Uzbekistan: The Artisan's Silk Road

Day 1 – Welcome to Uzbekistan!

Chances are you’ve landed pretty early this morning. One of our friendly team will meet you at the airport where early check in is already handled. Grab a nap, a shower, or just lie horizontal for a moment before things kick off at 11am.

You’ll meet your tour leader and Harriet crew, then set off to explore. First stop is the ceramic studio of Akbar Rahimov, a local master who first learned his craft from his father, who’ll guide you through making your own keepsake.

You’ll round off the day with some sightseeing at Independence Square. Once home to a massive statue of Lenin, it’s now a powerful symbol of modern Uzbek identity. Your guide will share the story of how Uzbekistan gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. 

Accommodation: Mirzo Hotel (or similar), Tashkent
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 2 – Tashkent

Hope you’re hungry, because you’re kicking off today under the turquoise-blue dome at the Chorsu Bazaar. You’ll wander through rows of melons stacked like art installations, chat with sellers, and watch locals negotiate like pros over fresh herbs and spices. It’s everyday Uzbekistan, up close and in full swing. Mmm… can you smell that fresh-baked Non (flatbread) yet?

Before you even step inside, the Museum of Applied Arts building makes an impression. This former tsarist diplomat’s private mansion is a masterclass in old-world luxury with hand-carved cedar, kaleidoscopic mosaics and glowing stained glass. Inside, you’ll find a treasure chest of ceramics, intricate embroidery and every type of pattern imaginable.

After dinner, the night is yours. If there’s a show on, you could always gather a few of your Harriet buddies and swing by the opera. Why not? After all, when in Tashkent…

Accommodation: Mirzo Hotel (or similar), Tashkent
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 – Fergana Valley

It’s an early start today, but the train ride into the Fergana Valley is worth the wakeup call. Lush and green, this region has been part of the ‘silk’ in the Silk Road story for centuries. While China may have started the story, this valley was one of the first places to raise silkworms.

This afternoon, you’ll visit the Yodgorlik Silk Factory, where they still do the work by hand—steaming cocoons, unraveling the fibers and turning them into gorgeously dyed silk. It’s a craft passed down through generations, and you’ll see skilled men and women working side by side to keep the tradition alive.

Then, it’s your turn. You’ll join a dyeing workshop to create your own piece, but be warned, it might unleash a hidden inner talent you never knew you had. Keep an eye out for the mulberry trees as you go, too—their leaves are the silkworm’s favorite snack, and you’ll spot them everywhere around here!

Accommodation: Asia Fergana (or similar), Fergana
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4 – Village Life, Lunch and Pottery

You’re starting with a quick stop at Kumtepa Market. It’s a proper wake-up call filled with the smell of fresh non (bread), the buzz of early-morning shoppers and enough color to wake you up before you’ve even had your first sip of coffee.

Then it’s off to the village of Rishtan. This place is known across the region for its ceramics, especially the signature ishkor glaze, a rich blue made from mountain ash and local minerals. You’ll spend the morning with a local artist, learning how they shape, fire, and finish their work. Rest assured, this isn’t something staged for the tourists—the artist and his family live here, work here, and have been doing this for generations.

After all that creative inspiration, you’ll sit down to a home-cooked lunch in their courtyard before cruising back to Fergana in the afternoon. 

Accommodation: Asia Fergana (or similar), Fergana
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5 – Travel Day

This morning, you’ll leave the soft green fields of the Fergana Valley behind as you make your way back to Tashkent. It’s a five-hour drive, but the scenery will keep you occupied—wide plains, sleepy villages, dusty mountain backdrops, and the occasional herd of sheep crossing the road. 

Back in the city, you’ve got time to freshen up and grab dinner before your group heads for the airport. Next stop: Nukus. You might not know much about it yet, but that’s exactly why it packs such a punch.

Yes, it’s a long travel day. But hey—if every day was jam-packed, when would you get the chance to slow down and watch the country roll by? Enjoy it. Tomorrow’s a whole different pace.

Accommodation: Jipek Joly (or similar), Nukus
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6 – Chimbay Village

You’re heading further into the wild west of Uzbekistan today, toward Chimbay, a village few outside the country have ever heard of, let alone visited. The journey itself is part of the experience, taking you through a stark, sun-baked landscape that was once fertile farmland—until the Aral Sea crisis reshaped the region.

Don’t be fooled by the dust and quiet. This place is all about connection—full of tight-knit families and deep community roots. You’ll spend the afternoon with local makers who’ll show you the ropes of rug weaving or embroidery. Whichever option you choose, you’ll walk away with a brand-new skill.

As the sun dips low, settle in for a private folk music session that’ll raise some serious goosebumps. No stage, no microphones—just live music the way it’s existed here forever.

Accommodation: Jipek Joly (or similar), Nukus
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7 – Nukus

Once sealed off during the Soviet era, the desert outpost of Nukus concealed one of the 20th century’s most unexpected art collections. Artist and collector Igor Savitsky secretly saved thousands of banned avant-garde works and stashed them away out here in the dunes. Today, they are proudly displayed right here in the Nukus Museum of Art.

