10 Days in Uzbekistan: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary

Before You Book: Important Planning Tips

Book Your Afrosiyob Trains Early

I’ve written more about Uzbekistan’s rail network in this article, but the main things you need to know:

• Uzbekistan has a well connected rail network that will make it easy for you to get to each of the places on this itinerary without needing to rent a car.
• The tickets for the high speed Afrosiyob trains book out early. The booking window opens up 45 days in advance on the Uzbekistan Railways website. If you look at the website right now, you’ll only see dates available for the next 45 days. Once you know your dates of travel, set a calendar reminder for yourself for 45 days ahead of time, then get online and book those tickets as soon as you can.

Download YandexGo

YandexGo is the equivalent to Uber in Uzbekistan, and it’s a very affordable, and easy way to get around. You’re definitely going to want it at some point, so download the app on your phone ahead of time.

I used an Airalo e-sim to stay connected while I was in Uzbekistan. It’s much cheaper than data roaming, and other than in the middle of desert roads, I found its coverage pretty great.

Don’t Try To See Everything

I’m not exactly a relaxed kind of traveller. Every trip I take has a Notion page with a mapped out itinerary, hotel and flight details, and even the nearest Irish embassy “just in case” (Moscow, in the case of Uzbekistan fyi).

However, I really, really loathe the idea of travel as a checklist.

And look, I get it. If you’ve travelled long haul and spent precious money and annual leave days to get there, you want to make every minute count. But it’s also no fun hauling yourself out to yet another monument when you’re exhausted, sweaty, hungry, and still battling jet lag. You’re not going to appreciate it, and you’re just going to make the rest of the trip harder for yourself.

That’s especially true in Uzbekistan, where some of the best moments come from slowing down, and honestly the summer heat sometimes just means a midday nap.

For each destination on your 10 days in Uzbekistan itinerary, I’ll give you a couple of key anchor places that I’d insist a friend visit. If you’ve got the energy for more, I’ll link my “things to do” articles for each place, but it’s also totally okay if there are some days you just want to take it slow.

Uzbekistan Itinerary At A Glance

I’ll get into the nuts and bolts of each day further down, but here’s the route we’re going to be following.

One of my biggest travel-planning pet peeves when an itinerary says it’s 10 days but assumes you’re good to go on day 1 and forgets you need to travel back home.

For that reason, I’ve treated Day 1 and Day 10 as arrival and departure days. Could you squeeze in more sightseeing? Probably. But I’d rather give you a realistic itinerary that leaves room for delayed flights, jet lag, and the general unpredictability of travel.

Day 1: Arrive in Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent
Day 3: Tashkent → Samarkand
Day 4: Samarkand
Day 5: Samarkand → Bukhara
Day 6: Bukhara
Day 7: Bukhara → Khiva
Day 8: Khiva
Day 9: Khiva → Tashkent
Day 10: Tashkent & Fly Home

10 Days in Uzbekistan: Quick Booking Links

Ready to book and just want to get down to brass tacks? I’ve got various hotel recommendations and activity suggestions throughout this post, but if you’re short on time or feeling the planning fatigue, here are the main links you need to know:

Hotels

• Tashkent: Ateca Hotel
• Samarkand: Kosh Havuz Hotel
• Bukhara: Safiya Hotel
• Khiva: Khiva Orient Star

Transport

• Book Afrosiyob high speed train tickets. Further reading: my post on Uzbekistan’s rail network.
• Check flights to Uzbekistan.

Recommended Experiences

• Tashkent Walking Tour
• Bagizagan Winery Experience (Samarkand)
• Samarkand Walking Tour
• Bukhara Evening Walking Tour

Travel Essentials

My Other Posts on Uzbekistan Planning

• Things to do in Tashkent
• Things to do in Samarkand
• Things to do in Bukhara
• Things to do in Khiva
• Uzbekistan as a Vegan
• Uzbekistan for First Timers

Day 1: Arrive in Tashkent

If you’re coming in from Europe or via the Middle East, you’re likely going to be arriving in the very wee hours of the morning. I got in at 3am from London, and I have never been so grateful to see a hotel bed in my life.

If you’re also an early-lander, book your hotel for the night before, and message them ahead of time to let them know you’ll be checking in very early.

I stayed at the Ateca Suites, who have a 24 hour check in desk, but do check yours ahead of time.

If you’re coming from other parts of Asia or on certain flights from the US, you’re probably going to be arriving at a more sociable hour, but I’d still treat this as a gentle acclimatisation day rather than jumping straight into sightseeing.

If you do feel up to it, here’s my Things to do in Tashkent article. For a gentle introduction to the city, the Museum of Applied Arts is a lovely, peaceful museum that you’ll need an hour tops in.

