How far is Shahrisabz from Samarkand?

Shahrisabz is approximately 90 km south of Samarkand, about a 1.5-2 hour drive through the Zerafshan mountain pass. The scenic drive itself is part of the experience.

What will I see on the Shahrisabz day trip?

You will visit Ak-Saray Palace (Timur's summer palace ruins), Dorut Tilovat complex, Kok Gumbaz Mosque, and the statue of Tamerlane in the main square of Shahrisabz UNESCO World Heritage city.

How much does the Shahrisabz day trip cost?

The day trip to Shahrisabz costs from $45 per person including guide, transport from Samarkand, and entrance fees to all sites.

Is the Shahrisabz tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, the tour is family-friendly. The sites are walkable and the history of Timur (Tamerlane) is fascinating for older children. We can adjust the pace for families.

Day Trip to Shahrisabz from Samarkand

Private day trip from Samarkand

Hotel pickup at 8:30 AM

Ak-Saray + Dorut Tilavat + Kok Gumbaz

Tahtakaracha mountain pass en route

From $48 per person

Statue of Amir Temur in front of Ak-Saray Palace ruins, Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan

📅 Best March–November for mountain views & comfortable walking · Year-round cultural route

Day Trip to Shahrisabz · Birthplace of Amir Temur

Shahrisabz — "green city" in Persian — is the hometown of Amir Temur and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Everything here is connected with his name.

Founded over 2,700 years ago and originally called Kesh, Shahrisabz is one of Central Asia's most ancient cities. Timur regarded it as his "home town" and planned it to be the location of his tomb.

The drive from Samarkand crosses the dramatic Tahtakaracha mountain pass — a scenic 3-hour journey through the Zarafshan Range with panoramic viewpoints en route.

Once in Shahrisabz, you walk through Timur's monumental ambitions: the towering remains of Ak-Saray Palace, the Dorut Tilavat complex with the Kok Gumbaz mosque, and the underground crypt prepared for Timur himself.

Best for:

History lovers & first-time Uzbekistan visitors
Travellers who want UNESCO heritage beyond Samarkand
Mountain pass views + ancient monuments in one day
Cultural day escape with relaxed pace

Route

Samarkand → Tahtakaracha Pass → Shahrisabz → Samarkand

Departure

08:30 AM · your Samarkand hotel

Duration

Full day · 6–8 hours

Season

Best Mar–Nov · year-round route

Included

Private air-conditioned sedan (Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz)
Professional driver
Hotel pickup & drop-off in Samarkand
Bottled water on board

Optional / personal expenses

Entrance fees to monuments (~$3–8 per site)
Lunch at a local restaurant ($8–15)
English-speaking guide (optional add-on)
Guide gratuity (at your discretion)

What makes this special

Ak-Saray Palace ruins

Tahtakaracha mountain pass

Timur's birthplace

UNESCO heritage site

Private Group Pricing

Share the vehicle, share the cost — larger groups lower your per-person rate.

Group size	Price per person
1 traveller	$108
2 travellersBest Value	$60
3 travellersLowest Cost	$48

Direct local pricing — no large platform markup
No hidden fees · transfers and what is listed are included
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

Practical tips

Comfortable walking shoes — Shahrisabz is a walking visit
Sun cream & sunglasses, especially May–September
Cash (UZS) for entrance tickets, lunch and any souvenirs
Tour can be adapted to your pace — let your driver know if you want extra time at any stop

Hotel pickup

~7 hours

Tahtakaracha mountain pass

4 UNESCO Timurid sites

Departure 08:30 AM · Your Samarkand hotel

Return / Drop-off ~3:30 PM · Your Samarkand hotel

1
08:30 ·1h 30m drive DEPART

Samarkand Hotel — Departure
Pickup from your hotel. Drive south over the dramatic Tahtakaracha mountain pass with panoramic Zarafshan-range views en route.
- Hotel pickup included
- Air-conditioned private vehicle
- Tahtakaracha pass photo stop
2
10:00 ·45 min STOP AT

Ak-Saray Palace Ruins
The towering remains of Timur's grand entrance gate — once the largest palace in Central Asia. Two 50-metre towers and a 22-metre arch are all that survive.
- Timur's grand ambition
- 50 m tower remains
- Amir Temur statue photo
Why travellers love it: Standing at the foot of what Timur intended as the wonder of the Islamic world.
3
11:00 ·45 min STOP AT

Dorut Saodat & Crypt of Timur
The Timurid family burial complex with the masterful tomb of Jahangir, Timur's eldest son. Visit the underground crypt prepared for Timur himself, discovered in 1963.
- Tomb of Timur's son Jahangir
- Empty crypt prepared for Timur
- Inscriptions from the Quran
4
12:00 ·40 min STOP AT

Dorut Tilavat & Kok Gumbaz Mosque
Built mainly under Ulugbek's reign, this complex holds the graves of Timur's father Taragay and his spiritual tutor. The Kok Gumbaz "blue dome" mosque dominates the ensemble.
- Tomb of Timur's father
- Kok Gumbaz "blue dome" mosque
- Suzani embroidery shops nearby
5
12:45 ·1 hr MEAL

Lunch in Shahrisabz Old Town
Lunch at a local restaurant in the old town. Shashlik, lagman, fresh non bread.
- ~$8–15 per person
- Paid directly to the restaurant
6
14:00 ·1h 30m drive RETURN

Drive Back to Samarkand
Return drive across the Tahtakaracha pass with afternoon light on the mountains.
- Door-to-door drop-off
- Optional photo stops on the pass