Classic 9-Day Uzbekistan Tour: Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz and Samarkand
Updated:
⚡ Online booking · 🔒 Secure payment · ✅ Cancellation 24+ hours before start
Operator: Central Asia Journeys (CAJ.UZ) — a local tour operator in Uzbekistan.
Booking model: direct with the operator, not through a marketplace.
Phone: +998 71 236 39 45 · Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +998 90 922 30 73 · Start: we usually meet you at the airport or another agreed point in Tashkent. Important: the domestic flight Tashkent → Urgench is priced separately and confirmed for your date before payment.
Classic 9-Day Uzbekistan Tour
This is the route for travellers who want the classic Silk Road line inside Uzbekistan in one clear private trip. You arrive in Tashkent, fly west to Urgench on day 2 for the Khiva block, continue by road to Bukhara, stop in Shahrisabz on the way to Samarkand, and return to the capital on the high-speed train. It is fuller than the shorter Samarkand–Bukhara programs, but it still follows a simple logic: each city has a role, and the trip finishes without a stressful final road transfer. This is not the lightest holiday in Uzbekistan — there are two long road days, and the Tashkent → Urgench flight is priced separately — but for many first-time visitors it is the most complete classic 9-day Uzbekistan tour in one country.
Important: the exact Tashkent → Urgench flight, train details and final timing are confirmed for your travel date. On this page we focus on the stable itinerary logic and the real structure of the program, not on minute-by-minute timings that age quickly.
Answer in 15 seconds: this is a private 9-day Uzbekistan tour covering Tashkent → Khiva → Bukhara → Shahrisabz → Samarkand → Tashkent. It includes 8 nights, breakfasts and dinners, sightseeing with local guides, entrance fees, the Khiva folklore evening, a family plov evening in Bukhara, a cooking-focused dinner in Samarkand, and the high-speed train Samarkand → Tashkent. The base rate starts from $756 per person in 3* double or twin accommodation. The domestic flight Tashkent → Urgench is priced separately.
Main route points: Khast Imam · Chorsu Bazaar · Tashkent metro · Ichan-Kala · Kunya-Ark · Kalta Minor · Juma Mosque · Pahlavan Mahmud · Islam Khoja · Kyzylkum · Samanid Mausoleum · Chashma-Ayub · Ark · Poi-Kalyan · Lyabi-Hauz · Shahrisabz · Aksaray · Registan · Gur-Emir · Bibi-Khanym · Siab Bazaar · Shah-i-Zinda · Khoja Daniyar · Afrasiab · Ulugh Beg Observatory
This page is for travellers who want the full classic Uzbekistan line with Khiva and Shahrisabz, not just the shorter central block of Samarkand and Bukhara. If you want a lighter trip, the comparison section below will help you choose more quickly.
Quick facts about this classic 9-day Uzbekistan tour
- Type: private Uzbekistan tour across the country’s main Silk Road cities
- Best for: first-time visitors who want Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz and Samarkand in one journey
- Pace: medium to full — comfortable in structure, but with two long road days
- Main focus: an Uzbekistan cultural tour focused on history, architecture, old city life and the country’s main UNESCO-linked stops
- Transport: city sightseeing + domestic flight to Urgench + long road transfers + Afrosiyob train back to Tashkent
- Overnights: 2 nights in Tashkent, 2 in Khiva, 2 in Bukhara and 2 in Samarkand
- Meals: breakfasts and dinners as per program
- Price: from $756 pp (3* double/twin, from 2 travellers)
- Important: the domestic flight Tashkent → Urgench is priced separately
- Option: full-route escort guide — +$450
Travellers usually find this page when they are looking for a full private trip across Uzbekistan. In practical terms, that often means a classic 9-day Uzbekistan tour, a private Uzbekistan trip with Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, or a fuller Silk Road program that also includes Shahrisabz.
It is also a useful page if you are planning from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Singapore and want one clear explanation of the trip, the price, the long transfers, the visa basics and the payment options before you book.
Who this 9-day classic Uzbekistan tour suits best
- A full classic trip through Uzbekistan with Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz and Samarkand in one trip.
