Uzbekistan · WALKING TOURS
Old towns here are built for feet and hostile to anything else. These 15 walks cover the four cities, priced by length, with a note on which ones climb and which run at first light.
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”
Spend up to six hours walking Samarkand with a guide such as Elyor, Abdulla, or Adam, visiting Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Siyab Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. The group is limited to 10, but the tour has sometimes finished in three and a half to four hours.
“The guide was very nice, friendly :) we were a bit late due to traffic and he waited for us.”
Join Hamza in Bukhara for a 4.5-hour English walking tour through the UNESCO-listed old town. See Lyabi Khauz, the Trading Domes, Poi Kalan, Bolo Haouz, and the Samanid Mausoleum while learning how the city’s rulers, traders, and religious schools shaped it.
“It was a great tour! Hamza knows Bukhara very well, he told us everything we had to know about this city and its history. I can recommend it 100%.”
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”
Spend about four hours exploring Samarkand’s major monuments with an English-speaking guide. The route covers Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. Guides including Zarnigor and Zarshed are praised for clear history and helpful photo stops.
“Zarshed was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable. As a solo traveler, I felt very safe and also was glad Zarshed was able to take some photos for memory keeping, especially since it's hard to do being by myself. I learned so much abRead more”
Meet Aziza or another local guide for a private Tashkent walk from Chorsu Bazaar to Hotel Uzbekistan. Taste the city’s market culture, ride the Metro, see grand squares, and get practical advice for the rest of your stay. Transport and Metro tickets cost extra.
“I cannot recommend this tour. The guide was unprofessional, spending most of the time looking at herself in the mirror and fixing her hair, with very little engagement or enthusiasm. She seemed disinterested and bored with the job. When I Read more”
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.”
Explore Tashkent with local guides such as Asrorbek, Golib, Muhammad, or Murodil. Choose a walking tour, food tour, or both, with stops at Amir Temur Square, the metro, Hazrati Imam, and Chorsu Bazaar. Expect local stories, optional snacks, and a small group of up to 15 people.
“Asrorbek was a great guide. At the last minute, I had to change the time of the tour to be one hour later. They were very flexible in changing the time of the tour, and customised the tour so I did not miss anything. I particularly enjoyed visiting Read more”
Walk from Gur-i Amir to Ulugbek Observatory with English-speaking guide Sunnat, visiting Registan, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda in the cooler evening hours. Expect about five hours on foot, illuminated monuments, local history, and possible after-hours access, with transport and meals arranged separately.
“Sunnat is a great guide, you can tell he truely loves explaining history and sharing knowledge about the city. The sunset tour offers the chance to enter many sites after their closing time and to experience the magic of the places without other tourists and people around. Wonderful!”
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 Khiva’s walled Itchan Kala with a private guide for about four to five hours. You’ll learn about khans, mosques, madrassas, and local life, with English, Russian, French, and possibly German available. Monument tickets cost extra, and guide Moxira offers an especially personal local viewpoint.
“A very experienced and knowledgeable guide gave my wife and I a tour of Khiva. She explained the historical and cultural significance of palaces and maddrasas. Highly recommended.”
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.”
Walk Bukhara’s old city with an English-speaking local guide such as Sunny or Nuriddin. In about 4 to 4.5 hours, you’ll see Lyabi-Hauz, the trading domes, Poi Kalyan, Bolo-Hauz, the Ark exterior, and the Samanid Mausoleum, with time for local stories and artisan workshops.
“One of the best guided tours we had in our trip in Uzbekistan. Our guide was very flexible to adapt the tour, very knowledgeable and approachable to discuss about traditions and uzbeki habits. Recommended!”
Walk through Samarkand with a local guide such as Sevinch or Xumora, visiting Gur-i-Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Siyob Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. Expect local stories, legends, photo help, and time for snacks, with entrance fees paid separately.
“We had an amazing guided tour in Samarkand with Xumora! She’s an incredibly friendly and smart local guide who really knows her city. Xumora took us to all the best photo spots and even shared some great tips and tricks for capturing theRead more”
Spend a focused day walking Bukhara’s Old Town with an English-speaking guide such as Hamza or Aziza. See the Ark Citadel, Trading Domes, Kalon Minaret, bazaars, mosques, tombs, and hand-woven textiles. The tour suits short stays, with entrance fees and meals extra.
“Hamza was very knowledgeable and answered all of the group's questions. His English was very good. The city tour was the right length to learn a lot of interesting facts.”
Pick a city, a monument or a kitchen.
