Artist’s Silk Road Immersion: Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva

Introduction
Artist’s Silk Road Immersion: Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva image

Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva / 4th -13th October 2026

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Artist’s Silk Road Immersion: Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva

Discover the Wonders of Uzbekistan: A Unique Journey Along the Ancient Silk Road

Join us on an unforgettable adventure exploring the historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, where centuries of Silk Road heritage come to life.

Immerse yourself in the rich artistry of the region by learning to draw intricate geometric and biomorphic ornamental patterns alongside skilled local craftsmen and historians. This inspiring experience welcomes artists of all skill levels.

Watch a film that follows the 2025 Study trip

Watch a Particpant travel to class in Bukhara

Your Experience Includes:

  • Comfortable accommodation throughout the trip (half board) in heritage hotels.

  • Expert tuition in traditional artistic techniques

  • Heritage classrooms

  • All domestic and internal transportation

  • Entry to all monumental heritage sites

  • Hands-on craft activities and workshops – Inc Woodcarving and ceramics

  • All necessary equipment and materials provided

Participants can choose from two options, available as either private occupancy or single-sex shared accommodation to suit your preferences.

International travel to and from Uzbekistan is the responsibility of the participants, Tour starts in Samakand and ends in Bukhara or Khiva. Flights are available to and from both locations. 

Journey Overview

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At a glance

Day 1 - Arrival and Welcome in Samarkand

04-Oct-2026
Day 1 - Arrival and Welcome in Samarkand image

Arrive in Samarkand, Orientation and Traditional Meal

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Arrival in Samarkand

Participants arrive Samarkand airport/train-station.
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Hotel Legende

Afternoon – Check into Hotel Legende.
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Greetings and Orientation

6pm Greetings, orientation, introductions, baking bread & tea.
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Traditional meal - Plov

7pm Traditional meal - Plov.

Day 2 - Samarkand Drawing and Site Visits

05-Oct-2026
Day 2 - Samarkand Drawing and Site Visits image

Drawing Class and Registan Square Exploration

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Gentle movement meditation - optional

7am Gentle movement meditation - optional.
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Breakfast

8am breakfast.
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Drawing class at Hotel Legende

9am – 12.30pm Drawing class at Hotel Legende.
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Lunch

12.30 - 2pm Lunch.
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Site visits – Walking – leave from Legende

2pm Site visits – Walking – leave from Legende. Registan Square including Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Tilya-Kori & Sher-Dor Madrasah.

Day 3 - Samarkand Drawing and Site Visits

06-Oct-2026
Day 3 - Samarkand Drawing and Site Visits image

Drawing Class and Visits to Bibi-Khanym and Shah-i-Zinda

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Gentle movement meditation - optional

7am Gentle movement meditation - optional.
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Breakfast

8am breakfast.
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Drawing class at Legende

9am - 12pm Drawing class at Legende.
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Lunch

12-2pm Lunch.
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Site visit: Bibi-Khanym Mosque

2pm Site visit to Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
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Site visit: Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

2pm Site visit to Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.

Day 4 - Samarkand to Bukhara Journey and Workshops

07-Oct-2026
Day 4 - Samarkand to Bukhara Journey and Workshops image

Ceramic Workshop, Observatory, Train to Bukhara

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Gentle movement meditation - optional

7am Gentle movement meditation - optional.
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Breakfast

8am breakfast.
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Mini Bus from Hotel Legende to workshop outside Samakand

DepartureHotel Legende
DestinationWorkshop outside Samakand
9am Mini Bus from Hotel Legende to workshop outside Samakand.
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Traditional ceramic workshop/demonstration

9.30am - 12pm Traditional ceramic workshop/demonstration.
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Ulugh Beg Observatory

1pm Ulugh Beg Observatory.
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Lunch

2pm Lunch location tbc.
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Train from Samarkand to Bukhara

DepartureSamarkand
DestinationBukhara
3/4pm Train from Samarkand to Bukhara.
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Komal Hotel

7pm Check into Komal Hotel.

Day 5 - Bukhara Drawing and Walking Tour

08-Oct-2026
Day 5 - Bukhara Drawing and Walking Tour image

Drawing Class and Bukhara Walking Tour

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Breakfast

8am - Breakfast.
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Drawing class at Komal

9am ~ 1.30pm drawing class at Komal.
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Lunch

1.30 – lunch.
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Afternoon walking tour and site visits

3pm Afternoon – Meet by the Lake Site visits, walking tour (Planned visits may change depending on timing and availability): Magok-i-Attari Mosque, Toki Sarrafon Caravanserai, Toki Telpak Furushon Caravanserai, Toki Zargaron Caravanserai, Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah, Kalyan Minaret & Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Madrasah, Lyabi-Hauz Complex, Kalon Tower.