On my own first day in Tashkent, I slept until about noon and then decided to take myself out for some vegan plov in the restaurant of the Hyatt Regency. I took my time over lunch, before heading back to the hotel to get a bit of downtime in. In the evening, I went to the now sadly closed EcoCafe vegetarian restaurant, before finishing my day in the bar of the Hotel Uzbekistan, a glass of Uzbek wine in hand and a view out over the Tashkent skyline.

Further reading: Things to do in Tashkent

Day 2: Exploring Tashkent

Tashkent is a very different city to the other places you’ll visit in Uzbekistan. While the likes of Samarkand and Bukhara are famous for their Silk Road architecture, Tashkent is a modern capital with nods to both Soviet and Uzbek history. Because of that, I think the best way to start your adventure is with a local guide who can give you a proper introduction to Uzbekistan.

Morning: Getting to Know Tashkent

Walking tours are always my favourite thing to do in a new city. They help orient you and learn more about the place you’re in, which is a lot better than wandering around bleary eyed, not knowing what you’re looking at.

On your first morning, after breakfast, you’re going to head out on a walking tour. This tour is very reasonably priced and covers many of the city’s major highlights, including Khast Imam Square, the Barakhan Madrasah, Chorsu Bazaar, and several of Tashkent’s beautiful metro stations. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions and get recommendations from a local before you continue your journey through the country.

By the time you wrap up the tour, it’ll be lunchtime, and the ideal time to get out of the heat of the day.

Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure

If you’re plant based like me, I’ve got a guide on Vegan Food in Uzbekistan here.

Regardless of dietary requirements, however, you’ll be ending the walking tour at Amir Timur Square, which is ideal for getting anywhere else in the city. Maybe you’ve already got somewhere bookmarked, or you want to head back to Chorsu Bazaar for the Plov Centre in the market. Or, maybe the heat and the jet lag are hitting you by now, and it’s time for a quick power nap back at the hotel.

After a recharge at lunch, you’re going to have a bit of a Choose Your Own Adveture:

Option 1: Museum of Applied Arts

If you only choose one option for the afternoon, I’d make it the Museum of Applied Arts. The museum is small, housed in a beautifully decorated building that was once the home of a diplomat.

One of the things that surprised me most about Uzbekistan was the sheer level of craftsmanship everywhere I looked. Seeing traditional ceramics, textiles, wood carving, and embroidery here gives you a better appreciation for the details you’ll notice throughout the rest of your trip.

You can easily get around the museum in an hour, so if you’re feeling low energy at this point, it’s a great option.

Option 2: Explore more of Tashkent’s Metro Stations

If the Museum isn’t your thing, or you already visited on your arrival day, my next recommendation is the Metro system in Tashkent. Many of the stations were built during the Soviet era and up until 2018, it was actually illegal to take photos in them as they doubled up as bomb shelters.

If you did the earlier walking tour, you’ll already have seen Kosmonavtlar station, and there are plenty of others worth seeing. If you tried to visit every single station, it’d take you about 4-5 hours, but I’ve written about some of the highlights in this article. If you only pick 2-3, I’d make them: Alisher Navoiy, Paxtakor, and Mustaqillik Maydoni.

Option 3: Return to the Hotel and Relax

I know this isn’t the exciting option you normally see on travel itineraries, but sometimes it’s the right one.

I used to feel like every single minute needed to be packed with action, but on my first day or two in Uzbekistan, it was usually around lunchtime that I really started feeling the weight of the heat and the jet lag. It’s really hard to stay excited about every new sight and its history when your body is crying out for a rest.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with heading back to your hotel for a nap, a swim, or some downtime before dinner.

One of the reasons I’ve structured this itinerary the way I have is to leave room for moments like this. Uzbekistan isn’t a country where you need to rush, and you’ll enjoy the trip so much more if you’re well rested for Samarkand tomorrow.

Evening: Skyline Views

To finish off your evening in Tashkent, I’d keep it simple. Find somewhere for dinner, maybe somewhere you’d already bookmarked or a local spot the front desk at the hotel recommends. Take a wander through the city if the temperature has started to cool, and then head to the top-floor bar at the Hotel Uzbekistan for a drink.

The Hotel Uzbekistan is an institution. You’ll have seen it on your travels through the city today. It’s one of the city’s most recognisable Soviet-era landmarks, so it’s pretty hard to miss. It originally opened in 1974 to cater to Soviet diplomats and visiting dignitaries, and local legend says that during the Soviet era, every one of the 200 hotel rooms was bugged by the KGB.

Once you enter the lobby, take the elevator up as high as you can go, and then walk up one more flight of stairs. You’ll find yourself in the bar with a view out over Tashkent.

It’s a bit of an anomaly for a hotel bar. Instead of a grand, plush lounge, it gave me distinct “GAA club in rural Ireland vibes” – a reference that only few may get, but if you know, you know. It’s oddly empty for the amount of space it has, both in clientele and furnishings. It feels like you’ve wandered into some local club, not a swish hotel bar. But for me, that was part of the charm.

