The great discovery of Uzbekistan

You will be met at the airport by your French-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for some rest. Late morning, you will set off to explore the historic center of Tashkent . You will discover the Hasti-Imam complex, whose library houses the oldest Quran in the world , dating from the 7th century.

You then visit Chorsu Bazaar , famous for its large turquoise dome and spice stalls. There, you'll share a welcome meal of traditional plov , the iconic Uzbek dish. In the afternoon, your tour continues with a visit to the Kukeldash Madrasa , one of the few still operating in the country, followed by the Museum of Applied Arts . Finally, you'll discover Independence Square and the statue of Amir Temur . Dinner will be at a restaurant in town before your overnight stay at the hotel .

You set off early in the morning towards the Fergana Valley , a vast oasis irrigated by the Syr Darya River and renowned for its handicrafts. You cross the Kamchik Pass , situated at an altitude of 2,450 meters , to reach the town of Kokand . There, you discover the Khoudayarkhan Palace and the Juma Mosque , historic buildings constructed in the early 19th century. Your exploration continues with a visit to the Amin Beg Madrasa and the Modari Khan Mausoleum .

After lunch, your journey continues towards Fergana. Along the way, you'll stop in Richton , a village famous for its blue and green ceramics . You'll visit a traditional workshop to observe this craft, passed down through generations. At the end of the day, you'll arrive in Margilan , a typical small town located 30 km from Fergana. You'll settle in for two nights at a family-run guesthouse .

You'll travel to Andijan , the birthplace of Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty. On your way, you'll stop in Fergana to visit the 19th-century Skobeliev Palace . Once in Andijan, you'll explore the main market and the still-functioning mosque . In the afternoon, you'll return to Margilan , where you'll discover the secrets of silk production with a visit to the renowned Yodgorlik silk factory. The day will conclude with a traditional dinner shared with your hosts.

You bid farewell to your hosts before beginning the return journey to Tashkent . This drive offers a final opportunity to admire the region's scenery as the kilometers unfold. You arrive in the capital in the afternoon . After settling in, you enjoy dinner in the city before spending the night at the hotel .

Early in the morning, you take a domestic flight to Nukus , arriving around 9:00 AM . Your team will meet you at the airport with 4x4 vehicles to begin your journey. You'll drive towards Moynaq , a former fishing port now a ghost town. There, you'll walk through the ship graveyard amidst the rusting hulks of ships, remnants of the ecological disaster caused by the drying up of the Aral Sea .

Guided by your tracker, you continue your journey across the plateau. You stop for lunch at the site of a former Soviet gulag near a fishing lake, then explore the shores of Lake Sudochie . At the end of the day, you reach the sandy expanses of the former seabed to arrive at your accommodation. Dinner is served outdoors or in a tent, depending on the wind, before you spend the night in a yurt.

Early in the morning, you'll set off in a 4x4 to explore the area surrounding the Aral Sea. Your route will take you in the footsteps of ancient nomadic peoples, through their camps abandoned centuries ago. You'll also explore the hills bordering the site, enjoying a sweeping panorama of the water and the region's wild landscapes.

You then return to the yurt camp for lunch. In the early afternoon, you enjoy a walk to the water's edge, located 4km from your accommodation. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in the yurt .

You begin your return journey towards Nukus . Along the way, you stop at the dried-up Lake Chourkoul , now one of the region's main salt mines . Your route also takes you to visit local herders and discover a vast camel and dromedary farm stretching over several kilometers.

After a picnic lunch , you'll visit the Mizdarkhan necropolis , a historically significant site containing tombs dating back to the 10th century. You'll arrive in Nukus around 6:00 PM . Your day will conclude with dinner in town before retiring to your hotel for the night .

You begin your day with a visit to the Savitsky Museum . Then you travel to Khiva , crossing the Kyzilkum Desert . Along the way, you explore fortresses lost in the sands: Chilpik-Kala , an ancient Zoroastrian Tower of Silence, as well as the sites of Toprak-Kala , Kizil-Kala , and Ayak-Kala . You arrive in Khiva at sunset and enjoy a first stroll through the city .

Your day begins with a visit to Itchan Kala , the fortified city of Khiva . You'll wander its well-preserved alleyways, discovering mosques , madrasas , caravanserais , and palaces . After lunch in town , you'll have a free afternoon to explore the ancient city at your own pace. At the end of the day, you'll head to the city walls to watch the sunset . Your tour concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel .

You're leaving early this morning for a day's drive of approximately 450km towards Bukhara . Your route will take you across the Amu Darya River and through the vast expanses of the Kyzylkum Desert. Along the way, you may encounter local shepherds .

After lunch en route , you continue your journey through the steppe landscapes. You arrive in Bukhara at the end of the day where you settle into a homestay . You enjoy a warm welcome from your host family for the evening and night.

