Samarkand, Uzbekistan-5-day-itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Samarkand

Morning

  • Arrival: Arrive at Samarkand International Airport (SKD)
  • Transfer: Take a taxi or private transfer to your hotel (approximately 10-15 minutes, $5-7 USD)
  • Check-in: Check into your hotel and freshen up
  • Lunch: Have lunch at Madrasa Restaurant, try their famous Uzbek dishes like plov and shurpa

Afternoon

  • Registan: Visit the breathtaking Registan complex, a stunning example of Islamic architecture ( ticket: 10,000 UZS / $1.25 USD)
  • Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum: Explore the mausoleum of Timur’s favorite grandson and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Bazaar: Wander through the lively bazaar to experience local life

Evening

  • Dinner: Have dinner at Taj Mahal Restaurant, try their delicious kebabs and Uzbek-style barbecue
  • Evening stroll: Take a leisurely evening walk around the city to get a feel for its vibrant atmosphere

Day 2: Explore the Ancient City

Morning

  • Shakh-i-Zinda Necropolis: Visit the colorful Shakh-i-Zinda necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (ticket: 10,000 UZS / $1.25 USD)
  • Ulug Beg Madrasa: Explore the beautiful Ulug Beg Madrasa and its stunning courtyard
  • Lunch: Have lunch at Muzey restaurant, try their Uzbek dishes with a modern twist

Afternoon

  • Bibi-Khanym Mosque: Visit the massive Bibi-Khanym mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world (ticket: 10,000 UZS / $1.25 USD)
  • Afroziyab Mausoleum: Explore the beautiful Afroziyab mausoleum and its stunning frescoes
  • Samarkand Museum: Visit the Samarkand museum to learn about the city’s history and culture

Evening

  • Dinner: Have dinner at Plov Restaurant, try their famous plov with a variety of meat and vegetables
  • Traditional performance: Watch a traditional Uzbek music or dance performance (optional)

Day 3: Countryside Adventure

Morning

  • Transfer: Take a taxi or private transfer to the countryside (approximately 30 minutes, $10-15 USD)
  • Afrasiab Mausoleum: Visit the beautiful Afrasiab mausoleum and its stunning frescoes
  • Sogdian Village: Explore a traditional Sogdian village and experience rural Uzbek life

Afternoon

  • Lunch: Have lunch at a local restaurant in the countryside (approximately $5-7 USD)
  • Horseback ride: Take a leisurely horseback ride through the picturesque countryside
  • Return to Samarkand: Return to Samarkand city and spend the rest of the day at your leisure

Day 4: More Wonders of Samarkand

Morning

  • Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum: Visit the stunning Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (ticket: 10,000 UZS / $1.25 USD)
  • Shaykh Mukhtarov’s House-Museum: Explore the beautiful house-museum of Shaykh Mukhtarov
  • Lunch: Have lunch at Café Sufra, try their delicious Uzbek dishes with a modern twist

Afternoon

  • Registan complex: Visit the breathtaking Registan complex, a stunning example of Islamic architecture (ticket: 10,000 UZS / $1.25 USD)
  • Ulug Beg Madrasa: Explore the beautiful Ulug Beg madrasa and its stunning courtyard
  • Evening stroll: Take a leisurely evening walk around the city to get a feel for its vibrant atmosphere

Day 5: Departure from Samarkand

Morning

  • Check-out: Check out of your hotel and transfer back to the airport (approximately 10-15 minutes, $5-7 USD)
  • Departure: Depart from Samarkand International Airport (SKD)

Where to Eat

  1. Madrasa Restaurant: Try their famous Uzbek dishes like plov and shurpa
    • Address: 55/1, Registan Str.
  2. Taj Mahal Restaurant: Enjoy delicious kebabs and Uzbek-style barbecue
    • Address: 44, Amir Timur Str.
  3. Muzey restaurant: Experience modern Uzbek cuisine with a twist
    • Address: 11, Ulug Beg Str.
  4. Plov Restaurant: Try their famous plov with various meat and vegetables
    • Address: 25, Shah-i-Zinda Str.

Where to Stay

  1. Hotel Registan Plaza: Luxurious hotel with stunning views of the Registan complex
  2. Hotel Tashkent Palace: Comfortable hotel with modern amenities
  3. Guesthouse Uzbek House: Traditional guesthouse with cozy rooms and a warm atmosphere

Things to Know

  • Language: The official language is Uzbek, but many locals speak Russian or English.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Uzbek som (UZS).
  • Weather: Samarkand has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.

Transportation

  1. Airport transfer: Take a taxi or private transfer from the airport to your hotel (approximately 10-15 minutes, $5-7 USD)
  2. Public transportation: Use public buses or taxis to get around the city.
  3. Walking: Explore the city on foot to experience local life.

Tips

  1. Respect local customs: Dress modestly and remove shoes when entering mosques or homes.
  2. Bargain: Haggling is a common practice in markets and bazaars.
  3. Learn some Uzbek phrases: Show respect by learning basic phrases like “salam” (hello) and “rakhmat” (thank you).

Other attractions

  • Samanid Mausoleum: A stunning mausoleum built for the Samanid dynasty
  • Kokand Bazaar: A lively market with colorful stalls selling local goods
  • Hazrat Hizrat mosque: A beautiful mosque with a stunning courtyard and minarets