Uzbekistan Shopper's Paradise

Duration of this Trip 11 Days Priced From $3, 799 per person

Zulya Rajabova welcomes you to shop Uzbekistan's Silk Road centers! Zulya Rajabova welcomes you to shop Uzbekistan's Silk Road centers!

Shop your way through the 1001 Nights in the bazaars of Uzbekistan! Our knowledgeable guides will make sure you see it all, help you hone your bargaining techniques and bring home fabulous souvenirs from your journey into Central Asia. After all, its our part of the world and we know it best. It's all part of the fun in the ancient trade domes, bazaars, and handicraft, artisan and designer workshops here in the heart of the ancient Silk Road. Uzbekistan's master craftsmen are famous for jewelry in silver, gold and semi-precious stones, for embossed silver, brass and copper; gorgeous carved wood, colorful ceramics, luxurious silks, bold ikat fabrics, intricate gold and silk embroideries; and carpets of geometric harmony and pure color. Uzbek aromatic plov and warm fresh bread from the clay tandur oven are just part of this feast of the senses - after all, you'll need to keep your strength up for shopping! The haunting traditional music of the dombra and tambur, the bustle of the markets and the swirl and dash of vibrant colors invite you to sample the traditions of Uzbekistan. Join our unforgettable shopping tour of Uzbekistan among the soaring minarets, glittering monuments, and hospitable people. Just say bozor kilamiz - going shopping!

This tour now includes the option to visit the Ferghana Valley which was the center of the ancient Great Silk Road it has 3000 years of history has amazing cultures, warm hospitality, old craftsmanship and authentic cuisine. It attracted travelers, Silk Road merchants and diplomats including Zhang Quan; a renowned Chinese diplomat from the 2nd century BC. It also played an important role as a bridge between East and West. Read more about the Ferghana Valley in our blog.

At a Glance

Duration

11 Days

Priced From

$3, 799 per person

Departures

         2023 -2024 Tours

  • September 2-12, 2023
  • October 6-16, 2023
  • November 1-11, 2023
  • March 16-26, 2024
  • April 7-17, 2024
  • May 19-29, 2024
  • September 8-18, 2024  
  • October 1-11, 2024 combined with fashion and textile tour.

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Arrive in the capital city, Tashkent
Day 3:     Urgench - Khiva
Days 4-6: Legendary Bukhara, Shopper's Paradise
Days 7-9: Majestic Samarkand - Shakhrisabz
Day 10:    Tashkent
Day 11:    Departure

Itinerary

Day 01 Tashkent

Arrival at Tashkent International Airport. You will be met by your personal guide and driver and transfer to your hotel.

Day 02 Tashkent

Tashkent, the Capital city of Uzbekistan, was a central crossroads of the Great Silk Road for many centuries. It is renowned for its bazaars, handicraft centers, museums, art galleries, and ancient sites. Visit the 19th century historical site, the Abul Kasim Handicraft Bazaar, where you can see the craftsmen at work and appreciate the skill and techniques that create the object you buy. Admire the detailed miniature paintings on charming paper maché jewelry boxes, traditional carved wooden book stands, walking sticks and a myriad of boxes, elaborate embroideries, rugs, and musical instruments.

In the afternoon, visit the Silk Road section of Tashkent to see the Kukaldash Medresseh and the 2000 year old Chorsu Bazaar (Eski Juva). Here, you will find everything - from mountains of fresh fruits and crisp vegetables to fine jewelry and gold embroidery, hand-tempered knives to ceramic bowls and hand painted cradles. The vendors know their merchandise and are happy to tell you everything about it. Bargaining for your treasures is part of the fun!  Ride the gorgeous Tashkent metro and get a true taste of every day life. Dinner at a Traditional Uzbek Restaurant.

Day 03 Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva

Early morning flight to Urgench for the drive to Khiva, one of the most ancient and magical cities of Uzbekistan. Accommodation at the Hotel Shakhrezade. Sightseeing tour to explore the antiquities of the Ichan Kala (Old City): the Ata–Darvaza, the blue-tiled 14th c. Kalta Minar, the Mohammad Aminkhan and Khodja Islam medressehs, the Kunya Ark (Ancient Citadel), Tash Hauli Palace, and caravanserai (traditional inn for traveling merchants).

