Uzbekistan in 10 Days: The Silk Road and the Fergana Valley
A ten-day route that combines the classics with the valley of crafts: the order of cities, transfers and how to divide time between history and scenery.
Ten days is a good length to see Uzbekistan more widely than the standard Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva route. To the classics you can add the Fergana Valley: a region of crafts, bazaars and hospitable towns. Below is a plan that keeps a balance between history, scenery and rest.
The overall scheme
| Day | City | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tashkent | First look, old town |
| Day 2 | Tashkent to Fergana | Transfer to the valley |
| Day 3 | Fergana and Margilan | Silk, bazaars, crafts |
| Day 4 | Kokand to Tashkent | Khudayar Khan's Palace, return |
| Day 5 | Tashkent to Samarkand | Transfer, evening Registan |
| Day 6 | Samarkand | Monuments and bazaar |
| Day 7 | Samarkand to Bukhara | Transfer, evening Lyabi-Hauz |
| Day 8 | Bukhara | The old town |
| Day 9 | Bukhara to Khiva | Desert crossing |
| Day 10 | Khiva | Ichan-Kala and departure |
The order may differ if you fly in or out of another city.
Day 1: Tashkent
Start by getting to know the capital: the Khast-Imam complex, Chorsu Bazaar, the metro and an evening stroll. See our article on Tashkent in one day for details.
Days 2 to 4: the Fergana Valley
Day 2: the road to the valley
From Tashkent the road to the valley crosses the Kamchik Pass. It is about 300 to 330 kilometres to Fergana, usually 5 to 6 hours by car. On the Tashkent — Fergana page drivers post trips with different departure times. Leave in the morning to arrive during the day and stroll around the city in the evening.
Day 3: Fergana and Margilan
Fergana is a green city with wide streets. Walk in the morning, then go to Margilan, the centre of silk weaving, where you can watch fabric production and buy adras. If bazaars interest you, look at Kumtepa. More about the valley markets in our article.
Day 4: Kokand and the return
In the morning go to Kokand to see Khudayar Khan's Palace and try halva. Then return to Tashkent. If you want to leave more time for the valley, add another night and make a trip to Rishtan for ceramics.
Days 5 to 6: Samarkand
Day 5: the transfer
A fast highway leads from Tashkent to Samarkand: about 3.5 to 4 hours. Choose a trip on the Tashkent — Samarkand page or use the high-speed train. In the evening after check-in, stroll around the illuminated Registan.
Day 6: Samarkand
The Registan in the morning, then Gur-Emir, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Siab Bazaar. After lunch Shah-i-Zinda, and dinner in the evening. A detailed plan is in our article on Samarkand in one day.
Days 7 to 8: Bukhara
Day 7: the transfer
The road from Samarkand to Bukhara takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. Check into a guesthouse in the old town and walk around Lyabi-Hauz in the evening.
Day 8: Bukhara
The Kalon complex, the trading domes, the Ark, the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chor-Minor. If you have energy left, visit the suburban palace Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa.
Days 9 to 10: Khiva
Day 9: the desert crossing
From Bukhara to Khiva the road crosses the Kyzylkum Desert: about 450 kilometres, around 6 to 7 hours. Leave in the morning and bring water and a snack. On the Bukhara — Khiva page drivers post trips. In the evening walk along the walls of Ichan-Kala at sunset.
Day 10: Khiva and departure
In the morning Kalta Minor, Kunya-Ark, Islam Khoja. After lunch head to Urgench airport (about 35 km from Khiva). If your flight is in the evening, you can also fit in Tash-Khauli.
Balancing the pace
This route is heavy on transfers. To avoid fatigue:
- do not plan more than two or three major sights a day;
- take breaks in the heat;
- do not try to squeeze everything out of each city;
- save evenings for unhurried walks and dinners;
- on transfer days leave only a light programme.
Where to sleep
- Tashkent: near the metro.
- Fergana or Margilan: a hotel or guesthouse, depending on your plans.
- Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva: guesthouses in the centre, near the monuments.
Book lodging in advance, especially in spring and autumn.
When to go
The best months are April, May, September and October. In summer Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand are very hot, and the valley is green but warm too. Winter can be cold, and the Kamchik Pass may have snow and ice.
Transport
- Shared rides are convenient on Tashkent to Fergana, Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara to Khiva, because you can choose the departure time. You book a seat in the Yo'ldosh app, drivers are verified, and the price is usually lower than a taxi.
- High-speed trains suit Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.
- A plane is convenient for the return from Urgench.
See all directions on the all routes page.
What you can skip
If you want to slow the pace:
- Rishtan and Kumtepa;
- Bukhara's suburban palaces;
- the Ulugh Beg Observatory.
The core: the Registan, Gur-Emir, Shah-i-Zinda, Kalon, the Ark, Ichan-Kala and one or two valley towns.
The takeaway
Ten days let you see not only the grand cities but also the more intimate world of the valley. The crafts, bazaars and evening teahouses of Fergana add variety to the route. The main thing is to leave time for unhurried conversation and tea: they are what make a trip truly Uzbek.
Cover photo: U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.
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