The Silk Road is a network of ancient caravan routes that once stretched from China to Europe, connecting the entire Eurasian continent.
Central Asia played a key role as an intermediary between China and the rest of the world. Major cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, and Termez were located at crucial crossroads of these trade routes.
For more than 2,000 years, caravans carrying thousands of camels journeyed across the continent.
Though we often speak of the Silk Road in the past tense, it still exists today—its trails have simply given way to highways, and camels have been replaced by cargo trucks.
Note: The first day’s sightseeing program may be adjusted depending on your flight’s arrival time to ensure everyone has enough time to rest.
Tour 1 – Architectural First Glimpse
We begin our Uzbekistan tour with an introduction to the typical architectural style of Central Asia, and a deeper dive into the diverse arts and crafts of Uzbekistan—renowned in the Eastern world for their refined and colorful elegance.
To enhance the experience and respect the site we are visiting, our group will be split into two smaller groups for this first CAPAVENTURA discovery.
Our majestic destination is the Hazrati Imam Historical Complex, located in Tashkent’s old town. This vast site is made up of several buildings including manuscript libraries, madrasas, mosques, and their serene gardens.
One of the highlights is an exhibition hall housing ancient parchments—including the opportunity to view a unique Quran dating back to the 8th century: a true treasure of Uzbekistan’s religious heritage.
For those who wish, CAPAVENTURA offers the flexibility to step away from the group and explore the complex independently, allowing for a more personal and quiet experience.
🍽 Lunch
On the menu: Uzbekistan’s national dish, served in a popular local restaurant known for its authentic preparation and the huge quantities they cook up every day.
Tour 2 – Independence Square & Soviet Echoes
Next, we head to Independence Square, where you’ll truly feel the heartbeat of Uzbekistan’s capital. Take this opportunity to engage with our guide and learn about the everyday life of the people of Tashkent.
Tashkent is a modern city full of contrasts—from a nearby park terrace, enjoy a sweeping view of the mythic and massive Hotel Uzbekistan, a still-operating icon dating back to the Soviet era.
We’ll also take time to admire the Cathedral of the Assumption, with its shimmering gold-leaf Orthodox dome and beautifully preserved Russian architecture.
🍽 Dinner
Enjoy a traditional Uzbek dinner in a beautifully located restaurant by the river that runs through the city.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Tour 1 – The Call of the Mountains
Let the mountains inspire you! We leave the city behind and take the road to Lake Charvak and the Chimgan Mountains.
A scenic cable car ride will take us up to Amirsoy Ski Resort, where breathtaking views await. Explore the facilities and set off on various hiking trails that begin at the resort.
The CAPAVENTURA circuit includes several optional mountain experiences, much loved by local families who come here to relax.
We’ll pause midday to indulge in the culinary specialties of the province, served in a family-style restaurant that prides itself on homemade village recipes prepared with locally grown ingredients.
Tour 2 – Lake Charvak & Leisure
After a short drive down the scenic roads to Lake Charvak, CAPAVENTURA offers you an afternoon of relaxation and freshness at a well-appointed resort featuring a private beach and numerous recreational facilities.
End of the day: return to Tashkent City.
Enjoy free time until dinner, followed by a meal in one of the oldest inns in the capital, well known among food lovers.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Tour 1 – Chorsu Bazaar
Early wake-up to explore the fascinating Chorsu Grand Bazaar in the old city of Tashkent. This market stands out for its distinctive architecture and enormous blue concrete dome.
Let yourself be amazed by the variety of goods offered by local vendors. It’s a visit full of scents, colors, and exotic flavors, a deep dive into everyday Uzbek life.
Gastronomic walk through the market / snacking for lunch.
Tour 2 – Tashkent Metro & Minor Mosque
Feel the pulse of Uzbek society with an extraordinary cultural experience inside Tashkent’s metro system.
Immaculately clean and richly designed, use it to move around and admire the artistic beauty of its colorful stations—each one a museum in itself.
We’ll make a brief stop at the majestic, modern Minor Mosque, entirely built in white marble. After enjoying a peaceful tea break in the flower-filled gardens, we head to Tashkent Railway Station to board the Afrosiyob high-speed train and watch the landscapes unfold as we make our way to Samarkand—the next chapter of our journey.
Tour 3 – Arrival in Samarkand
Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome cocktail at your hotel and a well-deserved rest for those who wish.
Later, you’ll be invited to soak in the grandeur of the city’s monuments during a relaxing tea session in a serene tea house where time seems to stand still…
Stroll along shops of kimonos and traditional silks, moving from one workshop to another where artisans proudly practice their craft—often to the delight of passersby.
