in Central Asia. You'll visit Registan Square which was the heart of Samarkand, and the beautiful madrassahs of Ulug-Bek built in the 15th century, Tillya-Kori built in the 17th century and Gur Emir the mausoleum of Great Tamerlane. Later you will enjoy a wander through the Silk Road bazaar.

DAY 10: SHAKHRISABZ

Travel two hours to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the Great Amir Timur where you will explore sites such as Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. This is a small, traditional city lying 80 kilometres south of Samarkand.

DAY 11: SAMARKAND TO TASHKENT

Exploring today begins with a visit to Ulugbek's observatory followed by a visit to the ancient settlement of Afrosiab situated in the hills. You will have some leisure time in Samarkand before transferring to the train station, heading back to Tashkent.

DAYS 12-13: FLY TO AUSTRALIA

Fly to Australia via Dubai, arriving home the following day.

Useful Information

Visas

Most nationalities require a visa when travelling to this destination. Travellers should arrange visas well in advance of departure. Unlike many other tour operators, we include your visa in the price of your tour. We handle the entire application process – all you need to do is complete the paperwork and send your passport to us eight weeks prior to departure. We are always on hand to help you with any queries you may have while completing the application form.

Communication

While travelling overseas, the Wendy Wu Tours contact number during business hours is +61 2 9224 8888. Emergency Assistance (24-hours) is 0044 1888 288 288. You will find mobile phone coverage to be quite high throughout South & Central America. We recommend contacting your mobile carrier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated call and data costs before you leave Australia. Some hotels may have Wi-Fi, which usually comes at a cost.

Tipping

Tipping is not commonplace in Australia. In South & Central America however, it is anticipated that a tip be given to reward good service. With that in mind, we have a tipping system for our group tours. Each passenger ‘tips’ a set amount to the National Escort at the start of the tour or on arrival in each country. They then distribute this as appropriate. Tipping is appreciated for Private and Tailor-Made travel. In your final documents, we include guidelines for tipping when travelling independently.

Food

We aim to cater to the tastes of the majority of people and so the food is not too spicy or too unusual. Breakfast at your hotel includes local and western dishes. In remote areas, we suggest embracing local specialities. Drinks such as beer, soft drinks or bottled water are at your own expense locally.

Shopping

Shopping is a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure. In keeping with most people’s interests while on holiday, your tour includes a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs. Included are visits to establishments that provide locally produced goods, unique to your destination. Witness the creation of these products, and see first-hand how their production supports the local economy. As most travellers like to take home souvenirs, we ensure the shops you visit have a reputation for quality, honesty, and authenticity.

Accommodation

Wendy Wu Tours inspects all hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service, which we require for our guests. We pick the right hotel for the specific destination, meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family-run guesthouse in a smaller town. Chosen hotels are also chosen for ease of navigation around tourist sights.