I got a glass of Uzbek white wine (surprisingly sweet), then took up a spot on one of the stools facing the window. You’ll get a great view out over downtown Tashkent, skyscrapers lit up at night.

Get an early night if you can. Tomorrow morning you’ll board the Afrosiyob and head to Samarkand, home to the Registan and one of the most spectacular collections of Islamic architecture anywhere in the world.

Day 3: Train to Samarkand

Before we get into talking trains, the first thing you need to know is the booking window for the Afrosiyob high speed trains. The window opens 45 days before your departure date, and the popular routes book out fast. If you do nothing else in planning your 10 days in Uzbekistan, plan your train routes.

I’ve written more about train travel in Uzbekistan here.

Morning: Train to Samarkand

Recommended train: 08:25 Afrosiyob service.

You’re going to be taking the high speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand today, and you have three daily options:

• Depart Tashkent Central at 07:25, arrive in Samarkand at 09:43 (route 766F)
• Depart Tashkent Central at 07:55, arrive in Samarkand at 10:25 (route 768F)
• Depart Tashkent Central at 08:25, arrive in Samarkand at 10:49 (route 770F)

Personally, I would recommend the 08:25. You need to be at the station an hour before departure as there are security gates to pass through, and depending on where you’re staying, you may want to leave extra time for a Yandex in morning traffic.

Realistically, you may not have time to get breakfast before you leave, unless your hotel starts serving at 6am. There are some shops in the station, but the choices are limited.

Arriving in Samarkand

The train station is about 3.5km out of the historic city centre of Samarkand, so I’d recommend grabbing a Yandex to your hotel when you get in. Even if you’re too early to check in, you can ask to leave your bags at the front desk.

If you’re a vegan traveller, I’ve written about vegan-friendly hotels in Samarkand. Otherwise, I’d recommend booking somewhere in the historic town. Look for hotels near Registan, Bibi-Khanym Mosque or Gur-e-Amir.

Late Morning: Registan

Once you’ve dropped your bags, head straight to Registan Square. It’s Uzbekistan’s most iconic sights and one of the few places on earth that actually lives up to the photos. Spend time exploring the complex here.

Rather than repeating everything here, I’ve covered the history and practical information for Samarkand in my Things to do in Samarkand guide and detailed 2 Day Samarkand Itinerary.

Lunch

After getting in, dropping your bags, and beelining for Registan, I’d suggest slowing things down in the afternoon. Find somewhere for lunch, I like Bibi Khanum Teahouse, but maybe there’s somewhere that caught your eye earlier

One of the things I loved about Uzbekistan was how easy it feels to linger. Sitting in a shaded courtyard, reading while I worked my way through a pot of tea, or taking a long lunch after a morning sight seeing.

If you’re travelling during summer, you’re probably feeling the heat by now too. Take an hour or so to pause, get your bearings, and get a feel for where you are.

Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure

Ready for another round of Choose Your Own Adventure?

Option 1: Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum

If you’ve got plenty of energy, head to Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of the famous ruler, Amir Timur. It’s one of Samarkand’s most important historical sites, and in my opinion, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

Read more here.

Option 2: Siyob Bazaar

If you don’t have it in you to appreciate a historical site right now, the bazaar might be the change of pace you need. In the bazaar, you’ll find a total mix of things on offer: heaving stalls of freshly baked breads, colourful spices piled high, beautifully decorated ceramic homewares, and brightly patterned scarves and dresses.

The bazaar is also right next to the Bibi Khanym Mosque, which is absolutely worth a visit if you have the energy, but there’ll also be time tomorrow if you want to head back to the hotel after the bazaar.

Read more here.

Option 3: Rest at the Hotel

Yep, you’re going to see a lot of options for rest, so I don’t need to labour the point again here. If you’re wiped at this point in the day, go back to the hotel, have a nap, have a swim and recharge for the evening.

Evening: Registan by Night

Even though you’ve already visited Registan in the morning, I want you to go back in the evening. Registan by day is centuries of history, beautiful architecture, and a real cultural deep dive. Registan after dark, however, is a party that the whole city is invited to. The facades of the three famous madrasahs making up Registan square are lit up at night time, and you’ll find street vendors selling snacks and soft drinks.

Samarkand gets hot during the day, so in the evening, this is where you’ll see locals come to hang out. It’s not uncommon to see a family sharing some street food together, or little kids gleefully hopping up and down the steps, balloons waving behind them.

It’s beautiful, and it’s well worth seeing. Stay as long as you like, and then go grab some dinner before getting an early night.

Day 4: Samarkand

Morning: Shah-i-Zinda

First thing in the morning, you’re going to go to Shah-i-Zinda. This was one of my favourite places to visit, and if you end up booking the same hotel I stayed in, the Khan Hotel, you’ll be right across the road from it.

