Evening flight to Urgench on a scheduled flight (overnight).

Recommended flight:
Direct night flight departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle on 3 April 2026 at the end of the day (Uzbekistan Airways)
Arrival at Urgench Airport on 4 April 2026 early in the morning
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes (direct flight)

Arrival in Urgench early in the morning and departure for Khiva.

Breakfast and rest time at your hotel.

Around 11 a.m., the city slowly awakens to our curiosity. The sun climbs higher, and our steps lead us towards Khiva, a jewel frozen in time, ‘Ichan-Kala,’ the inner city. Nestled behind 2,200 metres of ochre ramparts, pierced by four majestic gates, it reveals itself as an open-air museum city, the setting for a thousand and one stories. We will walk along the walls to the West Gate, the noble entrance to an Oriental dream. At our feet, a ceramic map guides us through this labyrinth of wonders. First stop: The Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa (19th century), now converted into a hotel.

We will cross the threshold of the silent courtyard, watched over by the Kalta Minor minaret, a unfinished structure that dreamed of becoming the tallest in the entire Muslim world… but whose base alone has stood the test of time, proud and since 1855.

Lunch on a terrace, enveloped by the spices of Uzbek cuisine.

The afternoon takes us into the shadow of the Konya Ark citadel, where the silence of a sovereign past still reigns.

Time to rest at the hotel.

And when dusk caresses the domes, music rises in the courtyard of an ancient madrasa: songs from Khorezm, dances with ancestral gestures, bursts of laughter… A spellbinding evening under the stars.

Dinner at a restaurant and night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day will begin with a visit to the Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrasa (19th century). Behind its walls, two courtyards come to life: one has been transformed into a museum, the other has become a centre for artisans. In the cobbled streets, the old caravanserais have swapped caravans for art studios: a second life, just as noble.

We slip into a wood carving workshop, where every movement gives rise to exquisite arabesques.

Splendour returns with the Tash Khaouli Palace (19th century), the former summer residence of the khan. Three courtyards, three worlds: the harem with its delicate ceramics, the ceremonial courtyard where silence still seems to carry political decisions, and the courtyard for guests, a veritable living tableau of a bygone era.

Next comes a moment of reflection at the mausoleum of Pakhlavan Mahmoud, the protector of the site. This 13th-century poet, wrestler and Sufi lies beneath a dome covered in celestial majolica, a vibrant tribute to his legend.

Lunch in a former madrasa converted into a restaurant.

Leisurely afternoon in Khiva.

In the early evening, transfer to Urgench Airport, a 40-minute drive away, for a 9:35 p.m. flight to Bukhara.

Arrival scheduled for around 10:30 p.m., then transfer and night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then a short bus ride to take us closer to the beating heart of Bukhara, once known as ‘the Forbidden Holy City’. For centuries, non-Muslims did not even dare to approach it. With its 200 madrasas and 365 mosques, it was the spiritual beacon of Central Asia, the mystical capital of Islam.

Our journey begins gently with an architectural gem: the mausoleum of Ismail Samani (9th–10th centuries), built entirely of fired bricks, with an almost mathematical elegance. Built by the founder of the Samanid dynasty, it is one of the oldest mausoleums in the Muslim world, affectionately nicknamed ‘the Pearl of Bukhara’.

Nearby is a legendary site: Tchashma Ayub, Job’s well. Rumour has it that the biblical prophet struck the ground here with his staff and caused water to gush forth from the desert. Today, a 12th-century mausoleum houses this miracle, which has become a water museum, a nod to Uzbekistan’s precious blue gold.

We walk to the Bolo Khaouz Mosque (1712). The small minaret next to it (1917) discreetly watches over the daily prayers.

Lunch in a family home, simple, sincere, warm: Uzbek hospitality at its best.

In the afternoon, we climb the steps of history at the Ark, the thousand-year-old citadel of the emirs of Bukhara. Standing at the edge of the desert, the Ark of Bukhara rises like a stone ship stranded in time. Behind its high walls, emirs, poets and scholars wrote the history of a power that was both refined and formidable. Even today, its silent courtyards and shady galleries tell the story of the forgotten greatness of the kingdoms of Central Asia better than any book.

