5 days
Fixed dates
30 people
from 10 years
Basic
Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Excursion tours
On this tour, you'll visit two of Uzbekistan's most beautiful cities—Samarkand and Bukhara. These cities are home to the most impressive architectural monuments and cultural masterpieces, and their ancient streets bring a rich history to life, intertwining real facts with myths and legends.
"Two Capitals of the East" is a short but very rich tour. You'll discover bustling bazaars, majestic mosques, artisan shops, and medieval quarters: a wonderful opportunity to escape the drudgery of everyday life in the atmosphere of an oriental fairytale! Many centuries ago, Samarkand and Bukhara were stops for caravans traveling along the Great Silk Road. These cities witnessed the rise and fall of empires, and the great military leader Tamerlane declared Samarkand the capital of his kingdom. The finest artisans, architects, sages, and scholars came here. Like fascinating books, Samarkand and Bukhara tell the history of the region through the ages.
You'll see the most important and beautiful sights of both cities: Registan Square with its three majestic madrassas, the Gur-e-Emir Mausoleum, which served as a model for the construction of the Taj Mahal, the picturesque and inviting Lyabi-Khauz Square with its pond, the monumental Ark Fortress, the captivating Poi-Kalyan complex, and the country palace whose poetic name translates as "Like the Sun and Moon." You'll learn about the lives and deeds of many real and legendary figures and even visit the tomb of the biblical Job (Ayyub in Islamic tradition), where a healing spring bubbles from the ground. In addition to Samarkand and Bukhara, we'll visit the city of artisans, Gijduvan, where we'll visit a ceramics workshop and learn the secrets of the craft, carefully restored and preserved by generations of masters.
An atmospheric hotel within walking distance of the city's historic center. The building itself and its interiors are skillfully styled to resemble early 20th-century architecture: brick walls, bas-reliefs, elegant wooden furniture, and numerous unique details—intricately shaped copper jugs, paintings, and lamps. The ergonomic rooms are fully equipped.
The hotel is ideally located—just across the street from Lyabi-Khauz Square, the city's central landmark. Some rooms offer direct views of the square's architectural ensemble. While its design incorporates national motifs, the Kabir Hotel fully meets modern standards for comfort and amenities. Guests appreciate the delicious buffet breakfast.
You'll arrive at Samarkand airport, where your guide will meet you. They'll accompany you to your hotel (check-in is at 2:00 PM). On your first day, you'll have time to simply rest from the flight and acclimatize. If you'd like to get started exploring Samarkand right away, take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of this museum-city, stop by the local cafes, and sample the delicious Uzbek cuisine.
On this day, you'll see the main sights of Samarkand, a vital stop on the Great Silk Road and a center of culture and religion. We'll stroll through the famous Registan Square, surrounded by three majestic madrassas built between the 15th and 17th centuries. The architectural ensemble is remarkably harmonious and has become Samarkand's most recognizable symbol. We'll also see the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of the great military leader Tamerlane, the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zand Mausoleum Complex, the Siab Bazaar, and the Ulugh Beg Observatory. Decorated with mosaics and ornaments, the walls and domes are like a book revealing the fascinating history of Samarkand.
Today we depart Samarkand for Bukhara. Along the way, we'll stop in Gijduvan, a city of artisans renowned for its pottery school. You'll visit the workshop of the Narzullaev brothers, a family of potters, and learn the secrets of their craft, carefully preserved over many generations. Here, we'll dine on delicious Gijduvan shashlik. Upon arrival in Bukhara, you'll check into your hotel and embark on a short city tour. We'll stroll through the magnificent Lyabi-Khauz Square, where a beautiful pond is surrounded by a madrassa and a monument to Khoja Nasreddin. We'll also explore the shopping district of covered bazaars.
The last active day of the tour will be dedicated to exploring Bukhara. You'll see two unusual mausoleums: the Samanid Mausoleum, which combines features of Sogdian and Islamic architecture, and Chashma-Ayub, an unusual prism-shaped building associated with a fascinating legend. We'll also visit a mosque with elegant carved columns, the ancient Ark fortress, ornate madrassas, and, of course, Bukhara's signature landmark—the austere yet refined Poi-Kalyan complex. In the afternoon, we'll head out of town to the summer palace of the Emir of Bukhara and the Bakhautdin Naqshbandi memorial complex, known as the "Mecca of Central Asia.".
After breakfast, transfer to Bukhara airport. See you soon!
Children aged 10 years and older are allowed to participate.
Breakfast on all days except the first, and lunch at the ceramicists' house on the third day.
Transportation depends on the group size and may be a car, minibus, or bus. All vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned.
The tour price does not include airfare, lunches (except on the third day) and dinners, as well as entrance tickets to monuments and museums.
You can book an extra night at the hotel—just let us know when you purchase your tour. An additional fee will apply.
Ask questions to the tour coordinator
Tour from an official tour operator from the Rostourism register
