Shahrisabz Day Trip from Samarkand

Cross the Tahtakaracha mountain pass to visit Ak-Saray Palace, Dorut Tilavat and Amir Temur’s birthplace.

Full day · about 7 hours
Samarkand → Tahtakaracha Pass → Shahrisabz
From $108 for your party

At a glance

Price: $108 for 1 traveler, $144 for 3 — one price for your whole private party; larger groups are priced on request.
Duration: Full day · about 7 hours
Starts from: Samarkand hotel · 09:00
Best season: Best Mar–Nov · year-round route
Group: Private tour, your party only. Solo travellers to small groups welcome.
Highlights: Ak-Saray · Dorut Tilavat · Kok Gumbaz
Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle (Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz)
English-speaking guide
Professional driver
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Samarkand
Show 2 more
Bottled water on board
Drive over the scenic Tahtakaracha mountain pass
Not included: Entrance fees to monuments (~$3–8 per site, paid locally)
Lunch at a local restaurant ($8–15)
Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
How to book: Inquiry form below or WhatsApp +998 91 555 08 08. We reply within 24 hours with availability and your exact price. No prepayment to ask.

Pricing

Your party

2 adults

Estimated price — availability and the final quote are confirmed by our team. No payment is taken on this page.

Private tour — one price for your whole party (car and driver):

1 traveler	$108 total
2 travelers	$120 total
3 travelers	$144 total
4+ travelers	price on request

★ 4.8 on Google (14 reviews) Local operator in Samarkand We reply within 24 hours

Shahrisabz — "green city" in Persian — is the hometown of Amir Temur (Tamerlane) and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded over 2,700 years ago as Kesh, it is one of Central Asia's most ancient cities, and Timur planned it as the place of his own tomb.

The drive from Samarkand crosses the dramatic Tahtakaracha mountain pass — a scenic journey of about 1.5 hours each way through the Zarafshan Range, with panoramic viewpoints en route.

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. It runs as a full-day private tour from your Samarkand hotel.

Departure 09:00 · Your Samarkand hotel

Return / Drop-off ~16:00 · Your Samarkand hotel

Full Day · Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Samarkand

Included today: Hotel pickup · Tahtakaracha pass · Ak-Saray Palace · Kok Gumbaz

1
09:00 ·1h 30m drive DEPART

Samarkand hotel — departure
Pickup from your hotel and 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
10:30 ·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
3
11:30 ·45 min STOP AT

Dorut Saodat & crypt of Timur
The Timurid family burial complex with the masterful tomb of Jahangir, Timur's eldest son, and the underground crypt prepared for Timur himself, discovered in 1963.
- Tomb of Timur's son Jahangir
- Empty crypt prepared for Timur
- Quranic inscriptions
4
12:30 ·40 min STOP AT

Dorut Tilavat & Kok Gumbaz mosque
Built mainly under Ulugbek, 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
13:15 ·1 hr MEAL

Lunch in Shahrisabz old town
Lunch at a local restaurant in the old town — shashlik, lagman and fresh Uzbek non (bread).
- ~$8–15 per person
- Paid directly to the restaurant
6
14:30 ·1h 30m drive RETURN

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

Questions about this itinerary? We reply within 24 hours, and there is no payment to enquire.

WhatsApp us Check availability

What's included

Included

Private air-conditioned vehicle (Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz)
English-speaking guide
Professional driver
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Samarkand
Bottled water on board
Drive over the scenic Tahtakaracha mountain pass

Not included

Entrance fees to monuments (~$3–8 per site, paid locally)
Lunch at a local restaurant ($8–15)
Personal expenses, tips and gratuities

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Shahrisabz day trip?

It is a full-day tour, about 6–8 hours door to door, including roughly 1.5 hours' drive each way over the Tahtakaracha mountain pass. Pickup is at 09:00 and you are back in Samarkand by mid-afternoon.

What is included in the price?

An English-speaking guide, a private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver, hotel pickup and drop-off in Samarkand, and bottled water. Entrance fees (~$3–8 per site) and lunch ($8–15) are paid locally.

What will I see in Shahrisabz?

The main sights are the Ak-Saray Palace ruins (Timur's giant gate), the Dorut Saodat complex with the crypt prepared for Timur and the tomb of his son Jahangir, and the Dorut Tilavat complex with the Kok Gumbaz "blue dome" mosque.

When is the best time to go?

March to November is best for mountain views and comfortable walking, though Shahrisabz is a year-round cultural route. Summer days are hot, so bring sun protection; the pass can be cool, so bring a light layer.

Is there a guide?

Yes — an English-speaking guide is included in the price (for another language, ask us on WhatsApp before you reserve). They show you around the Ak-Saray Palace ruins, Dorut Tilavat and Dorut Saodat and explain the history of Timur's birthplace, so you get more than just the drive.

Do I pay when I reserve?

No. Reserving online is free. We check availability — including your guide — and email you as soon as your trip is ready to confirm; only then do you confirm it: pay online — a 30% deposit or in full (trips less than two days away are paid in full) — or simply choose to pay on the day. Cash on the day is accepted in Uzbek soum (UZS) only. Questions first? Message us on WhatsApp.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. It is mostly driving and walking around the monuments. Tell us the ages when you reserve and we will bring a child seat if needed. Children aged 3 and over are priced as an extra traveller; under-3s travel free but take a seat. Online prices cover up to 3 travellers; for 4 or more we confirm the vehicle and price after you reserve.

Can you pick us up from outside central Samarkand?

Usually yes, anywhere in Samarkand city. Add your hotel or address when you reserve, or later in My Bookings, and we will confirm the pickup time.