This carefully curated itinerary will introduce you to the key landmarks and lesser-known treasures of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley, offering a journey through historical sites and encounters with the region’s most renowned artisans. Spanning the Fergana, Namangan, and Andijan regions, this itinerary can be tailored to fit your schedule, whether you plan to continue your travels into Kyrgyzstan or return to Tashkent.
Our recommended routes provide an immersive experience of the Silk Road’s rich heritage, allowing for a well-structured and unforgettable visit to the Fergana Valley. These routes can be customized based on duration, sightseeing stops, and artisan visits to suit your personal interests, needs, and schedule.
Travel Tips: For seamless planning, consider reaching out to a tour operator or a guide affiliated with CTN. They can assist in creating a personalized itinerary, arranging artisan visits, organizing transportation and accommodation, and providing various other services. At a minimum, hiring a private driver is recommended, as many destinations are not easily accessible via public transport or taxis.
Important Note: Visiting artisans and their workshops requires advance booking or reservations.
Kokand, one of Uzbekistan’s oldest cities, was a strategic trade hub on the Great Silk Road and the capital of the powerful Kokand Khanate in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, you can witness its rich history and vibrant cultural legacy by visiting the Khudoyar Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, and the local handicraft center.
Getting to the Fergana Valley: We recommend taking the morning train from Tashkent to Kokand (a 4-hour and 15-minute journey), offering scenic views and a comfortable ride.
Overnight Stay: Kokand
Morning: Travel to Rishtan (1-hour drive), a town celebrated for its exquisite handcrafted ceramics featuring dazzling patterns.
CTN Recommendation: Visit the studio of Diyorbek Nazirov at the International Ceramics Center to learn about the history and traditions of Rishtan pottery.
Afternoon: Continue to Margilan (1-hour drive), an ancient city in the Fergana Valley renowned for over a thousand years for its silk production, once a key Silk Road trading stop.
CTN Recommendations: Begin your exploration of traditional silk weaving and ikat at the Margilan Crafts Development Center, housed in the beautiful 19th-century Said Ahmad Khoja Madrasah. The center is managed by Rasuljon Mirzaakhmedov, a ninth-generation ikat fabric designer. You can also visit other CTN artisans in the Fergana region, including:
Khayruddin Zainudinov (Kuva) and Begoyim Creates (Fergana) – Fashion designers
El-Nur Leather (Fergana) – Leather craftsmanship
Nargiza Akhralovna (Margilan) – Embroidery and suzani
Aydina Collection 777 – Jewelry
Sunday Special: If you’re in Margilan on a Sunday, don’t miss the vibrant Kumtepa Bazaar, where an explosion of colors awaits with traditional fabrics, handcrafted goods, spices, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
Accommodation: Stay at Ikat House, a CTN member’s guesthouse in Margilan.
Morning: Travel to Andijan (1.5-hour drive) and explore the bustling market of the Old Town, the artisan alley, Devoni Boi Mosque, and Registan Square, home to a museum and handicraft shops. Visit the workshop of Mirzabakhrom Abduvakhabov, a 15th-generation potter preserving the tradition of Andijan’s handmade ceramics.
CTN Recommendation: Take a short trip to Shakhrikhan (45-minute drive) to visit the workshop of Muzaffar Umarov, a 10th-generation knife-making master. Here, you’ll learn about the age-old techniques and fascinating legends behind these finely crafted handmade knives.
Accommodation: Stay at Uzbechka Hotel, a CTN network property in Andijan.