With Nukus explored, you’ll head out into the desert, with the land around you starting to flatten and blur until you spot the silhouette of a 2,000-year-old Zoroastrian Tower of Silence. It’s quiet out there—and eerie—and as you get closer, the scale of the thing really sinks in.

Then: Khiva. The road rolls on for three to four hours, but when you arrive, it’s worth every bump. Your hotel is right across from the sun-baked city walls—no big deal, right?—and dinner tonight will be your first peek inside this Silk Road citadel. In a trip full of highlights, this stop is guaranteed to be one of your favorites.

Accommodation: Isak Hoja (or similar), Khiva
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8 – Khiva

Khiva’s old town looks too perfect to be real—sandy-brick walls, turquoise-tiled minarets, and more grand gates and courtyards than you can count. But it’s not just a pretty face—this place has been standing for centuries.

You’ll spend the day exploring its many mosques, palaces, and fortresses, each with fancy-schmancy tilework and history that’ll impress even the most jaded traveler in the bunch. At one of the city’s former madrasas, you’ll meet a family of traditional woodcarvers who’ve been keeping the art alive for generations. You’ll even try your hand at it, guided by a local master who somehow makes intricate floral patterns look effortless.

Accommodation: Isak Hoja (or similar), Khiva
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Slow Train to Bukhara

This morning, you’ll join a local family to learn how to make shivit oshi (dill-infused noodles), a local specialty. Herby and seriously addictive, you’ll knead, slice, and simmer your way to a home-cooked lunch. Afterward, spend your afternoon soaking up Khiva one last time. There’s no such thing as too many photos of this place—trust us.

In the afternoon, it’s time to head to the station. Dinner is packed, and the slow train across the desert is the way to travel like a local. There’s something magical about rumbling through the desert in the dusty twilight.

Accommodation: Komil Boutique (or similar), Bukhara
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10 – Bukhara

So, what’s the difference between Bukhara and the other places you’ve been over the last few days? The crowds are a little bigger, the souvenir stalls a little fuller, and yes—you’ll see plenty of other tourists milling around. This is one of Uzbekistan’s best-known stops, but its hype is well-deserved. It still has plenty of old-world magic.

You’ll ease into things with a guided walk to get your bearings and tick off the big names along the way. The Po-i-Kalyan Complex is always a fan favorite with its towering minaret, but maybe you’ll prefer the fairytale-like Chor Minor with its four quirky towers.

Accommodation: Komil Boutique (or similar), Bukhara
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 – Bukhara for Locals

Bukhara may be well-visited, but there is still plenty to discover beyond the usual highlights—and today is all about that side of the city. First up is a visit to a nearby university to meet students and archaeologists who’ll share insights into the research connecting ancient and modern-day Bukhara. 

Then: something a little special. No spoilers, but expect a private home, live music, and the kind of evening that ends with full stomachs and big smiles.

Accommodation: Komil Boutique (or similar), Bukhara
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 – Samarkand

It’s almost time to say goodbye to Bukhara, but not before one last moment. If you’re up for it, join an optional sunrise walk through the quiet streets and hidden courtyards. The light is soft, the city is still, and the photo ops are everywhere.

Then it’s all aboard the high-speed train to Samarkand. You’ll arrive in time to check in to Samarkand Amira, a heartwarming family-run spot tucked away from the madness in a local neighborhood. Tonight, before you head to bed, grab your camera and head out. Seeing the iconic Registan Square lit up under the stars is one of those “this is why I travel” moments. 

Accommodation: Samarkand Amira (or similar), Samarkand
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 13 – Timur Tales

Today is all about Samarkand’s standout highlights. With centuries of history behind it, the city is home to some of Central Asia’s most remarkable sites: the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, and Gur-e-Amir—the final resting place of Tamerlane (Timur), the 14th-century ruler who transformed Samarkand into the center of his empire.

It’s all towering domes, turquoise tiles and never-ending tales of empire-building. Yes, there’s a lot to take in—but you’ve got your Harriet buddies with you, which is a guarantee that you’ll be laughing and joking the whole day long, no matter what.

Accommodation: Samarkand Amira (or similar), Samarkand
Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 – Bread and Block Printing

Last full day, but no winding down just yet. You’re swapping the city for the countryside today, and if you’ve been devouring the delicious Uzbek bread all trip, it’s time to earn your dough and bake some yourself. Then it’s on to block printing—where you’ll get hands-on with another traditional craft technique that’s as fun as it is fidgety.

By this point, your bag is going to be heavier with more than just laundry. You’ve slowly built your own little collection of Uzbek creations, and we’ve got one last treat ready for you…

Later, you’ll hop the train back to where it all began—Tashkent—and gear up for a proper farewell dinner. One last feast, one last toast, and maybe a few teary-eyed goodbyes.

Accommodation: Mirzo Hotel (or similar), Tashkent
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 15 – Farewell Friends

And just like that, it’s your final morning in Uzbekistan. Two weeks have flown by, and it’s honestly hard to believe the people you arrived with were once strangers. Whether you’re heading home from Tashkent or continuing on to Tajikistan, you’ll leave with stories to tell and memories of all you experienced—from shaping clay and working with silk to baking bread.

Included: Breakfast