You can read more about Shah-i-Zinda in my Samarkand post here, but the short version is that this is a beautiful complex of over 20 mausoleums, making up Samarkand’s famous necropolis. It’s not the spooky, Highgate Cemetery style of resting place though. You’ll wander through narrow alleys lined with glittering blue tiles and some of the most intricate mosaic-work you’ll see in Uzbekistan.

Shah-i-Zinda is very easy to explore on your own, but there is a walking tour option. The walking tour will cover ground you covered yesterday, like Registan, and Gur-e-Amir if you chose that yesterday, but you’ll get a deeper dive and a local guide explaining the historical significance. If you choose this option, go for the 9am tour, which ends at Shah-i-Zinda.

Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure

After a pitstop for lunch, you’re back to choosing how you spend your afternoon. The choice boils down to whether you want to prioritise more historical sites and architecture, or visit one of Uzbekistan’s most famous wineries.

Option 1: Bagizagan Winery

I’ve been on winery visits all around Europe, but I never thought I’d be sitting in a cellar in Uzbekistan drinking a glass of sweet white wine.

While Uzbekistan is often associated with Silk Road history, the country also has a surprising and long standing winemaking tradition that goes back thousands of years. Many wineries were closed down during Soviet rule, so those that survived are incredibly special to visit.

I’ve written more about the Bagizagan Winery in this article. While I love a self-guided trip, it’s not always guaranteed that you’ll be let in if you just rock up in a Yandex, so if you choose this option, go for a tour. This is one of the few tours on offer that collects you from Samarkand, takes you out to Bagizagan for an afternoon of discovery and wine tasting. It’s more expensive than some of the other tours I’ve shared in this post, so if you’re on a budget, I’d save your money on other tours and go for this one if you enjoy winery visits – I’ve done it myself and found it fascinating.

Option 2: Historical Sites of Samarkand

If wine isn’t your thing, or you’d rather spend the afternoon exploring more of Samarkand’s history, then you’re going to visit the Bibi Khanym Mosque and Ulugh Beg Observatory.

I would start with the Ulugh Beg Observatory. It’s a little bit out of the city, so you’ll need a Yandex to get there. It’s a monument to a famous Timurid ruler and accomplished astronomer who was responsible for many of the gorgeous architecture of Samarkand. In the early 1400s, Ulugh Beg built a massive observatory to track the stars. It was so accurate that he managed to calculate the length of a stellar year to within one minute of what we know it to be today.

If you’ve got the time and energy for it, it’s also right next to the Afrasiab Museum, where an ancient city once sat until it was destroyed in the 13th century. It’s well worth a visit while you’re there.

Afterwards, take a Yandex back to the Bibi Khanym Mosque. It’s right next to the Siyob Bazaar, and if you didn’t already visit yesterday, it’s a great way to round out your day, browsing the stalls and picking up some souvenirs.

Evening

For your final evening in Samarkand, I’d avoid cramming in another major attraction. There is always going to be more to do and see, but you’ve also spent two full days exploring the city, and tomorrow you’ll be heading onwards to Bukhara.

Instead, I’d recommend taking things a little slower. You can head back to Registan for one last night-time glimpse, or just simply enjoy the city. Find somewhere for dinner, take a wander through the streets around your hotel, or settle into a cafe with a pot of tea and watch Samarkand go about its evening.

As I’ve mentioned, one of the beautiful things about Uzbekistan is the quieter moments: lingering over meals, quiet courtyards, watching every day life go on around you. I’ve deliberately chosen not to make this itinerary a check list of sites, but rather an experience for you to enjoy.

Tomorrow morning, you’ll catch the train on to Bukhara, which ended up being my favourite city in Uzbekistan.

Day 5: Samarkand → Bukhara

Further reading on Bukhara: Things to do in Bukhara

Morning: Train to Bukhara

Recommended train: 09:53 service from Samarkand to Bukhara (Route 766F)

There are two daily morning train services to Bukhara, one at 09:53am (route 766F), and one at 10:59 (route 770F). I’d recommend the earlier one. You’ll have enough time to get breakfast in the hotel and make your way to the train station for 9am latest, but still be in Bukhara just before lunchtime.

Arriving in Bukhara

Like with Samarkand, the train station is located outside of the old city, so get out the Yandex app and take about a 20 minute ride into the city. It’ll probably be too early for check in at your hotel, but make your way there first to drop your bags before you head back out for the day.

Afternoon: Lunch and Discovering Bukhara

After the grand, impressive buildings of Samarkand, Bukhara feels a lot more intimate and intricate. It was my favourite part of my Uzbekistan trip, largely because of the small, winding alleys and slower pace.

After you drop your bags, go get lunch somewhere. I really liked the Terrace Eco Cafe, but you won’t be wandering for long before something catches your eye.

