Day 3 - Friday, May 8: Khiva • Nukus • Tashkent

This morning we journey overland to Nukus, a desert city that houses one of Central Asia’s great cultural treasures: the Savitsky Art Museum. Known as the “Louvre of the Steppe,” this extraordinary collection tells the story of Soviet avant-garde artists whose works were banned or suppressed in Moscow. The museum’s bold colors, modernist forms, and expressive portraits contrast vividly with the stark desert surroundings — offering photographers a chance to capture not only the artwork but also the context that makes it so improbable and powerful here.

After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent. On arrival, check in to the Hyatt Regency, a modern five-star property in the heart of the city. The evening is free to rest or explore the capital at your own pace. Photographers may wish to stroll to nearby Amir Timur Square, where illuminated fountains and the equestrian statue of Tamerlane offer striking subjects at twilight. It’s a gentle introduction to urban night photography before tomorrow’s deeper dive into Uzbekistan’s capital.

Today’s Highlights

• Overland transfer Khiva → Nukus

• Savitsky Art Museum (Karakalpak Museum of Arts)

• Domestic flight Nukus → Tashkent

• Evening at leisure for independent exploration and photography

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Tashkent

Day 4 - Saturday, May 9: Tashkent

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver to begin exploring Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital. Although much of the city was rebuilt after a 1966 earthquake, Tashkent combines wide, tree-lined boulevards, 20th-century Soviet architecture, and carefully restored traces of its historic medina. Every corner offers textures, light contrasts, and urban scenes perfect for photography, from bustling plazas to quiet courtyards.

Begin at Amir Timur Square, where the bronze equestrian statue of Tamerlane dominates the leafy plaza, providing a dynamic focal point for wide-angle shots, especially in the soft morning light. Continue to Khast Imam Square, home to Tashkent’s oldest monuments and the Tillya Sheikh Mosque, which houses the Uthman Koran. The intricate calligraphy, carved wooden doors, and patterned domes offer rich detail for close-up and architectural photography. Later, wander the Chorsu Bazaar, a sensory feast of colors, patterns, and movement — ideal for capturing the rhythm of daily life. Evening offers the opportunity for cityscape shots from the Tashkent TV Tower or Independence Square, where light and shadow interplay across grand Soviet-era facades.

Today’s Highlights

• Amir Timur Square

• Khast Imam Square & Tillya Sheikh Mosque (Oldest Koran)

• Chorsu Bazaar

• Alisher Navoi Theatre (exterior)

• Rakhimov Family Ceramics Studio

• Tashkent TV Tower

• Independence Square

• Museum of Applied Arts

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Tashkent

Day 5 - Sunday, May 10: Tashkent • Bukhara

After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for a high-speed train to Bukhara, one of the most photogenic Silk Road cities, with its labyrinthine streets, domed bazaars, and historic monuments. Begin exploration with Poi Kalon, including the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, where early morning light accentuates the delicate brick patterns and towering structures.

Next, wander through the Trade Domes and Jewish Quarter, capturing the rhythm of daily life, vibrant textiles, and local characters. Small details, from handwoven suzani embroidery to brassware — make for compelling close-ups. Bukhara’s combination of grand architecture and intimate street scenes offers endless possibilities for composition and light-play throughout the day.

Today’s Highlights

• Kalon Mosque and Minaret

• Magoki Attori Mosque

• Trade Domes of Bukhara

• Jewish Quarter

Accommodation: Alexia Hotel

Day 6 - Thursday, May 11: Bukhara

Explore Bukhara’s historic core, from the serene Bolo Hauz Mosque with its reflective pool, to the Ark Citadel, where architecture tells the story of centuries. Capture the Zindan Prison for moody, textured shots, and the Samani Mausoleum for geometric patterns in brickwork.

Later, visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Emir’s Summer Palace, and Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum — all ideal for combining architectural photography with human-interest shots of daily life. Conclude with a plov-making demonstration, offering hands-on photography of local culinary traditions and vibrant food textures. The mix of architectural, cultural, and lifestyle opportunities ensures a full day of creative exploration.

