April 14-April 29, 2026
Golden Silk Road, Text,les of Uzbekistan is a 15-day trip to explore the historical and textile attraction centers of Uzbekistan; one of many important junction points of the Great Silk Road. The trip contains not only the historical sites to be seen and examined but also many in-person cultural encounters and interactions, several lectures from History and Textile professionals, hidden treasures of textile production and private collections.
Samarkand in Silk Road Days
The itinerary
Day 1- April 14, Tuesday
Arrival in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, private transfer to your hotel for a rest, and check-in at Bentley Hotel.
Day 2- April 15, Wednesday
Museum of Applied Arts, Tashkent
We will have a welcome breakfast in a Restaurant. After breakfast, we will have an orientation meeting about the general aspects of the tour. We will have a short drive into the Town and a morning visit to the Applied Art Museum which contains a good number of textiles of silk Suzanis, Metallic embroideries, Pottery from all around, wood art, and samples of Ikats, etc. After lunch, we will visit the Uzbekistan History Museum. Our Turkish guide, Deniz Coskun will add some comments on the KIPCHAK Turkic group which is one of the main divisions of Turks in Central Asia as well as the Oghuz Division. After a break at the hotel, we will have our welcome Dinner at Cafe 1991, Overnight at Bentley
Day 3- April 16, Thursday
Departure for Kokand City, with 5 5-hour drive with a stop over the Patir traditional Uzbek bread local center. We will arrive at Arrival at Kokand early afternoon and will have lunch at Orda restaurant. we will visit Khudayar Khan Palace, the Authentic palace of the last Uzbek Kaganate, remaining from the 19th century. We will see the Juma Masjeed & Khalva workshop (optional). In the afternoon, we will depart for Rishtan, the famous town hosting one of the classical national Uzbek ceramic styles. 1.5 hours of drive. We will visit Alisher ceramics workshop and will have a master class there and see the classical Uzbek rural ceramic production method. Dinner at Alisher’s. After dinner, we will depart for hotel 777 at Fergana town with, 1.5 hours of driving, check-in, and overnight at 777 Fergana Hotel
Khudayar Khan’s Palace, Kokand
Day 4- April 17, Friday
Departure to Margilan, the Ikat capital of Uzbekistan distant by 15 minutes. We will meet our local guide Aziz who is at the same time one of the most talented ikat producers in the area, who produced his ikats with natural dyes. We’ll visit Qumtepe Bazaar a local market full of cultural and personal interactions, and visit some artisans’ stands our local guide Aziz will introduce us to. we will stop by a suzani embroiderer, and carpet weaver lady in her house/workshop, examine her crafts, and talk about the importance of women in the crafts world of Uzbekistan. Lunch at Shork Cafe. After lunch, Aziz will show us how to make natural dyes for ikats in his workshop. Later on, he will take us to a Bahmal (Uzbek velvet) in a house in a nearby village. we will be at Aziz’s house to see the various rare natural dyed ikat types. Dinner at Aziz’s. Departure for the hotel 777 at Fegana (15 minutes of drive). Overnight at Hotel 777
Bahmal Velvet production, Margilan
Adrass style Ikat production
Day 5- April 18, Saturday
We will begin our day with a small route to Yadgorlik, 30 30-minute drive, and visit Yadgorlik, the old Russian silk weaving factory with retro vibes. Then we will be in the Madrasa of Fergana, a meeting point with a textile specialist. We will have lunch at Traktir and rest a little bit before happy hour at the hotel. In the late afternoon, we will visit a very special point, the semi-state Weaving center/Museum with dozens of Ikat and silk carpet weavers and a museum with all stages of textile production. Dinner at the garden of the museum, Overnight at Hotel 777.
Silk extraction in Margilan
The pattern creation process of Ikat fabrics, Margilan
Day 6- April 19, Wednesday
After the check out from the hotel, we will make a long journey of 5 hours to Tashkent. After having lunch at Afsona, we will visit Parishah Suzani House. In this local house, two young sisters produce suzanis with the help of their father who is responsible for dyeing silk yarns for his daughters.. rest time at the hotel. Dinner at Actor. Check-in and Overnight in Bentley.
Ak-Koynek (white robe) Karakalpak, 19th century
Qarauy Tent Production in Shimbay village, Karakalkapstan
Mizdakhan, the oldest and largest cemetery in the Central Asia
Day 7- April 20, Thursday
We will have a very early wake up at 04:00, and Check out and departure at 04:30. We will drive to the Tashkent airport for 30 minutes. We will fly to Nukus (07:15 am-08:55 am), the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous inner state of Uzbekistan republic. After check-in and breakfast at Jipek Joli Hotel we will visit Savitsky Museum in restoration except one story & National History Museum of Karakaplpakstan, Deniz Coşkun will give a speech about Karakalpak Turkic people. We will have our lunch at Terrasse Garden. then, a 1-hour drive to Shimbay the old village where we will meet and See Yurt-Okuy/qorouy builders. Return to the hotel for a break, and happy hour, till dinner. Dinner at Sofram, overnight at Jipek Joli.
Day 8- April 21, Friday
After checking out from Jipek Joli, we will make a morning visit to the largest cemetery in central Asia called MIZDAK KHAN, with 30 30-minute of drive. We will listen to stories of amazing interesting burial types of Tombs from ancient ages to the present day. We will visit the shrine of prophet Shimun, one of the biblical prophets. continue to drive to KHIVA in the KHOREZM Area which will take 4 hours in the desert. Lunch in mid-way. We will arrive at mid-afternoon and rest in the hotel before walking around in OLD town which is a UNESCO heritage site. Dinner in at Ayvon restaurant and Overnight at ZARAFSHAN Hotel.