- A private format on your own dates, not a guaranteed group calendar.
- Proper Tashkent sightseeing, not just a technical first and last night.
- Historical depth, where Shahrisabz adds Timur’s biographical layer and Khiva adds the western caravan side of the country.
- Willingness to accept two long road days in exchange for seeing the country more fully rather than staying only in the central block.
- A shorter holiday without Khiva and without the long western leg — then the 6-day Tashkent + Bukhara + Samarkand tour is the better fit.
- Trains only and minimal road time — then the 5-day train route or the 4-day Samarkand + Bukhara tour is more sensible.
- Fixed dates and group logistics — then the 8-day guaranteed group tour with Khiva is a better comparison.
- The easiest pace without mixing a domestic flight, road days and rail.
- A very short first trip where seeing fewer cities well matters more than covering the classic Silk Road line in one go.
Should you choose this 9-day trip or something shorter?
| Option | Choose it when… | What it does not include | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic tour · 9 days | You want the full private Silk Road line inside Uzbekistan: Khiva + Bukhara + Shahrisabz + Samarkand + Tashkent. | No fixed-date group calendar and no idea of “a short holiday without long road days”. | You are here |
| Guaranteed tour · 8 days | Fixed dates, group format and pre-built logistics matter more than a private departure on your own dates. | No private flexibility and no custom timing around your own travel dates. | See route |
| All-inclusive · 6 days | You want a private trip but without Khiva and without the long western block. | No Khiva and no Shahrisabz. | See route |
| Silk Road · 7 days | You want a classic cultural route through Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand without western Uzbekistan. | No Khiva and no Shahrisabz. | See route |
| Samarkand + Bukhara · 4 days | Time is short and you need a compact cultural route built mainly around the two core Silk Road cities. | No Khiva, no Shahrisabz and no full country-wide classic sweep. | See route |
Common question: “How long is Khiva to Bukhara drive?” In normal conditions it is usually about 7 hours on the road, with short stops depending on season, traffic and comfort needs.
How much does a 9 day Uzbekistan tour cost?
If you are comparing Uzbekistan tour price across private cultural routes, below are the prices from the current CAJ booking page. Rates are shown per person and apply from 2 travellers. Important: the domestic flight Tashkent → Urgench is not included in these prices and is confirmed separately for your date.
Prices (USD)
| Option | Price | Comment | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3* · double/twin room | $756 / person | Base option for 2 or more guests | Book |
| 3* · single room | $852 / person | If you want your own room | Book |
| 4* · double/twin room | $911 / person | Higher comfort level | Book |
| 4* · single room | $1,063 / person | For travellers who value privacy | Book |
| Escort guide | +$450 | Optional full-route escort on top of local guides | Ask |
Important: this is not a group discount table. These are the public base prices by room category; if you want us to include the Tashkent → Urgench flight, that part is checked separately for your date.
How much does the tour cost for 3 4 5 6 7 travellers?
| Party size | 3* | 4* | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 travellers | $2,364 | $2,885 | 1 double/twin room + 1 single room |
| 4 travellers | $3,024 | $3,644 | 2 double/twin rooms |
| 5 travellers | $3,876 | $4,707 | 2 double/twin rooms + 1 single room |
| 6 travellers | $4,536 | $5,466 | 3 double/twin rooms |
| 7 travellers | $5,388 | $6,529 | 3 double/twin rooms + 1 single room |
All totals above are shown without the Tashkent → Urgench domestic flight. If the rooming plan changes, the total changes too. A full-route escort guide is priced separately: +$450.
What is included in the price of this 9-day classic tour
Included in the tour price
- 8 nights of accommodation in the 3* or 4* category
- Meals as per program: breakfasts and dinners
- All sightseeing in the itinerary with local English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees for the listed sites
- Air-conditioned transport for transfers and road sections
- Samarkand → Tashkent train ticket (usually high-speed service)
- Urgench → Khiva transfer after arrival
- Khiva folklore evening as per program
- Cultural dinner / cooking element in Bukhara
- Cultural dinner / cooking element in Samarkand
- Bottled water — 1.5 litres per person per day
- Photo and video fees at the listed sites where applicable in the program
- Visa support, if your passport needs it
Paid separately
- Domestic flight Tashkent → Urgench
- Lunches
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Excess baggage on the flight, if it occurs
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa fee, if required
- Full-route escort guide — optional +$450
In practice, this is a strong land package covering the full itinerary logic. The only major element separated out is the Tashkent → Urgench flight, because availability and fares vary by date and are checked individually.
