Uzbekistan 8 Day Cultural Tour (3 Star Hotel Option)

Traveler Reviews

• C

  CATHERINE

  May 8th, 2026
  Loved Uzbekistan and Steppe Journeys made it fabulous. Bek was our tour manager and he was always available if we...
  Loved Uzbekistan and Steppe Journeys made it fabulous. Bek was our tour manager and he was always available if we had any concerns. Including the day I got sick and he arranged for some meds to be delivered to my hotel. The guides we had at each city were also amazing: Makhabo, Moona, Lola, and Mira. They were all very welcoming, adaptable and knowledgeable. Moona went the extra mile and helped my friend arrange a birthday dinner for me. I would definitely book again. Thank you to everyone.Show more
  Traveled in April 2026
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Hi Catherine, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you loved Uzbekistan and that Bek and the team were able to make your trip so special. I’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Bek, Makhabo, Moona, Lola, and Mira — they’ll be thrilled to hear from you. It really means a lot that you’d book with us again. We’d love to welcome you back to Central Asia sometime! Warm regards, Odil & the Steppe Journeys team

  Show more
• D

  Daphne

  May 3rd, 2026
  From the moment we arrived at Tashkent International Airport where Bek was waiting for us to drive us to our hotel at...
  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.Show more
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  Traveled in April 2026
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Hi Daphne Wow — thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed review. Reading your account of the trip honestly made our day. We're thrilled you loved the mix of old and new, and that the hands-on experiences with the masters in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva left an impression. Those moments — watching paper being made from mulberry bark or seeing silk spun from silkworms — are exactly the kind of authentic connections we hope travelers take home with them. Your kind words about Markhabo, Muna, Lola, and Mira mean the world to us. I'll make sure each of them sees this — especially Muna, who clearly went above and beyond for your friend's birthday! That's the kind of personal touch our team prides itself on, and it sounds like she nailed it. I'm also glad our drivers made you feel safe and comfortable on the roads — they really are unsung heroes of every tour. It was lovely to hear you felt safe everywhere you went, day or night. The warmth and generosity of the Uzbek people is something we never get tired of sharing with visitors. We're so happy the Chorsu Market, the rooftop dinners, the plov, the Khiva noodles, and even those unexpectedly buttery macadamia nuts all made the cut! And yes — that eggplant dish in Bukhara is something else, isn't it? Thank you again for choosing Steppe Journeys. We'd absolutely love to welcome you back someday, and until then, we hope the memories of those minarets, domes, and snowflake-unique tiles stay with you. Hope to see you again to explore more of Central Asia again ! Odil & the Steppe Journeys team

  Show more
• A

  Alexander

  April 25th, 2026
  My tour in Uzbekistan was well organized and my Mother and I really enjoyed our visit to Uzbekistan! Muhammad who...
  My tour in Uzbekistan was well organized and my Mother and I really enjoyed our visit to Uzbekistan! Muhammad who oversaw our tour was so kind and took good care of us. All the guides were good and taught us so much about each site we visited. Our favorite guide was Farzin, who guided us through Samarkand, he was very fun to be around and treated us like family. Uzbekistan is truly a hidden gem!Show more
  Traveled in April 2026
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Dear Alexander, Thank you so much for your kind words — it truly means a lot to us. We are delighted to hear that you and your mother enjoyed your journey through Uzbekistan and that everything was well organized. It’s especially wonderful to know that Muhammad took great care of you throughout the trip — I will be sure to pass along your appreciation to him. I’m also very happy to hear your kind feedback about our guides, and especially Farzin in Samarkand. Creating a welcoming, family-like atmosphere is exactly what we strive for, so it’s great to know he made your experience so memorable. Uzbekistan really is a hidden gem, and we’re glad you had the chance to experience its beauty, history, and hospitality. We would be honored to welcome you again in the future — perhaps to explore more of Central Asia next time! Warm regards, Odil Akhmedov Steppe Journeys

  Show more
• 

  Douglas

  March 27th, 2026
  I will write more details later, but well organized, punctual, comfortable travel and hotels.
  Traveled in March 2026
• U

  Ulrich

  March 26th, 2026
  Automatically translated. View in Original LanguageRate this translation
  Automatic translation available in English. View in English
  The Uzbekistan tour by Steppe Journeys in a small group was very well organized and highly interesting. Direct and...
  The Uzbekistan tour by Steppe Journeys in a small group was very well organized and highly interesting. Direct and fast customer service around the clock. Uzbekistan itself is rich in culture and history. The local people are open, friendly and helpful. The country is very safe in every respect.Show more
  Traveled in March 2026
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Dear Ulrich Thank you very much for your kind words and for traveling with Steppe Journeys. We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Uzbekistan tour and that everything met your expectations. It means a lot to us that you appreciated the organization of the trip and our customer service. We always aim to provide smooth, well-coordinated experiences and be available whenever our guests need us. We are especially happy that you enjoyed Uzbekistan’s rich culture and history, as well as the warmth and hospitality of our local people—this is exactly what makes our region so special. Thank you once again for your trust. We would be honored to welcome you back for another journey in Central Asia in the future. Warm regards, Odil Steppe Journeys

