Passport to Folk Art: Uzbekistan
August 24 – September 9, 2027
Including Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva & Nukus
Take a journey on the Silk Road to see spellbinding architecture, ancient cities, and of course - Folk Art Market Artists! You’ll see first-hand what has inspired centuries of their folk art traditions.
Trip Highlights:
Journey back in time at the old quarter of Tashkent, Khast-Imam Square, to see one of the oldest surviving Korans before visiting embroiderer Madina Kasimbaeva with her dark red “Palak” designs, Muhayo Alieyava’s Bibi-Hanum for contemporary apparel with Uzbek textiles, the Museum of Applied Arts and ceramicist Akbar Rakhimov.
Visit the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis of Samarkand, A UNESCO World Heritage Center, where elaborately decorated buildings that date to the 1300s reflect the development of the monumental art and architecture of the Timurid dynasty, and Valentina Romanenko, a famous textile designer known for her rich blends of silk, painting and embroidery.
Sightsee around the beautiful Registan Square and its imposing madrassahs, before making paper with local artists. Visit the biggest mosque in Samarkand, Bibi-Khanum, and the colorful and frenetic Siob Market that is nearby.
See the once-magnificent Shakrisabz, the 1336 birth place of Tamerlane, the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty, to view Ak-Saray (White Palace), Tamerlane's monumental summer residence complex which took 24 years to build, and later stop by Gulnora Odilova’s embroidery studio.
Find an antique ikat or embroidery at Samarkand’s Urgut Market before continuing on the Silk Road to Shafirkan Town, known for its embroidery traditions. Enjoy lunch in the home of one of the most famous local embroiderers – Mukhabbat Kuchkorova.
In Bukhara, visit historic sites like the Jewish quarter, Poi-Kalon, the Spring of Job, the Memorial
Complex of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, plus soak in the beautiful artisan traditions of Bukhara by visiting a silk weaving workshop, the Bukhara Gold Embroidery Factory, the Museum of Blacksmith’s Art, suzani embroiderer Akhmad Arabov, and more.Explore the historic walled city of Khiva visiting woodcarvers, carpet weavers and UNESCO silk weavers. Visit Nukus to see the Museum of Igor Savitsky, where wondrous works of art from the Karakaplak people are housed.
Stop by ceramic artist Rustam Usmanov’s studio in Rishtan Town before heading to Margilan where you’ll visit local ikat abrbandi weaver Rasuljon Mirzaakhmedov – and stay in his inn – as well as silk factories and other master ikat artisans like Fazlitdin Dadajanov.
Along the way, enjoy unique Uzbek dining experiences (including making pilav) and exploring local spice markets, while staying in charming inns and hotels that are beautifully appointed with traditional Uzbek decor.
Price per person: $8290 (sharing, based on 8 travelers), $925 single supplement; $1500 non-refundable deposit and a $500 per person tax deductible donation made directly to IFAM (to receive a tax deductible receipt) due at time of booking.
Includes
Airport transfers, accommodations, all meals, local beverages, tours/entrance fees, expert English speaking guide, local transport, train ticket (Margilan-Tashkent), assistance with visa process, gratuities
Not Included
Regional flights (Nukus - Tashkent, $150); international flights; travel insurance (required); spirits and specialty coffees; room service; personal expenses; optional activities; camera/video fees; visa; $500 tax deductible donation (made directly to IFAM) to secure booking
Trip Activity Level
Average fitness and mobility is needed as the trip will include standing and walking for extended periods of time, but typically on flat terrain. Stairways will sometimes be without handrails and elevators are not always available.