Wine & Culinary Tour in Uzbekistan
This trip is perfect for guests who want to experience wine tasting and culinary of Uzbekistan has to offer. Immerse yourself in this sunny and hospitable country on this unforgettable tour. Discover major cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, and experience their impressive architecture and history on walking tours. By the end of this adventure, you will have sampled local wines, the best dishes from different regions and even taken home some recipes and cooking techniques.
Day 1: Arrival to Tashkent
Flight from Warsaw to Tashkent. Arrival is at (time)
Arrival, border formalities and meeting your guide with driver. Transfer tot he hotel, heck-in and rest.
After breakfast. Sightseeing will begin in the old part of Tashkent: Hazrati-Imam Ensemble, where the world-famous Caliph Osman’s Quran (the Ottoman Quran) is kept; Kukeldash Madrasah (translated as “milk brother”), which was built in the 16th century and now accepts over 100 students annually; Chorsu Bazaar – a lively market where you can buy seasonal, fresh, and typical Uzbek food. A local guide will introduce you to the rich colors, flavors, and aromas of many traditional Uzbek dishes. Guests will learn how to select the perfect ingredients for the most common dishes in Uzbek cuisine.
Tip of the day: Take a look at the “snake of gluttons” in the Chorsu Bazaar.
The first lunch is planned in the Central Asian center of Plov, because Plov—a dish made of meat, rice, onions, carrots, and spices—is not only a local Uzbek national treasure, but is also on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage and has been entered in the Guinness Book of Records.
In the afternoon, a tour (or walk, if preferred – approx. 5 km) through the new part of the city is planned: Independence Square, which covers around 12 hectares; Palace of Prince Romanov (from the outside), grandson of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who was exiled to Tashkent by his royal parents in 1877 and lived here until his death; Monument and park of Amir Temur – a ruler whose empire stretched from China to the Caspian Sea and from the Aral Sea to the Persian Gulf; Alisher Navoi Theater (from the outside) – Uzbekistan’s leading music theater and one of the largest opera and ballet theaters in Central Asia.
Overnight in Tashkent
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch in Plov Center; Dinner in the local restaurant
Day 2: Tashkent- Uzum Fermer Winery
Breakfast in the hotel.
Today’s day is devoted to the wine degustation in Uzum Fermer Winery which is approximately 25-30 km away from the city.
The winery offers a unique opportunity to learn about the wine production process, from planting the grapes to bottle filling. You will have a 2 hours tour of the garden with over 1,500 exotic plants, after about 25 minutes you will walk through the vineyards and you will be shown 8 types of grapes growing.
Overview of the wine collection.
Then, you’ll have a walk through a winery. Overview of the process from picking to bottling.
Tasting of samples of local, exclusive and limited-edition wines with accompanying cheese, fruit platter and other delicacies. On the final note of a visit there will be a lunch on the territory of this factory.
Rest of the day you may stay in the winery for another activities (for an additional cost on site) or spend your time in the capital for shopping, visiting touristic streets, parks and etc.
Overnight in Tashkent
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch in Uzum Fermer Winery; Dinner in the local restaurant
Day 3: Tashkent- Samarkand
Breakfast in the hotel.
Transfer to the Tashkent Railway Station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train to the city of Tamerlane- Samarkand (approx. 2 hours).
After arrival, start your exploration of the legendary Samarkand – the heart of the Silk Road. Visit Registan Square, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture surrounded by three magnificent madrasahs; Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of Tamerlane; and Bibi-Khanum Mosque, once the grandest mosque in the Islamic world.
For lunch today, you have lagman—a popular Central Asian dish consisting of a thick soup or sauce with meat, vegetables, and noodles. It can be considered either a first or second course. Legend has it that lagman was invented by three travelers who had different ingredients: meat and flour, water and a frying pan, vegetables and spices. They got together to cook the meal, and that’s how lagman came to be. An emperor passing by tried it and ordered it to be cooked everywhere.
Continue discovering Samarkand’s wonders: visit the sacred Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis with its turquoise-tiled tombs, Ulugbek Observatory — one of the greatest astronomical centers of the medieval world, and the Afrasiyab Museum dedicated to the city’s ancient history.
For dinner today, you have shashlik—pieces of meat roasted on a skewer over a fire or coals. The word “shashlik” comes from the Turkish word “shish,” which means “skewer.” Juicy meat prepared this way has a spicy smoky flavor that makes it special.
Overnight in Samarkand
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch and Dinner in the local restaurants
Day 4: Samarkand- Bagizagan Winery
Breakfast in the hotel.
Morning departure for a visit to the Bagizagan wine cellar, one of the region’s most renowned producers. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery, learn about traditional Samarkand winemaking, and take part in a curated wine tasting featuring several local varieties.
After the tasting, a traditional Uzbek lunch will be served in a pleasant, authentic atmosphere.
Return to Samarkand in the afternoon. The evening is free at leisure — guests may choose to relax, explore the city on their own or enjoy the Registan laser show, which takes place after sunset and beautifully illuminates the architectural ensemble.
Overnight in Samarkand
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch and Dinner in the local restaurants
Day 5: Samarkand- Bukhara
Breakfast in the hotel.
Morning departure to Bukhara. After arrival, full-day sightseeing in Bukhara: Lyabi Hauz Ensemble – an architectural complex surrounding a reservoir, one of the few still preserved in the city; Maggoki Attori Mosque – a mosque where Muslims and Jews prayed together before the first synagogue was built in Bukhara; Trade domes (Sarafon – money exchange, Telpak Furushon – Astrakhan hats, Zargaron – goldsmiths), under which various goods have been traded from the 16th century to the present day.
