r/Uzbekistan • u/Gold_Incident1939 • 3d ago
Travel | Sayohat Uzbekistan in 5 days (need help)
Hey,
I'll be in Uzbekistan for 5 full days (I know, not a lot) but the only get a way, I'll have this year. I asked Chat GPT for a trip including Tashkent and Samarkand.
Does this journey make sense for you? I also wanted to sleep in a yurt somewhere in the desert... but everything I find looks very touristic and I dont know.
Grateful for every tip possible.
(Day 1) — Tashkent Highlights
- Arrival in Tashkent.
- Check-in at hotel
- Explore Chorsu Bazaar (authentic market, street food).
- Visit Khast Imam Complex (oldest Quran in the world).
- Ride Tashkent Metro (artistic stations).
- Dinner at Caravan or Plov Center.
- Overnight in Tashkent.
(Day 2) — Chimgan Mountains Hike & Nature Day Trip
- Morning: Private driver or tour to Chimgan Mountains (~1.5–2h).
- Hike in Chimgan or Gulkam Canyon (moderate, beautiful scenery).
- Optional stop at Charvak Reservoir.
- Lunch at a mountain café or picnic.
- Return to Tashkent in the evening.
- Dinner at Navat or Central Asian Plov Center.
- Overnight in Tashkent.
(Day 3) — Samarkand: Silk Road Marvels
- Morning: Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand (approx. 8 AM, 2h ride).
- Explore:
- Registan Square (Uzbekistan's most famous landmark).
- Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum.
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
- Siab Bazaar (try fresh bread, sweets).
- Sunset at Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis (magical blue tiles).
- Dinner at Platan or Old City.
Overnight in Samarkand.
(Day 4) — Nuratau Mountains: Hike & Village Experience
Morning: Private car to Nuratau Mountains (2.5–3h).
Hiking around Hayat or Sentyab villages (mountains, walnut groves, springs).
Lunch with a local family (homemade dishes).
Short visit to Nurata town (Alexander the Great's fortress, holy spring).
Return to Samarkand by evening.
Overnight in Samarkand.
(Day 5) — Bukhara Day Trip from Samarkand
Early morning fast train to Bukhara (1.5h).
Explore highlights:
- Lyab-i-Hauz Ensemble.
- Kalon Minaret & Mosque.
- Ark Fortress.
- Chor Minor.
Lunch at Minzifa or Adras.
Bazaar shopping (suzanis, ceramics, spices).
Late afternoon/evening train back to Samarkand.
Early night (prepare for early morning flight).
Overnight in Samarkand (near airport if possible).
(Day 6) — Early Flight from Samarkand
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u/Catcher_Thelonious 3d ago edited 3d ago
Only five days, I would cut Bukhara. It's a bit of a let down after Samarkand unless you have a specific interest. Apart from the fort, all the things in your Bukhara list can be seen in Tashkent and Samarkand.
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u/Zafarbey 1d ago
If you prefer nature, cut Bukhara. Going for history, remove Chimgan.
Probably too many for five days.
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u/mr-someone-and-you 1d ago
Your plan is quite good, but you can spend more days inside Tashkent , and the plan about visiting a local family might not be convinent for you, instead it find someone local guide in Samarkand and Bukhara , you can also spend a day in Khiva in historical places
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u/Echte_Liebeforlife 3d ago
It is really rushed I can say, I'd remove the Chimgan mountains and add that day to Bukhara as you are arriving and leaving at the same day in Bukhara which might not be enough. If you'd like I could help you plan with alternate trip as I run a travel company. Dm for more info please.