Visit the Khiva Silk Carpet Workshop, where carpet makers use traditional methods and vegetable dyes to hand-weave silk rugs patterning them after Khiva's majolica tiles, doors, and miniature paintings. Dinner with a panoramic view of Khiva by the moonlight.

Day 04 Urgench - Bukhara

Early breakfast. Sightseeing day drive to Bukhara through the Kyzilkum desert, once the main route of the Silk Road connecting China with the the West. Along the way, stop at a nomadic yurt camp, enjoy a picnic in a local chaikhana (tea-house) and a photo opportunity near the Amu Darya (Oxus River). In Bukhara, accommodation at lovely Minzifa boutique hotel. Dinner around the pond under the mulberry trees at the Lyabi Khaus Complex, the center of Bukhara's social life.

Day 05 Bukhara

Bukhara is a fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Lyabi Khaus Complex, the colorful local souvenir stalls and the Nadir Divan Begi Khanaka (traditional hotel for merchants). The trade domes of Bukhara's bazaar date from the 16th c. with separate areas for vendors of silk, carpets, puppets, hats, jewelry, and the cheerful, charming and colorful figurines of local characters.

Nearby is the Poi-Kalon Ensemble with the greatest minaret of Central Asia. Something you will notice is that textiles are an integral part of life in this region. Young girls traditionally begin making their own embroideries and household items for their dowries from a young age. Even the most modest of homes is filled with woven, embroidered and appliquéd textiles. Prayer rugs, saddle bags, cradle covers, yurt bands, tent flaps, door hangings and bedding covers are popular items. Dinner and folklore show featuring local dancers, singers and a fashion show highlighting the fabulous local fabrics and designs.

Day 06 Bukhara

Sightseeing and shopping tour of the Summer and Winter Residences of the historic Emirs of Bukhara. Visit the Museum of Applied and Decorative Art. In the Sitorai Mokhi Hossa (Summer Palace) are displays of traditional silver necklaces, pendants, bracelets, belts, earrings, suzanis (large embroidered wall-hangings), exquisite caps (doppi and tebeteika), robes made from a rainbow of silk ikats, and fabulous examples of ancient fabrics. Kashkadarya embroiderers are known for their lovely handbags. Enjoy a wine tasting in the centuries old Nugai Caravanserai. A caravansary was a place of rest for merchants and their animals. The Nugai has been converted to a collection of boutiques and handicraft shops.

Day 07 Bukhara - Samarkand

Travel the Golden Road to Samarkand through the desert today, stopping at the Gizhduvan School of Ceramics. Afternoon arrival in Samarkand and accommodation at the Malika Prime. Explore the world famous handicraft centers of Samarkand, one of the oldest inhabited cities on the Silk Road and beloved of Tamerlane and Marco Polo. Specialties of the area include hand made mulberry paper, carpets and pottery in traditional shades of blue and white.

Day 08 Samarkand

Exploration and shopping, comfort and adventure in ancient Samarkand. Our sightseeing and shopping tour begins in Registan Square, the main attraction of Samarkand and an impressive place for holding the world's finest music festivals and celebrations. It is the prime spot for souvenir and handicraft shopping in Samarkand. It houses countless stalls in the medressehs, for ceramic and embroidery items, carpets, hats, caps, and a variety of ethnic textiles. Visit the Bibi Khanum Complex and the Guri Emir Mausoleum. At the Samarkand Green Bazaar enjoy the most delicious local breads, sweets and fruits. Dinner with Folklore show.

Day 09 Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand

Drive to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Temur (Tamerlane). Shakrisabz is known for its carpet weaving, fine embroidery, tubeteikas (Uzbek caps) and wine. After a sightseeing tour in the ruins of Tamerlane's summer residence, the Ak-Saroy and Darut-Saadat enjoy your time in the bazaar to see silk and wool embroidery wall hangings, textiles, hats, pillows, slippers, jewelry boxes, fabric design and printing. Return to Samarkand in time for dinner.

Day 10 Samarkand - Tashkent

Sightseeing around Samarkand to the medieval Shah i Zinda Ensemble, an ancient necropolis of finely tiled mausoleums. Be on the lookout for local artists. We will visit the national costumes bazaar, the  Samarkand Art & Crafts Center, and a traditional mulberry paper factory and silk making workshop. Photo opportunities from the highest point of Samarkand. Enjoy a traditional meal at the home of an Uzbek family. Drive back to Tashkent with a stop near the "gate" of Amir Temur, the point where two mountain ranges meet. Arrival in Tashkent. Farewell Dinner.

