Vanishing Sea and the Forgotten Cities

Upon arrival in Tashkent, the nation’s capital, we’ll meet you at the airport and greet you with a small welcome gift: a reusable shopper made by local artisans. It’s a simple thing, but it reflects how we travel thoughtfully and with care for the places we visit. The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore at your own pace. Tashkent is a city of contrasts broad Soviet-era avenues stand alongside quiet mahallas and colorful bazaars. Whether you take a gentle walk, sip tea in a local cafe, or simply relax after your flight, the city's calm rhythm offers a soft landing into Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, begin your city tour in Tashkent’s Old Town. At the Khast-Imam Complex, discover one of the world’s oldest Qurans and elegant Islamic architecture still at the heart of local spiritual life. Wander through the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar, where colors, scents, and sounds recall the rhythms of the Silk Road. A walk through a traditional mahalla reveals quiet courtyards where neighbors still greet each other by name. In the New City, visit the Monument of Courage, commemorating the 1966 earthquake and the city’s rebirth. See Independence Square, the nation’s civic center, and the former Romanov Palace, a rare Russian imperial footprint in Central Asia. Stroll down lively Amir Timur Square and Broadway Street, lined with cats and local artists. End your day with a ride on the Tashkent Metro, known for its ornate, museum-like stations. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

After breakfast, transfer to the station for your train to Samarkand. Traveling by train offers a smooth and eco-conscious way to move across the country while taking in the changing landscape. Your tour begins at the majestic Gur-Emir Mausoleum, final resting place of Timur, where blue domes and carved stone tell stories of power and vision. Then walk into the breathtaking Registan Square, a symbol of Central Asia’s golden age three madrasas standing like open books of history. Visit the towering Bibi-Khanum Mosque, once among the largest in the Islamic world, then stroll through the lively Siab Bazaar, where locals shop for fresh bread, fruit, and spices. End the day at the deeply moving Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble, a narrow avenue of beautifully tiled mausoleums that blend architecture with quiet reverence. Transfer to your hotel. Free time. Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast, begin the day with a hands-on many cooking class, learning to prepare these beloved steamed dumplings a dish often shared at family tables across Uzbekistan. Continue with a visit to the Paper Mill, where artisans revive the ancient technique of making paper from mulberry bark. Set in a peaceful riverside village, this workshop preserves traditional skills in a way that’s both sustainable and beautiful. Next, step into the Observatory, once one of the world’s finest. Built in the 15th century, it reflects the scientific brilliance of a ruler who charted the stars before Europe’s Renaissance had begun. Visit the quiet Mausoleum of Saint Daniel, a sacred site respected by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. End the day at a silk carpet factory, where every knot is tied by hand a slow art that supports women and preserves heritage. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast, depart for Shakhrisabz, crossing the scenic Kitab Pass, where winding roads offer sweeping views mountains a reminder of how geography shaped ancient trade and empire. Your first stop is the dramatic Devil’s Plateau, a rugged natural formation tied to local legends and stunning landscapes. In Shakhrisabz, explore the Mausoleums of Jahangir and Omar Sheikh, where Timur’s family is buried. Then stand before the remains of Ak-Saray Palace, once a monumental seat of power, now a poetic ruin crowned by a towering portal. Visit the solemn Dorus-Saodat complex, a royal burial ground, and the beautifully restored Kuk-Gumbaz Mosque, with its signature blue dome and elegant brickwork. Return to Samarkand in the late afternoon. Free time for rest or evening strolls. Overnight in Samarkand.

After breakfast, transfer to the station for your train to Bukhara. Travel by train is both comfortable and environmentally conscious offering time to relax and enjoy the landscapes between two great Silk Road cities. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to leave luggage or check in if rooms are ready, followed by a break for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa, the elegant summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara. Its design blends European influence with local artistry mirrored halls, painted ceilings, and quiet courtyards reflect a fading world of royalty and reform. In the evening, enjoy a folk dinner in a historic madrasa, where traditional music, dance, and cuisine come together in a warm, atmospheric setting. Free time after dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Start the day with a plow and painting masterclass, combining two essential Uzbek arts food and ornament. Prepare the nation’s signature dish and create your own small artwork inspired by traditional patterns. Then begin your walking tour through Bukhara’s old town, where history unfolds at every turn. Visit the tranquil Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, surrounded by madrasas like Kukeldash and Divan-Begi, where religious life once thrived. See the Poi Kalyan Complex, crowned by the iconic minaret that once guided caravans. Admire the intricate designs of Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah, and view the mighty Ark Citadel, a fortress of emirs and legend. Pause at the peaceful Bolo Hauz Mosque, and explore the covered bazaars, where the scent of spices and sounds of copperwork still echo. End at the Samanid Mausoleum and sacred Chashma-Ayub Spring. Free time. Overnight in Bukhara.

