EXPLORE UZBEKISTAN

tashkent | khiva | bukhara | samarqand

We are sorry, this excursion is SOLD OUT.

April 4 - 14, 2025

Discover the ancient Silk Road and experience over two millennia of fascinating history and culture by following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, and other famous travelers. Journey to the center of great Islamic scholarship during the classical period, and retrace the steps of sages of the Islamic tradition such as Al-Biruni, Al-Bukhari, Al-Maturidi, Al-Khawarizmi, and Umar Khayyam. Learn also about the rich multi-ethnic and multi-religious heritage of Central Asia, and the various dynasties that made a lasting impression through the arts, architecture and customs of the region.

FACULTY GUIDE

munir Shaikh

Bayan’s Vice President and Professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has lived for periods of time in Spain (and Morocco), and is conversant in Spanish. He has taught academic courses on Islamic Spain, Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history, and led world heritage tours in various countries, including seven previous excursions in Southern Spain.

Itinerary in Uzbekistan

The tour program officially begins on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6. In order to arrive in Tashkent by this date, participants from North America should depart from their origin city on or before Friday, April 4 (Participants from other origins may be able to depart on Saturday, April 5 or Sunday, April 6, and arrive in Tashkent by noon on April 6).

friday, april 4 Participants from the us/Canada should begin travel

day 1 sunday, april 6 arrive in tashkent (morning) / rest / welcome dinner

day 2 monday, april 7 tashkent: city tour / bazaar / khast imam museum

day 3 tuesday, april 8 flight to khiva (urgench) / ichan kala fortress complex

day 4 wednesday, april 9 Transfer to bukhara / walking tour

day 5 thursday, april10 Bukhara: ark citadel / kalyan mosque / bazaar (shopping)

day 6 friday, april 11 bukhara: summer palace, jumah prayer at naqshbanDi mosque / train to samarqand

day 7 saturday, april 12 samarqand: registan square complex / amir timur mausoleum / imam bukhari mausoleum

day 8 sunday, april 13 samarqand: Ulugh beg OBservatory / shah-i-zinda complex / train to tashkent / farewell dinner

day 9 monday, april 14 transfer to tashkent international airport for departure

Bayan has been offering faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations since 2017, with previous tours to Southern Spain, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jerusalem & Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and Senegal/Gambia, with exciting new destinations being planned in the coming years.

WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?

Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as well at various points in time. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is typically between 20-30 participants.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Tashkent

Khast Imam Complex / oldest Qur'an manuscripts
Kukeldash Madrasah and Imam Bukhari Islamic Institute
Chorsu Bazaar traditional market
Amir Timur Square, Independence Square

Khiva

Kyzyl Kum desert
Khorezm Mamun Academy
Ichan Kala preserved medieval city

Bukhara

Village of Qasr-i 'Arifan
Traditional pottery market
Vobkent minaret
Bukhara tea house
Po-i-Kalyan Complex
Friday prayer
Bukhara old quarter

Samarqand

Registan Square
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (resting place of Timur and Ulugh Beg)
Mausoleums of Al-Muturidi and Al-Bukhari
Shah-i-Zinda Complex
Ulugh Beg Observatory
Bibi-Khanum Masjid
traditional paper production mill

Along with visiting these sites, we will encounter the people and make friendships, sample various Uzbek cuisines, appreciate cultural programs, and enjoy the natural landscapes that we pass through.

land package only

All pricing is double occupancy and per person. International airfare is not included.

Adult $2,995

Minor $2,495

Single Supplement $700

We are sorry, this excursion is SOLD OUT.

TOUR INFORMATION

Package Inclusions

Airport transfers on April 6 and April 14, 2025
8 nights hotel (5* in most cases), plus early check-in on April 6
Ground transportation by private A/C coach
Internal flight from Tashkent to Urgench (Khiva)
Train journeys between several cities
Entrance fees for scheduled sites
All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - included!
Local English-speaking professional guides throughout the trip

exclusions

International airfare to Uzbekistan (budget about $1,500 round-trip per person from US gateways)
Tourist visa (may or may not be required based on nationality and age) - approx. $40 USD
Gratuities for driver(s) and guide(s)
Additional meals/beverages, personal items
Hotel incidental charges, hotel porters and other individualized services
Urgent care, medical treatment and testing, related expenses
Covid-19 testing, treatment and/or quarantine costs (if applicable)
Travel insurance (recommended)

hotels

Our tour group will stay at the following hotels, or ones of comparable quality:

Tashkent Movenpick Hotel 5* hotel or similar (3 nights)

Khiva Asia Khiva Hotel or similar (1 night)

Bukhara Paradise Plaza Hotel or similar (2 nights)

Samarqand Movenpick Hotel 5* or similar (2 nights)

We are sorry, this excursion is SOLD OUT.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Arriving to Uzbekistan

We recommend reaching Uzbekistan via Turkish Airlines, although other airlines may be used, such as Emirates. Travelers from the US and Canada are encouraged to depart on Friday, April 4 from their origin city in order to make a connection via a transit city. On Turkish Airlines, some participants may be on the same flight from Istanbul to Tashkent (TK 370) that leaves around 6:30pm on the evening of Saturday, April 5, and reaches Tashkent around 1:00am on Sunday, April 6. Participants can arrive in Tashkent anytime on the evening of April 5 into the morning of April 6 and check in to their assigned room at no extra charge.

