Tour to Uzbekistan

September 18-26, 2026 (9 days)

FACTS ABOUT THE TOUR

  • €1450 + flights
    Estimated travel expenses (excluding flights and food). Details below.
  • 9 days
    9 days in Uzbekistan + flights
  • Simple trip
    An easy trip for everyone.
  • Up to 15 travellers in a group.
    We keep groups small for the best experience!
  • Adventure, cultural, experiential.
    Type of the tour.
  • Tashkent
    Start and end points of the tour.
    You may also join the tour in Istanbul.

About the Uzbekistan Tour

Join me on a journey through Uzbekistan on September 18–26, 2026!


Uzbekistan – the heart of the Silk Road – is a country where deserts, ancient cities, and vibrant Central Asian culture come together. For centuries, trade routes, empires, and ideas crossed here, leaving behind cities that still impress with their scale, architecture, and spirit. Although Uzbekistan is not yet a mass tourism destination, it is safe, welcoming, and open to those who want to experience the real face of the region, not just postcard views.

During this journey, we will travel across the key sites of the Silk Road – from the Aral Sea region to legendary Samarkand. We will experience not only the famous historical landmarks, but also everyday local life, the steppe, the desert, and genuine hospitality.

What makes this journey to Uzbekistan special:

  • We will visit Khiva – a living medieval city with its walled old town, Itchan Kala
  • We will see the legacy of the Aral Sea tragedy in Muynak – one of the most powerful stories in the region
  • We will explore the ancient Ayazkala fortresses in the desert
  • We will spend a night in a traditional yurt near the Aidarkul area, watching the sunset over the steppe
  • We will immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Bukhara’s old town, with its mosques, madrasahs, and courtyards
  • We will experience the grandeur of Samarkand at Registan Square – one of the most impressive sites in all of Asia
  • We will taste authentic Uzbek plov at the legendary Plov Centre
  • We will meet local guides, craftsmen, and hosts who will open the doors to their daily lives
  • We will travel in a small group, without rush and without tourist conveyor belts
  • Travel with me and discover Uzbekistan as it truly is – ancient, alive, full of stories and people who welcome a guest not as a customer, but as a friend. This is a journey for those who want not only to see, but to understand.

Why should you choose this tour to Uzbekistan?

  • Authenticity
    This is not an open-air museum, but a living country.
    We will sleep in a yurt in the steppe, eat plov with locals, and walk through markets and old towns where daily life continues as it has for generations. Not only beautiful squares, but the real rhythm of Central Asia.
  • The Grandeur of the Silk Road
    Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are cities whose names echo through history books. Registan Square, blue domes, madrasahs, and mausoleums are architecture that must be seen in person. Here you truly grasp the scale of past empires and trade routes.
  • Contrast and Experience
    In these days, we will see different faces of Uzbekistan – from the tragedy of the Aral Sea in Muynak to a quiet evening in a yurt near the Aidarkul area. Desert, steppe, ancient fortresses, historic city centers, and modern Tashkent. One journey – several worlds.

ITINERARY OF THE TOUR

Day 1 - September 18 (Friday), 2026
Tashkent – First Encounter with Uzbekistan

We arrive in Tashkent in the early morning. You may join us at the airport, in a hotel or even in Istanbul airport.
At the airport, we exchange money and purchase local SIM cards. Then we head to the hotel for breakfast and take some time to rest after the night flight.
Around 9:30, we head into the city and begin our introduction to Tashkent with its metro – not only as a means of transport, but as an underground gallery of Soviet-era art. From there, we continue to Chorsu Bazaar, one of the liveliest places in the city, where locals, traders, and daily life meet. Here we see the real Tashkent, not a tourist version.
We have lunch at the legendary Plov Centre near the TV Tower. This is where plov is cooked in massive cauldrons and where locals themselves come to eat. In the afternoon, we continue our walk through the city center – Amir Timur Square, the historic Uzbekistan Hotel, the pedestrian street, and Independence Square.
Toward the evening, we reach the modern district of Tashkent City, where we see how the capital looks today. We have dinner there and end the day at a relaxed pace.
The first day in Uzbekistan is about adjusting, feeling the rhythm, and preparing for the journey ahead. No rush, no overload of sights – just a clear structure and time for yourself.
Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2 - September 19 (Saturday), 2026
Tashkent – Nukus – The World of Karakalpakstan

