Highlights
► Walking within the Inner Walls of a ‘Living Museum’ Town Called Khiva
► Having a Traditional Dinner Inside a Native’s Home
► Cruising Along the Silk Road
► Familiarizing with Central Asia’s Arguably Most Spiritual City, Bukhara
► Getting a Massage at a Traditional Bathhouse (a.k.a. Hammam)
► Wine & Cognac Tasting at a Historic Winery
► Exploring Uzbekistan’s Arguably Prettiest City, Samarkand
► Visiting Outdoor Food Stalls & Centuries-Old Markets
► Watching a Folkloric Concert
► Seeing Uzbekistan’s Modern Capital, Tashkent
► Rich Culture
► And Much, Much More...
What's Included
International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging *Some restrictions apply
Male or Female Tour Guides
Tours in English
All Ground Transportation
All Activities in the Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Your Own On-Call Concierge
Breakfasts
Dinner x 1
What to Expect on This Tour
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving into Central Asia’s Most Popular Country & Having a Traditional Dinner Inside a Native’s Home
Our tour starts in the capital that is Tashkent. Your tour with us today starts officially at 5:00pm. Please be in the lobby at this time, as your tour guide and driver should be waiting for you there. We are taken via a quick drive to a native Uzbek’s home. There we watch how traditional food is prepared as well as have dinner. The combination of tasty cuisine, rich culture and good company creates an unforgettable experience.
Day 2: Discovering the Characteristically Soviet Capital & Then Relocating to Khiva
Rebuilt as a model Soviet city following the 1966 earthquake, the capital of Uzbekistan is characteristically different from the historic gems that are Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. Nonetheless, Tashkent retains much of its charm: bazaars, mosques and more. Not least, Tashkent is home to the best restaurants in the country. In the evening, we take a flight from Tashkent to Khiva.
Day 3: Walking Through 600 Years of History in a ‘Living Museum’ Town
The old town of Khiva retains more than 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses. Having an English-speaking and professional tour guide lead us through the beautiful streets makes all the difference in our day. The most spectacular area of Khiva is called “Ichan Kala.” This is the walled inner area of the town. Since 1990, it has been protected as a World Heritage Site. The clustered array of mosques, madrassahs (religious colleges) and tiled minarets within an area of less than 3 kilometers (almost 2 miles) gives us a sense of how bustling this town historically was. Expect to see striking examples of Islamic architecture built over the span of 600 years.
Day 4: Cruising Along the Silk Road & Getting a Massage in a Turkish Bathhouse
We relocate from Khiva to one of Central Asia’s most spiritual destinations, Bukhara. Located on the Silk Road, this city has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture and religion. UNESCO has listed the historic center as a World Heritage Site. We spend as much time as possible sightseeing.
The day ends at a traditional Turkish bathhouse (a.k.a. hammam). First we head into a room heated by a continuous flow of hot and dry air. This allows us to perspire freely. We then move to an even hotter room before we wash in cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, we finally go to the cooling room for a period of relaxation.
Note: The means of transportation from Khiva to Bukhara is via train or private vehicle, depending on the group size. Flights are available on selective dates. If you prefer a flight, please tell us. If available, we will let you know the difference in price. Usually, it is not much.
Day 5: Exploring the Country's Most Spiritual Destination Followed by Folkloric Music & Dancing
Home to about 140 architectural monuments, our private driver as well as our tour guide show us Bukhara’s historical attractions. People have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia and the city has existed for half that time. We feel the heritage as we walk Bukhara’s streets and explore the sites. The evening ends at a venue where we watch folkloric dancing as well as listen to a traditional band.
Day 6: Uzbekistan's Showcase City & Most Popular Destination
After exploring Bukhara some more, we relocate to Samarkand. This city is undoubtedly a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Central Asia. Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean. In 2001, UNESCO added Samarkand to its World Heritage List.
