Urgut Bazaar & Konigil Day Tour from Samarkand

Urgut Bazaar & Konigil Day Tour from Samarkand

A working country bazaar, a water-powered paper mill and a silk carpet workshop — the craft side of Samarkand, in one day.

  • Full day · ~6.5 hours (08:00–14:30)
  • Samarkand → Urgut Bazaar → Konigil → Silk Carpet Factory → Samarkand
  • From $35/person with 4 travelers

At a glance

Price
From $35 per person for 4+ travellers; $110 solo. Private tour, priced by party size.
Duration
Full day · ~6.5 hours (08:00–14:30)
Starts from
Your Samarkand hotel · 08:00
Best season
Year-round · Sun & Wed best for the bazaar
Group
Private tour, your party only. Solo travellers to small groups welcome.
Drop-off
Your Samarkand hotel · ~14:30
Included
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off in Samarkand
  • Visits to Konigil paper mill & the silk carpet factory (entrance fees not included)
  • Bottled water on board
Not included
  • Entrance fee at the Konigil paper mill (paid on site)
  • English-speaking guide (optional add-on)
  • Lunch en route if you want it ($5–10, paid on site)
  • Bazaar shopping (cash recommended)
Show 1 more
  • Driver gratuity (at your discretion)
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 — price per person depends on group size:

1 traveler$110 / person
2 travelers$65 / person
3 travelers$45 / person
4 travelers$35 / person

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

A short, rich day out from Samarkand — the kind of trip that locals do, not tourists.

In Urgut, the open-air bazaar (busiest on Sundays and Wednesdays) sells silk and wool carpets, suzani embroideries, kalpak hats, fresh produce and old Soviet curiosities. Less polished than Samarkand's Siab Bazaar — and much more authentic.

On the way back, stop at Konigil village on the edge of Samarkand to visit the working Meros paper mill — a modern revival of the traditional Samarkand papermaking craft, where mulberry bark becomes paper by hand at a water-powered mill.

The day finishes nearby at the silk carpet factory, where weavers knot silk carpets by hand on traditional looms and dye the threads with plants and minerals. You are welcome to look around the showroom — there is no obligation to buy.

What makes this special

  • Urgut bazaar (Sun & Wed)
  • Traditional Samarkand paper
  • Hand-knotted silk carpet workshop
Hotel pickup
~6.5 hours
Authentic local bazaar
Working paper factory
Departure 08:00 AM · Your Samarkand hotel
Return / Drop-off ~2:30 PM · Your Samarkand hotel
  1. 08:00 ·1 hr drive DEPART

    Samarkand Hotel — Pickup

    Pickup from your hotel. Drive south-east through suburbs and farmland to Urgut (~40 km).

    • Hotel pickup included
    • Air-conditioned vehicle
  2. 09:00 ·2 hrs STOP AT

    Urgut Bazaar

    A working bazaar — busiest on Sundays and Wednesdays — selling carpets, suzani, kalpak hats, produce, spices, and Soviet-era curiosities. Morning is when the bazaar is at its liveliest.

    • Suzani embroidery stalls
    • Silk & wool carpet sellers
    • Local fresh produce
    Why travellers love it: A bazaar locals actually shop at — much more authentic than Siab in Samarkand.
  3. 11:00 ·1 hr 10m drive DEPART

    Drive to Konigil Village

    Drive back past Samarkand to Konigil village on the Siab river (~55 km).

  4. 12:10 ·1 hr STOP AT

    Konigil — Meros Paper Mill

    Water-powered mill at the Meros paper factory in Konigil

    Watch master craftsmen turn mulberry bark into paper at a working water-powered mill — a modern revival of the famous Samarkand papermaking tradition.

    • Water-powered traditional mill
    • Mulberry-bark paper process
    • Optional purchase of handmade paper
    • Entrance fee payable on site
  5. 13:10 ·15 min drive DEPART

    Drive to the Silk Carpet Factory

    Short hop across the eastern edge of Samarkand to the Hudjum silk carpet workshop, near Shah-i-Zinda.

