The Silk Road and Marguzor Lakes, Adventure in Central Asia

Day 1 (Tuesday 12.05.2026): Bucharest – Istanbul

Meet the Romanian group leader at Henri Coanda Airport Bucharest‑Otopeni at 18:45. Boarding on Turkish Airlines flight TK1046 departing at 21:45 to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul at local time 23:15.

Day 2 (Wednesday 13.05.2026): Istanbul – Urgench – Khiva (the pearl of Uzbekistan)

After a short stopover in Istanbul, boarding on flight TK262 departing at 01:20. Arrival in Urgench at local time 07:10. Meeting with the local guide and private coach transfer to Khiva (40 km), for early check‑in procedures and breakfast at Hotel Asia Khiva 3* or similar.

Khiva, once crossed by the caravans of the great Silk Road, is a museum‑city which impresses by its tranquility. Once arrived in Khiva, we will find ourselves in a true medieval city. The paved streets, mosques and majestic city walls will impress even the most demanding tourist. The entire old town is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Guided walking tour in Ichan Kala (an open‑air museum under UNESCO protection), an architectural complex surrounded by a large fortified wall with four gates. Inside the old city there are more than 60 architectural monuments: palaces, mosques, madrasas, minarets and mausoleums.

Among the most important sights are: Mukhammed‑Amin‑Khan madrasa (19th c.), Kalta Minor minaret (19th c.), Kunya‑Ark fortress (19th–20th c.), Djuma Mosque (18th c.), Tash‑Khauli palace – harem (19th c.), Islam Khodja madrasa and minaret (20th c.), Pakhlavan Mahmud mausoleum (19th c.); In the afternoon, we will visit the woodworking handicraft center, after which we will have dinner at a local restaurant with folk music program and traditional dances.

Accommodation at Hotel Asia Khiva 3* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 3 (Thursday 14.05.2026): Khiva – Bukhara (city on the Silk Road)

Breakfast. We will proceed to Bukhara crossing the Kyzylkum Desert (450 km).

Accommodation in Bukhara at Hotel Orient Star Varaxsha 3* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 4 (Friday 15.05.2026): Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. We will begin exploring the city with the Ark Fortress, residence of the emirs of Bukhara, Bolo Khauz Mosque (18th c.), Chashma‑Ayub, historical cult building named after Ayyub, known in the Old Testament as Job. According to legend, the spring here has healing powers. Later in the day we will see the Samanid Mausoleum, impressive through its sober elegance and a fine example of 10th century architecture in the entire Muslim world – the burial place of the Samanids (9th–10th c.) is a masterpiece of Central Asian architecture;

In the second part of the tour we will continue with the local bazaar and its domes (Toki Saraffon, Toki‑Telpak, Toki Zargaron), Ulughbek Madrasa, Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa. We will visit the local doll workshop, Magoki‑Attari Mosque (12th, 16th c.); Liabi‑Khauz Complex: Nodir‑Divan‑beghi madrasa (17th c.), Kukeldash madrasa (16th c.), Khonako (17th c.);

During the visits, we will stop at a local tea house to savor teas with diverse spices and aromas.

Accommodation at Hotel Orient Star Varaxsha 3* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 5 (Saturday 16.05.2026): Bukhara - Samarkand (train)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the first part of the day, we will travel outside the city to visit Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the summer residence of the last emirs of Bukhara. The last emir was forced by the Soviets to leave the palace in 1920. Visit to the reception rooms and apartments (Art Museum), the Costume Museum and in the area designated for the harem, which is today the Ethnographic Museum with a select collection of traditional embroidery. We will continue the walk to Chor Minor, a colorful madrasa with four oddly shaped towers – Chor‑Minor (1807) – was used as a library for students. Private transfer to Kagan station (30 min by car) for boarding the high‑speed train “Afrosiab” to Samarkand.

