Full of Uzbekistan: On the Trail of Our Ancestors, The Heart of the Silk Road Route (SKD-UGC)

6 March 2027 – 12 March 2027 | 6 Nights, 7 Days
Tour details

Example (e.g.) Hotels

HIVE

Arslon Boutique Hotel etc.

Turon Khiva Hotel etc.

New Minor Khiva Hotel etc.

BUKHARA

Rangrez Bukhara Hotel etc.

Dunyo Palace etc.

Shergiron Plaza Hotel etc.

SAMARKAND

City Samarkand Hotel etc.

Boulevard Palace Hotel etc.

Marokand Spa Hotel etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT

This tour is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 30 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days prior to the tour start date. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you through your travel agency.

VISA

Uzbekistan does not require a visa for citizens of the Republic of Turkey.

Ordinary Passport      Visa not required                          

Green Passport            Visa not required

Service Passport         Visa not required           

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the end date of the trip and must not be older than 10 years.

In destinations requiring a visa, the visa application must be made using the documents specified in the "Documents Required for Visa" list provided by your travel agency.

To avoid issues with customs police at the border of the destination country due to torn, worn, wet, and/or otherwise damaged passports; such passports must be renewed, and if the country requires a visa for Turkish citizens, the relevant visa must be on the new passport. In case of non-compliance, the responsibility lies with the passenger.

Since there is a possibility that police officers at entry/exit points may request a document showing joint parental consent when guests under 18 years old travel alone or with only one parent; we recommend that our guests under 18 years old and their parents pay attention to this matter.

HEALTH

It is recommended that those who take regular medication bring more than needed. Because not all types of medication are available in the country. Additionally, if you have a serious health issue (heart, blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), it would be beneficial to carry a document signed by your doctor. Also, we recommend that you do not drink tap water and instead drink bottled water that has been sealed for the first time.

 

FLIGHT DURATIONS

Istanbul                         Samarkand           04 hrs 20 mins

Urgench                         Istanbul              04 hrs 20 mins

 

EXTRA TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Extra tours and activities are organized by the local agency providing services with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people, and participation is not mandatory. If the required number is not met, tours may not take place, or extra tour/activity prices, content, and vehicles used may vary depending on the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of extra tours/activities may be changed by the guide based on whether museums, historical sites, or venues in the destination are open/closed and weather conditions.

 

ACCOMMODATION

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located further than the specified kilometers.

Triple rooms are assigned based on hotel availability, and in these rooms, the bed provided for the 3rd person may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or coach beds, participants who are the 3rd person and/or children booking are deemed to have accepted potential crowding in the room and the type of bed.

Child discounts apply only to one child staying with 2 adults and falling within the age group specified in the pricing section.

Breakfasts included in the tour program, which are part of the services, are served according to the breakfast culture of the country visited and generally as a limited menu known as continental breakfast consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated for the group.

CURRENCY

The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistan (UZS) som.

Dollars and Euros can be easily exchanged. Although credit card usage is not very common, caution should be exercised against credit card fraud.

 

TIME ZONE Uzbekistan is +2 hours ahead; when it is 12:00 in Turkey, it is 14:00 in Uzbekistan.

PHONE USAGE

All mobile phone operators can be used if your phone is enabled for international roaming. However, there may be no network coverage in some parts of the country.

CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS

We recommend bringing t-shirts that are easy to put on and take off, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, shorts and cotton pants, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket for evenings. Additionally, you can bring hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs for possible noise, cameras, video cameras, and their chargers and spare memory cards.

FOOD CULTURE

Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Kazakh cuisines are close to our taste preferences. Since we will have our meals at our hotel and the best restaurants, you will not encounter any problems. Furthermore, we will have the opportunity to obtain bottled water wherever we go. We should never consume food sold openly or water from taps. The hotels where we stay are high-standard facilities in terms of health information, so these risks are minimal.

ELECTRICITY

Generally, 200-220 V is used. Two-pin plugs commonly used by us fit many socket types. To avoid problems in places where sockets do not match, universal plug adapters sold in electronic stores can be purchased.

