Uzbekistan Navruz Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport, a flight and 2 train journeys included.
Uzbekistan Navruz Tour Highlights
Welcome spring with the Navruz festival, the Oriental New Year, on this 8-day private tour through Uzbekistan. Navruz marks the arrival of spring on 21 March and is a time of joy, music and ancient traditions, when the whole country bursts into celebration.
The journey begins in Tashkent and continues by high-speed train to Samarkand, where you marvel at the splendor of Registan and the jade-domed Gur-e Amir and join the locals in the festive Navruz celebrations: traditional dances, age-old games and dishes prepared only once a year. A day trip leads to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, before an evening train takes you to Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric Silk Road cities.
A drive across the Kyzylkum Desert along the Amu Darya brings you to Khiva, an open-air museum city behind mud-brick walls, and a domestic flight from Urgench returns you to Tashkent. From UNESCO-listed masterpieces to lively bazaars and caravan squares, this is a journey full of history, hospitality and celebration, a truly memorable way to greet the spring.
Difficulty: Easy Guided city walking tours on mostly flat ground, one long drive of 460 km (Bukhara – Khiva), two train journeys and a domestic flight; no altitude.
Tour Itinerary
Arrival in Tashkent, the welcoming capital of Uzbekistan. After meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel for early check-in and rest. Later in the morning the sightseeing tour begins: Khast-Imam Square with its centuries-old Quran, the elegant Barak-Khan Madrasah and the tranquil Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum. Continue to the bustling Chorsu Bazaar and the charming Kukeldash Madrasah. After lunch, admire the colorful Museum of Applied Arts, the grand Independence Square, Amir Timur Square and the white-marble Minor Mosque. Overnight in Tashkent.
Tashkent, Hazrati Imam complex, Chorsu Bazaar, Kukeldash Madrasah, Tashkent Museums, Tashkent Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, Tashkent Mosques and Churches
Overnight: Tashkent (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, board the morning train to Samarkand, the legendary “Pearl of the East”. On arrival the guided tour starts with the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, resting place of Tamerlane, and the magnificent Registan Square with its three grand madrasahs. In the afternoon, continue to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the holy Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, where turquoise domes rise above ancient tombs. Overnight in Samarkand.
Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Registan, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Mausoleum, Shah i Zinda
- Tashkent → Samarkand
Overnight: Samarkand (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Samarkand & Navruz celebrations
This morning, explore more of Samarkand: the Ulugbek Observatory, once the center of medieval astronomy, the Afrasiab Museum with its ancient murals, Saint Daniel’s Tomb and workshops of traditional silk paper and carpets. Stroll through the lively Siab Bazaar. The highlight of the day is joining the joyful Navruz festivities, a colorful celebration of spring, renewal and friendship. Expect music, dance, games and delicious festive dishes. Overnight in Samarkand.
Ulugbek Observatory, Afrasiyab, Tomb of Saint Daniel (Khoja Daniyar), Konigil Paper Mill (Meros), Siyob Bazaar
Overnight: Samarkand (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Today’s journey leads to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Visit the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace, the Dorus Saodat and Dorut Tillavat complexes and the Kok Gumbaz Mosque. In the afternoon, return to Samarkand for some free time before catching the evening train to Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel in Bukhara.
Shahrisabz, Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Saodat Complex, Dorut Tillavat Complex, Kok Gumbaz Mosque (Shahrisabz)
- Samarkand → Shahrisabz (90 km)
- Shahrisabz → Samarkand (90 km)
- Samarkand → Bukhara
Overnight: Bukhara (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Spend the whole day discovering Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric Silk Road cities. The walking tour includes the Samanid Mausoleum, the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the lively bazaar, the Bolo-Khauz Mosque, the Ark Citadel and the majestic Po-i-Kalyan complex with its soaring minaret. Also explore the Ulugbek Madrasah, the Magoki-Attori Mosque and the serene Lyab-i Hauz ensemble. Overnight in Bukhara.
Samanids Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Trading Domes of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Complex, Ark of Bukhara, Poi Kalyan, Ulugbeg Madrasah Bukhara, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble
Overnight: Bukhara (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, drive through the vast Kyzylkum Desert, following the Amu Darya River. In the afternoon, arrive in Khiva, an open-air museum city where time seems to have stopped centuries ago. Leisure time to stroll through workshops and souvenir shops. Overnight in Khiva.
Kyzylkum Desert, Amu Darya, Khiva
- Bukhara → Khiva (460 km)
Overnight: Khiva (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, dive into the fairy-tale city of Khiva and explore the walled Ichan-Kala: the Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex, the Kunya-Ark Fortress, the Islam Khoja Minaret, the Tash-Khauli Palace, the Juma Mosque and more. In the evening, transfer to Urgench (35 km) for the flight to Tashkent. On arrival, check-in and overnight at the hotel.
Pakhlavan Makhmoud Mausoleum, Kunya-ark fortress, Islam Khoja Minaret, Tach Khaouli Palace, Juma mosque
- Khiva → Urgench (35 km)
- Urgench → Tashkent
Overnight: Tashkent (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for departure. Farewell to Uzbekistan and its warm Navruz spirit!