Today’s Highlights

• Bolo Hauz Mosque

• Ark Citadel

• Zindan Prison

• Samani Mausoleum

• Chashma Ayub Mausoleum

• Emir's Summer Palace & Museum of Crafts

• Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum

• Chor Minor

• Plov Making Demonstration

Accommodation: Alexia Hotel

Day 7 - Friday, May 12: Bukhara

Spend the morning in Shafrikan Village at a Suzani coop workshop, photographing women creating brightly colored embroidered textiles. The close-up detail of needles and threads, combined with the vibrant fabrics, makes this a photographer’s dream for both candid and detailed craft images.

The afternoon is free to explore Bukhara independently, allowing you to revisit favorite spots, experiment with street photography, or capture cityscapes in the late afternoon light. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to toast your journey through Uzbekistan’s history, culture, and photographic treasures.

Today’s Highlights

• Suzani Coop Workshop, Shafrikan Village

• Afternoon free for rest and independent photography

Accommodation: Alexia Hotel

Day 8 - Saturday, May 13: Bukhara • Samarkand

After breakfast, we'll take the train to Samarkand. Upon arrival, meet your driver and begin exploring this oasis of color, light, and history. Samarkand is a photographer’s dream: majestic turquoise domes, intricate tilework, and expansive squares allow for dramatic compositions.

Start with the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Tamerlane’s final resting place. Its gilded interiors and ornate domes catch light beautifully, while the marble tombs offer opportunities for detailed shots. Then, visit Registan Square, framed by three ornate madrassahs; the symmetry and vivid patterns create perfect compositions for sunrise or late-afternoon photography. End the day at Bibi Khanum Mosque and nearby Siab Bazaar, where street scenes and market life provide vibrant, candid shots of local culture.

Today’s Highlights

• Gur-Emir Mausoleum

• Registan Square

• Bibi Khanum Mosque

• Siab Bazaar

Accommodation: Movenpick Samarkand

Day 9 - Sunday, May 14: Samarkand

Today, explore Samarkand’s lesser-known sites, offering a mix of historical grandeur and intimate scenes. Start at Shah-i-Zinda Complex, a line of mausoleums with intricate tilework and vivid mosaics. The interplay of shadow and light along the narrow alleys is perfect for dramatic, textured photography.

Next, visit Ulug Bek Observatory, a historic center of astronomy. The geometric shapes of the surviving structures, coupled with the open desert sky, allow for creative wide-angle and architectural shots. Later, the paper-making workshop in Konigil showcases local artisans at work, letting you capture hands-on craft, vivid colors, and the textures of handmade paper. Finish with the Afrosiab History Museum for close-ups of ancient artifacts, then a bread-making demonstration for rich, lifestyle-oriented shots.

Today’s Highlights

• Shah-i-Zinda Complex

• Ulug Bek Observatory

• Paper-making Workshop, Konigil

• Afrosiab History Museum

• Bread Baking Demonstration

Accommodation: Movenpick Samarkand

Day 10 - Monday, May 15: Samarkand • Shahrisabz • Samarkand

Take a day trip to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. This small town combines monumental ruins with pastoral landscapes, offering wide vistas for landscape photography alongside intimate shots of locals in village streets.

Visit Ak Saray Palace, where the massive tile-covered portal stands as a striking focal point for dramatic compositions. Explore Dorut Tilovat, the mausoleum complex on a hill, and Dorus Siadat, showcasing ornate brickwork and serene courtyards. The juxtaposition of vast open spaces, intricate details, and desert light makes Shahrisabz a compelling photography stop. Return to Samarkand in the late afternoon, and enjoy an independent evening capturing the city’s street life, architecture, or night-lit monuments.

Today’s Highlights

• Ak Saray Palace

• Dorut Tilovat Mausoleum Complex

• Dorus Siadat

• Shahrisabz historic center
  
  

Accommodation: Movenpick Samarkand

Day 11 - Saturday, May 16: Departure

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Samarkand International Airport (SKD) for your flight, unless you're extending your stay. Take a last opportunity for photography on your journey, whether it’s the morning light on Samarkand’s domes, bustling streets outside the hotel, or the final glimpses of the landscape from the car.