To conclude the day, we will share a rare moment: a visit to a family of embroiderers, guardians of an art passed down from generation to generation. The master of the house will reveal the secrets of silk, needles and patterns during a private demonstration full of soul and delicate gestures, followed by dinner.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the magnificent Poikalian architectural complex, built between the 12th and 16th centuries, comprising the Masjid Kalian mosque, the Miri Arab madrasa and the tallest minaret of its time in the East.

After visiting the 16th-century covered market and its ‘merchant dome’: the Toqi-zargaron, known as the jewellers’ dome, but now home to a much more diverse range of merchants.

In the heart of the covered market, we sample herbal teas based on recipes by Avicenna, a renowned physician who practised traditional medicine.

We continue our exploration by visiting a blacksmith’s workshop, renowned for its Damascus knives and blades with ancient arabesque patterns. Not far away, the Tchor Minor (‘four minarets’) displays its four towers, each covered with a turquoise dome…

We then pass through Toqi Telpak Furushon, the old hat market, where fabrics have given way to a thousand other treasures. Right next door, we take a peek inside the Bozori Kord hammam, which once welcomed the people of Bukhara for their weekly bath.

After lunch, as we stroll along, we will visit the Magokki Attari Mosque, built on the site of a Buddhist and Zoroastrian temple, then cross the Toki-sarrafon, a merchant’s dome reserved for money changers.

At the end of the day, in the shade of the century-old trees lining a large pond, we discover the Lyab-i-Khauz complex, a veritable living tableau. Three buildings interact here: the Khanaga Nadir Divan Beghi, a former dervish inn converted into an exhibition hall; the Nadir Divan Beghi Madrasah, with its fascinating decorations of Mongolian suns and fantastical birds; and the Kukeldash Madrasah, the largest in the city with its 140 cells.

In the evening, we visit a renowned miniaturist at his painting school and tissue paper factory. He shares his stories, techniques and love of detail with us. We discover the process of making paper from mulberry trees, then the finesse of miniatures. This special moment concludes with dinner on site, in the company of the artist.

okTransfer and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Five kilometres away, we will discover Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khossa, the summer palace of the last emir. Built in 1914, we will visit the salons, the rose garden, the pond, and the harem. It is said to have housed forty women… Today, it is a museum of suzani, the local embroidery.

We will continue on to a sacred place: the mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. A revered Sufi, founder of a great mystical order. The place is lively, with many pilgrims. The atmosphere is peaceful.

Back in the heart of Bukhara, discover the Chor Minor madrasah. A little gem with its four blue towers. Unique, strange, almost magical.

Leisurely lunch and afternoon.

In the evening, head to a medersa in celebration. Concert of traditional music, dances and fashion show.

To end the day on a high note, dinner in a former 19th-century Jewish house, now a restaurant.

Night at the hotel.

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll hit the road. Head for Samarkand, the Pearl of the Orient. During the 5-hour drive, we’ll be able to see the Vobkent minaret (12th century).

We’ll take the road to Guijdouvan, a town of craftsmen, for a stop at the local market.

Next, a visit to the Narzoullayev family, potters handed down from father to son for six generations. Mr Narzoullayev will open his kilns and secrets to us. There will be a pottery demonstration and, for the curious, an introduction to drawing on pottery.

Lunch on site.

In the afternoon, we continue on our way. On the way, a photo stop at the Sardoba, an ancient water reservoir dating from the 14th century. A nod to the hydraulic engineering of the Silk Roads.

Arrival in Samarkand at the end of the day and check into your hotel.

In the evening, dinner followed by a night walk around Samarkand.

Night at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off this time to visit Samarkand, the former capital of Tamerlane, the jewel of Central Asia and a mythical crossroads on the Silk Road.

This city was in turn destroyed, resurrected and then magnified. Its walls hold the memory of empires and, in its silence, the breath of vanished caravans.

We will start our day in Reghistan Square.

Opposite us, a triptych of medersas that seems to have been placed there by magic: the Ulugbek medersa, founded by the prince-astronomer in the 15th century. The Sher-Dor medersa, famous for its golden lions facing the sun and, finally, the Tilla Kari medersa, literally ‘as golden as gold’.

