Dive into the ancient culture of Uzbekistan on this private tour of Bukhara from Samarkand. We'll spend 2 days discovering its most important madrasas, mosques, and monuments, learning about the history of the Silk Road in 2 days.
2-Day Tour Details
Day 1: Samarkand– Bukhara
In the morning, we'll pick you up at your hotel in Samarkand to set off to the Afrosiyob high-speed train station. Here, you'll take a train to Bukhara, one of the most important cities on the Silk Road. Let's go!
Once in Bukhara, we'll take you to the hotel so you can leave your luggage and grab some lunch. Afterward, we'll go on a walking tour to see the city's historic center. We'll begin exploring the Lyab-i Khauz ensemble, an architectural complex that surrounds a lake where the Kukeldash Madrasa, the largest madrasa in Bukhara, takes center stage.
Here, you'll also see two religious buildings built by Nodir Devonbegi: a khānaqāh and another madrasa. Did you know the khānaqāh was used for gatherings of Sufi brotherhoods or tariqas? And that the madrasas are Muslim educational institutions, similar to a university or college?
Our tour will continue at the Maghoki Attori Mosque, which is currently a carpet museum, and the Chor Minor, alternatively known as the Madrasah of Khalif Niyaz-kul. We'll explore the commercial domes, where only four remain today. We'll also admire the madrasas of Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz-Khan, the Miri-Arab Madrasah, the iconic Kalyan Minaret, and the Kalan Mosque.
To finish the tour, we'll explore the stunning fortress of the Ark of Bukhara and the charming Bolo Haouz Mosque.
Afterward, you'll have free time to wander around and have dinner at your own pace.
Day 2: Bukhara – Samarkand
After having breakfast at the hotel, we'll begin a tour around Bukhara. We'll visit the Samanid Mausoleum, the Bakhouddin Naqshband Mausoleum, and the Chor-Bakr memorial complex. We'll also discover the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa the summer residence of the last emir of Bukhara.
Before heading to the train, you can stop to grab some lunch at a local restaurant.
Early in the afternoon, we'll take you back to the Bukhara train station so you can take the Afrosiyon high-speed train with destination Samarkand. Once there, we'll drop you off at your hotel around 6 pm, where we'll conclude our 2-day tour. Until next time!
Tour Accommodation
This tour includes one night's stay at a hotel with breakfast in an individual, double, or triple room at one of the following hotels in Bukhara, or in another hotel of a similar category:
- Dendi Plaza 4*
- Edem Plaza 3*
- Al Imran 3*
- Nodirabegim Boutique 4*
Depending on the number of people in your group and availability, you can indicate the type of room you want during the booking process.
Additional Info
Although the tickets for the high-speed train are included in the activity's price, if the booking is made less than 60 days in advance, they may not be available and will be replaced with regular train tickets. The trains included are Afrosiyob (high-speed train) or Sharq (regular train), and journeys may vary from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2.5 hours.