SHOPPING

Pushkin Street in Tashkent is one of the city's important shopping areas. The best way to find things unique to Uzbekistan is through the local markets set up. Among the numerous local markets, the most famous is the Chorsu market.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Having a valid passport and/or having obtained a visa (for destinations/passports where a visa is required) does not guarantee entry into the country. The passport police have the authority to deny you entry. Bin Rota is not responsible for this situation; the responsibility lies with the passenger.

BinRota acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the 1955 Hague Protocol. There may be delays in scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change before the current tour and flight. BinRota is obligated to notify passengers of these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers purchase the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport taxes or airport service fees.

 

Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours, organized for general introduction to cities, conducted panoramically with guide commentary from the vehicle, and do not include entrance to museums or historical sites. Panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, will not be held if local authorities do not permit visiting or entering on the day and time corresponding to the tour, or due to closed roads caused by any event, or if weather conditions make it impossible to conduct the tour. In such cases, Bin Rota is not responsible for the inability to conduct the aforementioned tours. Some tours may be conducted via public transport or on foot, depending on circumstances, at locations where road access is closed or vehicle entry is not permitted.

 

 

What's included
  • Round-trip economy class airfare Istanbul - Samarkand / Urgench - Istanbul with Turkish Airlines scheduled flights
  • Airport taxes
  • High-speed train ticket between Samarkand and Bukhara, all intercity transfers and connections
  • 5 nights accommodation in boutique hotels including breakfast
  • Breakfast on arrival day at a local restaurant or hotel
  • Hive City Tour
  • Bukhara City Tour
  • Samarkand City Tour
  • All tours specified in the program
  • Entrance fees to listed museums and historical sites (Registan Square, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Ichan Kala Complex, Poi Kalon Complex, Lyabi Hauz Complex, Nakshbandi Hazrat Mausoleum, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Ulugh Beg Observatory, and Shah-i-Zinda Complex)
  • Professional Turkish-speaking guide and assistant services (airport pickup upon arrival)
  • Hotel and city tourist taxes
  • TURSAB mandatory professional liability insurance
  • Travel & Health Insurance
Not included
  • Fees for personal and official items such as exit stamp, visa, etc.
  • All types of personal expenses and hotel extras
  • All services not explicitly specified in the program and included services
  • Entrance fees to museums and historical sites not explicitly stated as "visited" in the program
  • Optional tours and activities, if any, in the program
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed during included meals, if any, in the program
  • Domestic connecting flights and domestic transportation fees
  • Tips for guides and drivers
Tour Program
Istanbul – Samarkand
After meeting at the Istanbul Airport International Terminal, we will proceed to the Turkish Airlines counter for baggage and ticket procedures before boarding our scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Samarkand. We will spend the night on board.
Samarkand
Upon arrival at Samarkand Airport, we meet our private guide and vehicle. We then transfer to our hotel or a local restaurant for breakfast. Afterward, we begin the Samarkand City Tour to explore the city's historical and cultural heritage. Our first stop is Registan Square, one of Central Asia's most magnificent squares and an iconic symbol of Samarkand, renowned for its three monumental madrasas. Next, we visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Amir Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire, and members of his dynasty. This site is one of the finest examples of Timurid architecture, featuring a turquoise dome and rich interior decorations. Continuing our tour, we proceed to Bibi-Khanym Mosque, which impresses with its colossal entrance gate, expansive courtyard, and monumental architecture. We then explore Shah-i-Zinda Complex, one of Samarkand's most captivating historical areas, where rows of mausoleums are adorned with blue and turquoise tiles. Following this, we visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory, established in the 15th century by the ruler and astronomer Ulugh Beg, offering insight into the scientific research and astronomical knowledge of that era. In the final part of our tour, we visit Siyob Local Market, where fresh fruits, nuts, spices, traditional breads, and local products vividly reflect daily life in the city; here, we enjoy time for shopping and exploring the surroundings. After completing our city tour, which introduces us to Samarkand's historical, scientific, and cultural identity, we transfer back to our hotel for overnight stay.
Samarkand – Bukhara