Day 6 - Bukhara Drawing and Shrine Visit

09-Oct-2026
Day 6 - Bukhara Drawing and Shrine Visit image

Drawing Class and Visit to Naqshbandi Shrine

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Breakfast

8am - Breakfast.
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Morning drawing class at Komal hotel

9am ~ 1.30pm meet at Komal hotel for Morning drawing class.
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Lunch

1.30 – 2.30 lunch.
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Site visit to Bahauddin Naqshbandi shrine

4pm Afternoon – Meet Komil Hotel Site visit – Mini bus to Bahauddin Naqshbandi shrine - 20 minutes taxi.

Day 7 - Bukhara Sunrise Walk, Drawing, and Walking Tour

10-Oct-2026
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Sunrise Walk, Drawing Class, and Bukhara Walking Tour

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Sunrise walk to Chor Minor and meditation - optional

7am - Sunrise walk to Chor Minor and meditation – optional, meet at Amulet.
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Breakfast

8am - Breakfast.
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Morning drawing class at Komil house

9am ~ 1.30pm meet at Komil house for drawing class.
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Lunch

1.30pm - Lunch.
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Walking tour - Meet by the Lake

3pm - Walking tour - Meet by the Lake (Planned site visits may change depending on timing and availability): The Ark Fortress, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, Fayzulla Khodjaev House.

Day 8 - Khiva Arrival, Drawing, and Exploration

11-Oct-2026
Day 8 - Khiva Arrival, Drawing, and Exploration image

Travel to Khiva, Drawing at Toshhovli Palace

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Early breakfast - Checkout of Komil hotels

6.30am Early breakfast - Checkout of Komil hotels.
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Sleeper train - Bukhara to Khiva

DepartureBukhara
DestinationKhiva
7.30am sleeper train - Bukhara to Khiva 6.30hr.
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Bus to Khiva Siyovush hotel

DepartureKhiva
DestinationSiyovush hotel
1pm - Bus to Khiva Siyovush hotel.
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Lunch

3pm Lunch.
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Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate

4pm Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate.
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Outdoor freehand drawing at Toshhovli Palace

4.30pm outdoor freehand drawing ~ elm columns of Toshhovli Palace.

Day 9 - Khiva Guided Tour and Woodcarving

12-Oct-2026
Day 9 - Khiva Guided Tour and Woodcarving image

Khiva Walking Tour, Monuments, and Woodcarving

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Movement meditation sunrise on the roof terrace

8am - Movement meditation sunrise on the roof terrace.
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Breakfast

9am - Breakfast.
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Guided walking tour - Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate

10am - Guided walking Tour - Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate.
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Khiva UNESCO World Heritage site

Historic UNESCO World Heritage site with over 400 traditional dwellings and 60 monuments amidst picturesque, pedestrianised streets and authentic hidden alleys. Including Juma Mosque, Citadel Kunya-ark, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Stone Palace (Tash Khauli), Mohammed Amin Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Islam Khodja Complex.
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Lunch

1pm – Lunch.
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Woodcarving, Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate

3pm – Woodcarving, Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate.
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Sunset walk along the adobe walls

6.30pm – Sunset walk along the adobe walls.

Day 10 - Khiva Departure and Onward Travel

13-Oct-2026
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Departure from Khiva and Onward Travel Options

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Check out hotels

Check out hotels.
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Arrange taxis to airport/train stations

Participants arrange direct with hotels for their taxis to airport/train stations.
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Onward Travel from Khiva

Flight transfer option from Urgench International Airport (UGC) 1 hour taxi from Khiva hotels: 8.30am: Urgench to Istanbul, 11am: Urgench to Tashkent.
Loading Map…

Map

1. Samarkand

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

2. Registan Square

Registan St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

3. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Bibi-Khanym St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

4. Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

M-37, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

5. Ulugh Beg Observatory

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

6. Bukhara

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

7. Magok-i-Attari Mosque

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

8. Kalyan Minaret & Mosque

Khakikat St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

9. Lyabi-Hauz Complex

Nodir Devonbegi St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

10. Bahauddin Naqshbandi Shrine

Qasri Orifon, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

11. Chor Minor

Khodja Nurobobod St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

12. The Ark Fortress

Afrosiab St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

13. Khiva

Khiva, Uzbekistan

14. Itchan Kala (North Gate)

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

15. Juma Mosque (Khiva)

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

16. Kalta Minor Minaret

Pahlavon Mahmud St, Khiva, Uzbekistan

17. Kunya-Ark Citadel

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

18. Toshhovli Palace (Stone Palace)

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

19. Urgench International Airport (UGC)

Urgench, Uzbekistan

Packages & Add-ons

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About your organizer

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AP
Art of Pattern
4.8 6 reviews

Art of Pattern was founded by Adam Williamson &; Richard Henry in 2008. Richard and Adam have given workshops, presentations and public lectures at many of the leading cultural and educational institutions in the UK and beyond, including:- NYU & Spotify, USA, The British Museum, The British Library, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, The MIA Museum Doha, Ithra Museum SA, The King’s School of Traditional Arts, The Slade School of Fine Art, Central St Martins, The Royal Society, Asia House, Cambridge

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