Welcome to Samarkand
No name is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand (Samarqand). For most people it has the mythical resonance of Zanzibar or Timbuktu, fixed in the Western popular imagination by imaginative poets and playwrights, few of whom saw the city in the flesh.
Top experiences in Samarkand
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Samarkand activities
Wine Tasting Tour in Samarkand
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Samarkand in the morning or afternoon and drive you to Khovrenko Winery. Start by browsing through the Samarkand Museum of Winemaking, located at the winery, to learn about its history. Hear from your guide about the scientist who redesigned methods for producing award-winning vintage wines, earning prestigious recognition from worldwide competitions with multiple gold and silver medals.Taste 10 of the best varieties of Uzbek wines and two types of cognac produced by Khovrenko Winery — Sherdor and Samarkand — famous throughout central Asia.After wine tasting, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Samarkand where your tour concludes.
4-Day Pearls of Uzbekistan Tour
Day 1 (L,D): Tashkent - Bukhara (by Air) You will be greeted and picked up at Tashkent International Airport by your English-speaking guide around 9:00 am. Visit the Broadway of Amir Timur, Statue of Independence and Madrassah Barak Khan - was built by Suyunuj Khan – first Khan of Uzbek dynasty (XVI c.). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Later you will be transferred to the local airport of Tashkent and take a flight to Bukhara. Upon arrival in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Overnight stay in Bukhara. Day 2 (B,L,D): Bukhara After breakfast visit the Mausoleum Ismail Samani – the oldest building in the Central Asia (IX-X c.), Chashmai Ayyub according to the legends the Biblical Prophet whose name was Iov (Ayyub) has visited this place, Ark Citadel - the center of government of Bukhara (IV BC), Minaret Kalian, Madrassah of Mir Arab that is still in use (XVI c.), Madrassah of Ulughbek (XV c.), Madrassah of Abdulazizkhan (XVII c.), Mosque Magoki Ataru the center of government of Bukhara (IV BC), and Lyabi Khauz Ensemble - very famous place for tourists. In the evening, enjoy a folklore show in the madrassah Nadir Divan-Begi. Overnight stay in Bukhara. Day 3 (B,L,D): Bukhara – Samarkand (270 km) After breakfast transfer from Bukhara to Samarkand. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival in Samarkand, take a sightseeing tour and visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum (the burial place of the Great Amir Temur and his dynasty (XIV-XV c.), and Reghistan Square – the main square of Samarkand. It consists of Madrassah Ulugbek (XV c.), Madrassah Sherdor (XVII c.) and Madrassah Tilla Kori) (XVII c.). Stay overnight in Samarkand. Day 4 (B,L,D): Samarkand - Tashkent After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Samarkand. Visit Bibi Khanum Mosque that was named after the eldest wife of Great Timur (XIV в.), Siyab local bazaar where you can taste the best breads and fruits of Samarkand at your own expense, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolises meaning “Alive King” (XI-XII c.), and Ulugbek Observatory, the biggest observatory was built by Ulugbek (XVc.). Later transfer to the railway station and take the train to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent around 19:10, you will be transferred to Tashkent International Airport.