Why this 9-day trip works well in practice
- It is one of the few classic private routes where Khiva and Shahrisabz are not dropped just to make the itinerary look shorter.
- Tashkent is treated as a real part of the trip, not just a technical arrival city.
- Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand each get proper time instead of being compressed into a rushed chain.
- The itinerary is honest about the workload: there are two long road days and a separately priced domestic flight, but that is exactly what makes the geography of the trip work.
- You finish with the fast train back to Tashkent instead of adding another tiring road transfer before departure.
Why many travellers feel the price is justified
- You cover five distinct destination layers in one trip: the capital, the walled city of Khiva, Bukhara, Timur’s birthplace in Shahrisabz, and Samarkand.
- The price includes local guides, entrance fees, breakfasts and dinners, tour transport, the Khiva folklore evening, the Bukhara family plov evening and the Samarkand cooking-focused dinner.
- The domestic flight is kept separate, so you do not overpay inside a fixed package when flight fares move.
- The private format gives you more control over pace, rooming, guide language and service level than a fixed-date group.
What is confirmed after you book
- The exact Tashkent → Urgench flight, if you want us to add it.
- The specific Samarkand → Tashkent train and the final timing for your date.
- The hotel category and the actual hotels along the route.
- The guide language, if you need something other than English.
- The final total based on your real rooming plan, the flight and any added options.
- Written confirmation of the key services — that is when the booking becomes confirmed.
Hotels: 3* or 4* on the Tashkent — Khiva — Bukhara — Samarkand trip
According to the current CAJ booking page, the available hotel categories are 3* and 4*. Overnights are distributed as 1 night in Tashkent, 2 nights in Khiva, 2 nights in Bukhara, 2 nights in Samarkand and 1 final night in Tashkent. The actual hotels are confirmed after your date is checked.
- 3* — the practical option if the route and cultural content matter more than the hotel itself.
- 4* — for travellers who want more comfort between sightseeing days and long transfers.
- Important: this is not a resort holiday. The hotels here are meant to support the rhythm of a classic country-wide trip, not replace it.
Current rates and room category choice are shown on the tour booking page.
Route logic and 9 day Uzbekistan itinerary
The route is built around sequence, not geography alone: Tashkent as the entry point, Khiva as the western Silk Road city, Bukhara as the caravan and religious centre, Shahrisabz as Timur’s birthplace, and Samarkand as the grand Timurid finale. After that, you return to Tashkent on the high-speed train instead of adding more road time before departure.
Many travellers first search for a simple Khiva–Bukhara–Samarkand itinerary. This page explains the fuller version: the same core line, but with proper time in Tashkent and the extra Shahrisabz layer that makes the route feel more complete.
How the route is built
- Day 1: arrival in Tashkent, transfer and a calm start.
- Day 2: old Tashkent, then the flight to Urgench and transfer to Khiva.
- Day 3: full sightseeing day in Khiva.
- Day 4: long road transfer from Khiva to Bukhara through the Kyzylkum corridor.
- Day 5: full cultural day in Bukhara.
- Day 6: road day via Shahrisabz and arrival in Samarkand.
- Day 7: the core cultural day in Samarkand.
- Day 8: Afrosiyob train back to Tashkent and a final evening in the capital.
- Day 9: transfer to the airport and departure.
Why these specific sites are in the program
A long trip needs more than a list of monuments. This section explains why these places were chosen, so you can see what you are paying for and why the itinerary is built this way.