Take your time over lunch, there’s nowhere you need to be in a hurry. Once you finish, take some time wandering the streets and discovering the little shops and merchants domes dotted around the city.

Then, head back to your hotel to check in and recharge for a little bit. If you’re like me and like to pack light, this is also an ideal time to find somewhere to do your laundry as you’re just under halfway through your trip. Hotels will usually offer this as a service, or you can do the old hotel sink trick.

Evening: Sunset Walking Tour

This evening, you’re going to take a walking tour of Bukhara and be properly introduced to this gem of a city. This walking tour departs at 17:00 and will take you around the most famous sights of the city. Spending the evening with a local guide as the sunsets over the sandy bricked city is the ideal way to spend your first night in Bukhara.

After the walking tour finishes, around 20:00, grab dinner somewhere that’s caught your eye before heading back to the hotel to get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow.

Day 6: Bukhara

At this point, you’re halfway through your 10 days in Uzbekistan, and hopefully you’ll have fallen in love with the country as much as I did. There’s a mix of options for you at this midway point, depending on where your energy levels are, but one thing you can’t miss this morning: The Ark of Bukhara.

Morning: The Ark of Bukhara & Zindon Prison

After breakfast, head out to the Ark of Bukhara. You passed it from the outside yesterday on the evening walking tour, but it’s well worth a visit inside. In its heyday, the Ark was essentially an enclosed town, and once you pass through the huge portcullis gateway, you’ll be able to explore it for yourself.

Once you’ve had your fill of the Ark, make your way over to the nearby Zindon Prison. If it sounds a bit grim, that’s because it is. It was originally used by the Emirs of Bukhara to incarcerate, and torture, their prisoners. Today, it’s just a historical monument, and not in use anymore, but if you’re into history, it’s worth a visit.

Lunch

After the Ark and Zindon Prison, go grab lunch somewhere in the Old Town. Spend time lingering over samsa or plov, before deciding what feels right for your afternoon.

Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure

After lunch, you’ve got two options for a Choose Your Own Adventure style day: Exploring regional crafts, or taking things slow and getting some shopping or rest in.

Option 1: Suzani Embroidery Workshop

Suzani embroidery is a traditional embroidery style that you’ll see all over Uzbekistan. Intricate patterns and motifs are stitched onto fabric, usually silk. If you’ve spent time wandering around bazaars or the trading domes of Bukhara, you’ve probably seen it.

This experience takes you into a real suzani studio, meeting the master craftspeople and even trying it out for yourself. They’ve got multiple slots throughout the day, choose one around 2/3pm if available so you have some time before dinner tonight.

Option 2: Slow Bukhara and Local Souvenirs

If embroidery isn’t your thing, then take it slow in the city. Bukhara is a city that’s absolutely made for wandering. If you’ve been meaning to pick up souvenirs or gifts for people back home, step into the different trading domes around the city, or step into the little shops lining the winding alleys of the old town.

And, like ever, if the heat is getting to you and you just want to chill, go get a cold drink somewhere and watch the world go by, or head back to the hotel for a power nap.

Evening: Choose Your Own Adventure

This evening, we’re going Choose Your Own Adventure again, with options both for dinner and for after dinner.

Dinner

Option 1: Dinner and a Show

Link to book tickets here.

When I was in Bukhara, one of the things I did during my stay was attend a dinner show. It’s a nightly show in the Divan Beghi Madrasa. You’ll eat in the courtyard of this beautiful former madrasah, while traditional dancers perform in front of you.

Fair warning for my fellow vegans, however, there wasn’t much on offer for me: just lentil soup, bread, and salad. If you’ve already eaten well today, and you just want to go for the experience, it is a cool experience. If you’re hungry, you’re better of skipping it in favour of Option 2.

Option 2: Quiet Dinner

If you’re a hungry vegan, or the idea of a dinner show just doesn’t appeal to you, skip it and go for a quiet dinner somewhere else in the city. Kukaldosh Garden Family Restaurant is a nice option. You’ll still have an alfresco dining experience, and can take your time over your meal in the garden.

After Dinner

After dinner, you’ve got three options:

• Head back to the hotel to get a good night’s rest before your journey to Khiva tomorrow.
• You’ve already seen Po i Kalyan on the walking tour, the complex that consists of the Kalan Mosque and Kalan Minaret. At night, it’s lit up, not as spectacularly as Samarkand, but it’s still worth a visit to see.
• Or, if you’re not ready for the night to end yet, head for The Old Barn pub. It was one of my favourite unexpected finds in Bukhara. The pub looks unimpressive from the outside, but inside, you’re down in an old cellar that looks untouched since Soviet times.

Day 7: Bukhara → Khiva

For the final leg of your 10 days in Uzbekistan, you’re heading to Khiva. I won’t lie to you, getting there is a bit of a mission, which is why many people skip Khiva. If you’ve got 10 days in Uzbekistan though, you’ve definitely got enough time to fit it in, and it is well worth it.