Day 7: Wine & Cognac Tasting at a Vintage Winery, Ancient Crafts & Stunning City Architecture
Along with sightseeing, we see how Samarkand has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: gold embroidery, silk weaving, engraving on copper and painting on wood. Another highlight for today is a visit to the Khovrenko winery. Its history dates back to the early 19th century. This is when a Russian pioneer winemaker launched his first wine production in the region. We taste some of the best varieties of Uzbek wines and different types of local cognac.
Day 8: Our Tour Ends Today
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Samarkand (no additional charge) or Tashkent (an additional charge), whichever you prefer.
Customer Reviews
The most important thing I can tell about this trip is that Charlie the Traveler & his ground operators were available at all times & worked miracles when needed. For instance when my son left a beloved object he had purchased, Charlie arranged a rendezvous-vous in another town 40 miles away along our travel route & it was recovered. My son said “these things never happen”, but Charlie made it so. We were in capable, conscientious hands everywhere we went thanks to Charlie & his colleagues.
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The trip to Uzbekistan was unique and original, which was right down my alley. I felt it was well-organized and flowed perfectly for what I was looking for in a trip. I never knew there was so much quality activities in this country and I am very pleased CharlieTheTraveler included so many of them on this trip. The dinner at the resident’s home was unlike any trip I’ve been on. There could not be a more authentic dinner than a home-cooked meal by a native Uzbek! This was truly the most unique experience I’ve had while on a trip.
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This was a great trip! CharlieTheTraveler exceeded my expectations in the trip to Uzbekistan in the activities included, dinners included, and the other accommodations. I felt safe and in good hands the entire time, as I wasn’t just dropped off and left to my own devices like with other tour groups. Exploring Tashkent was the highlight of the trip for me. I appreciated that this tour allowed me to be immersed in the culture. I was able to experience the best sites and cuisine of the country in this city. It was also excellent for the second day of the trip as to allow us to get accustomed to the area.
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I never thought Uzbekistan would be the ideal trip destination, but when I was researching what trips CharlieTheTraveler offered, I was amazed at what they promised in this trip. I was even more blown away when they stayed true to everything they promised, as many touring companies always have some activity that falls through. We did everything and got everything that I expected!
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I was bored of “normal” vacations and wanted something different and interesting. Upon finding CharlieTheTraveler’s trips and seeing positive reviews across the board, I decided on the Uzbekistan trip. I have absolutely no regrets as the trip was a unique experience that I would not have gotten if I planned the trip myself. I would have never known so much about the history or culture and been able to truly appreciate it as the company allowed me to do.
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This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was unlike any other sight seeing tour I’ve done, as all of the activities were well executed and it was obvious CharlieTheTraveler was very familiar with the area (and the people!). I will be looking into the company to see what other tours I could book for myself! I enjoyed every part of Bukhara. I appreciated our tour guide stayed with us while exploring all of the sites in the city. He also had great recommendations for restaurants for lunch, which was refreshing, as I am used to having to research all of that on my own. When I say the company and tour guide knew the area, I mean it! They knew more than I ever expected!
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What I liked about this trip compared to others I have been with other touring companies is this trip was not centered on adrenaline-pumping activities. Many companies hide the fact they don’t know much about an area or culture with tons of activities, but it was evident CharlieTheTraveler knew the culture of Uzbekistan and focused on the rich history of the area in their activities. There was no need for anything else!
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I’m not into tourist-ridden destinations and I don’t like tacky tours that just show me what the culture is like. Thankfully CharlieTheTraveler had none of this. The Uzbekistan trip was as authentic as possible, which even included a unique dinner with a native. I would have never gotten that experience with any other company!
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Uzbekistan was such a unique and wonderful destination. I would have never thought to have gone here if it had not been for CharlieTheTraveler. They offered an organized trip full of immersion into the rich culture of the country. It was an enlightening experience for me! The Silk Road was fascinating to explore. My favorite part of it, however, had to be the Turkish bathhouse. It was such a unique spa-like experience that was perfect for the middle of the trip. I also appreciated this was done at night after a long day of exploring as to allow me to relax and reflect on everything I saw!
