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Book direct with Jahongir Travel — local Samarkand operator.
Choose your route
Choose your trip type
Private tour — price per person depends on group size:
| 1 traveler | $286 / person |
| 2 travelers | $176 / person |
| 3 travelers | $145 / person |
Quick facts
- RouteBukhara → Samarkand
- Duration2 days / 1 night
- Price from$145 / personprivate
- PickupBukhara hotel
- Drop-offSamarkand hotel
- Best seasonApril–June, Sept–Nov
Heading the other way? This is the same desert experience run from Bukhara to Samarkand. You leave Bukhara, stop at Gijduvan and the Rabati Malik caravanserai, visit Nurata, and reach the Kyzylkum Desert yurt camp on the shore of Aydarkul Lake for a camel ride, a campfire dinner and a night under the stars — finishing at your Samarkand hotel on Day 2.
The evening is what most guests remember best — the camel ride at sunset and the dark, star-filled desert sky.
It runs as a 2-day / 1-night trip and doubles as your Bukhara→Samarkand transfer. Pricing is per person and depends on group size — the same rate as our other yurt camp routes.
How it works
We pick you up
Morning pickup from your Bukhara hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Silk Road & desert
Gijduvan, Rabati Malik and Nurata on the way out, then the yurt camp for a camel ride and campfire dinner.
On to Samarkand
Day 2 visits Aydarkul Lake and finishes at your Samarkand hotel.
Get your price
Send the form with your dates — we confirm the exact private or group price by email within 24 hours.
Day 1 · Bukhara → Gijduvan → Nurata → Yurt Camp
Included today
Gijduvan ceramics
Nurata Chashma
Camel ride
Campfire dinner
-
Bukhara hotel — departure
Pickup from your Bukhara hotel and drive east toward the desert.
- Hotel pickup included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
-
Gijduvan ceramics & Rabati Malik
A Gijduvan ceramics workshop and the Rabati Malik caravanserai.
- Working ceramics studio
- Historic caravanserai
-
Nurata — Chashma Complex
The ancient Silk Road town of Nurata and its sacred spring complex.
- Sacred spring
- Silk Road history
-
Yurt camp — check in & camel ride
Arrive at the Aydarkul yurt camp and take a roughly 15-minute ride on a Bactrian camel across the dunes at sunset.
- Camel ride ~15 min
- Bactrian camels
- Beds & bedding provided
-
Campfire dinner & stargazing
Dinner cooked by local hosts around the fire, traditional music and a sky full of stars.
- Local plov or BBQ
- Bright stars on clear nights
Day 2 · Yurt Camp → Aydarkul Lake → Samarkand
Included today
Breakfast
Aydarkul Lake
Samarkand drop-off
-
Breakfast at the camp
Fresh breakfast by your hosts — coffee, tea, eggs, bread, jam and fruit.
- Breakfast included
-
Aydarkul Lake
Time on the lakeshore in the heart of the desert; shoreline walk and an optional swim in warm season.
- Optional swim (warm season)
- Shoreline walk
-
Samarkand hotel — arrival
Drive back to Samarkand with drop-off at your hotel.
- Hotel drop-off in Samarkand
What's included
Included
- Private air-conditioned transport, Bukhara → Samarkand
- Lunch, dinner and breakfast as described
- One night in a traditional yurt (beds & bedding provided)
- Camel ride at sunset and evening campfire
- Stops: Gijduvan ceramics, Rabati Malik, Nurata Chashma Complex, Aydarkul Lake
- Pickup at your Bukhara hotel and drop-off at your Samarkand hotel
Not included
- Personal expenses and tips
- A separate guide — this is a transport-only tour; your driver handles logistics
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Bukhara → Samarkand tour cost?
It is the same per-person rate as all our yurt camp routes: $286 for 1 traveler, $176 per person for 2, and $145 per person for 3 (private). Shared-group pricing is confirmed by email after your inquiry.
Does this tour end in Samarkand?
Yes — it drops you at your Samarkand hotel on Day 2 afternoon, so it works as your transfer from Bukhara to Samarkand as well as a desert experience.
What are the yurts like?
Traditional felt yurts with proper beds and bedding. The yurt camp has modern, clean shared toilets and showers. Desert nights can be cool even after warm days, so bring warm layers.
Is there a guide?
This is a transport-only tour: your driver handles logistics and the camp hosts look after meals and activities. A licensed city guide can be arranged separately on request.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are most comfortable. Summer days are hot but nights are clear; winter is cold but possible with warm clothing.
Do the yurts have electricity?
The camp has limited evening electricity (solar / generator) for lighting. Charging points can be limited, so bring a power bank for phones and cameras.
Are the toilets and showers modern?
Yes. The yurt camp has modern, clean shared toilet and shower facilities — a comfortable step up from a basic desert camp.
Can I book a private yurt?
Yes. On a group / shared booking you can add a private yurt for +$50 per person — just tick the private-yurt option in the booking form. Private tours include your own yurt by default.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes, the sunset camel ride is included and lasts about 15 minutes. It is optional — first-time riders are welcome, or you can skip it and relax at the camp.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes, families are welcome. Children enjoy the campfire and the camels, the camel ride is optional, and bedding is provided. Bring warm layers for little ones as desert nights can get cool.
What if the group minimum is not reached?
Group departures run with a small minimum (usually 4 travellers). If a date does not reach the minimum we will offer you the nearest confirmed departure or a private option — we always confirm by email before anything is booked.
How cold is it at night?
Desert nights can be cool, even after hot summer days. The yurts have bedding and felt walls that hold warmth, but you should bring warm layers.
Can vegetarian meals be arranged?
Yes. Vegetarian and most dietary requirements can be arranged with advance notice — just tell us when you book.
Can I swim in Aydarkul Lake?
Yes, in the warm months (roughly May to September) the lake is pleasant for a swim. Bring swimwear; in cooler months it is better for photos and shoreline walks.
Is this tour available in winter?
Yes, on request. Winter is cold but atmospheric and quiet; with warm clothing the desert and yurt experience is still very rewarding.