Early in the morning, we head to the airport and fly to Nukus – the capital of Karakalpakstan, a completely different side of Uzbekistan compared to Tashkent or Samarkand. Here the “classic” route ends and a region begins that only a small number of travelers ever reach.
Upon arrival, we visit the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art, also known as the Savitsky Museum. It is one of the most remarkable cultural sites in Central Asia, housing a unique collection of Soviet-era avant-garde art that was once banned, along with an important heritage collection of Karakalpak art. The museum offers insight not only into art, but into the broader history of the region.
After the museum, we have lunch at a local restaurant and some free time in the city. You can take a walk, visit souvenir shops, or simply rest after the flight.
The evening is calm and without a fixed program. This is intentionally planned as time to recharge before the intense Aral Sea day ahead.
Overnight in Nukus.
Day 3 - September 20 (Sunday), 2026
Nukus – Muynak – The Aral Sea: The Story of a Vanishing Sea

In the morning, we leave Nukus and drive to Muynak – a former fishing town on the shores of the Aral Sea. Today, it is one of the most powerful places on the entire journey, allowing us to witness firsthand what an ecological catastrophe truly means.
On the way, we make a short stop in Kungrad for a break and coffee. We then continue across dry plains that were once the seabed.
Upon arrival in Muynak, we visit the famous “ship cemetery” – rusting vessels left stranded in the desert after the sea retreated. It is a place that leaves a lasting impression. We also stop at the local museum, where we learn about the history of the Aral region, the lives of its people, and the dramatic changes of recent decades.
After lunch, we have time for a walk and photography before returning to Nukus in the evening.
The evening is reserved for rest and quiet reflection – after this day, most people prefer calm rather than activity.
Overnight in Nukus.
Day 4 - September 21 (Monday), 2026
Nukus – Ayazkala – Khiva: From the Seabed to Desert Fortresses

In the morning, we leave Nukus and set off on a long but very rewarding journey through the regions of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm. Today we travel across areas rarely visited by tourists, where the landscape gradually shifts from open plains to desert.
Our first major stop is the Ayazkala fortresses. These are ancient defensive structures built in the desert more than a thousand years ago. From their walls, wide views open across the surrounding steppe and sand dunes. It is easy to imagine how people once lived and defended themselves in these harsh conditions.
We take time to explore one or two of the fortresses, walk around, take photographs, and enjoy a short rest before continuing the journey.
We then continue our journey to Khiva. In the evening, we arrive in one of the most beautiful cities in Uzbekistan – a walled old town with clay walls and blue domes.
After checking into the hotel, we go for a short walk through the illuminated old town. Khiva in the evening has a special atmosphere – calm, intimate, and very photogenic.
Dinner in the old town.
Overnight in Khiva.
Day 5 - September 22 (Tuesday), 2026
Khiva – Bukhara: A Living Medieval City and a Journey Along the Silk Road

We dedicate the morning to Khiva – a city that feels like an open-air museum. In the old town of Itchan Kala, much remains almost exactly as it was centuries ago: clay walls, narrow courtyards, madrasahs, and minarets.
We visit the main sites, walk through inner courtyards, climb viewpoints, and have free time to sit in a teahouse or simply wander without a fixed plan. Khiva is compact, so there is no need to rush.
After lunch, we prepare for departure. In the evening, we board the train and travel to Bukhara – one of the most important cities of the Silk Road.
Late at night, we arrive in Bukhara and transfer to the hotel. After a long day, rest is the priority.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 6 - September 23 (Wednesday), 2026
Bukhara – A Silk Road City with Deep Character