We’ll end the day with dinner in an exceptional setting, just outside the stunning Bibi Khanoum Mosque.
Then, we head to the Registan Square for a mesmerizing sound and light show—your first breathtaking encounter with this iconic, history-filled site.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Tour 1 – Bibi Khanoum Mosque
An early morning visit to the Bibi Khanoum Mosque, guided by our expert who will transport you to the 14th century and the era of Emperor Tamerlane with vivid and engaging storytelling.
Tour 2 – Ulugh Beg Observatory & Afrosiyob Hill
We visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory, one of the greatest medieval observatories. Our guide will lead us to Afrosiyob Hill, the oldest part of Samarkand, where archaeological remains reveal the presence of an ancient civilization.
Photo lovers, get ready! The next site is one of the most beautiful mausoleum complexes in the Islamic world: the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, dazzling with its unique mosaics and deep blue domes.
Lunch at the hotel restaurant, followed by free time.
Tour 3 – Registan Square & Cultural Immersion
On foot or by rickshaw, we’ll meet our guide at Registan Square and dive into Uzbek history and culture through a thoughtful walking tour.
Several small courtyards around the square will hold surprises—from colorful carpets on the ground to silken textiles fluttering in the breeze. A perfect opportunity for stunning photographs.
In an intimate group setting, we’ll attend a captivating performance that blends traditional Uzbek music and theater, with stories brought to life through the sounds of ancestral Central Asian instruments.
Dinner at a local restaurant (option for international cuisine available).
Tour 4 – Shah-i-Zinda by Night
Whether solo or with the group, indulge in one last nighttime stroll to admire the splendor of Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis—which means “Living King” in Persian. This sumptuous ensemble of mausoleums and mosques is open to all and forms part of a preserved archaeological zone.
Overnight at the hotel
…for an early departure the next morning toward the next step of your CAPAVENTURA journey!
On this fifth day of the tour, we offer two alternative experiences, splitting the group so each traveler can live a unique adventure aligned with their personal interests. A perfect reminder to live your journey 100%, your way.
🗺️ Option Tour 1: “Across the Borders”
A full-day road excursion from Samarkand to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan’s neighboring country—an opportunity to experience another Central Asian culture, language, and atmosphere.
From Penjakent, a Tajik town near the border, those who choose this option will journey toward the Fan Mountains to reach the ridge overlooking the legendary “Seven Lakes.”
Seven elevation levels await us, offering stunning natural scenery shaped by the play of sunlight on the surface of each body of water.
A Tajik lunch prepared by our guide awaits you in this scenic setting, perfect for discovering new flavors.
The final ascent to the seventh lake, Haftkul, is done partly on foot, immersing you in this isolated place and allowing encounters with the local Tajik population who live in these perched villages year-round, enduring harsh winters.
After descending from the lakes, we return to Samarkand by road, cross back into Uzbekistan, and arrive at your hotel room for a well-deserved rest following your excursion “Beyond the Maps.”
🌿 Option Tour 2: “Shakhrisabz – The Green City”
For those who wish to combine culture and regional exploration, we journey to the birthplace of Emperor Tamerlane, where the historic center boasts monumental buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Before visiting the Imperial Palace and other landmarks of Shakhrisabz, we’ll meet cotton or silk cocoon harvesters depending on the season. The group will actively participate in the harvest alongside the local farmers who work these fields year-round.
For this full-day cultural escape in and around the Green City, we invite you to a royal Uzbek meal in a nationally renowned restaurant famous for its tandoori cuisine.
Return to your hotel in Samarkand by late afternoon.
Dinner tonight is free—a moment you can share in private, with family, or with fellow CAPAVENTURA travelers.
A selection of recommended restaurants will be provided.
Tour 1 – Nurata & Kyzylkum Adventure
At dawn, a new adventure begins—our third stage of the itinerary.
We take a train to the city of Navoi, where our driver awaits to guide us toward the Kyzylkum Desert and the Nurata Mountains.
Upon arrival in the village of Nurata, we’re welcomed by our warm host Ruslan—a nature enthusiast and one of the region’s best guides. He takes pride in sharing the flora and fauna of his homeland and knows the shores of the great Lake Aydar like the back of his hand.
We’ll stop at his family’s home for a memorable lunch, before heading toward the desert gates of Kyzylkum to spend the night in traditional Kazakh yurts.
Together, we take a short ride in vehicles steeped in Soviet-era nostalgia, crossing the final stretch to Ruslan’s yurt camp—uniquely located just 2 km from the lake.
