Uzbekistan Tours & Trips

From the moment we arrived at Tashkent International Airport where Bek was waiting for us to drive us to our hotel at 0100 in the morning on April 14 2026, until he dropped us off at the airport at 0615 on April 23 2026, Steppe Journeys provided an excellent adventure experience. The Cultural Tours: Steppe Journeys curated a diverse combination of historical sites and modern structures, blending the old with the new seamlessly and providing context to current practices and architectural influences. We enjoyed visiting Masters in making paper from Mulberry tree bark in Samarkand; Masters in ceramic wares, knives, and rugs in Bukhara; and Masters in elm wood craft and spinning silk from silkworms into thread used to make rugs in Khiva. The Chorsu Market in Tashkent was enormous, offering everything from fresh-baked traditional non and somsas baked in the traditional clay tandyr (delicious!) to kebabs cooked over hibachi briquettes to fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, kurt (dried cheese balls), clothing, ceramic wares, sheepswool slippers, hand-stitched bags and clothing, and hand woven rugs, there is nothing you cannot find at the market. The market in Samarkand, while smaller, was equally robust with all sorts of offerings. Bartering is encouraged and a great way to purchase quality goods for a reasonable price. We also visited many mosques and madrasas, some of which were still active. Learning about the architectural influences over centuries of cultural and religious changes was fascinating and we learned how to distinguish between Uzbek, Russian, Persian/Iranian designs, styles, and colour-schemes. While at first glance, the minarets and domes and walls may appear similar, upon closer inspection and with historical context, each tile or painting or physical structure was as unique as a snowflake. We visited archaelogical sites dating back to BC, particularly in Khiva, where the entire old city is a UNESCO protected site. It was great to learn that people still live there and that it is not just a tourist site. The rooftop restaurants in Khiva and in Bukhara were a treat when it came time to eat as we could dine al fresco while also looking out at the beautiful dome and minarets, and the people below shopping and milling about. The new Islamic Cultural Centre in Tashkent (opened in 2017) is a must-see. It takes one through the history of Uzbekistan from over two thousand years ago, through the introduction of Islam, and into the future. This was a separate tour from the Steppe Journey itinerary, but was highly recommended to us by our Tashkent guide and well worth the visit. Our Guides: Markhabo in Tashketn, Muna in Samarkand, Lola in Bukhara, and Mira in Khiva were excellent. Their knowledge, professionalism, and engagement were exceptional. We could not have asked for better guides. Markhabo took us for lunch at a local eatery where we enjoyed Tashkent non and kebabs. While the others had chicken, I had catfish and it was delicious! We also had a snack of somsa at the market, where we watched it being prepared in the traditional tandyr, as well as fresh non that we also watched being prepared from scratch and baked in the large bread tandyrs. In Samarkand, Muna took us for lunch at a local restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious meal of plof and a yummy fresh salad of tomatoes, cilantro, and a bit of vegetable oil. At the market, Muna brought us through the nut section where I discovered the most buttery macadamia nuts I've ever tasted. Turns out they're from Brazil, yet I'd never had any and it was remarkable to find them in Uzbekistan. in Bukhara, Lola recommended a rooftop restaurant, where I enjoyed the best eggplant dish I've ever had. And in Khiva, we were treated to an al fresco dinner and show in the heart of the old city. We tried the Khiva noodles that put my boxed noodles from my grocery store to shame. Tender, flavourful (I tasted spinach and a hint of mint), they were as good as everyone had told us they would be. Our drivers were lovely as well. Kind, thoughtful, and honestly, expert at navigating the roads and traffic that in lesser hands would have been quite challenging. They made driving look like a casual outing. I felt safe with them at the wheel. In fact, I felt safe everywhere we went. Night or day, I felt safe walking with my travel partner and by myself. This was true in the large metropolis of Tashkent and in the quieter city of Khiva, and in both other cities. The Uzbek people are kind, generous, and interesting. Their rich and sometimes complicated history begets a knowledge, understanding, and inclusiveness that underscores their internal cultural and religious diversity. Special Shout-outs: to Muna, who - when I told her it was my friend's birthday on the 17th - arranged dinner, cake, candles, and birthday hats for that evening. She started our day 0900 and gave us an excellent tour of the mosques, the observatory, the madrasas, and then remained with us so she could take us for a special birthday dinner. Also, my friend had a cold, so she took me to a pharmacy where I could pick up medicine for my friend's symptoms. She was exceptional. To our hotel concierges: in Tashkent: they were incredibly helpful with dining and shopping information in all the cities we were visiting. They also had a mama cat and her kitten who they all took care of. In Bukhara: two of my travel mates were quite ill one day and both Steppe Journeys and the hotel staff were extremely helpful in procuring and delivering electrolyte water to help my travel mates overcome their illness. Bek was available night and day to answer all questions we had about tour times, transfers between cities, and any other questions we had throughout our journey. From start to finish, Steppe Journeys excelled in every element of our Cultural Tour and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Thank you for a wonderful experience; I will definitely book with you again.

The Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara & Khive were very interesting, the architecture was beautiful. Amazed at how clean & tidy everywhere is kept, very impressed with all the trees & flowering filled public spaces. The programme covered most of the important places of interest. I could have done without breaking my wrist on the 1st day but cannot fault the care I received from the 2 local ladies in the Chorsu market, the hospital & Marhabo our guide in Tashkent who acted as interpreter for me. Uzbekistan is a revelation, the people, the culture & the history, I am so glad I didn't have to miss it after my accident.

All of the arrangements made by Global Connect worked 100%. Airports transfer, trains, tours - all perfectly. The 3 guides provided in the 3 city were excellent and very knowledgeable. Our 5 day trip was very busy but perfect for us due to time constraints. Having more time in Bukhara and Samarkand is recommended.