You will dedicate this day to a guided exploration of Bukhara . You will begin by discovering the city's iconic buildings, including the Kukeldash Madrasa , the caravanserai , and the Nadir Divanbegi Khanqah . You will then wander through the narrow streets lined with shopping domes, meeting local artisans: the Merchants' Dome , the Money Changers ' Dome, and the Hatters' Dome .

Your route takes you to the Maghoki-Attori Mosque , built on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian temple, as well as the Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasas. You then reach the spiritual heart of the city to observe the alignment formed by the Kalon Minaret , the Mir-i Arab Madrasa , and the Friday Mosque .

Finally, you visit the mausoleum of Ismail Samani , the Chashma-Ayub mausoleum , the Bolo-Khaouz royal mosque and the imposing Ark citadel , before ending with the Chor Minor architectural ensemble.

This morning you depart for the village of Shirin , located 20km from Bukhara, for an immersion in rural Uzbek life. Accompanied by your hosts, you explore the village on foot to meet local artisans and farmers . Depending on the time of year, you may participate in the cotton harvest or silkworm breeding.

Your walk also takes you to the Avicenna Museum , dedicated to the history of medicine and science through ancient writings and period instruments. At the end of the day, you have the opportunity to participate in preparing the family dinner . You will spend the night in a guesthouse in the heart of a rural eco-tourism complex.

Early in the morning, you'll set off for a yurt camp nestled in the Kyzylkum Desert , 60 km from the Kazakh border. Along the way, you'll stop to admire Bronze Age rock carvings before continuing to the town of Nurata . There, you'll explore the historic center, home to the ruins of Alexander the Great's fortress and the sacred fish spring . Your exploration continues with visits to the ancient mosques of Chil Ustun and Panjvakhta .

You then continue your journey to the village of Dongalak to settle into your accommodation. The day ends with a traditional nomadic dinner . Around the campfire, you have the opportunity to attend a folk concert performed by a local singer, subject to their availability.

Early in the morning, you'll enjoy the cool desert air with a morning hike on the dunes surrounding the camp. This walk offers the chance to observe local flora and fauna, including prairie dogs. Back at the camp, an optional camel ride is available.

You then head towards Lake Aydarkul for a picnic lunch by the water, with the option to swim depending on the season. In the afternoon, you travel 150km to the village of Sob . This mountain hamlet with its stone houses offers a peaceful setting, its rhythm dictated by vegetable gardens and traditional livestock farming. Your journey concludes with a shared dinner and an overnight stay with a local family .

You'll travel to the village of Majroum , nestled in the Nurata Mountains . After settling into your guesthouse , you'll embark on a hike in the mountains . Your route will lead you to a preserved, three-thousand-year-old tree, a historical landmark in the region, before stopping for a picnic lunch . Back in the village, you can help prepare dinner with your host family. Your day will conclude with this shared meal and an overnight stay with a local family .

You begin the day with a 4-hour hike towards the village of Asraf . During your ascent, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, encompassing the hills, countryside, desert expanses, and the shores of Lake Aydarkul . Upon arrival in the village, you'll be greeted by your hosts before settling into your accommodation. Your day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at the guesthouse .

You take the road towards Samarkand for a 200km journey. Upon arrival, you enjoy lunch in the city for a first break.

The afternoon is dedicated to the city's major historical sites. You begin with a visit to the Ulugh Beg Observatory , designed by the Timurid prince and astronomer. Next, you discover a traditional papermaking workshop to observe local production methods. Finally, you visit the Emir's Tomb , the mausoleum where Tamerlane and the Timurid dynasty are laid to rest. The day concludes with dinner at a restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel .

You will dedicate this day to a complete exploration of Samarkand . Your journey begins in the famous Registan Square , surrounded by its three historic buildings: the 15th-century Ulugh Beg Madrasa , the 17th-century Shirdor Madrasa , and the Tilla-Kori Madrasa . You will then head towards the vast Bibikhanoum Mosque , an iconic site linked to the history of Timur (Tamerlane).

Your exploration continues with a visit to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis , an architectural complex encompassing some forty monuments, primarily from the Timurid era. You will also wander through the halls of the Afrasiab History Museum , which traces the history of the ancient city up to the arrival of Genghis Khan. The itinerary concludes with a visit to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum , the final resting place of the Timurid dynasty. Enjoy dinner in the city before returning to your hotel for the night .

You take the train to Tashkent . Upon arrival, you are transferred to your accommodation and settled in. You then have some free time to stroll around the city at your own pace and do any last-minute shopping . The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel .

You will be transferred to Tashkent airport according to your departure time to catch your return flight to France . This journey marks the end of your stay.