Samarkand Tour from Tashkent: Registan & Silk Road Sites

Registan tour: visit madrasahs, mosque, mausoleum & necropolis in 7-9 hours

A full-day tour from Tashkent to Samarkand visits the city's major Silk Road sites—Registan Square, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis—with a professional English-speaking guide, entrance fees, lunch and air-conditioned transport included. The itinerary spans seven to nine hours and covers the sites that shaped medieval Central Asia. Pickup is available; choose between a group tour or private option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Samarkand city tour

• Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand
• Visit Gur-e-Emir Mausoleum
• Explore Registan Square
• See Sher-Dor Madrasah
• See Ulugbek Madrasah
• Visit Tilla-Kari Madrasah
• Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque
• Explore Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
• Wander through Siab Bazaar

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from Tashkent and a drive to Samarkand. Once there, the guide leads you through Registan Square, the heart of the ancient Timurid city, where three madrasahs face each other across the plaza—the Ulugbek Madrasah built in 1417–1420, the Sher-Dor Madrasah from 1619–1636, and the Tilla-Kari Madrasah completed in 1660. Each building carries the weight of centuries in its tilework and proportions.

From the Registan, you move to the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, a masterpiece of Islamic medieval architecture, then to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, which stood as one of the Islamic world's largest and most magnificent structures when it was built in the 15th century. The scale of these sites is part of what makes them stay with you—they were built to endure and to impress, and they do both. Lunch is included partway through the day, so you eat without breaking the rhythm of the itinerary.

The final major stop is Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a complex of mausoleums from the 14th and 15th centuries. After the formal sites, you'll wander through Siab Bazaar, the largest traditional market in Samarkand, where the pace shifts from monument to merchant stall. The air-conditioned vehicle and professional guide handle the logistics, so the day holds together without you building it.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all sightseeing places.
• lunch during the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
• professional English-speaking guide throughout.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by GOTOUZBEKISTAN

Is this one for you?Book the group tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want a set departure time; choose the private tour if you prefer flexibility in pacing and want the guide's attention focused on your group alone. Both versions cover the same four major sites and include all fees and meals, so the choice comes down to how you prefer to move through a day.

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Top questions

How do I get from Tashkent to Samarkand on this tour?

Pickup is included from your Tashkent location, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle for the full day. The driver and guide manage the route and timing so you focus on the sites.

What is the Registan Square and why does it matter?

Registan Square was the heart of ancient Samarkand during the Timurid dynasty. Three madrasahs—religious schools—face each other across the plaza, each built centuries apart, and together they form one of Central Asia's most recognizable architectural ensembles.

Is lunch included, and when do we eat?

Lunch is included in the tour price and is built into the itinerary so you don't lose time arranging a meal separately.

What is Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis?

Shah-i-Zinda is a complex of mausoleums built in the 14th and 15th centuries, a site of pilgrimage and burial for Samarkand's elite. It sits apart from the city center and offers a different rhythm from the grand squares and mosques.

Can I choose between a group tour and a private tour?

Yes. At checkout, you select either the group tour or the private tour option. Both follow the same itinerary and include the same sites, guide, meals and transport; the difference is group size and flexibility.

What physical fitness do I need for this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll walk through multiple sites and bazaar areas across seven to nine hours, with some uneven ground at the necropolis and bazaar.