Samarkand Tour Packages
Samarkand was Timur's capital and is the most famous city of the Silk Road.
Samarkand at a glance
- LocationUzbekistan, Central Asia & the Caucasus
- Time zone30 minutes behind India
- Driving sideRight
- Calling code+998
- CurrencyUzbekistani som (UZS)
- LanguagesUzbek, Russian
- Power plugsTypes C and F · 220 V
- Ideal stay2 days
Best time to visit: April to June; September to October
Top Samarkand travel packages
A few of our Samarkand itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Cultural holidaysTashkent · Samarkand · Bukhara · KhivaUzbekistan Silk Road8 Days | 7 Nights
Family holidaysTashkent · SamarkandTashkent, Chimgan & Samarkand6 Days | 5 Nights
Multi-country toursTashkent · Samarkand · Almaty · BishkekUzbekistan, Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan9 Days | 8 Nights
Cultural holidaysTashkent · SamarkandTashkent & Samarkand Short Break5 Days | 4 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Samarkand
Uzbekistani som (UZS). Carry some local currency for markets, small shops and tips, and ask your bank about international card charges before you travel.
Around 10% is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
Types C and F · 220 V. Indian two-pin plugs usually fit; carry an adapter for three-pin chargers.
102 (police), 103 (ambulance)
Languages spoken: Uzbek, Russian.
The Afrosiyob high-speed train connects Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Khiva is reached by a domestic flight to Urgench.
We work with our own tied-up partner company in Uzbekistan, so your guides, drivers, hotels and transfers are arranged by people who live there, with local support throughout your trip.
Uzbek food is meat-heavy but vegetarians can manage with bread, salads, rice and dairy; we brief restaurants in advance.
Bargain gently in bazaars; prices for suzani embroidery vary widely.
See the Registan twice: in daylight for the tiles and after dark when it is lit up.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Samarkand?
Who should visit Samarkand?
Plan your Samarkand trip from India
Everything you need to know about Samarkand
Samarkand was Timur's capital and is the most famous city of the Silk Road. The Registan's three madrasas glow with blue and gold tiles, Shah-i-Zinda is an avenue of mausoleums, and Gur-e-Amir holds the tomb of Timur, ancestor of India's Mughal emperors.
Highlights include Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-e-Amir and Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Local food worth trying: Samarkand non, Plov and Halva. Plan 2 days here; it suits history lovers, photographers, couples. Our Samarkand itineraries run from 5 to 9 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
April to June; September to October. Mild weather for walking between monuments.
How to reach Samarkand
- By air: Samarkand Airport (SKD)
- By rail: Afrosiyob high-speed train from Tashkent (about 2 hours) and Bukhara (about 1 hour 30 minutes)
- By road: Road links to Tashkent and Bukhara
View all Samarkand packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
8D / 7NTashkent · Samarkand · Bukhara · KhivaUzbekistan Silk Road
Tashkent, the Registan in Samarkand, Bukhara's old town and walled Khiva, linked by high-speed train.
View itinerary →5D / 4NTashkent · SamarkandTashkent & Samarkand Short Break
Tashkent's Khast Imam complex, Chorsu Bazaar and metro, then the Afrosiyob train to Samarkand for the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda and Timur's tomb.
View itinerary →6D / 5NTashkent · SamarkandTashkent, Chimgan & Samarkand
Tashkent with a day in the Chimgan mountains and Charvak Lake, then Samarkand's blue-tiled madrasas by high-speed train.
View itinerary →9D / 8NTashkent · Samarkand · Almaty · BishkekUzbekistan, Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
Three Central Asian countries in one trip: Tashkent and Samarkand on the Silk Road, Almaty's mountains, and Bishkek with the Ala-Archa gorge.
View itinerary →4 itineraries
More places in Uzbekistan
Top things to see in Samarkand
Cultural experiences in Samarkand
Heritage and landmarks
Experiences
- Plov cooking class
On the menuFood to try
- Samarkand non
- Plov
- Halva
Outdoor activities in Samarkand
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Samarkand: April to June; September to October. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Samarkand travel tips
Visa and entry
Entry rules for Indian passport holders change, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival and e-visa schemes, so confirm the current rules on the official government or embassy website for Uzbekistan before booking flights. Most countries require a passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date. We check the current requirements when we prepare your quote; we cannot guarantee visa approval.
Health and safety
Buy travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation; healthcare abroad can be expensive. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription. For current safety advice, check the travel advisories published by the Government of India and the embassy in Uzbekistan.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Uzbekistani som (UZS). Around 10% is appreciated.
Best time to visit
April to June; September to October. Mild weather for walking between monuments.
Getting around
The Afrosiyob high-speed train connects Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Khiva is reached by a domestic flight to Urgench.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Indian mobile operators sell international roaming packs, or you can buy a local SIM or eSIM on arrival with your passport. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM before you travel.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Samarkand FAQs
What is Samarkand famous for?
What is the best time to visit Samarkand?
How many days are enough for Samarkand?
How do I reach Samarkand?
What currency is used in Samarkand?
What languages are spoken in Samarkand?
What plug type does Uzbekistan use?
Is tap water safe to drink in Uzbekistan?
What is the time difference between India and Uzbekistan?
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Uzbekistan?
What are the emergency numbers in Uzbekistan?
How much does a Samarkand tour package cost?
Can Nexara Holidays plan a Samarkand trip from Chennai?
Destinations near Samarkand
KyrgyzstanBishkek
Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan's green capital, laid out with parks and wide avenues against the snowy Kyrgyz Ala-Too range.
IranMashhad
Mashhad grew around the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam, whose golden dome stands at the centre of the Haram-e Razavi, a city of courtyards, mosques, libraries and museums.
KyrgyzstanIssyk-Kul
Issyk-Kul is a vast alpine lake at about 1,600 metres, ringed by the snowy Tian Shan and so deep it never freezes.
KazakhstanAlmaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, sits beneath the snow-capped Zailiysky Alatau mountains and is about a four-hour direct flight from Delhi.
KazakhstanAstana
Astana, Kazakhstan's capital since 1997, rose on the northern steppe as a showcase of bold modern architecture.
AzerbaijanBaku
Baku, Azerbaijan's capital on the Caspian Sea, sets a UNESCO-listed walled old city beside dazzling modern architecture.
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