Itineraries
Uzbekistan in 2 weeks
A two-week itinerary through Uzbekistan, combining Tashkent, the Fergana Valley crafts, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz, a night in a desert yurt camp, Bukhara, Khiva and the desert fortresses, with Nukus as an option, day-by-day plans, transport and tips.
Two weeks in Uzbekistan lets you go beyond the classic cities. Start in Tashkent, spend 2 days in the Fergana Valley, 3 in Samarkand with a day trip to Shakhrisabz, a night in a yurt camp near Aydarkul, 3 in Bukhara, and 3 in Khiva with the desert fortresses, then fly back to Tashkent.
The route at a glance
| Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Tashkent | Khast Imam, Chorsu bazaar, metro, museums |
| 3–4 | Fergana Valley | Kokand, Rishtan ceramics, Margilan silk |
| 5–7 | Samarkand | Registan, Shah-i-Zinda; day trip to Shakhrisabz |
| 8 | Nuratau / Aydarkul | Village walk, yurt camp, camels |
| 9–11 | Bukhara | Old town, outskirts, Gijduvan |
| 12–13 | Khiva | Ichan-Kala, desert fortresses |
| 14 | Urgench → Tashkent | Fly back |
This is a relaxed pace, with time to absorb each place. You can add Nukus or remove the Fergana Valley to suit your interests.
Days 1–2 – Tashkent
Recover from your flight and discover the capital: the Khast Imam complex, home of a very early Quran manuscript; the Chorsu bazaar under its great dome; the decorated stations of the metro; and the State Museum of Applied Arts. In the evening, enjoy a performance at the Navoi Theatre. See things to do in Tashkent and Tashkent airport.
Days 3–4 – The Fergana Valley
Cross the Kamchik pass by car, or take the train through the tunnel, to the green Fergana Valley. In Kokand, see the Khudayar Khan palace and the Juma mosque. In Rishtan, visit the ceramic workshops. In Margilan, watch silk being made at the Yodgorlik factory and explore the Kumtepa bazaar if it is Thursday or Sunday. Return to Tashkent by train on the evening of day 4. See Tashkent to Fergana.
Days 5–7 – Samarkand and Shakhrisabz
Take the morning Afrosiyob to Samarkand (about 2–2.5 hours). Over two days, see the Registan, Gur-Emir, Bibi-Khanym, the Shah-i-Zinda, Afrosiyob and Ulugbek’s observatory. Visit the Imam al-Bukhari complex just outside the city, and a paper mill at Konigil.
On day 7, make a day trip over the Takhtakaracha pass to Shakhrisabz, Timur’s birthplace, with the ruins of his Ak-Saray palace and the Dorut Tilovat complex. See our Samarkand itinerary.
Day 8 – The Nuratau mountains and a yurt camp
Leave Samarkand by car for the Nuratau mountains. Walk in the village of Sentob, have lunch with a local family, then continue to a yurt camp near Lake Aydarkul. Ride a camel, swim in the lake in season, and spend the night under the stars, with dinner around a fire.
Days 9–11 – Bukhara
In the morning, visit Nurata with its fortress and holy spring, then drive to Bukhara (about 3–4 hours).
Spend two full days in Bukhara: the Poi-Kalyan ensemble, the trading domes, the Ark, the Samanid mausoleum, Chor Minor and Lyabi-Hauz. On the outskirts, visit the summer palace of the last emir, the Bahauddin Naqshband shrine and the Chor-Bakr necropolis. A half-day trip to Gijduvan shows a family pottery workshop. See things to do in Bukhara.
Days 12–13 – Khiva and the desert fortresses
On day 12, cross the Kyzylkum to Khiva by train or car (6–7 hours). See Bukhara to Khiva. Walk the walls at sunset.
On day 13, explore Ichan-Kala in the morning: Kalta Minor, Kunya-Ark, the Juma mosque, Tash-Hauli and the Islam Khodja minaret. In the afternoon, drive to the desert fortresses of Toprak Kala and Ayaz Kala, returning to Khiva after sunset, or stay overnight in the yurt camp at Ayaz Kala. See our Khiva itinerary.
Day 14 – Fly back
Enjoy a last morning in Khiva, then drive to Urgench and fly to Tashkent (about 1.5 hours) for your international flight. See Tashkent to Urgench.
Where to stay along the route
- Tashkent: modern hotels in the centre, near the metro.
- Fergana Valley: hotels in Fergana or Margilan as a base for the valley; Kokand and Rishtan are easy day visits.
- Samarkand: boutique hotels near the Registan or the pedestrian street; see where to stay in Samarkand.
- Nuratau and Aydarkul: a family guesthouse in a mountain village or a yurt camp by the lake.
- Bukhara: historic guesthouses in the old town near Lyabi-Hauz; see where to stay in Bukhara.
- Khiva: guesthouses inside or just outside Ichan-Kala, or a night in the yurt camp at Ayaz Kala; see where to stay in Khiva.
Changing hotels seven times in two weeks is a lot; travel light, and consider leaving a bag in Tashkent while you visit the Fergana Valley. Most hotels are happy to store luggage for a few days.
Variations
- Add Nukus and the Aral Sea: replace the Fergana Valley with 2–3 days in Karakalpakstan: the Savitsky Museum, Muynak and the Aral Sea. See Khiva to Nukus.
- Add the south: from Samarkand, drive via Shakhrisabz and Boysun to Termez, then fly back to Tashkent. See Samarkand to Termez.
- Add the mountains: a day at Chimgan and Charvak from Tashkent.
- Add a neighbour: cross from Samarkand to Penjikent and the Seven Lakes in Tajikistan via the Jartepa border.
Practical tips
- Book the Afrosiyob and the Urgench–Tashkent flight early in spring and autumn.
- A car with driver is ideal for the Nuratau/Aydarkul days and the fortresses.
- Pace: two weeks allows rest; keep one afternoon free in each city.
- Seasons: April–May and September–October are best; the yurt camps open roughly from April to October.
- Pack layers: desert nights are cold, even when days are hot.
Compare with our shorter 7-day and 10-day itineraries. We can organise trains, cars, guides and the yurt camp for the whole route.
Frequently asked questions
Is two weeks enough for Uzbekistan?
Yes. Two weeks covers the great cities, the Fergana Valley, a desert yurt camp and the fortresses near Khiva at a relaxed pace.
What should I add to the classic route with 14 days?
The Fergana Valley crafts, Shakhrisabz, a night near Lake Aydarkul and the desert fortresses near Khiva.
Where should I end a 2-week trip to Uzbekistan?
In Khiva, flying back to Tashkent from Urgench to avoid backtracking.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
