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Registan Square at night, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Home Destinations North and Central Asia Uzbekistan Samarkand

Samarkand

At the height of its prosperity, the evocative and infamous city of Samarkand was one of the most fabled cities on the Silk Road.

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Samarkand has managed to fire the imagination of travellers over the centuries, it has the mythical resonance of Atlantis, fixed in the Western popular imagination by poets and playwrights of bygone eras, few of whom saw the city in the flesh.

Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Why visit Samarkand?

From the air, the city is an array of colours and patterns created from the many domes and minarets. When exploring the city itself travellers will find the magnificent tomb of Tamerlane, the observatory of Uleg Bek, one of the world’s first astronomers, and Shah-I-Zinda, the street of tombs. Along with the traditional central Asian delight of technicolour bazaars, which are able to work magic on those who wish to delve deeper. At its centre, Registan Square, flanked by three huge buildings of great dimensions, is the greatest architectural ensemble in Central Asia which today is the unlikely and yet perfect setting for theatre and shows.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Person Hiking through the Chimgan Mountain landscape in Uzbekistan
 

Hike in the Chimgan Mountains

Embark on a day trek or a more challenging multi day hike in the Chimgan Mountains.

Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
 

Registan Square

Wander around Samarkand exploring the restored madrasas flanking the edges of Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the countries most iconic images.

Suggested Holiday Idea

The edge of Aydarkul Lake fringed by beautiful red foliage
 

Kyzylkum Desert

Visit Aydarkul Lake in the Kyzylkum Desert – camp out in yurts and ride a camel.

Fergana Valley Pass, Uzbekistan
 

Fergana Valley

Visit the fertile silk producing region of the Fergana Valley.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Chor Minor, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
 

Discover Bukhara

Stroll through the atmospheric streets of Bukhara, home to bazaars, minarets and madrasas.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ata Darvoza, Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan
 

UNESCO Khiva

Explore the UNESCO city of Khiva, possibly the best preserved of all the Silk Road cities.

Suggested Holiday Idea

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This comprehensive holiday to Uzbekistan takes in the silk road cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
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Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Uzbekistan holiday ideas.

Our Uzbekistan experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
Russia
Golden Eagle – The Silk Route by Train
For centuries the domain of adventurers and merchants trading their wares, the ancient Silk Route covers some 4,000 miles. Board the luxurious Golden Eagle train and cross five countries, following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great on a journey…
14 days from £17,395pp
GW Train, Lake Baikal, Russia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Kyrgyzstan
Journey through Central Asia – The Five Stans
Travel through five very different countries, crossing desert, mountains and grasslands, seeing the finest architecture in Central Asia and mingling with the many different ethnic groups that inhabit the region.
23 days from £5,980pp
Men, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia by Paul Craven
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Uzbekistan
Highlights of Uzbekistan
This comprehensive holiday to Uzbekistan takes in the silk road cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
10 days from £2,675pp
Hast Imam Mosque, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Paul Craven in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

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Very efficient, knowledgeable and personal service from Paul. The whole holiday exceeded my expectations and the guides were soviet style superb.

Destination: Uzbekistan
Travel Expert: Paul

Very satisfied with all aspects of Steppes service and especially pleased with our guide whose deep knowledge of the country gave us a far better trip than we had even expected. We were inspired to keep learning more, both during the trip and afterwards.

Uzbekistan

Deborah, our main contact was quick to respond and thoughtful. We requested a guide who was excellent in the history and lore of the region and she secured us the best guide we have ever encountered. Great team, great trip!

Uzbekistan

Other regions to explore in Uzbekistan

Bukhara

Today the atmosphere of a Silk Road city is once again returning to Bukhara. Narrow alleyways, sectioned by dark imposing heavy carved…

Chor Minor Mosque, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Khiva

Originally built as a garrison town to house slaves in transit, Khiva, which is also known as Xiva by Uzbeks, was a…

View of mosque dome against blue sky.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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