Accommodation in Samarkand at Hotel Orient Star 3* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 6 (Sunday 17.05.2026): Samarkand (Pearl of the East and Mirror of the World)

Breakfast at the hotel. According to legend, Timur Lenk chose Samarkand as his capital because “the city has the cleanest air and healthy soil”. The greatest poets and philosophers of the world gave the city various names – Garden of the Soul, Pearl of the East and Mirror of the World. However, they could not describe the beauty and wealth of this city. The cultural heritage of Samarkand is great; for many centuries the city has been a key center of the great Silk Road. In contrast to the open‑air museums of Bukhara and Khiva, the historic buildings of Samarkand are spread throughout the city.

We will start the city tour which will include the Gur Emir Mausoleum, built in 1403, the tomb of the feared Timur Lenk, Registan Square, one of the remarkable models of urban development in Central Asia. The name “Registan” means “sandy place”. During Timur’s reign (1370–1405) Registan was the principal commercial area. Then, during Ulugh Bek’s rule it gained an official character. Registan is surrounded by three madrasas built between the 15th–17th c.: Ulughbek Madrasa (1417–1420), Sher‑Dor Madrasa (1619–1636) and Tillya‑Kori Madrasa (1647–1660). Today the three madrasas no longer function as educational institutions. We will visit Bibi‑Khanum Mosque, its name meaning “holy lady” and, according to legend, it is associated with Timur Lenk’s first wife, Sarai Mulk Khanum, his confidante and adviser even in political matters. If time allows, we will stroll through the local bazaar.

Accommodation in Samarkand at Hotel Orient Star 3* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 7 (Monday 18.05.2026): Samarkand – Marguzor Lakes (Tajikistan)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Uzbekistan/Tajikistan border “Jartepa” (40 km, approximately 1 hour drive). Border crossing and meeting with the local Tajikistan team. We will depart together to explore the 7 lakes in the Marguzor valley in the Fan Mountains, at over 2000 m altitude: Lake Mijgon, Lake Soya, Lake Khushyor, Lake Nophin (2 139 m altitude), Lake Khurdak, Lake Marguzor, Lake Khazorchashma (2 400 m altitude).

We will travel by vehicle to the 6th lake and the last stretch of road will be covered on foot, approximately 2 km between Lake Marguzor and Lake Khazorchashma, the most beautiful and cleanest lake in this valley, at approximately 2400 meters altitude. Lake Khazorchashma is the seventh and most spectacular lake in this series, being surrounded by impressive mountainous landscapes and exceptional vegetation, which make it an ideal place for nature and adventure lovers. The lake is renowned for clear and cold waters that reflect the surrounding mountain scenery. Lunch will be served at a local house at lake 4 (around 12:00). Return to the border by 18:00. Border crossing. Pick‑up by the Uzbek team and transfer to Samarkand.

Accommodation in Samarkand at Hotel Orient Star 3* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 8 (Tuesday 19.05.2026): Samarkand – Tashkent

Packed breakfast. Private transfer to the station for boarding the high‑speed “Afrosiab” train to Tashkent.

Today we will explore the city of Tashkent and will begin with the old part of the city, with the Khast Imam Complex, its spiritual center comprising mosques, mausoleums and other ancient architectural structures. Then we will see Kukeldash Madrasa (exterior), Chorsu Bazaar, the Applied Arts Museum which houses priceless exhibits of applied art created by masters from the 19th century to the present. We will ride the Tashkent metro, where each station has its own unique architectural features: marble, granite, glass, ceramic, alabaster and other decorations.

We will continue the panoramic tour with Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, Alisher Navoi Theatre Square.

Accommodation at Hotel Inspira S 4* or similar. Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 9 (Wednesday 20.05.2026): Tashkent - Istanbul - Bucharest

Private transfer to Tashkent airport for boarding Turkish Airlines flight TK365 departing at 06:10 to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul at local time 09:35. After stopover in Istanbul, boarding flight TK1039 departing to Bucharest at 13:15. Arrival at Otopeni‑Henri Coanda at local time 14:35.