An early start today. After picking up your packed breakfast, transfer to the station for your 07:12 AM train to Khiva, traveling in a private coupe. The journey crosses vast desert landscapes a route once followed by merchants and caravans. Arrive in Khiva at 12:47 PM and transfer to your hotel. Check-in if rooms are available, or relax until the afternoon. At 4:00 PM, take part in a cooking class focused on Shivit Oshi Khiva’s bright green noodle dish flavored with fresh herbs and local yogurt. It’s a unique recipe rarely found outside the region, rooted in seasonal, plant-based tradition. After enjoying your meal, the rest of the day is free to settle in or take a quiet walk near the old city walls as evening falls. Overnight in Khiva.

After breakfast, begin your tour of Khiva, one of the best-preserved cities on the Silk Road. Enclosed within its ancient mud brick walls, the old town of Ichan-Kala feels like stepping into a history book but with life still unfolding in its quiet streets. Start at Kunya-Ark, a fortified complex that once housed the khans a city within the city. Continue to the Tash-Khovli Palace, where wooden columns and tile-covered courtyards reflect the refined tastes rulers. Visit the towering Kalta-Minor Minaret, wrapped in vivid turquoise tiles. Explore the ornate Muhammad Amin Khan and Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrasas, the solemn Juma Mosque with its forest of carved columns, and the Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, honoring the city’s poet-saint and protector. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Khiva.

Hidden among the sands are the remnants of Ancient Khorezm, a forgotten kingdom older than the Silk Road itself. Visit Kyzyl-Kala, a reddish clay fortress that once guarded irrigation canals and trade routes. Nearby lies Toprak-Kala, once a royal city its layout, walls, and palace ruins offer rare insight into a pre-Islamic civilization. Continue to the dramatic Ayaz-Kala, perched above the desert plains. These windswept ruins evoke a time when caravans crossed these vast spaces under stars, and fortresses watched the horizon for days. Return to Khiva in the afternoon. Free time to reflect or wander the quiet streets once more. Overnight in Khiva.

After breakfast, depart for Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan. Along the way, visit the Tower of Silence, a Zoroastrian. This ancient structure offers a glimpse into pre-Islamic burial rites and the region’s rich spiritual heritage. Arrive in Nukus and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to visit the world-famous Savitsky Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Soviet avant-garde and Central Asian art a hidden gem that reveals the creative spirit and resilience of this remote region. Evening at leisure to explore Nukus at your own pace. Overnight in Nukus.

Today, the sea has mostly disappeared, leaving behind haunting landscapes and stories of resilience. Visit the famous Ship Cemetery, where rusting vessels rest on dry land a powerful symbol of environmental change. Explore the Muynak Regional Museum, and watch a short film recounting the town’s rich past and challenging present. Enjoy lunch at a local guest house before driving across the former seabed toward the Ustyurt Plateau. Arrive at the remaining waters of the Aral Sea around and take a walk along the shoreline, or even swim. In the evening, settle into a traditional Karakalpak yurt camp by the sea. Facilities include clean fresh water and toilets. Under a sky blanketed with stars, experience the profound silence and natural sounds of this remote wilderness. Overnight in the yurt camp.

Rise early between 5:00 and 7:00 AM to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Aral Sea, a moment of quiet reflection amid vast, changing landscapes. After breakfast, begin your return journey at 8:00 AM. Visit Kurgancha-Kala, a fortified trading post, which once stood on the Silk Road, guarding commerce and culture. Stop at Kubla-Ustyurt, a small Soviet-era gas workers’ settlement a glimpse of modern history amid ancient lands. Explore the abandoned fishing village of Urga by Lake Sudochye, where silence speaks volumes about environmental change. Enjoy lunch at a local café. In the afternoon, visit the sacred Mizdakhan complex, steeped in legend as the site of the “world’s clock” or the “clock of the first man,” blending history, myth, and spirituality. Arrive in Nukus and transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Nukus. Take this final morning to relax, reflect on your journey, or explore a little more if time allows. Check-out is at 12:00 PM, followed by a transfer to Nukus airport for your onward flight. As you leave this remote and fascinating region, carry with you memories of ancient cities, vast deserts, warm hospitality, and the enduring spirit of Central Asia. Safe travels and thank you for discovering Uzbekistan with us.