After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to Samarkand Train Station. Once the station procedures are completed, we depart for Bukhara aboard the Afrosiyob High-Speed Train, one of Uzbekistan’s modern and comfortable high-speed trains. Following our pleasant train journey, we arrive in Bukhara, meet our private vehicle waiting for us, and begin our city tour. Our first stop is the Summer Palace of the Emirs of Bukhara, also known as Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, which served as the summer residence of the Bukharan emirs and blends traditional Central Asian architecture with European influences. We admire this impressive structure, noted for its elegant decorations, spacious halls, lavish interior design, and architectural details reflecting palace life of that era. Next, we visit the Bahouddin Nakshband Mausoleum Complex, established in honor of Hazrat Bahaeddin Nakshband, one of the most prominent figures of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. Within this complex, one of Bukhara’s most important religious centers, renowned for its spiritual atmosphere, prayer areas, and historical significance, our guide shares insights into the life, teachings, and the region's Sufi tradition of Bahaeddin Nakshband. After completing our tour, we transfer back to our hotel and check into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Bukhara
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our city tour to explore Bukhara's historical, religious, and architectural heritage. First, we visit the Poi Kalon Complex, one of the most magnificent architectural ensembles in the city. Within the complex, we admire the iconic monumental Kalon Minaret, a defining symbol of Bukhara's skyline; the grand Kalon Mosque with its expansive courtyard and impressive architecture; and the Mir-i Arab Madrasa, recognized as one of the most important centers of Islamic education in Central Asia. Next, we proceed to the Ark Fortress, which served for centuries as the administrative center and residence of Bukhara's rulers. Its massive walls and majestic entrance reflect the city's political history. Continuing our tour, we visit the Lyabi Hauz Complex, one of Bukhara's most characteristic gathering places, featuring a historic pond surrounded by ancient structures, shaded trees, and a tranquil atmosphere. We then see the Magoki Attori Mosque, whose origins date back centuries and which bears architectural traces from various eras, followed by the Nadir Divan Begi Madrasa, noted for its elegant façade and traditional Central Asian architectural style. After this comprehensive city tour that offers an intimate insight into Bukhara's deep-rooted history along the Silk Road and its cultural richness, we transfer back to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Bukhara – Khiva
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart from Bukhara and head toward Khiva. Along the approximately 450-kilometer road journey, we will have the opportunity to closely observe Central Asia's characteristic landscapes. Our route will be accompanied by vast steppe areas, the unique red and yellow desert vistas of the Kyzylkum Desert, and natural scenery shaped around the Amu Darya River, one of the region's most important water sources. Following this journey through a landscape that has played a major role in the development of cities along the Silk Road throughout history, we arrive in Khiva, one of Central Asia's best-preserved historic cities, renowned for its walls, madrasas, and traditional architecture. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation and exploring Khiva's historic atmosphere at our own pace. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Hive
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our city tour of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved historic cities in Central Asia. First, we visit Ichon Qala, the walled historic core of the city. With its narrow streets, madrasas, mosques, palaces, and traditional adobe architecture, this area resembles an open-air museum. Here, we see Kunya Ark, which served as the administrative center and residence of the Khiva khans for centuries. Next, we proceed to the Juma Mosque, one of the city's most striking religious structures, renowned for its wooden columns and unique interior atmosphere. Continuing our tour, we admire Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, one of Khiva's grandest educational buildings, followed by Islam Khoja Madrasah, noted for its elegant tile decorations, and the towering Islam Khoja Minaret that dominates the city skyline. We then visit Takhtapul Palace (Taş Hovli Saray), one of the most impressive examples of 19th-century Khivan palace architecture, distinguished by its courtyards and rich decorative details. Further along, we explore Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrasah, a significant example of traditional Central Asian architecture, and Shirgazi Khan Madrasah, which reflects Khiva's long-standing tradition of religious education. Finally, we conclude our city tour with a visit to the Itchan Kala Caravanserai (Taş Kervansaray), bearing witness to Khiva's commercial past along the Silk Road, offering us an intimate encounter with the city's historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. After the tour, we transfer back to our hotel for overnight accommodation.
Hive - Urgench - Istanbul
After breakfast with provisions provided at our hotel in the morning, we transfer to the airport early. We depart for Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. Upon arrival in Istanbul, our unforgettable Uzbekistan tour comes to an end.