Participants from other origin points may join the flight from Istanbul to Tashkent mentioned above, or use alternative flights to arrive in Tashkent on the morning of April 6.

After arrival, participants will be able to rest during the day of April 6 or explore a bit on their own, before our groups gather for an orientation meeting around 5pm, followed by an evening walking tour and welcome dinner.

When booking travel, participants can consider adding extra days in Uzbekistan or elsewhere before April 6 or after the tour concludes with check out from the Tashkent hotel on the morning of April 14.

Departing from Uzbekistan

Our group will check out of the hotel in Tashkent on the morning of Monday, April 14 and be provided a transfer to the international airport. A flight on Turkish Airlines (TK 369) departs at 9am for Istanbul, and travelers can connect to on-going flights from Istanbul in the afternoon hours. Participants can explore flights, departure times, and destinations on other carriers per their preference.

Booking Your Flights

Once you've paid your deposit to Bayan Tours, you should research and book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings and layovers. You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you. We recommend that you choose routes with layovers of not less than 90 minutes.

Who is leading the tour?

Bayan’s vice president and professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history, and led world heritage tours in various countries, including eight previous programs in Southern Spain.
What is the expected group size?

Bayan’s tours are focused on providing a well-rounded experience featuring academic knowledge, historical site visits, cultural exposure, recreational activities, and free time. The itinerary includes visits to mosques and other sites of prayer. By participating in a tour, you are helping sustain and advance Bayan’s mission as a non-profit educational institution. Our group size tends to be in the range of 20-30 participants. This enables participants to get to know one another and develop bonds of friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime.
When is the registration deadline?

We are accepting registrations for the tour until February 28, in order to book desired hotel rooms, obtain entrance tickets to monuments, and finalize other details. You must pay a refundable deposit of $750 per traveler. Deposits are partially refundable through January 31, 2025, however, a cancellation charge of $ 100 per traveler will apply for any cancellation requested 24 hours after time of booking. For other important terms and conditions, please click here. Deposits after this date are non-refundable but can be applied to a different tour within a one-year time frame. After payment of your deposit, you will receive an invoice for the remaining balance for your party, reflecting any applicable discounts. The balance payment is due no later than January 31, 2025.
Is a visa required for U.S. citizens to enter Spain?

Bayan’s tours are open to participants who wish to join from anywhere in the world. However, the majority of participants tend to be from the United States. US passport holders do not need to obtain a visa to enter Spain for tourism. This is true for nationals of many other countries as well. However, non-US passport holders are encouraged to check requirements for their nationality and obtain a visa if required. We are unable to assist in obtaining visas.
How physically demanding is the tour?

Our group will be transported from city to city in a luxury air-conditioned tourist bus. However, in each city, since we will be in the historical centers where buses can't go, we will mainly be walking from site to site. In Madrid we will use the metro (subway) at times, as well as taxis. In any case, there will be a significant amount of walking on most days, on slight inclines and steps. The streets at times will have cobblestones. participants should expect to walk roughly 12,000 steps each day (about 6 miles in aggregate) during the first few days of the program, and perhaps 8,000 steps per day during the latter portion of the itinerary. At any given time, we will cover 1/4 to 1/2 mile between rest points. We will take into account the differing abilities and health conditions of group members and regulate the pace and intensity of the tour accordingly. Even so, this tour may not be suitable for those with knee, hip or foot pain that could be aggravated by the amount of walking involved, and a private tour might be preferable. Ideally, all participants should prepare for the tour by walking at least 5,000 steps per day in the weeks leading up to the tour.
What type of food will we have on the tour?

Spain’s food is a mix of Mediterranean and local traditions. Some dishes, such as paella, reveal their roots in Arab/Muslim cuisines. While the types of vegetarian options have grown in recent years in Spain, most local meat dishes feature pork. During the tour, we will dine at restaurants that serve zabiha halal foods, or at places that offer seafood and vegetarian options. We will be sure to avoid any foods prepared with pork or alcohol. You can expect meals to include Middle Eastern, Turkish and Moroccan dishes at restaurants run by local Muslims, and Italian and other types of dishes more generally. You’ll have the option of sampling various suitable tapas, small dishes with beverages.
Will you provide more information about the daily schedule and other details?

Yes, all participants who have completed their full payment will receive a detailed information packet that includes descriptions of the cities and sites to be visited, the daily schedule, currency exchange, local prayer times, electrical adapters, weather, what to pack, and more.
What precautions are you taking with regard to COVID-19?

We encourage participants to be fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot for all who are eligible to receive these shots. U.S. citizens can travel to Spain if they show that they are vaccinated against COVID-19, or have a recovery certificate, or show a negative diagnostic test result performed either within 72 hours prior to departure to Spain for a PCR test or within 24 hours prior to departure for a rapid antigen test. We do not expect to mandate masking during the tour, but we encourage masking whenever possible and according to each individual’s comfort level. For example, when shopping in crowded areas, it would be best to wear a mask. General sanitary practices should be maintained at all times, such as washing hands with soap, using sanitizing gels and wipes, and maintaining a reasonable distance between individuals.