  Show more
• J

  Janine

  December 10th, 2025
  Automatically translated. View in Original LanguageRate this translation
  Automatic translation available in English. View in English
  Uzbekistan - Worth the trip! Communication, organization during the trip and our tour guide were very, very good....
  Uzbekistan - Worth the trip! Communication, organization during the trip and our tour guide were very, very good. Many thanks to the team (Mohamed, Ibordat, Muna, Lola and our driver). The accommodations were all in excellent locations, close to the old towns and attractions and were clean and comfortable. Transport by car, train and plane was very well organized. I felt very safe at all times. It was a very nice and interesting trip with incredible impressions and great people.Show more
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  Traveled in November 2025
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Dear Janine Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re really happy you enjoyed your trip to Uzbekistan and felt well taken care of. Mohamed, Ibordat, Muna, Lola and our driver will love hearing your kind words. Great to know the hotels, transport and overall organization worked well for you — and that you felt safe the whole time. It was a pleasure to have you with us. Hope to see you again one day for more adventures in Central Asia ! Odil Akhmedov Steppe Journeys and team.

  Show more
• L

  Lumen

  November 29th, 2025
  The guides were excellent and provided wealth of knowledge and experience. I was particularly worried being solo...
  The guides were excellent and provided wealth of knowledge and experience. I was particularly worried being solo female tourist with dietary needs (vegetarian/pestcatarian). I felt safe and well catered for and had such an amazing holiday. Thank you for the wonderful experience 👏🏽Show more
  Traveled in November 2025
• 

  Farrry

  November 28th, 2025
  I recently traveled with Steppe Journey Travel Company from Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva — and honestly,...
  I recently traveled with Steppe Journey Travel Company from Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva — and honestly, everything was perfect. Our hotels were exceptional, especially Amethyst in Samarkand and Zarafshan in Khiva. Both felt even better than 5-star properties, with stunning architecture and amazing comfort. All of our tour guides — Azoz, Zara, Shanaz, and Bek — were incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about their cities. They made history come alive at every step. The entire tour was hassle-free, the itinerary was extremely well-organized, and we were able to see so much without feeling rushed. At times it truly felt like wandering through a fairy tale… like roaming through Agrabah from Aladdin, surrounded by magical history and beauty. Highly recommend Steppe Journey for anyone wanting an unforgettable experience in Uzbekistan! Especially shout out to ODil who was the main organizer and getting back to us promptly! And our Tour Rador is my favorite to go site for any tours!Show more
  Traveled in November 2025
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Dear Farah Thank you so much for your beautiful and heartfelt review! It truly means a lot to our entire Steppe Journeys team. We are delighted to hear that your journey through Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva was such a memorable experience. Amethyst Hotel in Samarkand and Zarafshan Boutique in Khiva are indeed guest favorites, and we’re glad they exceeded your expectations. It’s wonderful to know that our guides — Azoz, Zara, Shanaz, and Bek — made your trip special with their knowledge, passion, and warm hospitality. We’re very proud of our team, and your kind words will surely make their day. We are especially happy that the itinerary felt smooth, comfortable, and magical for you — comparing it to wandering through Agrabah from Aladdin is one of the most unique compliments we’ve ever received! Thank you as well for recognizing our organization and communication. It was a pleasure assisting you, and we’re thrilled that TourRadar helped make this connection possible. Your recommendation means the world to us. We hope to welcome you back to Central Asia again soon for another unforgettable adventure! Warm regards, Odil Akhmedov Steppe Journeys

  Show more
• E

  Elin

  October 24th, 2025
  We loved our tour of Uzbekistan. The guides were excellent and everything went like clockwork. I will definitely...
  We loved our tour of Uzbekistan. The guides were excellent and everything went like clockwork. I will definitely recommend Bek and his team to my friendsShow more
  Traveled in October 2025
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Dear Elin Thank you very much for your kind feedback on the tour and we are happy to hear you enjoyed your holiday in Uzbekistan. We will look forward again to welcome to visit other central Asian countries again. With warm regards Odil and Steppe Journeys team.

  Show more
• N

  Natalia

  October 8th, 2025
  Automatically translated. View in Original LanguageRate this translation
  Automatic translation available in English. View in English
  The tour was very well organized and we were able to see the 4 most important cities, some more beautiful than...
  The tour was very well organized and we were able to see the 4 most important cities, some more beautiful than others. It wasn't all plain sailing as there are so many things to see and stories to hear, but it was exceptional. The guides were all very attentive and interesting, and the food was just incredible. You have to taste the little pleasures of this magnificent country to see that it's truly unique and fabulous. Thank you to the entire Steppe team for their dedication and assistance.Show more
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  Traveled in September 2025
  

  Reply from: Steppe Journeys

  Dear Natalia Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed exploring Uzbekistan’s beautiful cities and rich culture with us. Your appreciation means a lot to the whole Steppe Journeys team — we hope to welcome you back for more discoveries soon in other central Asian countries! Warm regards Odil Akhmedov

  Show more