Desert Castles of Uzbekistan & the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan

Highlights

• Toprak Kala and Ayaz Kala, fortresses of ancient Khorezm
• Traditional lunch in a Kazakh-style yurt near Ayaz Kala
• A full day inside Khiva’s Ichan-Kala
• The Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) of the Fann Mountains, from 1,598 m to 2,400 m
• Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Amir Timur, over the Takhtakaracha Pass
• High-speed train from Samarkand to Tashkent

By airBy road

1. 1 TashkentDays 2–3, 10–11 By air → Khiva
2. 2 KhivaDays 3–5
3. 3 Desert fortresses of Khorezm By road → Bukhara
4. 4 BukharaDays 5–7
5. 5 SamarkandDays 7–10
6. 6 Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) By road → Shakhrisabz
7. 7 ShakhrisabzDay 9 By road → Tashkent

Positions are exact; lines show the order of the route, not the road.

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. 8
9. 9
10. 10
11. 11

1. Day 1Italy – Istanbul (International Flight)

   Departure from Bologna, Rome, Milan, or other Italian cities on Turkish Airlines flight TK368 via Istanbul to Tashkent.

2. Day 2Istanbul – Tashkent (International Flight)

   Arrival in Tashkent at 07:40.

   Meet and greet by our local team, followed by transfer to the hotel.

   (Check-in is available from 12:00.)

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Begin your sightseeing tour of Tashkent, the modern capital of Uzbekistan, almost entirely rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1966.

   Visit the Khast Imam Complex, the religious heart of the city, including:

   • Barak Khan Madrasah;
   • Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum;
   • Djami Mosque;
   • Chorsu Bazaar.

   Continue with a panoramic tour of the modern part of Tashkent:

   • Independence Square;
   • Amir Temur Square;
   • Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre (outside visit).

   The tour concludes with a visit to the famous Tashkent Metro, considered one of the most beautiful underground systems in the world, where every station features its own unique artistic design.

   Overnight at the hotel.

3. Day 3Tashkent – Urgench – KhivaDomestic flight + 35 km

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Early morning transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Urgench.

   Drive to Khiva (35 km).

   A full day dedicated to exploring Ichan Kala, the ancient walled city of Khiva, dating back to the 5th century BC and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

   The sightseeing tour begins at the Ata Darvaza West Gate.

   Visit:

   • Muhammad Amin Khan Complex;
   • Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah;
   • Kalta Minor Minaret;
   • Kunya Ark Fortress, the former residence of the Khivan Khans, including the Reception Hall, the Royal Mosque and the Harem.

   Continue with visits to:

   • Juma Mosque, famous for its 213 carved wooden columns;
   • Tash Khauli Palace with its Harem, Reception Hall and Court Hall;
   • Islam Khodja Complex, including the Madrasah and the tallest minaret in Khiva;
   • Palvan Darvaza, the Eastern Gate of the old city.

   Overnight at the hotel.

4. Day 4Khiva

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Continue discovering the architectural treasures of Khiva.

   Visit the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, the city's patron saint, renowned poet, philosopher and legendary wrestler. It is one of the holiest and most beautiful monuments in Khiva.

   Continue with visits to:

   • Ak Masjid (White Mosque);
   • Allakuli Khan Madrasah;
   • Kutlug Murad Inak Madrasah;
   • the Royal Caravanserai;
   • the historic Oriental Bazaar.

   Free time to stroll through the charming streets of the old city and enjoy its unique atmosphere.

   Overnight at the hotel.

5. Day 5Khiva – Desert Castles (Toprak Kala & Ayaz Kala) – Urgench – Bukhara400 km – Train

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Depart for the Kyzylkum Desert ("Red Sands"), one of the largest deserts in Central Asia, covering approximately 300,000 km² between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

   Arrive in the Ellikkala region, once crossed by the legendary Oxus River (Amu Darya). In ancient times, this was a prosperous land filled with fortified settlements before the river changed its course.

   Visit the archaeological remains of the ancient Oxus Civilization, one of the earliest civilizations in Central Asia.

   Continue exploring two remarkable ancient fortresses:

   • Toprak Kala, the former capital of ancient Khorezm, dating back to the 1st century AD;
   • Ayaz Kala, an impressive fortress built in the 3rd century BC, overlooking the vast desert landscape.

   Enjoy a traditional lunch in a Kazakh-style yurt near Ayaz Kala Fortress.

   Transfer to Urgench Railway Station.

   Board the train to Bukhara.

   Arrival in Bukhara and transfer to the hotel.

   Overnight at the hotel.

6. Day 6Bukhara

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   A full day dedicated to discovering Bukhara, one of the oldest and best-preserved cities along the Silk Road and a true open-air museum.