This eco-responsible camp was designed to protect the environment Ruslan grew up in. Though basic in comfort, every detail is crafted to give you a genuine nomadic experience, under the starry desert sky.
That evening, the CAPAVENTURA tribe will gather for a traditional dinner around the campfire, enjoying folk songs and the gentle rhythm of desert guitars beneath the night sky.
Overnight stay in a traditional yurt in the desert.
🏞 Option Tour 1: “On the Roads of Nurata Villages”
Our desert guide will take you on a mountainous route to discover a chain of remote villages, where you’ll meet locals engaged in their daily lives.
CAPAVENTURA invites you to a rustic picnic in this remote corner of Uzbekistan—an extraordinary region of lakes, mountains, and desert.
By road and foot, you’ll be immersed in the heart of Uzbek culture on this day full of meaningful encounters.
Goal of the day: Admire the breathtaking panorama from a mountain inn where Ruslan invites you to spend the night. Guests are welcome to help prepare the evening meal, adding to the sense of shared experience.
Well-fed and cozily wrapped in your blanket, you’ll drift into dreams, already anticipating the surprises the next day holds in the CAPAVENTURA journey.
🌊 Option Tour 2: “By the Shores of Aydarkul”
The vast waters of Lake Aydar, located at the desert’s edge, are the ideal place to reconnect with nature and recharge your body and spirit on this final day in the Nurata region.
Desert lovers choosing this option can enjoy both the Kyzylkum dunes and the lakeside beach, which, though somewhat wild, has a few facilities allowing for a relaxing day at the beach—in Uzbekistan.
A fisherman’s barbecue awaits the most food-loving among you—served with your feet in the water of Lake Aydar.
After breakfast, we head back by road to Navoi, where we’ll board our train to Bukhara.
After two days in the desert, CAPAVENTURA has selected a high-end hotel for the next stage of your trip, ideally located in Bukhara’s historic old town.
Once you’ve checked in, a warm welcome and lunch in a local restaurant await you.
You’ll then have free time to relax, explore, or enjoy a nap in the comfort of your room.
Late Afternoon
You will visit, accompanied by our guide, the splendid Summer Palace of the Emir, blending 19th-century European and Persian architecture. Spend a timeless moment exploring the various rooms of this historic site.
During this visit, you will notably admire the imperial wardrobe, the colors and details of handcrafted period embroidery, as well as artworks gathered in the palace museum.
On the program, a tea break awaits us in the palace’s lush, flower-filled gardens, surrounded by birds and fountains; this stop in the former summer residence of the Emirs of Bukhara will be the perfect opportunity to capture beautiful photos for your travel album.
Visit to the Chor Minor madrasa, a jewel of Islamic architectural heritage, composed of 4 magnificently decorated minarets.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner at a family-run restaurant in the modern part of the city, mainly frequented by the residents of Bukhara.
Overnight at the hotel.
Tour 1
The ninth day of the CAPAVENTURA tour will be dedicated to culture and discovering the surprising monuments of the old city of Bukhara. Accompanied by our guide, visit the Islamic complexes and madrasas that have been admirably preserved and contribute to the city’s beauty.
The illustrious Muslim scholar and Imam Bukhari, known worldwide for his writings on the life of the Prophet Muhammad, was born in the Bukhara province. This Silk Road city was also an important center of religious learning in Central Asia thanks to him.
From the square overlooking the grand Kalyan Minaret, through the jewelers’ dome built in the 16th century, to the Ark fortress that protected the wealthy city over the ages — our group of travelers will be amazed.
Lunch at an establishment located in the district of the famous Bolo Hauz mosque.
Tour 2
Our city expert guide will offer a surprise itinerary to discover other neighborhoods of Bukhara, away from the crowds. Our group will have the privilege, among other things, to enter a millennia-old caravansary full of history, recently renovated.
A stop at artisans working in the shadows will be a cultural exchange opportunity to observe Suzani embroiderers and master potters whose workshops are hidden in the maze of alleys.
Local craftsmanship is rich and very diverse; Uzbeks take pride in rivaling other Arab-Oriental cultures with their woodwork, embroidery, and religious miniatures.
Free time until the evening.
Dinner on a rooftop terrace at a restaurant famous for its Lagman, a flavorful Central Asian dish made of noodles cooked in a vegetable and/or meat broth of your choice.
Evening stroll for those who wish, then overnight at the hotel.
Tour 1
The agenda for this last day in Bukhara once again offers immersion and sharing. We will go outside the city to discover the surrounding nature and perhaps take a long break in the flowered garden and orchard of a miniature artist’s house. This artist draws on silk paper he makes himself as well as on ceramic tiles.