Tashkent: why the route shows both the old city and the more modern centre
In Tashkent, it matters to show two sides of the capital. Khast Imam, Kukeldash, Chorsu and the old quarters give you the religious and market layer of the city, while the metro, Independence Square, Navoi Theatre, Courage Monument and Amir Timur Square show the Soviet and modern city. Without that balance, Tashkent becomes just a technical arrival and departure point instead of a real part of the route.
Khiva: why Ichan-Kala, Kunya-Ark, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque and Islam Khoja were chosen
Ichan-Kala is here as the most intact historic ensemble in western Uzbekistan. Kunya-Ark shows the political core of the khanate, Kalta Minor is Khiva’s visual icon, Juma Mosque gives you a different architectural logic, and Pahlavan Mahmud plus Islam Khoja add the religious and panoramic layer. Together, these sites make Khiva feel like a real caravan capital rather than just a postcard.
Bukhara: why the day runs from the Samanids to Lyabi-Hauz
The Samanid Mausoleum and Chashma-Ayub give the early historical layer, the Ark and Bolo-Hauz add the theme of power and ceremony, Poi-Kalyan, the madrasahs, trading domes and Lyabi-Hauz show Bukhara as a major religious and trading city, and the synagogue adds the multi-community urban layer. That is why Bukhara in this program feels deeper than a simple list of “the best-known postcard views”.
Shahrisabz: why it is included at all in a long route
Shahrisabz is not here because of geography but because of meaning. Aksaray, Kok-Gumbaz, the old bazaar and the funerary complex add Timur’s biographical layer and turn the trip from a standard “Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand + Khiva” itinerary into a more mature classic program. This is where the Timurid line starts to make fuller sense before it reaches its strongest expression in Samarkand.
Samarkand: why the final day is built this way
Registan and Gur-Emir give the ceremonial and dynastic axis of Samarkand, Bibi-Khanym and Siab Bazaar show the city’s scale and living urban fabric, Shah-i-Zinda and Khoja Daniyar add the memorial and religious layer, and Afrasiab plus the Ulugh Beg Observatory bring in the ancient and scientific Samarkand. That is what makes the final day not just beautiful, but a real culmination of the whole historical line of the tour.
Itinerary of the classic 9-day Uzbekistan tour
Below is the day-by-day program. The exact flight and train details are confirmed for the travel date, but the overall route structure stays the same.
Day 1 — arrival in Tashkent, transfer and a calm start
| Time guide | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| On arrival | Airport meeting | Your driver meets you and takes you to the hotel. |
| Daytime | Check-in | You ease into the route without overload and without a rushed sightseeing start on day one. |
| Evening | Free time | You can rest at the hotel or take a short walk nearby on your own. |
Day one exists to let you enter the trip properly. The real cultural block in the capital starts the next day, when you are no longer travel-tired.
Day 2 — old Tashkent, flight to Urgench and transfer to Khiva
| Time guide | Stage | What you see and why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Old Tashkent | Khast Imam, another mosque, Kukeldash Madrasah, Chorsu, the most attractive metro stations and the Museum of Applied Arts give you a living, non-formal entry into the capital. |
| After sightseeing | Tashkent → Urgench | Transfer to the airport and the domestic flight to western Uzbekistan. This ticket is not included in the base rate and is confirmed separately. |
| Evening | Urgench → Khiva | After arrival, you transfer to Khiva, check in and have dinner at the hotel. |
This day looks more complex than a short two-city trip, but it solves the main problem: you do not lose Khiva just to make the program look shorter on paper.
Day 3 — Khiva: Ichan-Kala, towers, mausoleums and a folklore evening
| Time guide | Stage | What you see and why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Ichan-Kala | The old city of Khiva is one of the most intact historical ensembles in Uzbekistan and a key western Silk Road stop. |
| Daytime | Khiva highlights | Kunya-Ark, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum and Islam Khoja Minaret show Khiva from the political, religious and visual angles. |
| Evening | Dinner with folklore | The evening adds traditional atmosphere to the architecture and gives the day a cultural finish. |
The real value of Khiva in this tour is that you spend a full day here rather than using the city as a symbolic stop in a long transit chain.