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I am still impressed with how much the tour guide provided by CharlieTheTraveler knew about the area. From the first day, I felt safe as we explored an area I would have been lost in had I gone by myself. The country has rich historical and cultural roots which made the trip very interesting. The tour guide was personable and made my trip to Uzbekistan worth every penny!
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Most other companies would have charged me a lot more for a trip that I could have done anywhere. The trip to Uzbekistan by CharlieTheTraveler was reasonably priced and was a true cultural immersion. I found Khiva such an interesting city. I enjoyed learning about the history and the Islamic roots. I knew a little bit about Islam before this trip (thank you college course!) but the tour guide conveyed so much more about the culture than I ever knew. I was very impressed by everything! It was a wonderful experience!
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CharlieTheTraveler had an excellent array of activities planned for the Uzbekistan trip. I’m very glad I went on it! I enjoyed everything and gained insight into the culture and history of the country. My favorite part of the city was the bazaars and being able to converse with natives. I can’t wait to go on my next tour with this company!
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The trip to Uzbekistan planned by CharlieTheTraveler was better than anything I could have planned. I was so intrigued by how knowledgeable my tour guide was about the country. I also appreciated that we not only got to learn about the culture, but we got to live it. I would definitely go back and do it again with this company!
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I wanted a trip that wasn’t just a tourist attraction but was intriguing and different. I definitely got everything I wanted in a trip with CharlieTheTraveler’s trip to Uzbekistan. The tour guide made for an exciting trip of exploration and I appreciated that there was so much planned for me without me having to lift a finger. There was also a bit of autonomy in my exploring which I enjoyed being able to break off from the group and walk around myself.
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I found the trip to Uzbekistan a perfect cultural experience. I was immersed in the culture which made it much easier to appreciate all of the sites we visited. I work in construction, so I loved seeing the architecture of the buildings and learning more about it from the tour guide. This was a spiritual and educational experience for me.
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I have only positive things to say about my trip to Uzbekistan with this company. CharlieTheTraveler provided first class service at all times. It was easy for the tour guide to personalize the trip for us as there was only a small group, as opposed to other companies that have huge tour groups. I felt at ease and was able to enjoy the sites more so than I have ever been able to do on any trip.
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After my research into CharlieTheTraveler, it was very settling and reassuring to find so many positive reviews about all of their trips. I felt drawn to book the Uzbekistan for the cultural aspects of the trip, as I am a fan of experiencing world cultures. Uzbekistan has a wonderful culture at its core, and this trip highlighted each part of that culture. My favorite tour was around Samarkand. The company met all of my expectations!
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This company made booking a trip very easy. I booked a trip to Uzbekistan and everything I needed to know and plan for was laid out for me. It was stress free and painless. Ichan Kala was a brilliant site to visit. The area was well preserved and held so much history and culture. This was a perfect stop on our tour and I am happy this company included it! Otherwise I would have missed out on a wonderful cultural experience. I don’t think I will take a trip again if it’s not with CharlieTheTraveler!
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Traveling is rarely worth the stress and headaches planning causes. However, I found CharlieTheTraveler was incredibly easy to book through. The Uzbekistan was right up my alley, as I have an interest in the Islamic culture. The architecture tour was intriguing and educational for me, which I loved. This was such a great trip and totally worth it!
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My trip to Uzbekistan brought me on a cultural experience I don’t think I would have ever gotten elsewhere. I was very impressed with the tour guide’s knowledge and the organization of all of that was planned. I fully believe you can learn a lot about a country by their wine, so the wine tasting was a nice touch to the trip.
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What I look for in a trip is a balance of activities. I feel CharlieTheTraveler did a great job planning the trip to Uzbekistan as it had a good balance of cultural experiences and natural excursions. The native culture is very interesting but the country is also beautiful so I am happy I was able to experience both on this trip!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Financing Offered for This Tour?
