Uzbekistan Adventure

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
Uzbekistan Adventure
9 Days
From AUD $2550
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(20 reviews)

Uzbekistan Adventure

Uzbekistan Adventure

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take an adventure through Uzbekistan, a country famous for its ancient Silk Road cities overflowing with mosques, mausoleums and mystery.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (8), Lunch (1), Dinner (2)
Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), Yurt Camp (1 night), Homestay (1 night)

Highlights

  • Be wowed by the scale and beauty of the Registan – the commercial centre of medieval Samarkand and one of the best-preserved examples of Islamic architecture. See mosques, mausoleums and medressas adorned with mosaics.
  • Spend an evening in the vast Kyzylkum Desert, sleeping in a yurt, stargazing by the fire and soaking in what’s sure to be an I’m-so-far-from-home moment.
  • Get to know the stories and people of Uzbekistan while sharing a home-cooked meal with a local family during a homestay in the remote Nuratau Mountains.
  • Uncover Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city founded more than 2000 years ago. See the Ismail Samanai Mausoleum, Maghoki-Attar (Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque) and the Ark – the city’s oldest building, dating back to the 5th century.
  • Walk the streets of Tashkent with a full day to explore this capital city, including free time to spend as you see fit – take in the sights, sounds and aromas of Chorsu Bazaar and visit the monument to 14th-century ruler Timur at Amir Timur Square.
Uzbekistan Adventure

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, Metro, Train

Guide Language

English

Starts

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Finishes

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Tashkent
Salom! Welcome to Uzbekistan. Your adventure begins in Tashkent, the nation’s capital and Central Asia's main hub. You'll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Tonight, maybe get to know your group over dinner in the city – ask your leader for the best restaurant recommendations!

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Bukhara
Board a train to Bukhara by train this morning. Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was historically an important regional and global hub and has a long history of invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. After checking into your hotel, you’ll go on a guided walking tour to explore the historic buildings that fill the town centre. Visit the Ark of Bukhara, a fortress that was occupied from the 5th century until it was bombed by the Red Army in 1920, the Bolo Hauz Mosque with its elegantly carved wooden pillars, and the Ismail Samani Mausoleum – this shrine was built around the 10th century and is thought to have survived Genghis Khan's invasion because it had been buried in a flood. It was discovered and excavated in the 20th century and has become a popular spot for pilgrims and local residents, who regard it as sacred.

Included Activities:

  • Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
  • Bukhara - Ark Fortress
  • Bukhara - Bolo Hauz Mosque

Optional Activities:

  • Bukhara - Fayzulla Khojaev House (30000 UZS)
  • Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace (60000 UZS)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Bukhara
With more than 100 monuments scattered throughout Bukhara, there's plenty more to explore today. Set out on a full-day guided tour through the best of this well-preserved ancient city. Visit the iconic Kalon Mosque and Minaret, the Lyabi-Hauz Plaza (built about 400 years ago, surrounding a pool) and the Chor Minor gatehouse. You’ll also stop at Ulugbek Medressa (the oldest medressa in Central Asia) and Maghoki-Attar – Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque, built in the 12th century on the ruins of a former Buddhist monastery and Zorostrian temple. If you’ve still got the energy after a full day of exploring, maybe go on an optional visit to Bozori Kord Hamam, the oldest Turkish-style bathhouse in Bukhara. Then, enjoy a free evening – your leader can help with suggestions on where to find some authentic Uzbek dishes for dinner tonight.

Included Activities:

  • Bukhara - Magoki Attori Mosque
  • Bukhara - Kalon Minaret & Mosque
  • Bukhara - Ulugbek Madrasa
  • Bukhara - Lyabi-Hauz Plaza

Optional Activities:

  • Bukhara - Hammam Bozori Kord (400000 UZS)
  • Bukhara - Folklore & Fashion show (70000 UZS)
  • Bukhara - Zindon (20000 UZS)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Nurata
Depart Bukhara and drive to Gijduvan – a craft and trade hub since ancient times. Here, you'll visit a ceramic workshop where sixth-generation ceramicists Abdulla and Alisher Narzullaev make some truly beautiful pieces. Continue to Nurata, which archaeological remains suggest was inhabited thousands of years ago. This is where Alexander the Great built the Nur Fortress in the 4th century BC, the ruins of which can still be seen today. After, travel into the Kyzylkum Desert to spend the night sleeping in yurts. Spend the evening by the campfire and have dinner under a desert sky glittering with thousands of stars.

