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

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

Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva / 4th -13th October 2027

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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.

  • Tuition in traditional artistic techniques

  • Heritage classrooms

  • All domestic and internal transportation after arrival at course venue and before departure.

  • 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.

Breakfasts are included plus the opening meal on the first evening. Lunches and dinners are the responsibility of the participant's. There are many local options.

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

Journey Overview image

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

Check into Hotel Legende.

Hotel Legende is an atmospheric heritage hotel set within a mid-19th-century traditional house in Samarkand’s historic quarter, preserving original parts of the old building around a characterful courtyard filled with textiles, ceramics and local history.

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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.

Traditional Uzbek Plov — Uzbekistan’s celebrated national dish prepared in front of us over an open fire, as rice, tender meat, carrots, onions and aromatic spices are slowly cooked together in a traditional kazan and shared as a communal meal.

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

Time8.30am

Breakfast in courtyard

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Drawing class at Hotel Legende

Time9.30am - 1pm.
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Lunch

Time1 - 2.30pm
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Site visits – Walking – Registan Square

Site visits – Walking –

2.30pm leave from hotel

2.45 meet at the gate

Registan Square

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

Time8.30am
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Drawing class at Legende

Time9.30am - 1pm
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Lunch / Free time

Time1 - 2.30pm
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Site visit: Bibi-Khanym Mosque

2.30pm leave from hotel

2.45 meet at the gate

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Site visit: 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.

Check out of rooms and place all baggage in the dinning hall.

We will have access to the courtyard a dinning hall for the rest of the days but not to the rooms.

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Mini Bus from Hotel Legende to workshop outside Samakand

Departure
Hotel Legende
9.30am
Destination
Workshop outside Samakand

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

Ulugh Beg Observatory.

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Lunch / free afternoon

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Bus to station

Departure
Hotel Legende
7pm
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Train from Samarkand to Bukhara

Departure
Samarkand
20:36
Destination
Bukhara
23:15

Train from Samarkand to Bukhara.

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Komal Hotel

Check into Komal and Amulet Hotels.

Komil Boutique Hotel is a beautifully preserved 19th-century merchant’s house in Bukhara’s Old City, with original hand-painted interiors, an exquisite historic dining room and peaceful traditional courtyards, offering an atmospheric immersion into the city’s rich architectural heritage.

Amulet Hotel, Bukhara — A beautifully restored 19th-century madrasa, originally built in 1861, now an intimate heritage hotel with original student cells arranged around a traditional courtyard in the heart of Bukhara’s Old City.

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

Time8am onwards
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Drawing class at Komal

10am ~ 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

Time9.30am
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Break

Time12.30
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Drawing class part 2

Time1pm
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Lunch

Time2.30pm
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Site visit to Bahauddin Naqshbandi shrine

Time4pm

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

Time9.30am
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Lunch

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

Time3pm

Walking tour - Meet by the Lake

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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Checkout of Komil and Amulet hotels

Time3.45am

Meet in the komal lobby 3.45am

Pick up from Amulet entrance 4am

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Sleeper train - Bukhara to Khiva

Departure
Bukhara
5.30am
Destination
Khiva
12.04pm

Sleeper train - Bukhara to Khiva 6.30hr.

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Bus to Khiva Siyovush hotel

Departure
Khiva
12.15pm
Destination
Khiva Siyovush and Zukhro Boutique Hotel
12.30pm

Bus to Khiva Siyovush and Zukhro Boutique Hotel

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Lunch

1-3pm Lunch/freetime

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Meet by the Itchan Kala North Gate

Time3pm

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

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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.
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Farewell Meal - optional

Time7pm

Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant

(Final meal not included; payable individually.)

Day 10 - Khiva Departure and Onward Travel

13-Oct-2026
Day 10 - Khiva Departure and Onward Travel image

Departure from Khiva and Onward Travel Options

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Trip Ends

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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.

Recommended equipment to bring

Recommended equipment to bring image

All materials & equipment provided but for those that would like to bring their own, here is the recommended list -

  • Compass (please note: compasses cannot be taken in hand luggage; some will be available on-site)

  • Plain cartridge paper sketchbook (ideally A3)

  • Mid-tone cartridge paper

  • White pencil

  • 30 cm ruler

  • Precision or “zero” eraser

  • Tracing paper

  • Range of graphite pencils (6B–4H)

  • Drawing pens / fine liners

  • Small watercolour or gouache set

  • Coloured pencils

Map of the trip locations

Map

A. Samarkand

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

B. Registan Square

Registan St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

C. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Bibi-Khanym St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

D. Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

M-37, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

E. Ulugh Beg Observatory

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

F. Bukhara

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

G. Magok-i-Attari Mosque

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

H. Kalyan Minaret & Mosque

Khakikat St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

I. Lyabi-Hauz Complex

Nodir Devonbegi St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

J. Bahauddin Naqshbandi Shrine

Qasri Orifon, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

K. Chor Minor

Khodja Nurobobod St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

L. The Ark Fortress

Afrosiab St, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

M. Khiva

Khiva, Uzbekistan

N. Itchan Kala (North Gate)

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

O. Juma Mosque (Khiva)

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

P. Kalta Minor Minaret

Pahlavon Mahmud St, Khiva, Uzbekistan

Q. Kunya-Ark Citadel

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

R. Toshhovli Palace (Stone Palace)

Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

S. Urgench International Airport (UGC)

Urgench, Uzbekistan

Pricing

About Us

AP
Art of Pattern
Art of Pattern was founded by Adam Williamson and 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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