Travel across Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities by rail and private bus, from Khiva to Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent, with immersive cultural experiences along the way.
  • Explore Khiva’s old town, from Kunya Ark to Islam Khodja Minaret.
  • Learn to cook shivit oshi during a Khiva masterclass.
  • Visit Ayaz Kala fortress rising from the plains.
  • Explore Bukhara’s Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Ark fortress, and Poi Kalyan.
  • Attend a traditional folk performance in a historic madrasah courtyard.
  • Stand on Registan Square and visit Gur-e Amir mausoleum.
  • Meet master artisans in miniature painting and traditional papermaking.
  • Ride Tashkent’s metro and tour the Alisher Navoi Theatre.

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.



The typical hotels we use are on the daily itinerary but below are some of the standout hotels we use in our 2027 departures.



Khiva: Kamil Palace (nights 1-2)



Step straight into Khiva’s walled old city from this small hotel set just outside Khiva’s walled old city. Many of the city’s mosques, minarets and madrassas are just a few minutes away on foot. Traditional Uzbek design features throughout, while a quiet courtyard provides a welcome pause after exploring the Silk Road streets.



Bukhara: Zargaron Boutique (nights 3-4)



Base yourself in the historic heart of Bukhara, within a five-minute walk of the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble. Rooms feature handcrafted Uzbek details and warm textiles, while a rooftop terrace offers views across the domes and minarets of the old city—an atmospheric spot as evening settles in.



Samarkand: Zarafshon Parkside (nights 5-6)



End the adventure beside one of Samarkand’s green parks at this refined boutique near the city centre. The Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum is around a 10-minute walk away, while spacious rooms provide a relaxed place to unwind after visiting the grand monuments of the Silk Road city.



Worth knowing



Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

2026 departures: On some dates, we use hotels in Khiva and Samarkand of a different standard or location to those used on other departures. Where this is the case, the alternative hotels are mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary