After settling into your hotel, take a relaxed stroll through Broadway (Sailgoh Street) to enjoy local street art and cafés, then visit the peaceful greenery of Alisher Navoi National Park for a gentle introduction to Uzbek city life. Finish with a coffee and light brunch at a nearby teahouse before heading to the hotel to freshen up - a low-key morning that eases you into the tempo of Tashkent without tiring you out for the afternoon's deeper exploration.
Spend the afternoon exploring the historic heart of Tashkent beginning with a guided visit to the striking tiled domes and galleries of Chorsu Bazaar, where you can sample fresh samsa and watch local life unfold; wander its colorful stalls before heading to the nearby atmospheric Khast Imam Complex to see ancient Qur'ans and the beautifully restored Barakkhan Madrasa. As evening approaches, stroll through leafy alleys to reach Independence Square (Mustaqillik Maydoni) for photo opportunities and people-watching, then enjoy an early dinner at a restaurant serving traditional Uzbek plov and shashlik to cap off your gentle orientation day.
As twilight falls, head to the lively riverside promenade at Anhor Canal for a leisurely walk and to watch locals gather, then stop at a nearby teahouse to taste late-night green tea and sweet halva. Continue with a short metro ride to Alay Market for an atmospheric evening snack crawl-try fresh kebabs and roasted nuts from street stalls-before finishing the night with a nightcap and views over the city from the rooftop terrace of Hotel Uzbekistan.
Begin your day with a sunrise stroll along the outer walls to watch Khiva wake up, then enter the walled Ichan Kala to explore the exquisite tilework and timber of Kunya-Ark Citadel, including its small museum and private harem quarters. Continue to the nearby intricately carved columns and minaret of Juma Mosque, then sip strong green tea at a courtyard chaihona before wandering to the panoramic terrace of Tash Hauli Palace for sweeping views over the labyrinthine streets-an immersive morning that builds naturally from your Tashkent arrival and sets the tone for deeper discoveries in Khiva.
After a morning inside Ichan Kala, spend the afternoon wandering the narrow lanes to discover craftsmen at work in Avliyo Imam Street and browse stalls selling embroidered suzanis and ceramic tiles at the small artisan markets. Head to the atmospheric courtyard of Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum to learn about Khiva's spiritual history, then climb the wooden viewing platform of Pakhlavan Makhmud Ensemble for sunset light that gilds the minarets before enjoying a slow chai at a nearby traditional chaihona to absorb the city's evening rhythms.
As night falls, wander to the illuminated courtyard of Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa to admire its glow and catch an impromptu performance of local music or storytelling; linger over a steaming plate of lagman at the adjacent Chor Minor café for a hearty, homestyle meal. After dinner, take a peaceful stroll along the outer ramparts to the viewpoint near Tash Hauli's southern gate for panoramic night views of the lit minarets, then finish with mint tea and dried fruit at a cozy chaihona tucked in a quiet lane to reflect on the day's discoveries.
Start with a sunrise visit to the atmospheric courtyard of Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble, watching vendors set up while sipping hot tea at a waterside chaihona, then follow a short walk to the nearby intricately tiled Poi Kalon Complex to climb the adjacent viewing platform for sweeping panoramas of the minaret and mosque. Continue through the old town to explore the historic trading domes of Toki-Zargaron (the jewelers' dome) and Toki-Sarrafon, pausing to meet artisans, try on traditional textiles, and sample freshly baked non from a local oven-an immersive morning that builds on your Khiva discoveries and leads naturally into deeper palace and madrasa visits this afternoon.
After your morning in the Lyab-i Hauz area, wander deeper into the old town to visit the serene courtyard of Chor Minor, admiring its quirky four-towered facade before sampling sweet tea and local pastries at a nearby chaihona. Continue to the impressive ensemble of Samanid Mausoleum to study its brickwork, then stroll to the atmospheric silk-trading halls of Toki Telpak Furushon to watch textile merchants, try on a doppa, and hunt for embroidered souvenirs as the light softens over Bukhara's domes.
As dusk deepens, wander to the ornate courtyard of Ark Fortress where the floodlit walls and towers take on a warm glow, then pause for a tea and sweet at a nearby traditional chaihona while listening to local storytellers. Afterward, stroll through the atmospheric, lantern-lit lanes to discover artisan workshops around Bolo Haouz Mosque, sample hot samsa from a street vendor, and finish the night with a rooftop view over the illuminated domes and minarets, reflecting on the day's discoveries.
Begin with an early stroll through the fragrant gardens surrounding Shah-i-Zinda, entering its avenue of dazzling mausoleums to admire tilework up close and pause for reflective photos in the hushed courtyards; don't miss the small on-site workshop where artisans restore tiles and demonstrate traditional mosaic techniques. Continue to the nearby quiet serenity of Bibi-Khanym Mosque to explore its vast colonnaded courtyard and pierced domes, then warm up with a cup of chai and freshly baked shashlik at a street-side teahouse nearby before the afternoon crowds arrive.