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “Uzbekistan in 10 Days” tour is available for $1,958 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except flights. It also includes English-speaking tour guides, food, all activities and all entry fees. If you would like lodging included for all nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guides, food, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $2,378 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that whereas there is no fee associated with paying by check, there is a 3.5 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1. How many persons in your party-including yourself-would be joining this tour? Solo travelers are welcomed, in case you were wondering.
2. Do you prefer this tour to be private/exclusive to you or would you like to share it with other travelers?
3. Would you be sharing the room with others in your group (e.g. a spouse, relative or friend) or do you want the room exclusive to you?
4. Where would you be flying from (and back to)?
5. On what date would you like to leave home?
6. Would you like to extend the duration of this tour so you have some free days just to relax? If you have 1 extra day, then we recommend Bukhara. If you have 2, then we recommend 1 in Bukhara and 1 in Khiva.
7. Do you have a preference between male and female tour guides?
What’s Excluded in the Price?
Any international airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Are Domestic Flights Needed for This Tour?
Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour:
Day 2: Tashkent to Urgench
Day 4: Urgench to Bukhara
At What Specific Hotels Would We Be Staying?
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Night 1: Tashkent, Preferred Accommodation: The Hyatt Regency or Hampton by Hilton
Nights 2-3: Khiva, Preferred Accommodation: Erkin Palace or Zarafshon Boutique
Nights 4-5: Bukhara, Preferred Accommodation: Sahid Zarafshon Hotel or Hotel DiliMah Premium Luxury
Nights 6-7: Samarkand, Preferred Accommodation: Hotel DiliMah Premium Luxury or Hotel Royal Samarkand
Is This a Private or Group Tour?
This entire tour is exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.
Am I Sharing the Room with Someone?
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
What is the Age Range & Nationality of the People Who Book This Tour?
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Are Kids Allowed on This Tour & Are They Charged the Same as Adults?
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
How Strong Do I Need to Be For This Trip?
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Are Disabled People Allowed on This Tour?
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Do I Get Any Free Time to Myself?
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
What Happens If I Arrive Late?
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Can I Opt-Out of Certain Activities?
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
What Happens If I Get Injured on This Trip & Cannot Continue?
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
What Happens If I Cancel This Trip?
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
What Happens If You, CharlieTheTraveler, Cancel This Trip?
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation. Note: We are not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, nor is this transaction covered by the Restitution Fund.
How Do You Help Prepare Us For This Trip?
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email is more like a timetable combined with important contact information.
Is There Anything Out of the Ordinary I Should Bring on This Trip?
Other than possibly needing adapters for your electronic devices, no.
Is CharlieTheTraveler Licensed & Which State in America Issued it?
The owner of the travel license is the same owner of CharlieTheTraveler. Charlie is a California born and bred resident. The company is headquartered in Greater Los Angeles. The registration number is CST 2136740-70. Please note that travel agents registered as a seller of travel in California does not constitute approval by the State. Also please note that California law requires sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. CharlieTheTraveler has a trust account.
Are the Tour Guides Licensed & Will They Be With Me the Entire Time?
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
Are We Required to Have Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all of our customers, for their protection and safety. CharlieTheTraveler does not sell travel insurance. We cannot endorse any specific company. Please check out different companies online and go with the one which offers the most comprehensive coverage.
In Which Language(s) is This Tour Offered?
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Can We Customize This Tour?
Although we are open to customizing this tour to fit your liking, as a general rule, we discourage the practice. We do our best to keep the cost of the tour low. The more we customize it, the quicker the price goes up. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
Do We Need to Get Our Own Transportation to and From the Airport?
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Is Someone Available for Us 24-7 While on This Tour?
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Where Can I Read About All of Your Terms & Conditions?
Why Our Tours Beat Competition
- We routinely pick up the phone and otherwise respond to messages quickly and thoroughly.
- We do not cancel because of group size turnout, unlike with most competitors.
- Virtually no company offers multiday tours as comprehensive as ours. This is a verifiable fact.
- We do not charge solo travelers single supplements for the tours.
- For most of our tours, you can start on any date.
- We have hundreds of 5-star reviews online.
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