Silk Road: Uzbekistan, Georgia & Armenia

Day 1

Stop 1.Tashkent Arrival

Arrival at Tashkent International airport. After airport formalities, meet your T/A representative and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2

Stop 1.Tashkent City Tour

Start exploring Tashkent city. Visit the Khast Imam Complex (16th-20th centuries), including the Mausoleum of Kaffol Shashi, Barakhan and Muyi Mubarak Madrasahs, and the Namazgoh and Jome Mosques. Next explore Chorsu Bazaar, a traditional domed market. We then ride the Tashkent Metro, famous for its beautifully decorated stations. In the afternoon, visit Tashkent City Park, a modern area of the capital.

Day 3

Stop 1.Tashkent - Samarkand

Transfer to Tashkent railway station for the train to Samarkand. Begin your tour of the ancient and vibrant city of Samarkand. Visit the Mausoleum of Amir Temur (Tamerlane). Continue to Registan Square. Next visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque, once the largest mosque in Central Asia. Explore Siyob Market, the city's oldest bazaar.

Day 4

Stop 1.Samarkand - Bukhara

Continue your excursion through the Rome of the Orient - Samarkand. Visit the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis. Next, visit the Afrosiyab Museum and the ruins of ancient Afrosiyab. In the afternoon, visit the Silk Paper Workshop, where traditional handmade paper is produced using centuries-old techniques. Continue to the Samarkand Silk Carpet Factory. Transfer to the train station for a high-speed train to Bukhara.

Day 5

Stop 1.Bukhara

Bukhara, the birthplace of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), is one of the most important historical cities of Central Asia. Visit the Labi Khouz Complex, including the Labi Khouz Pond, Nodir Devonbegi Khanaka and Madrasah, and Kukaldash Madrasah - a lively and popular historic ensemble. Continue through the ancient domed trading quarters: Toqi Sarrofon, Toqi Telpakfurushon, Abdullaxon Timi and Toqi Zargaron. View the Ulugbek Madrasah and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah (from outside). In the afternoon, visit the Poyi Kalon Complex, including the iconic minaret, mosque, and Miri Arab Madrasah. Continue to the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, followed by the Ark Fortress. End the day with an external visit to the Bolo Hauz Mosque.

Day 6

Stop 1.Bukhara - Khiva

Departure to Khiva. Travel through the Kyzylkum Desert, the largest desert in Uzbekistan. Arrival in Khiva in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel. We begin our visit to Ichan Qala. Visit the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and the Kalta Minor Minaret. Continue to Kohna Ark, the former residence of the Khiva khans.

Day 7

Stop 1.Khiva - Tashkent

Continue exploring the beautiful city of Khiva. Visit the Muhammad Rahim Khan (Feruz) Madrasah, one of the finest madrasahs in Khiva. Next, see the Juma. Continue to the Tash Hovli Palace, including the Khan's Harem. Visit the Allakuli Khan Caravanserai. In the afternoon, view the Islam Khoja Madrasah and Minaret (no climbing). And the tour at the Pahlavan Mahmud Complex and the Mennonite Museum (Oq Masjid). Transfer to local airport of Urgench to take a flight to Tashkent.

Day 8

Stop 1.Tashkent - Tbilisi Arrival

Transfer to the airport for departure to Tbilisi. Arrival at Tbilisi International airport. After airport formalities meet your T/A representative and transfer to the hotel. Check in. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 9

Stop 1.Tbilisi City Tour

Start exploring Tbilisi city by visiting the Chronicle of Georgia. Then continue to get acquainted with the city on a walking tour, passing through the old quarters and the center, with its famous sulfur springs along the Mtkvari River.

Day 10

Stop 1.Tbilisi - Ananuri - Kazbegi - Tbilisi

Drive to Kazbegi. On the way visit Zhinvali reservoir and Ananuri fortress. Continue to visit Gudauri monument of friendships, which is also known as Gudauri Panorama. Then drive to Kazbegi. Take jeeps to visit Gergeti Taminda Sameba Trinity Church. Return to Tbilisi.

Day 11

Stop 1.Tbilisi - Kakheti - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi

Drive to Kakheti region. Visit Bodbe monastery. Then drive to Sighnaghi. Meaning shelter, Sighnaghi is one of the smallest towns in the country with one of the richest histories. Drive to KTW for several beverage tastings. Return to Tbilisi.

Day 12

Stop 1.Tbilisi - Dashbashi Canyon - Tbilisi

Driving to Tsalka - Dashbashi Canyon. Popular among visitors, the canyon has become even more alluring since a touristic center opened on the site in the summer of 2021, providing plenty of options for comfort and adventure in a picturesque setting. Return to Tbilisi. Visit Mtatsminda park.

Day 13

Stop 1.Tbilisi - Bagratashen - Haghpat - Dilijan - Lake Sevan - Tsaghkadzor

Drive to Georgia-Armenia border crossing Bagratashen. After border formalities start the Armenian part of the tour. Drive to Alaverdi, the largest city in the Debed Canyon, an area rich with historical monuments and natural beauty. Visit Haghpat Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next continue to Dilijan, often referred to as the Switzerland of Armenia. Continue to visit Lake Sevan - the largest lake in Armenia and one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world. Visit the Sevanavank Monastery, beautifully situated on a peninsula overlooking the lake. Drive to Tsaghkadzor resort town and check in.

Day 14

Stop 1.Tsaghkadzor - Selim Pass - Noravank - Khor Virap - Yerevan

Drive to Vayots Dzor province via the Vardenyats (Selim) Mountain Pass and visit Orbelian's Caravanserai. Continue to the local Winery, known for its delicious dry red wines. Next drive through the scenic upper Amaghou Valley to visit Noravank Monastery. Drive to visit the Khor Virap Monastery, where Mt. Ararat reveals its breathtaking size and splendor. Drive to Yerevan and check in.

Day 15

Stop 1.Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots - Yerevan City tour

Drive to visit Echmiatsin - the administrative and spiritual center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit Mother Cathedral, built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303, followed by a visit to the Church Museum. On the way back to Yerevan, we stop at the 7th-century ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Start exploring Yerevan, Armenia's capital city and one of the oldest cities in the world. Drive to visit the Victory Park and Mother Armenia monument. Take a walking tour of the city center. Then visit Vernissage Market, Armenia's largest open-air market.

Day 16

Stop 1.Yerevan - Garni - Symphony of Stones - Geghard - Yerevan

Drive to visit one of Armenia's oldest buildings, the 1st-century Garni Pagan Temple. Next explore Garni Gorge and marvel at the breathtaking vertical cliffs of octagonal basalt columns, known as the Symphony of Stones. Our next stop will be the tour to the 13th century cave Monastery of Geghard (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Return to Yerevan.