After exploring Shah-i-Zinda and Bibi-Khanym this morning, spend the afternoon wandering the graceful gardens and courtyards of Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, where Timur's tomb is set beneath a glittering azure dome-listen to a local guide explain the site's mosaic symbolism and enjoy a quiet tea at the small cafe across the square. Then stroll through the nearby leafy grounds to the ornate Ulugh Beg Observatory museum to see replica instruments and learn about Central Asia's medieval astronomy, finishing with a relaxed late-afternoon picnic on the park benches while watching the soft evening light bathe the mausoleums.
As dusk settles, wander through the atmospheric gardens of Gur-e-Amir Square to catch the mausoleum's turquoise dome glowing in the soft light, then cross to the nearby courtyard of Rukhabad Mausoleum to hear local stories of saints while sipping sweet green tea at a small tea stall. Finish with a leisurely dinner at Plov Center where you can watch chefs prepare traditional plov and taste regional desserts, then stroll the lamplit pedestrian lane by Registan Avenue to enjoy the night-time silhouettes of Samarkand's monuments and reflect on the day's discoveries.
Spend a calm morning wandering the leafy lanes of Japanese Garden of Friendship to enjoy peaceful ponds and sculpted paths, then head to the nearby State Museum of Temurids and Silk Road to tie together the historical threads you've seen in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand with its compact exhibits. Finish with a relaxed brunch at Plov-Samsa House to sample a final regional plov and sweet non before returning to your hotel to pack and check out for your departure.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the modern-cultural side of Tashkent beginning with a guided visit to the striking contemporary galleries at Tashkent Fine Arts Gallery, then continue to the nearby leafy complex of Victory Park (Park of Uzbekistan) to walk among memorials and enjoy city panoramas from its hilltop viewpoint. Finish with a leisurely late lunch and last-minute souvenir hunt at the stylish Samarqand Darvoza shopping arcade, sampling fresh non and a cup of strong black tea before returning to your hotel to collect luggage and head to the airport.
For a gentle final evening that ties together your journey, wander through the peaceful sculpture-lined paths of Fiori Park before settling at the atmospheric open-air courtyard of Caravan Café, where you can savor a farewell plate of assorted samsa and a glass of fragrant black tea while listening to live acoustic music. Finish with a short taxi ride to Minor Mosque (Minor Masjid) to admire its tranquil facade lit at night and then enjoy a rooftop cocktail at Cityline Terrace for one last panoramic view of Tashkent's skyline as you reflect on five days across Uzbekistan.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Broadway (Sailgoh Street) | Free |
| Alisher Navoi National Park | Free |
| Teahouse brunch (local) | $5 |
| Chorsu Bazaar | Free |
| Tasting samsa at Chorsu (street food) | $1 |
| Khast Imam Complex (Khast-Imam) | $2 |
| Independence Square (Mustaqillik Maydoni) | Free |
| Dinner: Uzbek plov and shashlik (restaurant) | $8 |
| Anhor Canal (promenade) | Free |
| Alay Market (evening snack crawl) | $4 |
| Hotel Uzbekistan rooftop terrace (drink/view) | $6 |
| Kunya-Ark Citadel (Khiva, Ichan Kala) | $5 |
| Juma Mosque (Khiva) | $1 |
| Courtyard chaihona (Khiva tea) | $1 |
| Tash Hauli Palace (terrace/view) | $3 |
| Avliyo Imam Street (crafts/shops) | Free |
| Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum | $2 |
| Pakhlavan Makhmud Ensemble viewing platform | $1 |
| Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa (evening visit) | $2 |
| Dinner at Chor Minor café (lagman) | $5 |
| Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble (Bukhara) | Free |
| Poi Kalon Complex (including minaret viewing) | $3 |
| Toki-Zargaron (jewelers' dome) / Toki-Sarrafon | Free |
| Local non from bakery (Bukhara) | $0.50 |
| Chor Minor (courtyard) | $1 |
| Samanid Mausoleum | $2 |
| Toki Telpak Furushon (silk-trading halls) | Free |
| Ark Fortress (evening visit) | $3 |
| Bolo Haouz Mosque (lanes/workshops) | Free |
| Shah-i-Zinda (Samarkand) | $5 |
| Bibi-Khanym Mosque | $4 |
| Street-side teahouse shashlik (Samarkand) | $4 |
| Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum | $4 |
| Ulugh Beg Observatory (museum) | $3 |
| Rukhabad Mausoleum (courtyard) | $1 |
| Plov Center (dinner) | $6 |
| Registan Avenue (evening stroll) | Free |
| Japanese Garden of Friendship (Tashkent) | Free |
| State Museum of Temurids and Silk Road | $2 |
| Brunch at Plov-Samsa House | $6 |
| Tashkent Fine Arts Gallery | $2 |
| Victory Park (Park of Uzbekistan) | Free |
| Samarqand Darvoza (shopping arcade) - souvenir snacks | $3 |
| Fiori Park | Free |
| Caravan Café (farewell samsa & tea) | $6 |
| Minor Mosque (Minor Masjid) evening visit | Free |
| Cityline Terrace (rooftop cocktail) | $8 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $118.50 |