Itineraries · Classic

Silk Road classic: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in 8 days

The favourite first-timer's route: four historic cities — three with UNESCO-listed old towns — linked by high-speed train, a desert drive and a flight home.

8 daysTashkent (city) → Samarkand → Bukhara → KhorezmApril, May, September, October

Best time to go

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8 days

Day by day

Day 1

Tashkent (city)

Tashkent: the Hazrati Imam complex, home of the seventh-century Uthman Quran, Chorsu Bazaar and Kukeldash Madrasa; Amir Timur Square in the evening.
Hazrati Imam (Khast Imam) ComplexEnsemble · Tashkent (city)
Day 2

Samarkand

Morning Afrosiyob to Samarkand (about two hours). The Registan and the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum; return to the Registan to see it lit up at night.
RegistanEnsemble · Samarkand
Day 3

Samarkand

Samarkand: the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugh Beg's Observatory and the Afrasiyab Museum.
Shah-i-ZindaEnsemble · Samarkand
Day 4

Bukhara

Train to Bukhara. Lyab-i Hauz, the domed bazaars and, at sunset, the Poi Kalyan ensemble — the Kalyan Minaret, its mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.
Po-i-Kalyan EnsembleEnsemble · Bukhara
Day 5

Bukhara

Bukhara: the Ark fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, the tenth-century Samanid Mausoleum and Chor Minor.
Ark of BukharaFortress · Bukhara

Bukhara

In the afternoon, the outskirts: the Bahauddin Naqshband complex and the last emir's summer residence, Sitorai Mohi Khosa.
Bahauddin Naqshband ComplexPilgrimage site · Bukhara
Day 6

Khorezm

Across the Kyzylkum to Khiva (about 450 km, a full day on the road), with desert views and a stop by the Amu Darya. Sunset from the walls of Itchan Kala.
Day 7

Khorezm

Khiva's Itchan Kala: Kalta Minor, Kunya-Ark, the Juma Mosque, the Islam Khodja Minaret, Tash-Hauli Palace and the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum.
Itchan KalaEnsemble · Khorezm
Day 8

Khorezm

Early-morning lanes of Itchan Kala and craft workshops, then a flight back to Tashkent from Urgench.

About the route

This itinerary strings together the four best-known cities of the Great Silk Road: the modern capital, Tashkent; Timurid Samarkand; Bukhara, a living medieval city; and walled Khiva. The historic centres of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are all World Heritage Sites.

It allows at least two nights in each city — enough to see the monuments in morning and evening light and still linger in the bazaars and teahouses.

Getting around

Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara by Afrosiyob high-speed train; Bukhara–Khiva by road across the Kyzylkum (a car with driver is easiest) or by train; then fly from Urgench back to Tashkent.

In high season, book train tickets several weeks ahead.