Itinerary
- Day 1
Tashkent
You'll arrive in Tashkent and get settled at your hotel. This evening brings your first gathering with the National Geographic Expedition Leader and other travelers. There's a presentation about what's coming up on the trip, then a welcome reception followed by a three-course dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Three-course dinner blending traditional flavors with modern flair)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lotte City Tashkent Palace Hotel)
Included Activities
- Welcome Moment and Dinner - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
- Day 2
Tashkent
Start at the Hasti Imam complex to see the ancient Uthman Quran. From there, head to Chorsu Bazaar where you can walk around under its massive blue-tiled dome and pick through dried apricots, almonds, and other goods. In the afternoon, visit the Rakhimov Family Art Studio to watch ceramic masters at work, creating traditional pieces with natural dyes and time-honored techniques.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lotte City Tashkent Palace Hotel)
Included Activities
- Historic Tashkent & Sacred Sites Visit
- Chorsu Bazaar Immersion
- Rakhimov Family Art Studio Visit
Optional Activities
- Tashkent Museum of Fine Arts (8000 UZS per person)
Landmarks Hasti Imam Complex Chorsu Bazaar - Day 3
Tashkent to Samarkand
Board a high-speed train heading across the fertile plains toward Samarkand. Once you arrive, you'll see Registan Square with its majestic madrasahs covered in majolica and turquoise mosaics. Then walk through the avenue of mausoleums at Shahi Zinda, which features intricate turquoise tilework. The evening is yours to rest up or catch the light show at Registan Square if you're feeling up for it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Samarkand
- Architectural Wonders of Samarkand
Optional Activities
- Optional Light Show Visit to Registan Square
Landmarks Registan Square Shahi Zinda 
- Day 4
Samarkand
Head out to Tersak Village where you'll join a local family to knead dough and bake samsas in a traditional clay tandoor oven, then eat the lunch you helped prepare. After that, go to the Afrasiab Museum to see rare 7th-century pre-Islamic murals. Later, you'll get after-hours access to Guri Emir Mausoleum where a local professor talks about Tamerlane's legacy under the gold-leafed dome.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked lunch prepared with local family in Tersak Village), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel)
Included Activities
- Tersak Village Visit
- Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand Visit
- After-Hours at the Guri Emir Mausoleum
Landmarks Afrasiab Museum Guri Emir Mausoleum - Day 5
Samarkand to Bukhara
Take the high-speed train across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara. Walk to the Ark Fortress, look at the detailed brickwork of the Ismail Samanid Mausoleum, and see the Kalyan Minaret. In the evening, join a local chef for a plov masterclass where you'll learn to chop and layer ingredients for Uzbekistan's national dish, then have it for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Plov prepared during cooking class)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Devon Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided Exploration of Bukhara's Icons
- Plov Cooking Class and Dinner
Landmarks Ark Fortress Ismail Samanid Mausoleum Kalyan Minaret - Day 6
Bukhara
Begin at the Naqshbandiy Mausoleum, a pilgrimage site where you'll learn about Sufi spiritual teachings. Continue to Sitorai Mohi-Khosa, the Emir's Summer Palace, which mixes Russian mirrors with Oriental plasterwork. Wander through the Old Jewish Quarter and old city as the sun starts to lower. You'll end with dinner in a restored caravanserai under stone arches where merchants and camels once stayed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a restored caravanserai)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Devon Hotel)
Included Activities
- Naqshnabdi Mausoleum Visit
- Sitorai Mohi-Khosa Visit
- Free Time in Bukhara
- Bukhara Old Town visit
- Dinner in Bukhara
Landmarks Naqshbandiy Mausoleum Sitorai Mohi-Khosa - Day 7
Bukhara to Khiva
Travel west by train as the landscape shifts toward the Khorezm region. You'll reach Khiva, one of the most intact Silk Road cities. Step inside the Ichan Qala walled inner city and walk past the unfinished turquoise tower of Kalta Minor and through carved wooden doors. As the sun sets, watch the mud-brick walls turn golden, then have dinner with a view of the historic skyline.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with view of historic skyline)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kamil Palace Hotel Khiva)
Included Activities
- Lunch and Old Town Exploration in Khiva
- Dinner in Khiva
Optional Activities
- Islam Khoja Minaret
- Ichan-Qala (Itchan Kala) Visit
Landmarks Ichan Qala Kalta Minor Minaret 
- Day 8
Khiva
Go deeper into Ichan Qala with a guided tour. Step into the Juma Mosque and see its 213 uniquely carved wooden pillars. Explore the Tash-Khauli Palace with blue tiles and winding corridors. The afternoon is free for you to climb the city walls for views or sit with green tea at a traditional chaikhana. Dinner features Khorezmian music and dance performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Festive dinner featuring Khorezmian music and dance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kamil Palace Hotel Khiva)
Included Activities
- Guided Exploration of Khiva
- Free Time in Khiva
- Khorezmian Music and Dance Show
Landmarks Juma Mosque Tash-Khauli Palace - Day 9
Khiva to Ashgabat
Cross from Uzbekistan into Turkmenistan at Shavat. Drive to Dashoguz to visit a local market, then board a flight to Ashgabat. When you arrive, you'll see this modern capital with its striking white marble buildings. The evening and dinner are on your own so you can relax or walk around and get a feel for the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Oguzkent Hotel)
Included Activities
- Border Crossing (Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan)
- Dashoguz Local Market
- Day 10
Ashgabat
Drive to the Kopet Dag mountains to explore Old Nisa, the ancient Parthian capital. Walk through UNESCO-listed mud-brick ruins of a civilization that once matched Rome in power. Return to Ashgabat to tour monuments like the Arch of Neutrality with its gold statue. The expedition ends with a farewell dinner and presentation reflecting on the empires and landscapes you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Oguzkent Hotel)
Included Activities
- Ancient Settlement of Nisa
- Lunch and Free Time in Ashgabat
- Afternoon City Tour of Ashgabat
- Farewell Evening in Ashgabat
Optional Activities
- Carpet Museum
Landmarks Old Nisa Arch of Neutrality - Day 11
Ashgabat
Your Central Asia expedition concludes today. Airport transfers are available whenever you need them during the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Departure Day