Travel Options

By Train

This year, Uzbekistan has launched its new Jaloliddin Manguberdi high speed train, connecting Khiva for the first time with the major cities around Uzbekistan. This train, the 752 route, only runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

As I’ve mentioned in my Uzbekistan rail guide, tickets drop 45 days before the departure date, and this particular route is going to be very popular. Set your alarm for midnight Uzbek time, 45 days before your date of travel and grab those tickets.

You’re specifically looking for the 11:14am train from Bukhara, getting in at 14:36 to Khiva. You might see 752Ж listed as the route number – that’s the one you want. The total journey time is about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Backup plan:

If you can’t get that one, your next best option is the 125F (listed as 125Ф), departing Bukhara at 06:48am (grim, I know) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. It takes 6 hours and 40 minutes. It’s technically a sleeper train, but you’ll be getting on further down the line, when other passengers are just waking up.

If you’re travelling on a Monday or a Friday, you’re out of luck for trains. You can either stay on in Bukhara for an extra day, or move on to one of the other options.

Private Transfer

If you’ve missed out on the train, or you just want to go by car, book a private transfer.

This one is the best priced one I found, at £104 GBP / $137 USD per group (up to 3 people). Obviously, it’s not cheap if you’re travelling solo, but if you team up with other folks (maybe from a hostel or if you’re already travelling in a group), it works out reasonably. Either way, it’s a 430 km journey, so you’re paying for the distance and travel time.

Honestly, if you miss the train and your only option is a private transfer, don’t sweat it. This is how I got from Bukhara to Khiva, and yeah okay, the roads are bumpy and the drive is long. But I also got to step out into the Kyzylkum Desert and look out at endless yellow sand around me. For a girl who grew up in rainy, grey Dublin, that’s pretty incredible.

The other thing to point out is that the link mentions a 6 hour travel time. Take that with a pinch of salt. There’s a lunch stop, and the driver’s happy to stop for photos, which can all start adding up if you linger (and sometimes that’s the best part of the journey). But you also need to take the roads into account. In some parts of the drive, they’re smooth and easy. In other parts, they’re rocky and bumpy. The government is trying to update the roads, but you may find parts where you need to go slower over rough terrain, or navigate around construction crews.

If you’re going for this option, aim for one of the earlier departure times, eg. around 7 or 8am, to make sure you’re arriving in Khiva early enough to enjoy your evening.

Arriving in Khiva

Regardless of whether you take the train or private transfer into Khiva, you’ll probably be arriving about mid afternoon. If you get in by train, you’ll have to get a Yandex to the old city gates. Cars can’t go past the gates, so be aware of that when packing your luggage as you may have a short walk to your hotel.

Head straight for your hotel, check in, drop your bags, and take some time to recharge and refresh in the hotel room. You’ve got 3 nights in Khiva, so you’re not in a rush to be anywhere immediately.

• Budget: Khiva Bibimariyam. Affordable, breakfast included, right in the heart of the old town. Try get one of the rooms with a balcony for an outstanding view out over the city.
• Mid-range: Khiva Orient Star. This is where I stayed, and how often can you say you stayed in a real life, historical madrasah? It’s a building that literally shows up on the Uzbek money, with the Kalta Minor minaret right next to it. 
• Luxury: You won’t really find “luxury” in some of Uzbekistan’s Old Towns in the same way we might picture it in Paris or Rome. The cities are too old and too precious to build big, modern style hotels. The Orient Star is still my top pick, but if that’s sold out, the Siyovush Hotel is my next best option.

Evening in Khiva

For your first evening, I’m not going to recommend any long tours or intense activities. You’ve had a long day of travel, and you’re better off spending the evening going for a walk around the old town, getting a good dinner, and getting a good night’s rest. Khiva is beautiful at night, and feels incredibly safe to walk through.

For dinner, the Terrassa Restaurant was my favourite. I have no shame in admitting I was here every night in Khiva. Get a seat on the rooftop or the balcony, wait for a table if you must. The views are absolutely gorgeous and will remind you why the long travel day was worth it.

Day 8: Khiva

Morning

Hey guess what your first morning has in store? That’s right, another walking tour. Look, obviously, you can skip any parts of this itinerary that aren’t your vibe, but for a city as historic and interesting as Khiva, I really think there’s no better introduction than spending a few hours with a local guide.

This tour is one of the most reasonably priced, lasting 4 hours, and taking you around some of the main stops I’d send you to anyway. Go for the 9am option, and set off from your hotel after a good breakfast.

Further reading: Things to do in Khiva.

Lunch

After the walking tour wraps up around 1pm, take yourself for lunch somewhere in the old town. If it was me, I’d have no shame in beelining back to Terrassa, but maybe there’s somewhere lovely you saw on your walk around town.

