For a tour unlike any other, head out to the Jeyran Ecocenter for a quick day-trip from Bukhara. The ecocenter holds animals that represent the native animals found in Uzbekistan, including Persian gazelles, Przhevalski’s horses, kulans, Bukhara urials, white-tailed eagles, ospreys, desert monitor lizards, and and Brandt’s hedgehogs. Many of these species are endangered or threatened, making a trip to the ecocenter extra special. The second part of the tour takes you to a group of saline lakes, where you can see some of these same animals in their native habitats.

Book the Tashkent Layover Tour to make the most of a few hours in the capital of Uzbekistan. This transit tour touches the top tourist sights: Khast-Imam Complex, where one of the oldest Qurans in the world is kept; Chorsu Bazaar, a vital hub and trading post; and the Tashkent Metro, the oldest in Central Asia. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, strolls through some of the biggest squares in Tashkent, and finish your tour back at the airport.

For a day-tour of something different, try this trip out of Samarkand. The first stop is in the small town of Urgut, where you’ll visit Chor-Chinor, an old garden of sycamore trees (some of which are almost a thousand years old), and a bazaar where you can find antique crafts. Return back to Samarkand to tour the Silk Carpet Factory, where you can learn how carpets are made and even buy one for yourself.

Bukhara is already over two thousand years old, making this a rich city full of sights to explore for two days. The first day is all about the ancient city center. From Lyabi-Hauz, where the curves of the surrounding madrassas and a khanaka are echoed in the gracefully bending trees, to the Kalyan Minaret, which at 47 m (155 ft), which dominates the skyline, Bukhara is full of treasures. Head out of the city on the second day, with a tour of the luxurious summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, and final stops at the Chor-Bakr Necropolis and the mausoleum of Bahouddin Naqshbandi, founder of a famous Sufi order. For those looking for a truly historical trip, two days in Bukhara is the best tour.

If you have a day in Termez, spend it exploring this great city. Termez, located on the right bank of the Amu Darya River on the border with Afghanistan, was once a Buddhist center, with temples and monasteries. These complexes have lain in ruins for centuries, since Islam became the main religion of Central Asia in about the 7th century. Now, Termez is home to Islamic monuments, the summer residence of Samani rulers, and the remains of the Buddhist culture that was once so widespread. This one-day Termez Tour will take you to the main places and sights of this southern city.

The two days tour in Samarkand tour is perfect for exploring the city, and then heading out to the lesser-known sights off the beaten path. Start with the famous places of this grand city: Registan Square, Shahi-Zinda, Gur-Emir, and Bibi-Khanum Mosque, all of which are sure to impress with their combination of grand scale and intricate details. The second day takes you farther from the traditional sights of Samarkand, and to the more uncommon places in this city. The Afriasiab Museum is a dip into ancient history, while the Tomb of Saint Daniel and the Mausoleum of Imam al-Bukhari are all about the spiritual life of Central Asia. You’ll leave Samarkand with vivid impressions of Uzbekistan and a greater knowledge of the culture, history, and traditions of this country.