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $2,259 | $3,047 |
| 2–3 travelers | $1,355 | $1,921 |
| 4–5 travelers | $1,038 | $1,613 |
| 6–7 travelers | $975 | $1,553 |
| 8–9 travelers | $980 | $1,557 |
| 10–11 travelers | $962 | $1,540 |
Single room supplement — ★★★ $170, ★★★★ $290
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What's included
Included
- Accommodation in the listed hotels or similar of the same category, in double/twin rooms with breakfast (7 nights)
- Early check-in on day 1 in Tashkent (at the other hotels check-in at 14:00, check-out at 12:00)
- Entrance fees to the monuments and museums listed in the itinerary
- English-speaking local guides for sightseeing
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport throughout the tour, including airport – hotel – airport transfers
- High-speed train Tashkent – Samarkand (economy or business class; tickets subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance)
- Train Samarkand – Bukhara
- Domestic flight Urgench – Tashkent
- Bottled mineral water every day
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned above (lunches and dinners)
- Single room supplement (170 USD with 3-star hotels, 290 USD with 4-star hotels)
- Medical expenses and insurance
- Porters at hotels, railway stations and airports
- Tips
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Tashkent
Human Hotel or Inspira-S Hotel or similar
-
Nights 2–3
Samarkand
Arba Hotel or Continental Hotel or similar
-
Nights 4–5
Bukhara
Rangrez Hotel or Paradise Plaza Hotel or similar
-
Night 6
Khiva
Khiva Residence Hotel or Asia Khiva Hotel or similar
-
Night 7
Tashkent
Human Hotel or Inspira-S Hotel or similar
Transport
The vehicle depends on the size of your group:
- 1–2 travelers: Chevrolet Lacetti or similar
- 4 travelers: Hyundai Starex minivan (6 seats)
- 6–8 travelers: King Long minivan (10 seats) or similar
- 9–14 travelers: Eurise minivan (18 seats) or similar
From Tashkent to Samarkand you travel by high-speed train (economy or business class), from Samarkand to Bukhara by evening train and from Urgench back to Tashkent by domestic flight. High-speed train tickets are provided subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Uzbekistan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Uzbekistan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Uzbekistan before booking.
The local currency is the Uzbek sum. Uzbekistan is still mostly a cash economy, but money is easy to exchange and ATMs are common in the larger cities.
Exchanging money
Banks exchange US dollars, euros, British pounds and Japanese yen. There are exchange offices in major cities such as Bukhara and Khiva and at Tashkent airport; elsewhere you need a bank, which often gives a better rate anyway. Your notes must be in pristine condition. Sum is hard to exchange outside Uzbekistan, but you can change it back to US dollars at a local bank.
Cards and ATMs
Cards are accepted in upscale hotels and restaurants in Tashkent and the main tourist cities, with Visa more widely recognised than Mastercard and a standard 3% commission. ATMs dispense sum and are easy to find in the larger cities; many also offer US dollars.
Uzbekistan is generally a safe destination, with little religious extremism and few crimes against foreigners.
Documents
Always carry your passport: it is a legal requirement, and police carry out routine checks.
Getting around
- Use licensed taxis. Local taxi apps are the easiest way to get a ride at local prices, and Yandex works very well in Tashkent and Samarkand. If you take a taxi on the street or at the airport, agree the price first.
- Many roads outside Tashkent, especially in the Tian Shan and Fan mountains, are in poor condition. Driving standards are generally low, and rural roads are often unlit, so night driving is riskier.
- On night trains, keep valuables safe, do not leave belongings unattended and lock the compartment door from the inside.
- Watch your belongings as you would anywhere, and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
Laws and customs
- Possessing narcotics is strictly illegal.
- Same-sex relationships are illegal and still socially condemned. Avoid public displays of affection.
- Drones are in practice banned. Permits can be applied for but are very rarely granted.
Photography
Be discreet near government buildings such as the Palace of Forums in Tashkent, and sometimes at local markets that see few tourists. Restrictions have eased, but check before photographing near airports, border checkpoints, military sites, bridges and police stations.
Earthquakes
Uzbekistan is prone to earthquakes, mostly tremors, though stronger ones occasionally occur.
Entering Uzbekistan is straightforward when your documents are in order. Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free, and for many others a visa is easy to get without an invitation.
Registration
Registration rules are stricter than elsewhere in Central Asia: by law you must be registered within 3 days of arrival. Hotels usually do this for you, but register yourself if you stay longer than 3 days in, for example, a rented apartment. Border officers check the registrations when you leave and may ask for the paper slips, so keep them until you exit the country.
Customs
Exporting handcrafted items older than 50 years is prohibited. At land borders, customs officers may check your phone and photos for explicit or confidential material, though this has become very rare.
The best times to visit Uzbekistan are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), between the summer heat and the winter cold.
Summer
At the height of summer the land dries out, especially in the countryside, and temperatures rise well above 30°C, often up to 40°C.
Winter
From November to March it can get cold, sometimes below zero, but the skies are mostly clear and bright. Snow is occasional and usually melts within a day or two.
Medical services in Uzbekistan have improved in recent years but are still limited, so good travel insurance that includes evacuation is essential.
Food and water
To avoid traveller's diarrhoea, drink only bottled, filtered or boiled water, and do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or for ice. Choose meat and fish that are thoroughly cooked and served hot.
Medical care
Uzbekistan has a state healthcare system and a small private sector. Larger clinics serve the cities and regional hospitals the countryside. Hospitals usually ask for payment in cash up front, even if you are insured, and serious cases may need evacuation home. Contact your insurer straight away if you need urgent care, and check before you leave what your insurance covers in Uzbekistan.
Medicines
Pharmacies are private, and the range of medicines can be limited. Prescriptions generally require a doctor's consultation. If you travel with medication, check the rules with the embassy, a consulate or Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health.
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