The long way between the two cities: Nurata's holy spring and Alexander's fortress, a night in a yurt by Aydarkul lake, then two village homestays with a guided walk between them.
Estimated price — availability and the final quote are confirmed by our team. No payment is taken on this page.
Private tour — price per person depends on group size:
| 1 traveler | $660 / person |
| 2 travelers | $435 / person |
| 3 travelers | $360 / person |
| 4 travelers | $395 / person |
| 5 travelers | $365 / person |
| 6 travelers | $290 / person |
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Four days from Bukhara to Samarkand that turn the transfer into the trip.
Day one breaks the drive at Gijduvan, the Rabati Malik caravanserai and Nurata — the Chashma holy spring and, on the hill above it, the ruins of the Nur fortress, attributed to Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC — before reaching the Aydarkul yurt camp for a camel ride, dinner and music around the fire.
Day two starts with a short walk by Aydarkul lake, seasonal swimming and a picnic before the transfer to Asraf for village life and a homestay night. Day three is the guided hike from Asraf to Uhum, with luggage transferred by road and a second homestay night. Day four returns to Samarkand by early afternoon.
Pickup with luggage and the drive east.
The Narzullaev family workshop, six generations of Gijduvan ceramics with their distinctive green and blue glazes.
The surviving portal of an 11th-century caravanserai on the old road between Bukhara and Samarkand, with its sardoba water cistern opposite.
The Chashma holy spring with its sacred carp and old mosque, a suzani embroidery workshop, and the hilltop ruins of the Nur fortress — attributed to Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. Lunch here.
Settle into a traditional felt yurt at the desert camp.
A short Bactrian camel ride across the dunes as the sun drops — first-time riders welcome.
Dinner cooked by the camp hosts.
Traditional music round the campfire, and a remarkably dark sky afterwards.
Breakfast at the camp.
A vast lake in the middle of the Kyzylkum, formed in 1969. Take a short shoreline walk, swim in the warm months, and enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Asraf.
Leave the desert for the Nuratau Mountains and Asraf village.
Arrive in Asraf and settle in with your first host family.
A gentle walk around the village with your host.
Dinner with the family.
Breakfast before the walk.
Walk from Asraf to Uhum village with a local mountain guide. Rock carvings appear on the hillsides along the way.
Arrive in Uhum and meet your second host family.
Lunch on arrival.
Dinner with your hosts.
Breakfast with your hosts before leaving the mountains.
South-east across the steppe towards Samarkand.
Drop-off at your Samarkand hotel, early afternoon.
Questions about this itinerary? We reply within 24 hours, and there is no payment to enquire.
The same mountains and hike, without the desert yurt night.
Just the desert half — Aydarkul and a yurt night between the two cities.
The short version — Nurata, one homestay night, then Samarkand.