We’ll have lunch in a hilltop restaurant, with a panoramic view of the city’s turquoise domes and flat roofs.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue with a visit to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, an immense and solemn structure built in the 15th century by order of Tamerlane. Just opposite, we’ll stroll through the Siyob market, the vibrant heart of Samarkand. With its sun-shaped hot breads, mountains of spices and bunches of sultanas, every stall is an invitation to indulge and marvel.

In the late afternoon, return to the hotel for a rest.

In the evening, we’ll head to the El Merosi theatre, where a unique show will immerse us in the textile and cultural history of the region.

Dinner at the restaurant after the show and night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Then it’s on to the Afrasiab hills, where the very first history of Samarkand was written, long before Tamerlane fashioned it in his own image. Here you will find the Afrasiab Archaeological Museum, built on the ruins of the ancient Sogdian city.

Our journey will then take us to one of the most fascinating places in the city: the remains of the observatory of Ulughbek, the 14th-century astronomer-king, grandson of Tamerlane and lover of the stars.

With his huge sextant carved out of stone, he managed to map more than 1,000 stars, with such incredible accuracy that it would make our GPS pale into insignificance.

We will then have lunch in a local restaurant. Then on to the Gur Amir mausoleum, Tamerlane’s majestic tomb. Its turquoise-blue dome seems to pierce the sky, like the emperor’s final challenge to eternity. A few steps away, we pay tribute to his memory in front of his statue, standing proudly in the face of history.

In the afternoon, we’ll discover the region’s ancestral know-how at the silk carpet factory.

And to end the day on a warm and friendly note, we are welcomed into a traditional house. There, we’ll learn how to prepare palov, the emblematic dish of Uzbekistan, which we’ll then taste.

Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will start the day at the mausoleum of Saint Daniel, at the crossroads of different faiths, and today a place of meditation for Muslims, Christians and Jews. A place where silence seems to cross the centuries and bring souls together.

Then, for our final visit to Samarkand, we enter the silent and fascinating world of Chakhi Zinda, literally ‘the living King’. A sumptuous necropolis has sprung up around his tomb. It is not a cemetery, but a procession set in stone: 44 monuments, some twenty of which have been miraculously preserved, covered in turquoise ceramic and sacred inscriptions.

Before leaving this legendary city, there is plenty of free time to stroll through the narrow streets, do some final shopping, or simply soak up the unique aura of Samarkand one last time.

We will enjoy a final lunch in this thousand-year-old city, before setting off for the station.

In the afternoon, board the Uzbek high-speed train for Tashkent. Two hours and ten minutes to cross the landscapes of Central Asia.

On our arrival in Tashkent, we are back in the hustle and bustle of the capital for dinner.

Night at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will set off to discover Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, at the crossroads of past and present.

Our morning begins in Khasti Imam Square, the spiritual heart of Tashkent.

Here you will find the Barak-Khan madrasa, a jewel of Islamic architecture; the mausoleum of Kaffal Chochiy, a revered poet and saint; and the Tilla Chaykh mosque, which houses an ancient Koran considered to be one of the oldest in the world.

Just next door, the Tchor Sou market explodes with colour, scent and life. Under its turquoise domes, everything comes to life: spices, fabrics, golden breads, candied fruit… it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in the daily life of the Uzbeks.

After lunch in the city, we continue our tour of the modern city.

We will stop off in the vast and solemn square, symbol of the new republic. Then we’ll discover Tamerlane Square, adorned with an imposing statue of the great conqueror.

In the evening, we will attend an opera or ballet performance in one of Tashkent’s iconic theatres.

Finally, to celebrate these days rich in emotions, encounters and discoveries, we will share a dinner in a cosy restaurant in the capital.

Night at the hotel.

Before closing the chapter on Uzbekistan, a final visit awaits us: the elegant showcase that celebrates the skills of the country’s artisans. Embroidery, ceramics, wood carvings, carpets and miniatures tell the story of a refined culture, deeply rooted in its traditions.

Lunch in town before transfer to the airport.

Recommended flight:
Departure from Tashkent at 13:30

Arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle at 18:20 – direct flight HY251 operated by Uzbekistan Airways