Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara,
Nurata, Samarkand
Folk Dance, Music, History, Culture,
Adventure and Friendship
When: May 16-May 25 and October 10-19, 2027
Led by Lee Otterholt (May 16-25 tour)
Features
★ Opera or ballet performance in Tashkent
★ Lazgi dance show & masterclass in Khiva
★ Folk show & folk-dance masterclass in Bukhara
★ Tea break at a traditional teahouse in Bukhara
★ Night in a yurt camp with nomadic bards around the campfire
★ Camel ride from the yurt camp to Lake Aydarkul
★ Folklore show, dance masterclass & dinner in Samarkand
★ Plov cooking masterclass with a local family
★ Visit to a traditional paper workshop in Samarkand
★ Wine tasting in Samarkand
★ Price includes hotels, private bus, guide, sightseeing, all breakfasts,
most lunches, and all dinners
★ Download Uzbekistan itinerary pdf
Land Price: $5,995
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(Private tour price: $7995)
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Welcome to Uzbekistan!
Itinerary
Day 0: Saturday, May 15
Depart on airlines of your choice to Uzbekistan
Day 1: Sunday, May 16: Arrival in Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. Make your own way to your hotel (check-in from 14:00). Sightseeing in Tashkent’s Old City: the Hazrati Imam Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah and Chorsu Bazaar. In the afternoon, tour the modern city (or explore on foot if preferred — approx. 5 km): Independence Square, the Amir Temur Monument and Park, and the Alisher Navoi Theater (exterior). Welcome dinner at Sim Sim Restaurant.
INCLUDED Tickets to an opera or ballet performance at Uzbekistan’s leading music theater (subject to the performance schedule). Overnight in Tashkent.
DAY 2: Monday, May 17: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Urgench (approx. 1 hr 40 min). On arrival, transfer to Khiva (approx. 37 km, about 55 minutes) and begin exploring Ichan Kala, the walled inner city. An open-air museum city, Ichan Kala captivates visitors with its tranquility and serenity — a place where time seems to stand still.
Full-day sightseeing: Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya-Ark Fortress, the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud and the Sayid Alauddin Mausoleum. After a lunch break, continue to the Juma Mosque, Tash-Hauli Palace and Harem, the Islam Khoja Ensemble and the Allakuli Khan Madrasah.
Lazgi Dance Show & Masterclass. Enjoy a captivating performance of Lazgi, one of Uzbekistan’s most iconic traditional dances, followed by an interactive masterclass. You’ll discover the history and spirit of Lazgi, learn its basic movements, and have the opportunity to perform the dance yourself. Dinner. Overnight in Khiva.
DAY 3 Tuesday, May 18: Khiva – Bukhara
An early start for the long drive across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara (approx. 500 km, about 8 hours), with a photo stop at the Amu Darya River and a lunch break at a roadside teahouse. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 4: Wednesday, May 19: Bukhara
Bukhara is known as “Noble Bukhara” and “the City of Pilgrims.” A local saying goes: “Everywhere else in the world, light descends from the sky — but in Bukhara, it rises from the earth,” a reference to the great Sufi sheikhs who rest here.
Full-day sightseeing: the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attari Mosque, and the trade domes (Toki Sarrafon – money changers; Telpak Furushon – astrakhan hat sellers; Toki Zargaron – goldsmiths), followed by the Kosh Madrasah ensemble (the Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasahs). After a lunch break, visit the Po-i-Kalyan Ensemble (Kalyan Mosque and Minaret, and the still-active Mir-i-Arab Madrasah), the Ark Citadel, the Samanid Mausoleum and Chashma-Ayub.
Folk Show & Folk-Dance Masterclass. In the evening, enjoy a lively folk show, followed by a folk-dance masterclass where you can learn the steps and join in. Dinner.
INCLUDED Tea break at a traditional teahouse during the day’s sightseeing. Overnight in Bukhara.
DAY 5: Thursday, May 20: Bukhara – Nurata – Yurt Camp
Drive to Nurata (approx. 175 km, about 3 hours) to visit the Chashma complex and the ruins of the fortress built by Alexander the Great in 327 BC. After lunch, continue to the yurt camp. In the evening, gather around the campfire under a starry sky for songs by akyns, traditional nomadic singers. Dinner. Overnight in a yurt (4–6 people per yurt).
DAY 6: Friday, May 21: Yurt Camp – Lake Aydarkul – Samarkand
Transfer to Lake Aydarkul (approx. 4.5 km) — a route you can travel by camel if you wish. Picnic lunch on the lakeshore and, weather permitting, a chance to swim. In the afternoon, drive to Samarkand (approx. 250 km, about 4 hours). Dinner. INCLUDED Camel ride from the yurt camp to Lake Aydarkul. Overnight in Samarkand.
DAY 7: Saturday, May 22: Samarkand
Founded in the 8th century BC, Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world — as old as Rome and Athens — and is known as the Pearl of the Silk Road. Full-day sightseeing: Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the Registan Ensemble, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar and the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.
National Show, Traditional Dance Masterclass & Dinner. Spend an evening immersed in Uzbek culture and traditions. It begins with a vibrant folklore show of traditional music and dance, followed by an interactive masterclass where you’ll learn the basic movements and join the dancers. The evening continues with a delicious traditional Uzbek dinner — a chance to discover local flavors in an authentic cultural setting. Overnight in Samarkand.
DAY 8: Sunday May 23: Samarkand
Plov Cooking Masterclass with a Local Family
Visit a local Uzbek family and take part in an authentic plov cooking masterclass. Under the guidance of your host, you’ll learn step by step how to prepare Uzbekistan’s famous national dish — then sit down together to enjoy the freshly made plov you prepared yourselves, surrounded by a warm family atmosphere and traditional hospitality. Dinner.
INCLUDED Wine tasting in Samarkand. Overnight in Samarkand.
DAY 9: Monday, May 24: Samarkand – Tashkent
Morning sightseeing in Samarkand: Ulugbek Observatory, the Khoja Doniyor Mausoleum and the Afrasiab Museum. Afternoon transfer to Tashkent.
Farewell dinner at Zarafshan Restaurant. Overnight in Tashkent.
DAY 10: Tuesday, May 25: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Included
· Accommodation: 8 nights in a double room at 4★ hotels + 1 night in a yurt
· Meals: full board — daily breakfast, 7 lunches and 9 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
· Guides: professional English-speaking local guides (other languages available on request)
· Sightseeing: entrance fees as per the program (the order of visits within each city may change)
· Dance shows and masterclasses: Lazgi in Khiva, folk dance in Bukhara and the national show in Samarkand
· All transportation as per the program
· Domestic flight: Tashkent – Urgench
· Train: Samarkand – Tashkent
Vehicles by group size: 1–2 travelers – Chevrolet Cobalt sedan; 3–4 – Hyundai Starex minivan; 5–6 – Toyota Hiace minibus; 7–9 – Mercedes Sprinter; 10–15 – Golden Dragon midibus; 16–40 – full-size coach (all or similar).
Not Included
· International flights and any domestic flights not listed above
· Early Check in
· Drinks and tips
· Photo and video fees at sites
· Visa fees, if applicable
REGISTRATION FORM: I can’t wait to go! Enclosed is my registration deposit of $200 per person. Single supplement: $895. Hotel taxes and service charges: $185. Gratuities and drinks during meals not included. Program subject to change without notice. All tours have a professional guide. If fewer than 10 travelers participate, a fee of $750 will be added. Cancellations 90 days prior to departure: Total refund. Less than 90 days: No refund. Travel insurance recommended. Total balance due three months prior to trip. (February 16, or July 10, 2027).
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