Overnight Tour of Samarkand and Shakhrisabz
D 1: Tashkent – Samarkand (L,D) Transfer from hotel"XXXX" in Tashkent to the railway Station at 07:45. Departure to Samarkand with high-speed train "Afrosiyob" at 08:30 Samarkand is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as Rome, Athens and Babylon- The age of Samarkand is more than 2700 years. Europeans called it the “The Land of Scientists”. A majestic and beautiful city, Samarkand is the city of legends. When Alexander the Great first time saw Samarkand, he said “ All that I heard about the beauty of Samarkand is true, but Samarkand is more beautiful than I imagined”. Arrival in Samarkand at 10:00. Meeting at the station. Sightseeing tour:Gur-Emir Mausoleum - the burial place of the Great Amir Temur and his dynasty (XIV-XV c.). .Registan Square - the main square of Samarkand. It consists of Madrassah Ulugbek (XV c.), Madrassah Sherdor (XVII c.) and Madrassah Tilla Kori) (XVII c.).Bibi Khanum mosque - was named for the honour of the eldest wife of Great Timur (XIV c.).Siyob bazaar - taste the best breads and fruits of Samarkand Lunch at local restaurant. Shahi-Zinda necropolis - taste the best breads and fruits of Samarkand.Ulugbek observatory - The biggest observatory was built by Ulugbek (XVc.). Dinner with Uzbek family. During the dinner you will observe the pocess of preparing of Uzbek national dish "Plov"overnight in Samarkand. D 2: Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand - Tashkent (B,L) In the morning at 08:00 drive to Shakhrisabz (1.5hrs). You will go through the pass "Takhtakaracha" (1670 m)On the road you can wath the scenery of the mountains of Shakhrisabz.Today this wonderful city is known as a native of Amir Temur (Tamerlane). He was born in the neighboring village of Hodja-Ilgar. Becoming the ruler, he turned Shakhrisabz into his summer residence. By the way, at that time Kesh was renamed to Shakhrisabz, which means “Green city" Arrival in Shakhrisabz. Sightseeing tour of Shakhrisabz Ak-Saray Palace - summer residence of Great Timur (XIV-XV c.).Mausoleum of Jakhongir and Omar-Shaykh - eldests and dearests sons of Great Timur (XIV c.), Mausoleum of Dorut-Tilovat where conqueror Tamerlane’s father and his spiritual tutor are buried.Amir Timur's (Tamerlane's) tomb discovered in 1943, when a child playing football fell through the ground.Kok-Gumbaz mosque - was built by Ulugbek from the name of his father Shakhruh (XV c.). Lunch. After lunch drive to Samarkand. On our way back we will visit old carpet weaving workshop.Arrival in Samarkand at 16:00-16:30 to the train station. The train departs for Tashkent at 17:00 and arrives in Tashkent at 19:30. Transfer to the hotel"XXXX" in Tashkent
Persian Gardens of Samarkand on Silk Road Small Group Tour
ITINERARY 01 Tashkent / Full daily tour in the capital of the country. 02 Tashkent - Samarkand / Half day Sightseeing in Samarkand 03 - 04 Samarkand / Day Tour in Samarkand, the capital of Tamerlane's empire.05 Samarkand – Shahrisabz - Bukhara / Sightseeing in Shakhrisabz and drive to Bukhara06 Bukhara / Sightseeing during the whole day in the centre of old Bukhara. 07 Bukhara - Khiva / drive through the Kizilkum Desert for arriving in Khiva 08 Khiva / Day Tour in the old city of Khiva09 Khiva - Nukus / Sightseeing and visit the museum Savitski which is one of the museums of the world filled with Soviet period masterpieces10 Nukus - Tashkent - Homeland / late at night flight back to Tashkent and the end of the tour.
One Day Crossroad of Cultures Samarkand Group Tour
At 9 am, your driver will be waiting for you at the lobby of your hotel, and then, you will start your day trip in Samarkand city with your guide at the Mausoleum of Amir Temur. First, you will visit the Mausoleum of Amir Temur - Tamerlane. Afterwards, you will stroll along the majestic Registan Square and explore the Mosque of Bibi Khanum before taking lunch break. In the afternoon, continue your sightseeing to Necropolis Shakhi Zinda. If you love cultural, architectural, shopping and culinary themed trips, this tour is perfect for you. At the end, you will be transferred back to your hotel where this tour concludes.
Day Excursion to Feroz Shah Kotla - Delhi
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to Feroz Shah Kotla that was situated in Firozabad, the capital of the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century. Explore the ruins of this historical fort with your guide.One of the surviving Ashokan pillars, that dates back to 273 B.C. is located on the grounds of the fort. Made of polished sandstone, the pillar has engravings in the ancient Brahmi script.Next visit the largest and oldest surviving mosque in India - Jami Masjid, that is still in use today. This mosque is a stunning example of Tughlaq architecture. It is made of quartzite and limestone. It is said that the founder of the Timurid Empire once visited the mosque to offer his prayers and was so impressed by the structure that he recreated the mosque in Samarkand.Lastly, see the Baoli or stepwell which is another impressive structure within the premises with an underground canal system and concealed apartments that served as a summer retreat for the royals to take baths.At the end of the tour you will be dropped back at your hotel.