Uzbekistan · GUIDED
A monument with a guide is a different building. These 15 are the guided days worth the money, priced and timed, with a note on languages and how much ground each one covers.
Walk through Samarkand with an English-speaking guide such as Gulsanam, Sarvinoz, or Shahrizoda. See Gur-e-Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Shah-i-Zinda, and Siyob Bazaar while learning the stories behind the tiles, rulers, legends, and local customs.
“The tour was great and the tour guide adapted her pace and made it tailored to our group. It was perfect. I highly recommend”
Travel from Samarkand through vineyards, farms, and mountain roads to Shahrisabz, Timur’s birthplace. Your driver handles the 100-kilometer journey, with scenic stops possible along the way. Add a local guide such as Zarshed or Shouq for a two-hour visit to the historic center.
“We love it! Our driver Yosef was kind, professional and funny. And he picked the best restaurant ever of our Uzbekistan trip. In addition we have a super guide in Shahrisabz! We totally recommend it!”
Meet at Gur-i-Amir at 9 a.m. for a six-hour walking tour with an English or French-speaking Uzbek guide. You’ll see Gur-i-Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda, with time for photos, questions, and possible extra stops. Lunch and entry fees are separate.
“I took this tour at the end of August'23. It was great, my tour guide Elyor was very knowledgeable about the historical significance of all the sights - and was very informative. And it was great, that as a solo traveler, he took my pictures. We did stop for lunch to recharge, which was not included. What I also liked about this tour was that my tour guide didn't waste my time taking me to souvenir shops where he got a commission. He was gracious and hospitable.”
Spend about four hours walking Khiva’s walled Itchan Kala with a professional guide. You’ll see the Islam Khoja Minaret, Pakhlavon Makhmud Mausoleum, Juma Mosque, and Allakuli Khan Madrasah. Guides such as Iroda explain the city’s past in clear, good-humored English. Entrance tickets cost extra.
“I had Iroda in Khiva, and she was a wonderful tour guide. She is very smart and very sweet, and she explained the history of Khiva in a way that was easy for me to understand. I love architecture and history, so she focused a lot on those topicRead more”
Join Sukhrab, an English-speaking driver-guide from Khiva, for a private day trip to Ayaz-Kala, Toprak-Kala, and Kyzyl-Kala. Expect about seven hours on the road, clear historical explanations, local stories, photo stops, air-conditioned transport, and a chance to try freshly made somsa.
“Yeah, good. The guide was absolutely adorable kind accommodating and the discussions were very rewarding about local life. Thank you for everythingAuto-translated”
Spend about four hours walking Samarkand’s great sights with a professional guide, including Charos when available. See Gur-i Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Siab Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. The group is capped at 15, but admission tickets cost extra.
“Knowledgeable young guide who speaks good english. Long walk. Definitely better to take in the late afternoon as the heat of the sun is unbearable.”
Spend four to five hours touring Samarkand in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide. Visit Gur Emir, Registan, and Bibi Khanym Mosque, with context on the Silk Road and Timurid Dynasty. Guides such as Odil, Ikrom, Fayyaz, and Odi are named in past bookings.
“Odi, the guide was so knowledgeable and witty. Cool experience to be guided by him. Definitely need a guide for a tour!”
Spend 5 to 6 hours with local guide Olimjon Tolipov visiting Samarkand’s major monuments and Siab Bazaar. Private transport, hotel pickup, bottled water, photo stops, and parking are included. Choose an option with entrance fees and traditional lunch for simpler planning.
“The tour of Samarkand was spectacular. I enjoyed every minute of it. The tour guide was punctual, knowledgeable, pleasant, and accommodating. The car that took us around the city was very comfortable. I was more interested in textilRead more”
Spend about four hours walking Bukhara’s historic center with a licensed guide, visiting Lyab-i-Hauz, Toki Sarrafon, Magoki-Attori Mosque, the Kalyan Minaret, and Poi Kalyan Mosque. Ruby is one named guide, and groups are limited to 15 people.
“Even though only myself this time, he sincerely guided me. His English and explanation were so well that I could understand history and culture in this country. I can recommend him to everyone.”
Walk Bukhara’s old town with a private guide such as Nuriddin or Sunny, starting with hotel pickup and ending at the Samanid Mausoleum. Over five to six hours, you’ll visit trading domes, madrasahs, mosques, the Ark Fortress, and other major sights. Entry fees and lunch cost extra.
“I had a great trip with Sunny. She’s very knowledgeable about the city, culture and history. A great way to tour Bukhara.”
See old and new Tashkent with a local English-speaking guide such as Abror, using a comfortable car, the city metro, and short walks. Visit Khast Imam, Chorsu Bazaar, Independence Square, the Earthquake Memorial, and Muyi Muborak, with time to try Uzbekistan’s famous plov.
“Unser Tourguide war sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend. Hat uns alle Plätze laut Beschreibung gezeigt. Leider verfügte er über wenig Hintergrundwissen. Es wurde nur allgemeine Beschreibung angegeben, was man überall nachlesen kann. Die Organisation von der Tour-Agentur ist eher schlecht gelaufen, es wurden keine Fragen hier über die App beantwortet. Und wenn wir uns am Tag der Führung nicht gemeldet hätten, hätte auch keine Führung stattgefunden . Dementsprechend kam der Guide mit 40 minütiger Verspätung an. Ab der Buchung bis zur Führung hat sich unser Guide 3x geändert. Ich würde diese Tour eher nicht empfehlen.”
Walk through Tashkent’s sacred old quarter, Chorsu Bazaar, ornate Soviet metro stations, Independence Square, The Boulevard, and Amir Temur Square with a licensed guide. Guide Makhzuna is praised for clear cultural and historical insight. The $18 tour lasts about four hours and caps groups at 15.
“I received great service from tour guide Makhzuna over this walking tour in Tashkent, not only she was very resourceful over many cultural and historical aspects of her country, she was very helpful at all times trying to go through as much as she could as we walked through the tourist attractions during the entire trip.”
This fast-paced two-day trip links Tashkent with Samarkand and Bukhara by train. You visit Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, the Ark, Poi Kalyan, and more, with guides such as Ikrom, Aziz, and Nargiza assigned on recent departures. Hotel, meals, entry fees, and transfers are included.
“Excellente activité, très bien organisée. Excellent rapport qualité -prix. Être logé, nourri, transporté et guidé pendant deux jours pour 500$CA par jour me semble très raisonnable. Mes guides Ikram à Samarqand et Narguiza à Bukhara, étaient compétents et sympathiques. Deux belles journées enrichissantes. Recommandée!”
Join Sarvar, a Khiva-born English-speaking guide, for a three-hour walk through Itchan Kala. See Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Tash Khauli Palace, Juma Mosque, local wood carving, and Silk Road markets, with entry tickets paid separately.
“I had a such an enjoyable few hours with him. We made a nice journey through history. He was very friendly and entertaining 🍀 I definitely recommend him 🙏”
Spend a full day exploring Bukhara with a private English-speaking guide, visiting the Samanid Mausoleum, Kalon Minaret, Ark fortress, trading domes, and Lyabi Khauz. Guides such as Lola, Paris, and Malika have been praised for clear English, local insight, and useful shopping advice.
“È stato un tour meraviglioso! La nostra guida Lola ci ha guidato nell'esposizione di questa bellissima città, fornendoci dettagli simpatici, curiosità interessanti e consigli pratici. Preparata, ottimo inglese e umanamente genuina. Se il tour è fatto con Lola, consigliatissimo!”
Pick a city, a monument or a kitchen.
