A Day Filled with History, Culture, and Local Flavors

Day 8 in Uzbekistan was dedicated to exploring the rich history and vibrant culture of Bukhara. Given its rich history and buzzing town center, the day had plenty to offer.

Morning: Discovering Bukhara’s Historical Gems

A Walking Tour with Camilla

Feeling considerably better after a good night’s sleep and the first decent coffee in a while at Bon Café, we were ready for a tour of Bukhara. The city is one of the three main stops on the Uzbek stretch of the silk road, alongside Samarkand and Khiva. Due to its compact size, we felt that a walking tour would be a good way to explore the city. We had booked Camilla, a freshly minted guide recommended to us by fellow travelers, for a private walking tour. This turned out to be a day-filling activity and of the highlights of our trip.

Exploring Bukhara’s Cultural Heritage

We started our tour exploring Bukhara’s rich heritage. Meeting the oriental jester Hodja Nasreddin was one highlight. His statue is a popular photo spot but more interesting are the many legends about him, where he teaches important life lessons with anarchical wit.

As Bukhara boasts with beautifully ornamented mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums at every corner, it was very helpful to have Camilla talk about each building’s history and associated legends. This allowed us to take in every attraction on its own merit and make a mental map of the city for the days to come.

We had been told by other tourists that Bukhara captures the charm of the old Silk Road far more than Samarkand. It is easy to see why people feel this way. The city’s architectural wonders are more neatly clustered within its old town, making it a more pleasant place for strolling and meandering. Of course, this also means that the city’s many tourists are much more visible and catered to than they are in Samarkand.

Afternoon: Culinary Delights and Local Insights

Lunch at Joy Bukhara

For lunch, we stopped at Joy Bukhara. The food was good and offered the chance to try a few more local dishes beyond plov that we hadn’t spotted on any menus so far.

In this relaxed setting, we also tried to tease out some more information about Uzbekistan’s recent history. Although law enforcement is not very visible and the political opposition has a little bit more breathing space than under Islom Karimov, Camilla (and any other Uzbek, really) kept her political views close to the chest, reflecting very much a “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude towards the government.

Architectural Wonders and Market Exploration

After lunch, we continued our exploration with a visit to Bukhara’s architectural marvels. We also visited Minorai-Kalon and adjacent buildings, where Camilla’s family runs a beautiful hotel with a stunning rooftop view. The Ark Fortress, a massive structure that once served as a royal town-within-a-town, offered panoramic views of the city.

From there, we made our way to the local bazaar. The hustle and bustle of the market, with its spices, pickles, and fresh fruit was a proper wallet opener. We bagged a rainbow-colored variety of peppercorns at a bargain price and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

Evening: Sunset and Sundowners

Sunset at Kalon Tower

As the day came to a close, we captured the obligatory sunset shots at Bukhara’s central square. The golden hour bathed the ancient Mir-i-Arab madrasah and the Kalon Tower in a warm glow, creating perfect photo opportunities.

Sundowners at the Mercure Hotel

For a more relaxed evening, we headed to the rooftop of the Mercure Hotel. Although the atmosphere was sterile and a bit too distant from the old town’s charm, it provided a nice spot for sundowners. Our evening concluded with dinner at one of the tourist traps near the central pond Labi Hovuz.