1 Week Uzbekistan Itinerary: How to See the Best of the Silk Road Cities
During my trip to Central Asia, one of the best highlights was spending 1 week in Uzbekistan. This country is known for its Silk Road history, stunning Islamic architecture, and vibrant culture. In just seven days, I was able to explore some of its most beautiful cities and experience what makes Uzbekistan such a unique travel destination.
In this 1-week Uzbekistan itinerary, I focused on three of the country’s most famous Silk Road cities. These are Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Each one offered something different: the modern capital of Tashkent, the ancient streets of Bukhara, and the breathtaking monuments of Samarkand. If you’re planning a trip, this itinerary will show you how to see the best of Uzbekistan in just one week.
Places to visit in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has many incredible places to visit, but with limited time, I chose to keep my trip to these three cities. Tashkent stood out for its mix of modern life and traditional markets, Bukhara felt like stepping back in time with its mosques and historic sites, and Samarkand amazed me with its grand Silk Road architecture. Here are the places I was able to visit in each city.
Tashkent
I started my journey in Uzbekistan by spending a few days in Tashkent, the country’s capital and largest city. Tashkent is known for its blend of modern development and Soviet-era architecture. It has lively bazaars, wide boulevards, and beautiful metro stations that are tourist attractions on their own. It was the perfect starting point for my 1-week Uzbekistan itinerary. I flew in from Bishkek via Uzbekistan Airways, which offered a smooth and convenient connection between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Some of the best places to visit in Tashkent include:
- Amir Temur Square
- State Museum of the Temurids
- State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
- Minor Mosque
- Hazrat Imam Complex
- Tashkent City Park
- Tashkent Metro Stations
Bukhara
After exploring Tashkent, I continued my journey to Bukhara, one of the most historic cities along the Silk Road. Bukhara is like an open-air museum. It has over a thousand years of history preserved in its mosques, madrasahs, and caravanserais. Exploring the city felt like stepping back in time, making it one of the highlights of my 1-week Uzbekistan itinerary.
Some of the best places to visit in Bukhara include:
- Toki Sarrofon
- Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah
- Kalon Tower
- Chor Minor
- Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Bolo Hauz Mosque
- Bukhara Tower
- Ark of Bukhara
- Kalan Mosque
- Mir-i-Arab Madrasah
- Bukhara Bazaars
Samarkand
The last stop on my trip was Samarkand, often called the “Jewel of the Silk Road.” This city is famous for its grand Islamic architecture, especially its breathtaking madrasahs and mosques. Samarkand perfectly blends history and beauty, making it a must-visit for anyone traveling to Uzbekistan.
Some of the best places to visit in Samarkand include:
- Shah-i-Zinda
- Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Amir Temur Monument
- Amir Temur Mausoleum
- Gur-i-Amir Mausoleum
- Registan Square
- Siyob Bozor
Uzbekistan Travel Itinerary
In just one week in Uzbekistan, I was able to visit many of the country’s top tourist spots. Here’s the summary of my 1-week Uzbekistan itinerary covering Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand.
Day 0 – Flight from Bishkek to Tashkent via Uzebkistan Airways
Day 1 to 2 – Tashkent
Day 3 – Train from Tashkent to Bukhara
Day 4 – Bukhara
Day 5 – Train from Bukhara to Samarkan
Day 6 – Samarkand
Day 7 – Train from Samarkan to Tashkent | Flight from Tashkent to Almaty via Air Astana
Uzbekistan Travel Expenses
Here’s an estimate of my 1 week in Uzbekistan to help you plan your own trip.
Flights and transportation:
- Flight from Bishkek to Tashkent (Uzbekistan Airways) – ₱6,160
- Flight from Tashkent to Almaty (Air Astana) – ₱6,350
- Train from Tashkent to Bukhara (Uzbekistan Railways) – ₱2,121
- Train from Bukhara to Samarkand (Uzbekistan Railways) – ₱680
- Train from Samarkand to Tashkent (Uzbekistan Railways) – ₱940
- Airport transfer from Tashkent International Airport to Diyor Hostel – ₱500
- Yandex taxi from Tashkent Railway Station to Tashkent International Airport – ₱250
- Other transportation – ₱2,000
Accommodation:
- Tashkent – Art Hostel (4d/3n in a mixed dorm room) – ₱1,495
- Bukhara – Diyor Hostel (3d/2n in a budget room) – ₱1,540
- Samarkand – Registan Hostel (3d/2n in a mixed dorm room) – ₱1,115
Entrance fee:
- Kalan Mosque – ₱65
- Shah-i-Zinda – ₱180
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque – ₱120
- Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex – ₱180
- Registan Square – ₱260
Others:
- Food and drinks for 7 days – ₱8,000
- Sim card data – ₱610
- Shopping – ₱1,000
Summary of Travel Expenses
- Flight – ₱12,510
- Transportation – ₱6,491
- Accommodation – ₱4,150
- Food – ₱8,000
- Tours and activities – ₱805
- Others – ₱1,610
Total: ₱33,566
Spending 1 week in Uzbekistan gave me the opportunity to see some of its most beautiful cities and historic sites. From Tashkent to Bukhara and Samarkand, each place showed a unique side of the country’s culture and history. A week may not be enough to see everything, but it was a memorable trip that made me want to return.
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