Day 4 — Khiva → Bukhara through the Kyzylkum corridor
| Time guide | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Departure from Khiva | After breakfast, you leave Khiva and head toward Bukhara. |
| Daytime | Kyzylkum | This is one of the longest travel segments of the route: desert landscapes, a few breaks and a real sense of space between oasis cities. |
| Evening | Bukhara | Check-in, a short walk and dinner near Lyabi-Hauz. |
This day is not about “comfort at any cost”, but about the honest geography of the route. If you do not want the western block of the country, a shorter tour is the better choice.
Day 5 — Bukhara: the old city, Poi-Kalyan and a family plov evening
| Time guide | Stage | What you see and why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Early Bukhara layer | The Samanid Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub and Bolo-Hauz show the earlier and more intimate face of Bukhara. |
| Daytime | Political and commercial centre | The Ark, Poi-Kalyan, Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan madrasahs, the trading domes, Lyabi-Hauz and the Bukhara synagogue present the city as a centre of power, trade and multi-layered urban life. |
| Evening | Family dinner / cooking element | You do not just eat dinner: you enter a more human, home-style layer of Bukhara through local cuisine and plov. |
Bukhara is not used here as transit. It has its own full sightseeing day and its own strong evening cultural emphasis.
Day 6 — Bukhara → Shahrisabz → Samarkand
| Time guide | Stage | What you see and why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Departure from Bukhara | After breakfast, you leave Bukhara and move into the southern corridor of the route. |
| Daytime | Shahrisabz | Aksaray, the old bazaar, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and the funerary complex add the theme of Timur and his homeland — something the shorter routes do not offer. |
| Evening | Samarkand | Arrival in Samarkand, check-in and dinner at a local restaurant. |
Shahrisabz is not a random stop. It is what turns the route from a standard “three cities by default” trip into a more mature classic program.
Day 7 — Samarkand: Registan, Gur-Emir, Bibi-Khanym and Shah-i-Zinda
| Time guide | Stage | What you see and why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Central Samarkand | Registan and Gur-Emir create the ceremonial and dynastic axis of Samarkand. |
| Daytime | City of memory, market and science | Bibi-Khanym, Siab Bazaar, Shah-i-Zinda, Khoja Daniyar, Afrasiab and the Ulugh Beg Observatory show Samarkand as a capital of memory, religious life and science. |
| Evening | Dinner / cooking evening | The day closes with a local culinary accent as per program. |
Samarkand is placed here not as a checklist city, but as the culmination of the whole route.
Day 8 — Afrosiyob back to Tashkent and the capital without rush
| Time guide | Stage | What you see and why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Samarkand → Tashkent | The high-speed train makes the return to the capital noticeably calmer than adding another long road day. |
| Daytime | Central Tashkent | Independence Square, Navoi Theatre, Courage Monument, Amir Timur Square and Sayilgoh show the more modern and urban face of the capital. |
| Evening | Farewell dinner | A final dinner in Tashkent closes the route without stress before departure. |
The last night in Tashkent is a comfort feature, not an unnecessary stop. It removes the risk of a stressful connection between the internal route and your international flight.
Day 9 — Tashkent, departure
| Time guide | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Breakfast and check-out | A calm finish to the route without any sightseeing overload on the flight day. |
| After that | Transfer | Your driver takes you to the airport for your outbound flight. |
The final day is built for comfort and predictability: the tour ends where an international traveller actually needs it to end.
Comfort, transfers and the real workload of this 9 day Uzbekistan itinerary
| Segment | What it includes | Why it matters | Usually |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 and Day 9 | Arrival / departure + transfers | The trip does not begin or end in chaos | light days |
| Day 2 | Tashkent + flight + transfer to Khiva | This is the most mixed day in terms of logistics | full day |
| Khiva → Bukhara | Road transfer through the Kyzylkum corridor | You need to understand that the western block of the country cannot be added without real road time | about 7 hours on the road |
| Bukhara → Shahrisabz → Samarkand | Long road day with a sightseeing stop | This is not just a transfer, but part of the itinerary’s historical logic | long day |
| Samarkand → Tashkent | Afrosiyob high-speed train | The return to the capital is faster and more comfortable | about 2–2.5 hours |
| Overall pace | Walking sightseeing + mixed transport | This is a full classic country route, not a light city break | medium / above-medium pace |
Visa and safety: what to know before booking
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?