   Visits include:

   • the Samanid Mausoleum, a masterpiece of 9th-century architecture;
   • the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum ("Job's Spring");
   • the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque;
   • the Ark Fortress (outside visit), the former residence of the Emirs of Bukhara;
   • Chor Minor, the famous "Four Minarets" Madrasah with its unique architecture.

   Continue to the magnificent Poi Kalon Complex, consisting of:

   • the Kalon Minaret (12th century);
   • the Kalon Friday Mosque;
   • the historic Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.

   Continue with the Lyabi Hauz Complex, including:

   • Nadir Divan Begi Khanaka;
   • Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah;
   • Kukeldash Madrasah.

   Visit the historic covered trading domes of the 16th century:

   • Toki Zargaron (Jewellers' Bazaar);
   • Toki Telpak Furushon (Hat Makers' Bazaar);
   • Toki Sarrafon (Money Changers' Bazaar).

   Overnight at the hotel.

7. Day 7Bukhara – Samarkand260 km

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Drive to Samarkand, the legendary jewel of the Silk Road and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

   Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

   Begin the sightseeing tour at the spectacular Registan Square, undoubtedly one of the finest architectural ensembles in Central Asia.

   Visit its three magnificent madrasahs:

   • Ulugh Beg Madrasah;
   • Sher-Dor Madrasah;
   • Tilla-Kari Madrasah.

   The buildings are richly decorated with intricate mosaics, glazed ceramic tiles and lapis lazuli ornaments, creating one of the most breathtaking masterpieces of Islamic architecture.

   Continue to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) and the Timurid dynasty, famous for its magnificent fluted turquoise dome.

   Overnight at the hotel.

8. Day 8Samarkand – The Seven Lakes of Tajikistan – Samarkand

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Early morning departure for Tajikistan to explore the spectacular Seven Lakes (Haft Kul), located in the picturesque Fann Mountains near the historic city of Panjakent.

   Connected by the Shing River, these seven alpine lakes are famous for their crystal-clear waters, whose colors change throughout the day—from turquoise and sapphire blue to emerald green and violet.

   The excursion includes visits to:

   • Mizhgon (1,598 m), the lowest lake, with beautiful turquoise and blue-violet waters;
   • Soya (1,701 m), nestled in a narrow valley where sunlight reaches only for a short time each day;
   • Gushor (1,770 m), surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery;
   • Nofin (1,820 m), the longest lake, known for its reddish reflections under certain light conditions;
   • Khurdak (1,870 m), the smallest of the seven lakes;
   • Marguzor (2,139 m), the largest and arguably the most beautiful lake, famous for its jade-blue waters;
   • Hazorchashma (2,400 m), the highest lake, whose name means "A Thousand Springs," fed by countless natural springs and mountain streams.

   This unforgettable excursion offers breathtaking mountain landscapes, pristine lakes, and authentic Tajik villages.

   Return to Samarkand.

   Overnight at the hotel.

9. Day 9Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand180 km by road

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Drive to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), crossing the scenic Takhtakaracha Pass at an altitude of 1,860 meters.

   A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shakhrisabz preserves remarkable monuments from the Timurid Empire.

   Visits include:

   • the impressive ruins of Ak Saray Palace, Timur's magnificent summer residence;
   • Kok Gumbaz Mosque ("Blue Dome Mosque");
   • the Friday Mosque;
   • the Dorut Tilavat Complex, one of the city's most important religious monuments;
   • the Crypt of Amir Timur.

   Lunch at a traditional local restaurant.

   Return to Samarkand.

   Overnight at the hotel.

10. Day 10Samarkand – Tashkent280 km – High-Speed Train

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Continue exploring the architectural wonders of Samarkand.

    Visits include:

    • Ulugh Beg Observatory, home to the world's largest astronomical sextant of the 15th century;
    • the Mausoleum of Saint Daniel, a sacred pilgrimage site revered by followers of several religions;
    • the spectacular Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, one of the finest architectural masterpieces of Central Asia;
    • the monumental Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Amir Timur in honor of his beloved wife;
    • the lively Siyob Bazaar, the oldest and most famous market in Samarkand.

    In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station.

    Board the high-speed train to Tashkent.

    Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

    Overnight at the hotel.

11. Day 11Tashkent – Istanbul – Italy

    Early morning transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

    Check in for Turkish Airlines flight TK369 to Istanbul, with onward connections to Italy.

    End of the tour and our services.

Hotels, transport & meals

Gallery

Experiences on this tour

• Desert fortresses and a yurt campClay castles of ancient Khorezm, and lunch or a night in a yurt below Ayaz Kala.
• Seven Lakes day trip from SamarkandCross into Tajikistan for a day among the turquoise lakes of the Fann Mountains.
• High-speed train across UzbekistanRide the Afrosiyob between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.

Questions about this tour