Today we dedicate the entire day to Bukhara – a city that for many becomes one of the strongest highlights of the whole journey. If Samarkand impresses with its scale, Bukhara captivates with its atmosphere, layers of history, and living old town.
In the morning, we begin exploring the historic center. We visit the main sites: ancient mosques, madrasahs, the citadel, trading domes, and the Bolo Hauz ensemble. We walk through narrow streets, courtyards, and squares that for centuries served as a center of trade and culture along the Silk Road.
At lunchtime, we stop in the Lyabi Hauz area – one of the most pleasant and relaxed spots in the city, perfect for resting, having tea, or enjoying a meal.
In the afternoon, we continue walking and have free time for souvenirs, local workshops, or individual exploration.
In the evening, those who wish may attend a folklore performance in an old madrasah or simply enjoy the atmosphere of Bukhara after dark.
Free evening.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 7 - September 24 (Thursday), 2026
Bukhara – Yurt Camp: Steppe, Fire, and a Quiet Evening

In the morning, we leave Bukhara and head into the steppe. Today, not only the landscapes change, but also the rhythm of the journey – we leave the cities behind and travel toward open spaces and silence.
On the way, we stop at the Vobkent Minaret, visit a small museum, and explore a traditional ceramics workshop in Gijduvan. This offers a glimpse into how old craft traditions are still alive today.
We then continue across the steppe toward the Aidarkul area and the Sputnik yurt camp. Upon arrival, we settle into the yurts – traditional nomadic dwellings.
The afternoon is reserved for rest, a walk in the surrounding landscape, or simply enjoying the quiet. In the evening, we watch the sunset over the steppe, have dinner, and listen to traditional songs.
This day is a pause from cities, noise, and constant information.
Overnight in a yurt.
Day 8 - September 25 (Friday), 2026
Yurts – Aidarkul Lake – Nurata – Samarkand: From Silence to Grandeur

In the morning, we wake up in the yurt camp in the steppe. Around us – silence, a wide horizon, and no city noise. After breakfast, we depart toward Aidarkul Lake, located several dozen kilometers from the camp.
Upon arrival at the lake, we have time to walk along the shore. Those who wish can swim or simply sit by the water. It is one of the most unexpected contrasts of the journey – a lake in the middle of a dry steppe.
After our time at the lake, we continue toward Samarkand. On the way, if the group wishes, we make a short stop in the town of Nurata – a quiet place with old streets and everyday local life.
We reach Samarkand in the afternoon. If time allows, we visit a traditional paper workshop that still operates using historical production techniques.
In the evening, we head to Registan Square. After sunset, the illuminated buildings and evening light show create a completely different atmosphere than during the day.
It is one of the most powerful moments of the entire journey.
Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 9 - September 26 (Saturday), 2026
Samarkand – The Legacy of Empires and the Return to Tashkent

Today we dedicate the entire day to Samarkand – a city that for centuries was one of the key centers of the Silk Road and the capital of Timur’s empire.
We begin the morning at Registan Square, the symbol of Samarkand. We explore the madrasahs, their courtyards, decorative details, and spaces that still reflect the former grandeur of the city.
Next, we visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum – the final resting place of Timur and his family. We then continue to Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, where we learn about the achievements of medieval astronomy.
In the afternoon, we visit the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis – a complex of mausoleums with blue domes and narrow passages. It is one of the most impressive sites in all of Uzbekistan.
We stop at a traditional paper workshop and a silk carpet manufactory, where we see how local crafts are still made by hand. Nearby, we also visit Siab Bazaar, with time for shopping and buying souvenirs.
In the evening, we board the high-speed train and return to Tashkent.

The journey concludes in Tashkent on the evening of September 26.
From here, you are free to depart or continue your travels independently. If you wish to extend your stay, we are happy to assist with additional accommodation or transfers.