Khiva City at night
Ichan Kala Citadel, Khiva
Kalta Minaret of Khiva
Day 9- April 22, Saturday
This day is dedicated to the historical sites of the Old Khiva, the UNESCO-PROTECTED medieval city. We will visit the historical monuments of Kalta Minaret, and Juma mosque, have an appointment in Madrahim Silk Carpet Weaving Center, and visit Tash Hovlu Palace. We will have lunch at Birgunbaz restaurant, and continue our tour wth Mahmud Pahlavan shrine, where we will talk about old Turkic religious practices and shamanism. Qozi Kalon Madrassah – Museum of Musical Art, Shir Gazi Khan madrasa, and Islam khoja madrasah will be other sites to see. Dinner at Zarafshon, Overnight at Zarafshon hotel.
Day 10- April 23, Sunday
We will check out from Zarafshon to depart for Bukhara with a drive of 6 hours in the desert. Our lunch will be in a restaurant in the desert. Stop by near Amu Darya River dividing Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan territories. We will check in at the Hotel Mercure, rest a little bit, and make a happy hour at the hotel (maybe a local jewelry producer visit). Dinner at Mercure Hotel
Bolo Haus Mosque, early 18th century, Bukhara
Bukhara suzani detail with chain stitch
Silk carpet in the weaving stage
Day 11-
Bukhara Synagogue
April 24, Monday
Our first visit of the day will be to Sitori-i-Mokhi Khosa Palace, Bukhara Khans’ Summer Palace Visit with 30 minutes of drive. The palace has exquisite collections of suzanis, Adrass, plates, and clothing/accessories. Then we will come back to the city center and visit Minar Kalon Mosque and Square. Trade Domes that we will see are attraction centers of traditional crafts, and also we will visit Nadir a young Tajik carpet/textile collector/reseller. One of the most interesting points to see in Bukhara is the Jewish synagogue and also a Jewish house. We will have lunch at Akbar’s house and visit Akbar’s art gallery, the best textile art gallery in the country. We will see the Ark of Bukhara Castle with some ethnographical material, garments, and jewelry, and Bolo Haus mosque with a beautiful display of carved wooden columns. We will pass by Rushan Agha’s house to see home-based suzani production with natural dyes and silk threads. Dinner at Ayvon, overnight at Mercure
Kalon Minar Square, Bukhara
A Textile Art Gallery, Bukhara
Day 12- April 25, Tuesday
After the Check-out from Mercure, we will visit our journey to Samarkand with a drive of 5 hours. After arriving at Samarqand, the second biggest city in the country, we will have lunch at Oasis Garden and visit Registon Square with 3 famous madrasas: Ulugh Beg, Tilla Kari, and Sherdor Madrasas constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries, which are very attractive points for local and Uzbek national handcrafts, like Suzani, mosaic-ceramic art. A little local musical performance will be waiting for us. Check in at Movenpick. Dinner at Emirhan, overnight at Movenpick.
Tillakari Madrasah, constructed in the 17th century, Samarqand
Ulugh Bek Observatory conmstructed in the 15th century, Samarqand
A scene from National Culture Museum, Samarqand
Day 13- April 26, Wednesday
For today we will begin our excursion with a visit to Bibi Khanom Mosque, constructed in the 15th century, Bibi Khanom is Tamerlane’s Chinese-originated wife. Then we will visit The artisans’ market which has many artisans’ shops located in a center (optional, good point for some souvenir shopping). We will see the Amir Timur (Tamerlane) Mausoleum constructed in the 15th century. After Tamerlane, we will have lunch at Oasis Garden. One of the important points to be seen on that day is the National Museum of Cultural Heritage with a very special collection of garments, jewelry, tents, and accessories. We will have a resting time at Movenpick. Dinner at Platan, Overnight at Movenpick.
Amir Tümur (Tamerlane) Mausoleum, 15th Century, Samarqand
Bibi Khanom Mosque, 15th Century, Samarqand
Day 14- April 27, Thursday
We will check out from Movenpick and visit Konigul paper village where traditional and medieval paper production method is still applied in a guest house. Ulug Bek Observatory is one of the other ancient sites to see. We will talk about Ulugh Bek and understand his work for the astronomy of the world. We will visit the Afrasiyab History Museum, The Museum director will give a speech about Sogdians and their artifacts. We will have lunch at Kerimbek and visit Shahi Zinda Cemetery where many family members, and court members of Tamerlane’s reign are buried. We will take High Speed Train to Tashkent which will take approximately 3 hours. Dinner at Resto Forn Lebnen & Chillax Lounge. Overnight at Bentley.
Shahi Zinda Cemetery Mausoleums, constructed in the 14th century
Detail of a ceramic ornament in Shahi Zinda cemetery, similar to a carpet pattern
Day 15- April 28, Friday
Private transfer to Tashkent Airport for the return flight to guests’ Countries.
PRICE:
∼ $ 5,500.00 from 6 to 9 people
∼ $ 4,900.00 from 10 to 12 people
∼ $ 4,500.00 from 13 to 16 people
+$ 850.00 for hotel single supplement
Services included in the price:
Accommodation in the stated hotelsAll Meals (one starter and one main course with alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverage in each meal)
Entrance fees to the monuments/museums
Bottled drinking water in the van
Comfortable AC transport within the country:
*Coaster for 6-10 pax (18 seater);
*Coach for 11+ pax (35-45 seater)
Tashkent-Nukus Airfare
Professional English-speaking escort guide service
Uzbekistan visa support letter
Services NOT included in the price:
International flight tickets
Uzbekistan visa fees ( to be paid in the embassy)
Tips for guides and driver
