Uzbekistan

Shades of Blue: The Best Private Tours of Uzbekistan

Blue-tiled mausoleums, minarets, mosques and many masterpieces of Islamic architecture are the highlights of your Uzbekistan luxury tour. The country is packed with UNESCO World Heritage sites. Every structure tells a story of its diverse cultural heritage, the rise and fall of empires, and centuries of spiritual devotion. Uzbekistan has been ruled by many regimes and amirs: the Kushans, the Samanid Empire, the Mongols led by Genghis Khan, and the subsequent rule of the famous Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), with his capital in Samarkand.

Samarkand—the name evokes ancient legends and the timeless beauty of facades of blue. The ancient city is a significant stop on any Silk Road tour. At its center is Registan, Samarkand’s grand public square, with walls and domes covered in magnificent ceramic tilework. Registan is lit at night and shines in a dizzying array of colors.

An unmissable part of the city’s skyline is the majestic blue dome of Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built by Timur for his queen. And a short distance away is Gur-i Amir Mausoleum, Timur’s final resting place.

On your private tour of Uzbekistan, you’ll find Bukhara is a true gem. Pay an early morning visit to the Poi-Kalon complex. The Kalon (Kalyan) mosque has a towering minaret, a beacon for Silk Road travelers, and one of few structures that survived Genghis Khan’s invading army. Sip traditional tea (cha) at a local chaikhana (teashop) and shop for Bukhara’s exquisite woven rugs.
Head to Khiva, further west, where Itchan Kala, the old walled city, is lined with madrassas, mausoleums, minarets, and vibrant bazaars. Gorgeous Kalta Minor Minaret, near the west entrance, is a stunning 19th-century monument covered with geometric blue-green tiles and a band of inscriptions. Listen closely to the history of this old town, for it also has a dark past as an immense slave market.