Included Activities:

  • Gijduvan - Ceramics workshop

Accommodation:

  • Yurt (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Nuratau Mountains
Today, you’ll travel to a Tajik village in the Nuratau Mountains. These serene villages are hidden in the hills, lined with paths shaded by greenery that wind their way between the stone buildings. The region is an oasis, with irrigation channels watering crops and giving life to trees. Spend the day hiking to waterfalls or petroglyph sites, possibly seeing argali – the endemic mountain sheep. Tonight, you’ll spend the night at a homestay, learning about local traditions and culture from your host family. Learn to bake traditional Uzbek bread in a tandir (clay oven). This evening, your hosts will teach you how to make the beloved national dish of plov (rice, onion, carrots and either mutton, lamb or beef cooked in layers in one large pot). Learn more about local village life as you tuck into your delicious creation for dinner.

Included Activities:

  • Nuratau - village visit
  • Nuratau Mountains - Plov cooking demonstration & dinner

Accommodation:

  • Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Samarkand
There's perhaps no more well-known site in Central Asia than the magnificent Registan in the heart of the city of Samarkand – today, you’ll witness this grand city square first-hand. This was once a gathering place where locals would hear royal announcements and watch public executions. You’ll also visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Timur – the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. The story goes that this crypt was opened in 1941 by a Soviet anthropologist, who found an inscription on Timur's gravestone essentially saying, 'He who opens this will be defeated by an enemy more fearsome than I.' On the following day, the Soviet Union was attacked by Hitler. After a day of sightseeing, you’ll have a free evening. Maybe unwind at the hotel to prepare for another full day of exploring tomorrow.

Included Activities:

  • Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
  • Samarkand - Registan Square

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Samarkand
Continue to soak in the ancient sites and modern buzz of Samarkand today. You’ll visit Shah-i-Zinda, an avenue of mausoleums decorated with blue tiles. Its most sacred shrine is built around what's thought to be the grave of Qusam Ibn Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. Stop by the Bibi-Khanym Mosque for an impressive example of Islamic architecture, built for Timur by his wife, Bibi Khanym. Then, you’ll have some free time to uncover more of this Silk Road city at your own pace. Maybe head to Ulugbek's Observatory, the Tomb of Daniyar or the Afrosiab Museum, or wander the Siyob Bazaar where you’ll find fresh local produce and regional handicrafts.

Included Activities:

  • Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
  • Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Optional Activities:

  • Samarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory (50000 UZS)
  • Samarkand - Tomb of Daniyar (50000 UZS)
  • Samarkand - Afrosiab Museum (60000 UZS)
  • Samarkand - Siob Bazaar - Free

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Tashkent
Return to Tashkent by train this morning. When you arrive in the city, hop on the local metro and go on a short guided tour. Visit the Amir Timur Square, then spend some time wandering the Chorsu Bazaar. The bazaar’s main building is topped by an impressive dome, and the stalls here sell an array of sweets, fresh bread, local produce, ceramics and souvenirs. Then, enjoy some free time. You might be able to catch a ballet or opera performance at the Alisher Navoiy Theatre tonight – this theatre is just one of three that were given 'Bolshoi’ (‘Grand’) status by the Soviet Union, with the other two being located in Moscow and Minsk. See the theatre’s 20th-century architecture, which blends Uzbek and Soviet influences. Maybe get your group together for a final dinner tonight to celebrate a trip well-travelled.

Included Activities:

  • Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
  • Tashkent - City tour
  • Tashkent - Amir Timur Square

Optional Activities:

  • Tashkent - Museum of Applied Arts (60000 UZS)
  • Tashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan (50000 UZS)
  • Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum (60000 UZS)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Tashkent
There are no further activities planned after breakfast this morning and your adventure through Uzbekistan comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay to see more of Tashkent, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $2,550
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Take an adventure through Uzbekistan, a country famous for its ancient Silk Road cities overflowing with mosques, mausoleums and mystery.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 26 Aug 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Minta
Traveled, October 2023

11/06/2023

I went on the Uzbekistan Adventure trip with Jonibek as the tour leader and it was an amazing trip! If you are on the fence, just book it. Amazing sites, history, culture, friendly people and left with new friends. 10/10 recommend. The weather was perfect at the end of October.

4.5
Matthew
Traveled, October 2023

11/08/2023

This trip was incredible. Before people would ask why are you going there? where even is uzbekistan? Isnt there a war going on near there? I didnt know how to reply then because i had no idea, but now those seem like very silly questions. Id ask them now, you dont know about Uzbekistan!? And im telling them all about it! We never caught a whiff of any danger of anything in or outside Uzbekistan. Our guide, Jonibek, took such good care of us and equipped us with so much knowledge that I'll be teaching courses to my family for months. I really can't recommend this trip enough to see a burgeoning country before tourism really takes off was a wonderful experience.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989