Day 11 Tashkent

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure.

OPTIONAL TOUR TO FERGHANA VALLEY (pretrip)

Day 1. Tashkent- Fergana valley’s Kokand-Ferghana (Enjoy Silk and Ceramic production)

The train ride to Kokand, one of the ancient cities of Ferghana Valley where we will explore Khudayarkhan’s Palace.  The site also gathers many artists and craftsmen who crate amazing Uzbekistan craft pieces.  Sightseeing drive to the picturesque Margilan.  Upon arrival we will visit Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan. Margilan is one of the ancient cities in a 15 km distance to the north of Fergana city. Here you can tour the factory and see the process of making silk and buy in the gift shop or factory outlets the samples of completely natural and authentic silk and cotton fabrics, such as  amazing Khan-atlas (Royal Silk), cotton silk, Beqasam and Adras.

Day 2.  Ferghana-Rishtan-Margilan-Tashkent

This morning we enjoy visiting bustling Margilan bazaar. Then we shall drive to ancient  Rishtan, which  is widely recognized as one of the jewels of the Fergana Valley. Located 50 km west of Ferghana, Rishtan is famous for the quality of its pottery made by the skilful local craftsmen of red clay and decorated by hand made blue glaze that is produced from natural mineral pigments. Take afternoon train to return to Tashkent. Accommodation in Tashkent.

 

Land Tour Costs

From $3, 799 for 6-10 travelers

Single Supplement

$455

Scheduled Departures

         2023 -2024 Tours

  • September 2-12, 2023
  • October 6-16, 2023
  • November 1-11, 2023
  • March 16-26, 2024
  • April 7-17, 2024
  • May 19-29, 2024
  • September 8-18, 2024  
  • October 1-11, 2024 combined with fashion and textile tour.

Trip Highlights

  • Search for handmade traditional crafts, delicious treats, and fabulous carpets in the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, the Sarrafon Mosque and the Nagoi Caravansarai in Bukhara, the Siyab Bazaar in Samarkand and the Khiva Silk Carpet Workshop
  • Tour ancient medressehs, palaces, and monuments
  • Enjoy a fantastic folk show as you discover Uzbek culture
  • Khiva has a wealth of curious, delightful and unique shopping, with colorful puppets, jewelry, hats, and textiles
  • Visit a seamstress' atelier for one-of-a-kind items
  • The Gizduvan Ceramics Center is your source for traditional patterns and designs

Visited Countries

Uzbekistan

Visited Cities & Places

Tashkent, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, Khiva

Suggested Extensions

Treasures of Turkey, Silk Road Tour to Iran

Reading Lists

Calum Macleod, Bradley Mayhew.  Golden Road To Samarkand
Lonely Planet. Central Asia (2014)
Frances Wood. The Silk Road, Two Thousand Years in the Heart of Asia
Peter Hopkirk. The Great Game
Colin Thubron. The Lost Heart of Asia
Alexander, Christopher. A Carpet Ride to Khiva; Seven Years on the Silk Road

What's Included

  • Visa support
  • Local air tickets from Tashkent to Nukus
  • Ground Transportation (with air conditioning)
  • English-speaking guide/escort
  • Hotel accommodation in double room
  • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
  • Entrance fees to museums and monuments
  • Folklore Show in Bukhara
  • Wine tasting
  • Unlimited travel counseling
  • Pre Departure Travel Packages along with Welcome Silk Road Gifts

What's Not Included

  • International Flights
  • Charges in hotels for additional services
  • Consular fee

Thank you for your interest in Silk Road Treasure Tours. We're looking forward to providing you with the trip of a lifetime. Please take a moment to complete and submit the form below. You can also call us at 1-888-745-7670 (or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to discuss all the aspects of the tour and reserve your tour.

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Uzbekistan Shoppers Paradise Tour

A 11 day tour available as scheduled group tour or as custom private tour

Scheduled Departures

         2023 -2024 Tours

  • September 2-12, 2023
  • October 6-16, 2023
  • November 1-11, 2023
  • March 16-26, 2024
  • April 7-17, 2024
  • May 19-29, 2024
  • September 8-18, 2024  
  • October 1-11, 2024 combined with fashion and textile tour.

Land Tour Costs

From $3, 799 for 6-10 travelers

Single Supplement

$455