For many travellers, no visa is needed for a short tourist trip. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore can usually visit Uzbekistan visa-free. Some other nationalities can use Uzbekistan’s official e-visa system. If your passport is on neither list, a regular visa is required. Before you book, we check the current rule for your passport.
Is this route safe for travellers?
Yes — for the standard cultural trip through Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz and Samarkand, most travellers treat Uzbekistan as an easy first Silk Road destination. Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, watch your documents and valuables, and travel with insurance. This itinerary does not go near the Afghan border or other sensitive border zones.
If you plan to continue into other Central Asian countries afterwards, check each country separately rather than assuming the whole region works the same way.
What language are the excursions in?
For this English-language page, the base guiding logic is English. If you need another language, it is best to say so at the enquiry stage so we can check availability for your date.
- English: usually available for this program
- Russian: available on request
- Other languages: German, French, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and others — subject to availability
How payment works
You can pay online by Visa or Mastercard. Bank transfer is also possible by invoice, and cash is possible only after written confirmation. Because this route includes a separately priced domestic flight, we first check the key services for your date and then confirm the booking in writing.
- Online payment: Visa / Mastercard
- Bank transfer: by invoice
- Cash: only after written confirmation
- Confirmation: payment creates the order, and the final booking confirmation comes in writing after traveller details and services are checked
CAJ.UZ does not add a hidden card surcharge, but your own bank may apply currency conversion or its own fees.
Best season for this 9-day classic route
The most comfortable seasons for this itinerary are spring and autumn. At that time, city days in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand are easier to handle, and the longer travel segments are more comfortable too.
The trip is still possible in summer, but western and central Uzbekistan can be very hot, especially in Khiva and Bukhara. Winter is quieter and calmer, but mornings and evenings are noticeably cooler.
For independent background reading, open: Khiva — 1–2 day guide, Bukhara — 1–2 day guide, Samarkand — 1–2 day guide and Tashkent — what to see.
Frequently asked questions about this 9-day classic Uzbekistan tour
Is this a private tour or a fixed-date departure?
This is a private route built around your date. If you want a guaranteed fixed-date departure, the separate group program is the better comparison.
Where does this route actually start — Tashkent or Urgench?
The route starts and finishes in Tashkent. On day 2, after sightseeing in the capital, you take the flight to Urgench and continue to Khiva. So the Khiva block starts on day 2, but the tour itself starts in Tashkent.
What is included and what is paid separately?
The base rate includes 8 nights of accommodation, breakfasts and dinners as per program, sightseeing with local guides, entrance fees, air-conditioned transport on the route, the Samarkand → Tashkent train, bottled water, photo/video fees where applicable, the Khiva folklore evening and visa support if needed. Paid separately are the Tashkent → Urgench domestic flight, lunches, insurance, early check-in / late check-out, personal expenses and the visa fee if one is required.
How much does a 9 day Uzbekistan tour cost?
The public base price starts from $756 per person in a 3* double or twin room, $852 in a 3* single room, $911 in a 4* double or twin room, and $1,063 in a 4* single room. The optional full-route escort guide is +$450. The Tashkent → Urgench domestic flight is checked and priced separately for your date.
How much does the tour cost for 3 4 5 6 7 travellers?
Under the standard rooming setup, the guide price is: 3 travellers — from $2,364 in 3* and from $2,885 in 4*; 4 travellers — from $3,024 and $3,644; 5 travellers — from $3,876 and $4,707; 6 travellers — from $4,536 and $5,466; 7 travellers — from $5,388 and $6,529. These totals do not include the Tashkent → Urgench flight and they change if the room plan changes.
Is the Tashkent Urgench flight included?
No. The domestic flight Tashkent → Urgench is not included in the base rate. We check availability and the live fare for your date separately before payment.
How long is Khiva to Bukhara drive?
Usually about 7 hours on the road, depending on season, traffic, road conditions and the number of comfort stops. It is one of the two long travel days in this program.