Afternoon

For the afternoon, we’ve got another round of Choose Your Own Adventure.

Option 1: Cooking Class

If you spend much time in Khiva, you’re going to see Shivit Osh somewhere. They’re the bright green noodles that are a local favourite. If you’re someone who enjoys spending time in the kitchen, spend the afternoon at a cooking class.

This experience is reasonably priced, and they’ll cater to veggies too if you let them know in advance.

Option 2: Slow Khiva

Khiva is remarkably compact, which means this is one of the easiest places in Uzbekistan to put away the itinerary and simply wander. Some of my favourite moments were spent getting lost in the maze of alleyways and stumbling across courtyards, workshops, and viewpoints I hadn’t planned to visit.

If you want to take it slower in the afternoon, why not climb the city walls, spend time shopping for ceramics and crafts, and just enjoying this beautiful city?

Option 3: Photography Walk

Khiva is arguably at its most beautiful from above, where you can appreciate the maze-like layout of the old city and the contrast between the turquoise domes and the desert beyond the walls. Climb the Islam Khoja Minaret, find rooftop bars and terraces, climb the city walls, revisit favourite spots from this morning’s walking tour, and get some great shots in.

Evening

One of the best things about staying in the Itchan Kala (old town) is that once the tour buses leave, the city becomes remarkably peaceful.

As the temperature cools, spend some time wandering through the old town without an itinerary. The crowds thin out, the monuments are illuminated, and the whole city takes on a completely different atmosphere.

If you haven’t already, this is also a great time to revisit the Kalta Minor Minaret. During the day it’s one of Khiva’s busiest photo spots, but at night it feels almost cinematic.

For dinner, we all know where I stand, and you’d find me on the rooftop of Terrassa tucking into potato dumplings and beer. Wherever you do go though, I’d still recommend aiming for a rooftop type place. At this point in 10 days in Uzbekistan, it’s easy to start feeling monument fatigue and having the shine wear off a little for you. Sitting up on a rooftop at the end of a day sightseeing, especially with the beauty of Khiva laid out in front of you, helps remind you why you’re here.

Some of my own favourite memories of Uzbekistan was the slowdown period at night where it was just me, a cold beer, and my travel journey. Looking out over centuries of history and thinking “This was just an image on Google photos, and now I’m actually right here”.

Day 9: Khiva

Since you spent yesterday exploring Khiva, I’m going to go a bit off track for your second full day here. Khiva is remarkably beautiful and you could easily spend a pleasant day continuing to roam the alleys and revisit favourite spots in the Itchan Kala. If that’s your vibe, go for it, enjoy it, tell me how it was.

But, if you’re someone who wants to squeeze everything in, this is where I’m going to suggest full day experiences. Throughout the rest of your 10 days in Uzbekistan, you’ve been on the move every 2 nights, and I’ve deliberately avoided giving you suggestions that take you away from the cities you’ve been in. Now, however, you’ve got the luxury of time, so let’s explore what you can spend it on.

Option 1: Desert Fortresses

Ever been to a castle in the desert? There are three famous desert fortresses accessible from Khiva (Ayaz-Kala, Toprak-Kala, Kyzyl-Kala), and you can visit them on tours like this one. If you pick the tour I suggested, you can choose your own departure time: whether that’s setting off early enough to have more time in Khiva tonight, or late enough to enjoy a lie in.

Option 2: Aral Sea

Once upon a time, the Aral Sea was the world’s fourth largest lake. Thanks to the Soviets rerouting rivers to water the cotton crops around Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea has now lost 90% of its water and is effectively a desert. Maybe you’ve seen the photos of desolate, rusted ships with nothing but parched earth and sand surrounding them. It’s a pretty heartbreaking story, not only for the loss of a natural lake, but for the devastation to the local eco system.

Taking a tour like this one isn’t going to be a jolly day out, but it is going to be an incredibly interesting, informative one where you can see the impact of this disaster for yourself.

Fair warning, you’re going to spend a lot of time in a car, but honestly, I think it’s worth it for something like this.

Evening

Whatever you choose to do in Khiva, you’ll most likely be up early tomorrow to fly back to Tashkent. Go for dinner in a new spot or a favourite find (I promise I’m not being sponsored by Terrassa), and let yourself just take in the last 10 days in Uzbekistan.

This country is one of the most unexpected, magical, and welcoming places I’ve ever had the pleasure to set foot. By the time I got to the end, incidentally in Khiva, I was sad to leave, but almost giddy with excitement and gratitude that I got to see it at all. If I was to do it all over again, I’d spend that last night taking it very, very slow over dinner, watching the sun set over the Itchan Kala, savouring the last potato dumplings, and only heading back to my hotel when my eyes were starting to close.