Uzbekistan Tour Budget

  • Accommodation, local transport (one domestic flight, private bus, two train journeys), entrance tickets to sights, local guides, yurt stay, local SIM card, breakfasts, dinner at the yurt camp, lunch by the lake – €1000
  • Organizational fee – €450 (payable at registration; non-refundable in case of cancellation)
Total: €1450 + international flights to and from Tashkent

Not included:
  • personal expenses
  • most lunches and dinners, except those at the yurt camp and by the lake
Accommodation: comfortable hotels, double rooms with air conditioning and private bathroom.
Ready to join? Fill out the registration form.
To confirm your registration, a €450 advance payment (organizational fee) is required.
Note: the advance is non-refundable in case of cancellation.

NEXT STEPS:
  1. Fill out the registration form
  2. Within 1 working day, you will receive confirmation and payment details for the €450 advance
  3. Transfer €450
  4. Once I confirm receipt of payment, I will send the exact group flight dates and times
  5. Then purchase your flight ticket.

Vladas Sapranavičius

The Organizer and Leader of the Tour
Uzbekistan is like an open manuscript of the Silk Road, where every page carries stories of journeys, empires, and people. Written in sand, blue domes, and vast stone squares, it is a land where desert meets gardens, caravan routes became streets, and hospitality still feels natural and sincere.
This is a journey to a crossroads of civilizations, where East and West shaped each other for centuries. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Nukus are not just names on a map. They are living stories carved into madrasah walls, reflected in tiled domes, and preserved in daily life. Here, history is not a museum piece – it lives in markets, courtyards, and quiet evening streets.
I designed this route to go beyond the famous landmarks. We travel not only through grand squares, but also across steppe landscapes, desert fortresses, former seabeds, and yurt camps. We share tea with locals, eat plov where Uzbek families eat it, and hear stories not found in guidebooks.
This is more than a comfortable and safe trip. It is an experience that invites you to slow down and see how different worlds connect. From the silence of the Aral Sea to the lights of Registan, it is a journey that stays within you long after you return.
If you feel ready for a journey with depth and character, join me. I will take care of the details. Uzbekistan will take care of the rest.
About Vladas Sapranavičius' Experience in Asia (expandable section)
Vladas has been traveling across Asia and the Middle East for more than two decades. During this time, he has independently organized and led journeys to Iran, Iraq, and Yemen. These were not occasional trips, but dozens of real expeditions with groups in complex, non-touristic regions.
In recent years, Vladas has guided more than twenty travel groups through Asia and the Middle East, mostly in small, carefully selected teams. This approach allows for deeper engagement with local life and culture rather than surface-level tourism.
Advantages of traveling with Vladas:
  • Routes enriched with real experiences: meetings with locals, family dinners, visits to workshops, villages, and places beyond standard tourist paths
  • Strong focus on local customs, mindset, and everyday life, not only on famous landmarks
  • Every journey includes backup plans B, C, and D, which is especially important in regions such as Central Asia and the Middle East
  • Decisions are based on real on-the-ground experience, not on theory or agency promises
  • The Uzbekistan journey is a natural continuation of this experience. It is designed not as a “standard tour,” but as a balanced, safe, and meaningful exploration of one of the most fascinating regions in Asia – a place that cannot be understood through sightseeing alone.
Vladas Sapranavičius is not a travel organizer who sells travel packages and takes any responsibility for flights, accommodations, or anything like that. He is a trip leader who gathers a group of like-minded individuals for the journey. Tickets are purchased independently, and payment for hotels and transportation is made on-site during the trip. Vladas does not insure travelers during the trip. All travelers assume all possible risks themselves and can purchase the desired insurance for the duration of the trip.
Nevertheless, Vladas will assist you with all these matters.
REGISTER TO THE UZBEKISTAN TOUR
Fill separate form for every person registering

Frequently Asked Questions

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Contact me
Vladas Sapranavičius
Tour Organizer and Leader
Phone: +370 650 77378
Email: vladas@spacetravel.lt