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?
For many travellers, no visa is needed for a short tourist trip. Citizens of the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore can usually visit Uzbekistan visa-free. Some other nationalities can use the official e-visa system. If your passport is on neither list, a regular visa is required. Before you book, we check the current rule for your passport.
Is Uzbekistan safe?
For the standard cultural route through Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz and Samarkand, most travellers treat Uzbekistan as an easy first Silk Road destination. Use licensed taxis or apps, watch your documents and valuables, and travel with insurance. This itinerary does not go near the Afghan border or other sensitive border zones.
Can I customize a tour?
Yes. This is a private tour, so you can discuss hotel category, rooming setup, guide language, whether you want the domestic flight added, and some pace or logistics adjustments as long as the overall trip still works.
What are the payment options?
CAJ.UZ accepts online card payment by Visa or Mastercard, bank transfer by invoice, and cash only after written confirmation. Payment creates the order, and the final booking confirmation comes in writing after traveller details and key services are checked.
Why were these sites chosen instead of some other list?
Because the route was built not on the principle of “as many points as possible”, but on historical logic. Tashkent shows both the old and modern capital, Khiva covers the political, religious and panoramic core of Ichan-Kala, Bukhara is presented through its early, religious and commercial layers, Shahrisabz adds Timur’s own line, and Samarkand closes the route through its ceremonial, memorial, urban and scientific axis.
Is this a demanding route?
It is not an extreme trip, but it is not a lazy format either. There are two long road days in the program — Khiva → Bukhara and Bukhara → Shahrisabz → Samarkand. If you want an easier route in terms of transfers, the 6-day trip without Khiva or the 7-day central Uzbekistan program is a better fit.
What language are the excursions in?
For this page, the base guiding logic is English. Russian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese can be checked on request for your date.
How do booking confirmation and cancellation work?
Your booking becomes confirmed after written confirmation, once the hotels, train, ground services and, if needed, the domestic flight have been checked for your date. If you cancel 24 hours or more before the start, the CAJ.UZ service fee is not retained; flights, train tickets and other supplier fares can still affect the final refund amount.
How to book the classic 9-day Uzbekistan tour
Use the button below to go to booking, or contact us directly on WhatsApp.
You book directly with Central Asia Journeys (CAJ.UZ). A manager usually replies the same day. Your booking becomes confirmed in writing once the hotels, ground services, train and, if needed, the domestic flight have been checked for your date.
How booking works step by step
- Choose your date and hotel category: 3* or 4*.
- Tell us the rooming setup — who needs a double/twin room and who needs a single room.
- Specify separately whether you want the Tashkent → Urgench flight included in the calculation.
- If needed, state the guide language and additional options such as a full-route escort guide.
- Fill in the traveller details and upload passport scans on the booking page.
- Receive written confirmation after the flight, hotels, train and ground logistics are checked for your date.
Why it is safe to book here
- You book directly with CAJ.UZ, not through a marketplace.
- The key services are confirmed in writing after the data and availability are checked.
- If you cancel 24 hours or more before the start, the CAJ.UZ service fee is not retained.
Phone / WhatsApp: +998 90 922 30 73 (message on WhatsApp)
Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
Cancellation & refunds
- Cancellation 24 hours or more before the start — no CAJ.UZ service fee.
- Less than 24 hours before the start may involve a fee depending on the timing and real supplier costs.
- Flights, train tickets and other special supplier fares may affect the final refund amount.
- After approval, refunds are usually processed within 5 working days.
Useful links to compare trips and prepare for the journey
- Guaranteed Uzbekistan tour — 8-day group alternative with Khiva
- Uzbekistan all-inclusive tour — 6 days without Khiva
- 7-day Silk Road tour — Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand
- Samarkand and Bukhara in 4 days — compact cultural route
- Khiva — 1–2 day travel guide
- Bukhara — 1–2 day travel guide
- Samarkand — 1–2 day travel guide
- Tashkent — what to see and how to plan 1–2 days
- Train tickets and timetables in Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan visa information
- CAJ contact page
Lowest price guarantee.