Uzbekistan Tour 2026-2027: Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent Programmes

A large part of present-day Uzbekistan lies in the region known in Islamic sources as Mawarannahr (Transoxiana). Stretching between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, this land was for centuries one of the most important centres of scholarship and culture in the Muslim world. Imam al-Bukhari, one of the best-known names in the science of hadith; Imam al-Maturidi, one of the two great imams of Sunni theology (kalam); and Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, to whom the Naqshbandi path is attributed, are all closely identified with this land.

An Uzbekistan tour offers the chance to see first-hand the cities where these figures lived and the buildings that carry their legacy. The architecture that reached its peak in the Timurid era, with its turquoise domes, tiled monumental portals and madrasas with spacious courtyards, still impresses visitors today. This is why Uzbekistan tours are not only a striking cultural trip, but also a meaningful journey back to Turkic-Islamic history and our shared civilisational roots. Our programmes are designed so that you can discover this richness without rushing, listening to the story of every stop.

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, with its wide avenues and modern face, is usually the first stop of the journey. A Tashkent tour begins at the Hazrati Imam Complex, which best reflects the city’s historic fabric.

Hazrati Imam (Hast Imam) Complex

The complex takes its name from al-Qaffal al-Shashi, known as Hazrati Imam and regarded as one of Tashkent’s great spiritual figures. Made up of a mausoleum, a madrasa and mosques, this area is one of the centres of the city’s religious life. With its spacious courtyard and ornate arcades, the complex is a peaceful stop that is also a favoured place for prayer in Tashkent.

The manuscript known as the Uthman Quran

In the library building of the complex, an ancient copy of the Quran, attributed to the time of Hazrat Uthman and popularly known as the Mushaf of Uthman, is on display. Although there are differing views on the manuscript’s history, it is regarded as one of the most visited sacred relics in Uzbekistan.

Modern Tashkent

Depending on the programme, you can also visit the city’s bazaars, its metro stations known for their decoration, and its wide squares. This first day in Tashkent is also a good start for adjusting to the pace of the journey. Programmes that begin with a short Tashkent tour give you the chance to shake off the fatigue of the flight and get to know everyday life in the country.

In a Samarkand and Bukhara tour programme, Samarkand stands out as the richest stop architecturally. Every street you walk along in the city recalls the splendour of the Timurid era.

Registan Square and its madrasas

Registan Square, regarded as the heart of Samarkand, is framed on three sides by madrasas: the Ulugh Beg Madrasa, the Sher-Dor Madrasa and the Tilya-Kori Madrasa. With its tilework and magnificent portals, the square offers an unforgettable sight, especially in the evening light.

Gur-e Amir

Gur-e Amir, which houses the tombs of Amir Timur and some members of his family, is one of the best-known works of Timurid architecture, with its ribbed turquoise dome. The tomb of Ulugh Beg, the scholar-ruler, is also in this mausoleum.

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Built in Timur’s time and, according to tradition, named after Timur’s wife, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque is one of the most ambitious buildings of its era, with its enormous domes and monumental portal.

Shah-i-Zinda

Shah-i-Zinda, which grew up around the tomb attributed to Qutham ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet (peace be upon him), is an ensemble of mausoleums lined with blue tiles. Reached by a flight of steps, this site deeply moves its visitors with its silence and tilework.

Ulugh Beg Observatory

The remains of the observatory where Ulugh Beg carried out his astronomical work are an important stop that shows the level science reached in the Muslim world. The remains of the giant measuring instrument, preserved below ground level, can still be seen today.

Imam al-Bukhari Complex (Khartank)

Located in Khartank near Samarkand, the Imam al-Bukhari Complex is home to the tomb of the author of Sahih al-Bukhari. In our programmes, enough time is set aside for this visit, without rushing, for prayer and reflection. Depending on the programme, the tomb of Imam al-Maturidi in Samarkand may also be visited.

Bukhara is one of the best-preserved cities in Central Asia, and most of its historic centre can be explored on foot.

Po-i-Kalyan: Kalyan Minaret and Mosque

The Kalyan Minaret, dating from the Karakhanid era, is the symbol of Bukhara. Together with the Kalyan Mosque beside it and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa opposite, it forms an impressive square known as Po-i-Kalyan. The Mir-i-Arab Madrasa is known to be still in use as an educational institution today.

The Ark Fortress and the Samanid Mausoleum

With its high walls, used for centuries by the rulers of Bukhara, the Ark Fortress is one of the oldest settled areas of the city. The Samanid Mausoleum, with its brickwork, is considered one of the oldest and most elegant examples of Islamic architecture in Central Asia.

Lyabi-Hauz and Chor Minor

Surrounded by madrasas and mulberry trees, Lyabi-Hauz is the centre of Bukhara’s social life. Chor Minor, notable for its four small minarets, is one of the city’s most distinctive buildings.

Mausoleum of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband

The mausoleum of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband near Bukhara and the complex around it preserve the memory of this great figure, to whom the Naqshbandi path is attributed, and form one of the spiritually most important stops of our programmes.