For lunch today we have dolma – minced meat with rice, wrapped in vine leaves. The dish has a juicy, rich taste with a slight acidity. It is not known how it all began, but dolma, which is very popular and well-loved in Uzbekistan, is considered a national dish by many peoples of the Caucasus, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Optionally: National Folklore Show in Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah
Dinner in the heart of the old town. Today’s main course is Dzhiz from ancient Bukhara – tender beef, braised in its own juices and fried with vegetables in the oriental style, rich in the aromas of spices and herbs, often served with rings of fresh onions.
Overnight in Bukhara
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch and Dinner in the local restaurants
Day 6: Bukhara- Shohrud Winery
Breakfast in the hotel.
We visit the Poi Kalon ensemble with its Miri Arab madrasah – still active, the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, which served as a place of public execution for criminals sentenced to death and unfaithful wives; the Ark Citadel – a symbol of power and inaccessibility in the Emirate of Bukhara; the Samanid Mausoleums (almost completely buried under a layer of earth and discovered and excavated in the 20th century) and Chashma Ayub (associated with the legend of the prophet Job, who, according to legend, struck a water source with his staff to save the inhabitants of Bukhara from drought).
Before the lunch, a small pleasant event awaits you. You will visit the Shohrud Winery, one of the oldest wineries in Uzbekistan, whose history began in 1936. A professional sommelier guide will tell you about the intricacies of production. And after learning about the history of the winery and the traditions of winemaking, you will be offered a tasting of the best samples – from dry wines to aged cognacs.
In the evening, have a free time to explore old streets of the ancient Bukhara.
Overnight in Bukhara
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch and Dinner in the local restaurants
Day 7: Bukhara-Khiva
Breakfast in the hotel.
Early start and long drive to Khiva through the Kizilkum Desert, which translates as Red Sand (approx. 500 km, approx. 8 hours). Photo stop at the Amudarya River and lunch break at a roadside teahouse. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and time to freshen up.
Overnight in Khiva
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch in Kyzylkum dessert; Dinner in the local restaurant
Day 8: Khiva
Breakfast in the hotel.
Today, full-day sightseeing is planned in a unique historical and architectural complex, the Ichan Kala open-air museum. In the morning, we will visit the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, one of the largest in Central Asia; the Kalta Minor Minaret, which was originally designed to be the tallest minaret in the Muslim world but was left unfinished; Kunya-Ark Fortress — “a fortress within a fortress” — the citadel of the Khans of Khiva; Mausoleums of Pakhlavan Makhmud and Said Alauddin — tombs where Sufi saints rest.
Lunch today is planned with a local family who own a family café. Before sitting down at the table, take part in a master class on making flatbread. Incidentally, each region has its own type of flatbread, just like its own type of plov. The main course today is a typical Khorezm dish – Tukhum Barak (boiled dumplings filled with eggs), which, according to legend, was prepared for the Khan before his visit to the harem.
The afternoon program includes the Juma Mosque, which has 213 wooden columns inside; the Tash Hauli Palace (translated as Stone Palace) and Harem, the Islam Khoja ensemble, which was built by the Grand Vizier and father-in-law of the Khan; and the Alla Kulichan Madrasah, for the construction of which part of the city wall was destroyed.
Dinner will delight you not only with delicious dishes, but also with an incredible view of the Kalta Minor Minaret from the terrace. The main course of the evening is dimlama, one of the most popular dishes in Uzbekistan, which is somewhat reminiscent of a stew. It is prepared from a large amount of vegetables and meat, which are layered and simmered for a long time.
! Before the dinner enjoy a welcome drink in the yard of the restaurant!
In the evening, transfer to the International airport of Urgench. Flight from Urgench to Tashkent.
After arrival to the Tashkent, transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Overnight in Tashkent
Meal Board: Breakfast; Lunch and Dinner in the local restaurants with welcome drinks
Day 9: Tashkent- Warsaw
Breakfast in the morning. Transfer to the Tashkent International Airport. Farewell with your guide and driver. Border formalities and flight home
End of the service of Samarkanda Travel and Tours!
Included Services;
- Double / twin rooms accommodation in the hotels;
- Transport during the trip in Uzbekistan (in a good condition with air conditioning);
- Mineral Water during the tour (one liter 1 day/1 person);
- English speaking guide;
- Entry fees to sightseeing places;
- Express Train Ticket (Tashkent-Samarkand);
- Meal: Full Board (Lunch + Dinner): 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners;
- Wine Degustation:
- in Uzum Fermer Winery in Tashkent;
- in Bagizagan Winery in Samarkand;
- in Shohrud Wine Factory in Bukhara;
- Domestic flight: Urgench-Tashkent;
Not Included Services:
- International flights;
- Early check-in on the Day 1 and rest;
- Beverages and extras in menus;
- Services not mentioned in the program;
- Fee for photos and video;
- Tips for guide and drivers;
- Folklore show in Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah in Bukhara;
Accommodation List:
| City | 3-star Hotel | 4-star Hotel |
| Tashkent | The Tower Hotel or similar | Ramada Encore by Wyndham or similar |
| Samarkand | Malika Diyora or similar | Khan Hotel or similar |
| Bukhara | Ark Hotel or similar | Shahristan or similar |
| Khiva | Said Islom Khodja Hotel or similar | Pahlavon Hotel or similar |
