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why gil travel
Middle East
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Latin America
Asia/ South Pacific/ Africa
North America
Oceana
What’s new?
be inspired
why gil travel
Middle East
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Latin America
Asia/ South Pacific/ Africa
North America
Oceana
Suitable for Family, Group, Senior
OVERVIEW
Embark on an expanded and deeply immersive 10-day journey into Uzbekistan, tracing the 2,000-year-old heritage of the Bukharian Jewish community, one of the oldest and most unique diasporas in the world. This comprehensive mission offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the remnants of this vibrant culture that thrived along the ancient Silk Road, dedicating extra time to the three UNESCO World Heritage cities that were central to Jewish life and also a Kosher tour in Uzbekistan. Your journey begins in the modern hub of Tashkent, where you will engage directly with the largest remaining community, visiting the Beit-Menachem Synagogue and participating in crucial community encounters with leaders and members to discuss the challenges and future of their distinct identity. The itinerary provides ample time to soak in the incredible history of coexistence and culture before moving on to the historical gems.
The heart of the experience lies in the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand. You will spend extra days fully exploring Bukhara, the spiritual center of the Bukharian Jews, walking the labyrinthine alleys of the Old Jewish Quarter, and visiting the ancient Magoki Attari Synagogue and the historic Jewish cemetery, gaining the deepest possible look into their traditions and life before the mass emigration. In majestic Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road, you will marvel at the awe-inspiring Registan Square and the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis, all while visiting the active Gumbaz Synagogue and connecting with the local Jewish community amidst the remnants of ancient empires. This 10-day journey is ideal for those seeking to uncover a little-known chapter of Jewish history, set against the backdrop of Central Asia’s most dazzling Islamic architecture and legendary Silk Road cities, offering a unique blend of historical reflection and cultural immersion.
Highlights*
*Some experiences are subject to minimum group size
Arrive at Tashkent International Airport (TAS) and transfer to your luxury hotel. After checking in, take a late afternoon orientation tour of modern Tashkent, including a ride on the ornate Tashkent Metro. Conclude the day with a Welcome Dinner featuring traditional Uzbek cuisine.
The morning is dedicated to connecting with the largest active Jewish community in the country. You will visit the functioning Beit-Menachem Synagogue and the adjacent Jewish cultural center for a crucial community encounter with local leaders. Learn about the community’s contemporary challenges, cultural preservation efforts, and their unique place in modern Uzbek society. The afternoon includes a visit to the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan to appreciate the nation’s rich craft traditions.
Explore Tashkent’s historical heart, beginning with the vast Chorsu Bazaar, one of Central Asia’s oldest and most colorful markets, followed by the Khast Imam Complex, which houses the sacred Uthman Qur’an. In the late afternoon, transfer to the train station for a high-speed journey to Samarkand, the crown jewel of the Silk Road. Check into your hotel upon arrival.
Begin the day at the awe-inspiring Registan Square, surrounded by the Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori madrasahs—the visual centerpiece of Samarkand. In the afternoon, visit the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis (Avenue of Mausoleums), a stunning collection of blue-tiled tombs and one of Central Asia’s most beautiful sites, reflecting the long history of religious reverence in the region.
Dedicated to the city’s Jewish history, the morning includes a visit to the active Gumbaz Synagogue, one of the oldest in the country. You will have a scheduled meeting with a representative of the local Jewish community and visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, which offers invaluable insights into the community’s generational history in Samarkand. In the late afternoon, explore the Siyob Bazaar near the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
Continue exploring the legacy of Timur (Tamerlane) with a visit to his resting place, the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, and the massive Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once the world’s largest. The afternoon will be spent at the Afrosiab Museum, learning about the ancient city of Samarkand destroyed by the Mongols, and the Ulugbek Observatory, established by Timur’s astronomer-sultan grandson.
Take a morning high-speed train to Bukhara, the spiritual heart of the region. After checking into your hotel, begin exploring the captivating Old City with a visit to the tranquil Lyab-i Hauz complex, the center of public life for centuries. This area borders the historical Jewish Quarter, providing an immediate sense of the neighborhood’s close proximity to the city’s main attractions.
Spend the entire day immersed in Bukhara’s profound Jewish history. Explore the Old Jewish Quarter, with its distinctive, narrow alleys. Key visits include the ancient Magoki Attari Synagogue, the oldest functioning synagogue in Central Asia, and the extensive Jewish Cemetery. You will also visit the magnificent Poi Kalyan Complex, home to the towering Kalyan Minaret and Mosque.
Explore the grand Islamic sites of Bukhara, including the 10th-century Samanid Mausoleum and the unique four-minaret Chor Minor Madrasah. The day will also involve walking through the city’s historic trade domes (Taqui Zargaron, Taqui Telpak Furushon) to understand the key role Jewish merchants and artisans played in Silk Road commerce. Conclude the day with a special Farewell Dinner and a final reflection on the journey.
Enjoy a final Uzbek breakfast in Bukhara. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping or a brief revisit to a favorite spot. You will then transfer to the train station for the high-speed train back to Tashkent International Airport (TAS) or to the local airport (Bukhara or Samarkand) for your departure, concluding your 10-day journey.
Accommodation
Our hotel is a two-minute walk to the Rowing Canal and three kilometers to the heart of Silk Road Samarkand, the Eternal city.
Hyatt Regency Tashkent offers the quintessential location for both business and leisure travelers.
Conveniently nestled in the heart of downtown, eight kilometers from Bukhara International Airport (BHK), Wyndham Bukhara provides the state-of-the-art amenities and stellar service you expect from an international hotel brand.
*Star rating standards vary from country to country.
This experience is fully customizable. We will create your personal dream experience!
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