Depending on the programme: Khiva

Khiva, in the Khorezm region, is a city that resembles an open-air museum, with its walled Itchan Kala. Among the madrasas and mosques lining its narrow streets, the tiled Kalta Minor minaret, notable for its unfinished state, is the most photographed structure. As Khiva is far from the other cities, transport is usually planned separately via Urgench, and it is added to the route in some programmes.

The table below is intended to give you an idea of the general flow of an Uzbekistan tour programme.

The order and length of the programme vary depending on the package you choose.

In RotaNur programmes, the halal concept is observed at every stage of the journey. As the great majority of the population is Muslim, finding halal food in Uzbekistan is generally easy; even so, restaurants for group meals are chosen with halal sensitivities in mind. Uzbek plov, somsa, lagman, shashlik and fresh tandoor bread are flavours you will often find on the table, and meals are usually accompanied by green tea.

• Prayer times: The tour schedule is arranged around prayer times; whenever possible, prayers are performed in the mosques of the complexes being visited.
• Friday prayer: When the programme falls on a Friday, the Friday prayer is planned at a historic mosque or one of the city’s central mosques.
• Special needs: Simply let us know about any dietary or health-related food requirements when you register.

Setting aside enough time at every stop to recite al-Fatiha and make dua during visits to mausoleums is one of the core priorities of our programmes.

On Uzbekistan tours, accommodation is planned to balance easy access to the historic centres with comfort. Areas close to the Registan in Samarkand and around Lyabi-Hauz in Bukhara are especially preferred for evening walks. Hotel standards vary by package; up-to-date information is given in the package details.

For journeys between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, comfortable options such as the high-speed train stand out. Depending on the route, domestic flights or road transfers in tour vehicles are also considered, and transport to distant stops such as Khiva is planned separately. Airport pick-ups and hotel transfers are arranged according to the package, and your arrival details are shared with the welcome team in advance. Your experienced Turkish-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the journey, and you can reach us at any time via our 24/7 support line and on WhatsApp.

Uzbekistan has a continental climate, with marked temperature differences between the seasons.

In general, spring and autumn stand out as the most balanced periods for an Uzbekistan tour involving long walks.

Documents and entry requirements

As entry requirements can change, please confirm them with official sources before you travel; we will guide you through the application process. It is a good idea to check the validity of your passport at the start of your planning. We also recommend checking the travel advisories of Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for up-to-date safety information.

Clothing

For visits to mausoleums, mosques and madrasas, you will need modest clothing, and women will need a headscarf. In summer, light, covering clothes that protect you from the sun, a hat and sunglasses are recommended; in spring and autumn, a light jacket for the cool evenings. As there will be long walks across large historic sites, comfortable shoes are a must.

Money and shopping

The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbek som. Although card payments are becoming increasingly common in the big cities, cash is still important in bazaars and small shops. In the bazaars of Samarkand and Bukhara, silk products, suzani embroidery, handmade ceramics, spices and dried fruit are the most popular souvenirs.

If you need to change the date or cancel after registering, the applicable terms depend on the date of cancellation; you can find the details on our cancellation and refund terms page.

Programmes differ in the cities they cover, their accommodation choices, the type of intercity transport and their sightseeing pace. In the table below, you can compare our halal culture tours side by side to find the option that suits you best. When comparing, we recommend looking not only at the price but also at additional stops such as Khiva and at the daily sightseeing pace.

Current prices and dates are shown on the package cards; before you decide, you can send your questions to our advisors on WhatsApp.

Our 2026-2027 Uzbekistan tour prices start from 44,000 ₺ per person. The main factors that determine the price are the travel date, the length of the programme, the hotel category and the room type.

Current Uzbekistan tour prices:

• Uzbekistan Tour — Samarkand & Bukhara: 44,000 ₺ per person

Prices are pulled automatically from the latest information on the product page; for the exact price and availability, you can get confirmation from our advisors before booking. No online payment is taken. After you submit your reservation request, our advisor contacts you, confirms the programme and availability, and guides you through the payment steps. You can also ask our advisors about financing options.

As the scope of each package differs, the definitive information is on the relevant package’s detail page. As a general outline:

• Usually included: The flights specified in the package, accommodation, airport transfers, intercity transport, the services of an experienced Turkish-speaking guide, the meals included in the programme and the specified entrance fees for visits.
• Usually not included: Personal expenses, meals and drinks not specified in the programme, optional extra excursions, individual document fees and services not separately specified in the package.

If you notice an item in the package contents that is not clear, we recommend asking our advisors before booking; we share every item openly so that you do not face any unexpected costs.

RotaNur plans each journey not merely as a trip but as a meaningful experience. Observing the halal concept at every stage, experienced Turkish-speaking guidance, transparent package contents and 24/7 support throughout the journey form the foundation of our programmes. You can see all our programmes in one place on our halal culture tours page. If you would like to get to know the cities beforehand, you can read our Samarkand and Bukhara travel guide.

If, after seeing the scholarly heritage of Transoxiana, you would like to explore other regions of Islamic civilisation, take a look at these routes:

• Bosnia and Balkans tours, for the Ottoman heritage of Sarajevo and Mostar
• Andalusia tours, for the Islamic legacy of Córdoba and Granada
• Jerusalem tours, for a visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque (Masjid al-Aqsa)

You can find answers on our frequently asked questions page or get in touch through our contact page.