Day 10: Return to Tashkent & Departure

So finally your 10 days in Uzbekistan have come to an end, and hopefully you loved your time in the country. I’ve written this guide assuming you’re travelling either home or onward from Tashkent, so your final day is going to involve you getting from Khiva back to Tashkent.

There is no airport in Khiva itself, but the closest is Urgench, about an hour’s drive away.

Domestic flights within Uzbekistan are pretty straightforward: you’ll depart and arrive at smaller terminals, with shorter lines to get out. However, you still need to make sure you leave enough buffer to get to your onward flight. I would aim for at least 4-5 hours between your arrival time and the time of your onward flight.

With Uzbekistan Airways, there are usually about 3 direct flights a day (morning, afternoon, evening – typically). Watch out for flights with stopovers, they come up in flight search engines and usually involve a stopover in Istanbul. Not what you need. Unless you’re Turkish, in which case, lucky you.

If you feel like same day travel is too risky, you can opt to stay in Tashkent an extra night, or even cut Khiva a day short. When I did this trip myself, I was on the flight that landed in Tashkent at about 10:30am, and didn’t travel onwards to Bangkok until about 11pm. I booked a room back at the Ateca hotel so I’d have somewhere to drop my bags, shower and nap. I ended up revisiting the city during the day, then headed back to the room where I ordered food (via Yandex) and got a couple of hours’ nap before checking out at about 8pm. Would recommend.

Wherever your onward journey takes you, I hope you loved every minute of your 10 days in Uzbekistan, and I hope this itinerary helped you plan it.

Where To Stay In Uzbekistan

I’ve added hotel recommendations throughout this post, but let’s recap on my top recommendations for each place:

Tashkent

• Budget: Beshic Hostel
  • Central location, with a shared kitchen – ideal to keep costs down or anyone with dietary requirements.
• Mid-range: Ateca Suites (where I stayed)
  • Good location, 24 hour reception, English speaking staff, and well used to late-night arrivals. 
• Luxury: Hyatt Regency Tashkent
  • One of the best in the city.

Samarkand

• Budget: Sogda Guesthouse
  • This guesthouse is a short walk from Registan, has breakfast included, with a pretty outdoor dining space.
• Mid range: Khan Hotel
  • This is where I stayed, and it’s literally across the road from the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis. It’s a very comfortable hotel, with a pool in the central courtyard. 
• Luxury: Kosh Havuz Hotel
  • Samarkand doesn’t really “do” luxury hotels in the style of the Ritz, but the Kosh Havuz is a beautiful boutique hotel in the old town, with a great mix of luxury and local style. There’s a pretty courtyard, alfresco rooftop dining, and gorgeously decorated rooms. 

Bukhara

• Budget: Dervish Hostel
  • This hostel has mixed-gender and single-gender rooms, with breakfast included in the already very reasonable price. There’s a common area too, so if you’re looking to meet other travellers, this is for you. 
• Mid-range: Boutique Safiya Hotel
  • This is where I stayed, and it was right in the historic city centre. The hotel rooms surround an internal courtyard, yet it was really quiet at night and easy to get a good night’s rest. 
• Luxury: Mercure Old Town
  • As it’s a global chain, the Mercure in Bukhara leans into modern styling and conveniences, but still in keeping with traditional Uzbek style. 

Khiva

• Budget: Khiva Bibimariyam.
  • Affordable, breakfast included, right in the heart of the old town. Try get one of the rooms with a balcony for an outstanding view out over the city.
• Mid-range: Khiva Orient Star.
  • This is where I stayed, and how often can you say you stayed in a real life, historical madrasah? It’s a building that literally shows up on the Uzbek money, with the Kalta Minor minaret right next to it. 
• Luxury: 
  • You won’t really find “luxury” in some of Uzbekistan’s Old Towns in the same way we might picture it in Paris or Rome. The cities are too old and too precious to build big, modern style hotels. The Orient Star is still my top pick, but if that’s sold out, the Siyovush Hotel is my next best option.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you can get a feel from this 10 days in Uzbekistan itinerary just how much the country has to offer. From the grand, dominating architecture of Samarkand to the quiet, maze-like streets of Khiva, everywhere in Uzbekistan feels like a film set come to life. It’s dripping with history and stories of the people that made the country what it is today. From those who lived in the original khanates, to those who endured the Soviet Union years, to the younger generations turning Uzbekistan into the modern, thriving country it is today.

I have so much love for this special country, and I feel incredibly lucky that I got to experience it at a time that it’s not yet overrun by tourists. If you’re still on the fence yourself, just go. If you need convincing, email me and I’ll do it for you. Whatever you do, go, appreciate it, and come back with stories of your own.

My Other Posts on Uzbekistan Planning

• Things to do in Tashkent
• Things to do in Samarkand
• Things to do in Bukhara
• Things to do in Khiva
• Uzbekistan as a Vegan
• Uzbekistan for First Timers