6-Day Private, No Meals

6-Day Private, No Meals. Rated 4.9 across 11 reviews. Runs 6 days. From $765.

Overview

Six days is a tight window for four cities, so this private tour from Silk Road Tours does the connecting for you: a domestic flight from Tashkent to Urganch, trains between Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, and drivers waiting at each arrival. You start in Tashkent, spend a full day inside Khiva's Itchan Kala, work through Bukhara's old centre with a guide, then finish with a full day in Samarkand before returning to the capital. Hotel pickup is included, and only your group takes part.

The mechanics are largely handled. Five nights in 3-star hotels, entry fees per the program, a local guide in each city, an accompanying tour director, and train tickets are all in the price. One lunch at Besh Qozon, a large plov restaurant, is covered too, along with a Registan light show and a folklore performance at Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah when those are running. Other lunches, dinners and the e-visa if required are not included.

Reviewers who have taken it describe an organised operation, with punctual drivers, strong guides and a coordinator reachable throughout, and several singled out the variety of transport as a highlight. It suits travellers who want the four-city circuit without arranging trains and transfers alone, and who are fine with an early airport start on day two. Those wanting a slower pace in each city may prefer to use the option to customise the itinerary.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Day 1, Tashkent arrivalThe driver meets you at Tashkent International Airport and transfers you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free, with an overnight stay in Tashkent.
2. Day 2, flight to KhivaA 05:00 transfer to Tashkent airport for the 07:00 flight to Urganch, arriving 8.30. After the drive to Khiva and arrival at 9.30, the guide takes you on a full-day excursion of Itchan Kala.
3. Day 3, train to BukharaA 10:00 transfer to Khiva station for the 11:10 regular train to Bukhara, arriving 18:14, with views of the old Silk Road route along the way. The evening is free.
4. Day 4, Bukhara then SamarkandA full guided day covering Lyab-i-Hauz, the Bolo-khauz mosque, the Ark, Maghak-i 'Attari Mosque, the Trading Domes, Chasma Ayub, the Kalon minaret, Poi Kalyan, Mir-i-Arab and Ulugbek madrasahs. The 16:24 train reaches Samarkand at 18:07.
5. Day 5, Samarkand then TashkentGuided visits to Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Shah-i-Zinda and the Ulugh Beg Observatory. The 18:32 train arrives in Tashkent at 20:45.
6. Day 6, Tashkent and departureA full day covering Amir Timur Square, the Amir Temur Museum, Khast Imam Square, Kukeldash Madrasah, Chorsu bazaar, Independence Square, the Earthquake Memorial, Minor Mosque, the Museum of Applied Art and the metro, ending with a transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from travellers who have done this tour.

• Early starts. Day two begins with a 05:00 transfer to the airport for a morning flight. Days four, five and six also start with 09:00 guide meetings. Plan for full days with little downtime.
• Meals to budget. One lunch at Besh Qozon is included, along with hotel breakfasts implied by the itinerary. Other lunches and all dinners are on you, so factor that into daily spending.
• Transport variety. You move by private vehicle, domestic flight, high-speed train and regular train. Several reviewers called this mix efficient and enjoyable, though one noted the Soviet-era train leg specifically as part of the experience.
• Book early. High-speed train tickets and non-English speaking guides may be unavailable if you book less than 60 days before departure. The operator says substitutes, such as comfortable regular train tickets or English-speaking guides, will be provided instead.
• Weather and walking. One reviewer described a border crossing on foot in the rain during an added excursion, so bring weather-appropriate gear and comfortable shoes.
• Customisation. The listing states the tour can be customised, and one reviewer confirmed adding an extra trip during their tour. If you want more time somewhere, raise it with the operator before or during the trip.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, which the listing states plainly. Meals beyond one lunch are excluded, so budget for food separately. Late bookings carry real risks: train tickets and guides in languages other than English may be replaced if booked within 60 days of departure. One reviewer found a border crossing during an added excursion stressful, so any side trips beyond the core itinerary deserve careful planning.

Choosing Well