Itinerary

Days 1&2, Tashkent

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport. You will be met by your personal guide and driver and will be transferred to the hotel. Accommodation.
Tashkent is cultural and economic center of Uzbekistan. Today we'll discover the Old City: Hast Imam Complex which consists of Medreseh Barakkhan, Friday Mosque Tello Shayh and the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi. Later we will visit the fascinating, 3,000 year old Chorsu Bazar and then explore Independence Square.  Attend a master cooking class at Tashkent’s Taste of Plov, where expert chef/instructors lead a hands-on lesson in purchasing and preparing classic Uzbek dishes; then dine together on your creations.  Welcome Dinner.  Lotte Tashkent Palace 4*  (3 night accommodation including early morning check in)

Day 3, Tashkent- Samarkand

After an early morning breakfast  join your guide and take the train to legendary Samarkand, one of the most ancient cities of the Silk Road.
On arrival, visit Registan Square, the main attraction here and an impressive venue for the world’s finest traditional and modern music festivals. The square is lined on three sides by sparkling turquoise tiles of its three medressehs. Visit one of the oldest wineries of Uzbekistan, and learn about traditional viticulture.

Day 4, Samarkand

Visit the Guri Emir Mausoleum, Shakhi Zinda Ensemble and Bibi Khanum mosques next to the colorful Samarkand Siab Bazaar. Experience cooking traditional Uzbek dishes. This culinary tour is a unique opportunity to taste, smell and savor the rich flavors not found anywhere else, a true product of centuries of exchange along the Silk Road. Dinner and Folklore show in Registan Square.

Day 5, Bukhara

Sightseeing day drive to Bukhara through the Malikchul desert and Zerafshan River. Stop by a medeival Caravan Serai Gate and the Gijduvan Ceramic center. Lunch in the National house of Narzullayev. Arrival in Bukhara. Accommodation at hotel and visit the ancient Bukhara at the Labi Khaus Complex, heart of the city. Dinner in a traditional Bukharan restaurant.

Day 6, Bukhara

The Bukhara Fortress-Ark was the winter residence of local Bukhara Amirs beginning in the 1st century. From here we'll see the medieval Ismail Samani and Chashma- Ayub Mausoleums. We'll explore Bukhara’s colorful bazaar and stop to visit an Uzbek family to experience Uzbek hospitality, enjoying a meal in their home together.

Day 7, Bukhara-Khiva  

Early breakfast. Sightseeing day drive to Khiva through the Kyzilkum Desert, the main Silk Road route of the caravans.  We'll stop at a yurt camp and have nice picnic in local chaikhana (tea-house), Photo opportunity near Amu Darya (Oxus River), one of the biggest rivers of Central Asia. Arrival in Khiva. Explore Ichan – Kala (the Inner City), with its palaces, mosques, madrassahs and caravansarais - caravan merchants' inn. Unique fortifications have survived intact in this magnificent city: the Ata –Darvaza, the majestic blue-tiled Kalta minar tower from the XIX century,  Mohammad Aminkhan and Khodja Islam Medresehs, the Kunya Ark (Ancient Citadel), Tash Hauli Palace (Stone yard, with view of the palace's harem), a caravanserai, and the Juma mosque with 200 uniquely carved wooden pillars. Dinner in a traditional local restaurant.

Day 8, Khiva  

Today we will explore the outer town (Dishan-Kala), its remaining gates, and walls, and the summer residences of Muhamad Rahimkhan the II and his son and successor Isfandiyarkhan, last of the khans here with the Russian incursion into the region. The incorporation of European styles of architecture and design is reflected in the construction of these palaces. Visit the bazaar and enjoy meeting the local residents and merchants. Cooking class with famous Chef. Panoramic view of Khiva in moonlight

Day 9, Tashkent  

Flight to Tashkent.
Meeting with world renown chef of Uzbekistan. Farewell Dinner.
We hope your cooking tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another Destinations tour.

Day 10, Departure

Early morning departure from Tashkent International airport