A warm man who will also offer us the chance to attend a traditional Uzbek cooking class given by his family within the house grounds. This is the favorite moment of the CAPAVENTURA team because the aromas that emerge are simply irresistible.
Of course, we will enjoy for lunch what we have prepared with our hosts, without forgetting to carefully note the recipes!
Tour 2
We thought an afternoon free for you and yours would be the ideal moment to spend a few hours relaxing, reading, or meditating.
CAPAVENTURA offers you a rejuvenating ginger and foam treatment in one of the two ancient hammams in the old city of Bukhara. Depending on the number of travelers wishing to try this authentic experience, a time slot can be reserved.
Dinner that evening will be free — a time you can share in privacy, with family, or perhaps with other CAPAVENTURA travelers.
*We will provide a selection of recommended restaurants.
Overnight at the hotel.
Early departure for Bukhara train station, where a special train awaits to take you to Khiva, the museum city and jewel of Uzbekistan’s heritage — the last stage of your trip in Central Asia.
Since no high-speed train runs between Bukhara and Khiva, the CAPAVENTURA team thought traveling aboard a slow, Soviet-era style train would be a wonderful opportunity to share a simple, quality moment while observing the desert surrounding the Khorezm province.
Depending on cabin availability, we can offer 2- or 4-person sleeper cabins for more comfort and privacy, allowing you to rest along the journey like in a cradle.
Arrival in Khiva, where we will stay within the old city walls of Khiva “Ichan Qala,” a UNESCO World Heritage site. For these two nights, CAPAVENTURA has selected a small-scale hotel housed in a former madrasa or an old caravansary, depending on your tour dates.
Khiva is an open-air museum where you can admire every monument for hours. When night falls and the moonlight shines on minaret tops, mosque domes, and medersa gates, visitors find themselves in a magical city straight out of the “One Thousand and One Nights” tales.
Check-in at the hotel.
Lunch at a restaurant located at the gates of Ichan Qala.
Free time for rest in the room or a nap in the shaded courtyard.
Tour 1
Khiva is yours for this late afternoon! Enjoy this journey back in time with our guide and even on your own; meet the city’s merchants and stroll through the large square where you can see traditional tandoori ovens used by village women to bake Somsa.
The unfinished Kalta Minor minaret is magnificent. Its beautiful colored stones and ornaments never cease to captivate. Its imposing aspect makes it a city landmark and symbol of Khiva.
Visit the Djuma Mosque, unique in its structure since it has no portals, domes, or inner courtyard but 213 carved wooden pillars that give the place its splendor.
This is a beautiful mosque not to be missed, and although many columns have disappeared today, the feeling of being in a monumental spiritual forest remains intact.
Tour 2
CAPAVENTURA invites you to have a drink on a terrace overlooking the monuments of the old city. A troupe of artists will join our group to offer a private performance of traditional dances and music typical of the Uzbek Khorezm province.
After this fun and refreshing break, we will meet again in the evening for a dressed-up dinner to taste specialties at one of the best restaurants in Ichan Qala!
Overnight at the hotel.
Exceptionally, just for CAPAVENTURA travelers, our host in Khiva will prepare breakfast in the inner courtyard of the old madrasa. We will join his family to enjoy delicious pancakes and sip fresh fruit juice.
Our group will be split into two again to allow everyone to interact with the city’s inhabitants for a richer exploration and wonderful travel experiences.
Option Tour 1: “Stroll at the Local Market”
A stop at Khiva’s local food market, located outside the historic walls, will be an opportunity to meet locals, who are not used to foreign visitors, and to stock up on dried fruits and sweets.
Option Tour 2: “Discover Uzbek Bread”
Our guide offers to join the ovens of a local bakery to attend an instructive course on making traditional Uzbek bread; travelers choosing this option will participate in the baking process in the clay oven and in decorating the bread.
Continuation of visits to Khiva’s monuments with our guide, starting with Tash Khauli Palace, Islam Khoja Minaret, and ending at the superb Rahim Khan Madrasa whose courtyard is dedicated to local crafts.
Lunch at a local restaurant recommended by our guide.
Free time to leave Ichan Qala and discover the less ancient part of Khiva.
Dinner that evening will be free — a moment you can share in privacy, with family, or perhaps with other CAPAVENTURA travelers.
*We will provide a selection of recommended restaurants.
Overnight at the hotel.
Return home directly from Khiva via Istanbul, departing from Urgench International Airport or from Tashkent, depending on the transportation option chosen when booking your CAPAVENTURA tour.
Discover the beauty of Uzbekistan — one journey at a time.