  6. 13:25 ·45 min STOP AT

    Samarkand Silk Carpet Factory

    Weavers knotting a silk carpet by hand at the Samarkand silk carpet factory

    Watch weavers knot silk carpets by hand on traditional looms, and see the natural dyeing process — from silkworm cocoon to finished carpet.

    • Hand-knotted silk weaving
    • Natural plant & mineral dyes
    • Showroom visit — no obligation to buy
  7. 14:10 ·20 min drive RETURN

    Drive Back to Samarkand

    Short return drive into the city. Door-to-door drop-off at your hotel around 2:30 PM.

    • Door-to-door drop-off

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
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off in Samarkand
  • Visits to Konigil paper mill & the silk carpet factory (entrance fees not included)
  • Bottled water on board

Not included

  • Entrance fee at the Konigil paper mill (paid on site)
  • English-speaking guide (optional add-on)
  • Lunch en route if you want it ($5–10, paid on site)
  • Bazaar shopping (cash recommended)
  • Driver gratuity (at your discretion)

Good to know

Best for

  • Slow travellers seeking authentic local culture
  • Craft & textile enthusiasts
  • Photographers (bazaars are a goldmine)
  • Travellers with extra time after Samarkand sightseeing

Practical tips

  • Sunday & Wednesday have the largest Urgut bazaar
  • Cash (UZS) for bazaar shopping & entrance fees — small bills work best
  • Sturdy shoes — bazaar ground can be uneven
  • Tour pace flexible — extra bazaar time on request

Frequently asked questions

What is the Konigil village famous for?
Konigil village is famous for its traditional handmade paper production (Samarkand paper) using the ancient technique brought from China over 1,000 years ago. You can watch artisans make paper from mulberry bark and try the process yourself.
What will I see at Urgut Bazaar?
Urgut hosts one of the largest traditional bazaars in Uzbekistan, especially vibrant on Sundays. You can find handwoven silk carpets, suzani embroidery, spices, dried fruits, and local handicrafts.
How long is the Urgut and Konigil village day trip?
The tour lasts about 6.5 hours, departing at 8:00 AM and returning to Samarkand around 2:30 PM.
Can I buy crafts at the workshops?
Yes. You can buy handmade Samarkand paper at the Konigil mill and hand-knotted silk carpets, scarves and cushion covers at the carpet factory, directly from the artisans. There is never any obligation to buy.
What day is best to visit Urgut bazaar?
Sunday is the largest and most vibrant market day at Urgut bazaar, with Wednesday a strong second choice. Both days offer the full range of local products, suzani textiles, spices, and traders.
Is lunch included in the tour?
Lunch is not included and there is no fixed lunch stop — the tour returns to Samarkand around 2:30 PM. If you would like to eat on the way, tell your driver and he will stop at a local chaikhana; expect about $5–10 per person, paid on site.
How far is Urgut from Samarkand?
Urgut is approximately 40 km from Samarkand and takes about 50–60 minutes by car on a comfortable road.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The tour runs privately for your group only, in your own air-conditioned vehicle with your own driver. The per-person price falls as the group grows — see the pricing table above.
Do I need to pay to check availability?
No. Checking availability is free and commits you to nothing. Send the form or message us on WhatsApp and we reply within 24 hours.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. The day is mostly driving and short walks, with no hiking. Tell us the ages when you book and we will bring a child seat if needed.
Can you pick us up from outside central Samarkand?
Usually yes, anywhere in Samarkand city. Give us your hotel or address in the booking form and we will confirm the pickup time.

Gallery

Water mill at the Konigil paper factory near Samarkand Handmade Samarkand paper items at the Konigil mill Weavers knotting a silk carpet by hand at the Samarkand silk carpet factory Silk carpets displayed in the Samarkand carpet factory showroom Traders holding up a hand-embroidered suzani at Urgut bazaar

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  • 🔄 Flexible options
  • 🗓 Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Book direct with Jahongir Travel — local Samarkand operator.

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Include country code, e.g. +998 91 555 08 08
Trip Details
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Why Book With Jahongir Travel?

Local Operator in Samarkand You book direct with the team that runs your tour, not a resale platform.
Private Transport Included Air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver on every tour.
Fully Customisable Tell us your interests — we tailor every itinerary to match your pace.
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Urgut Bazaar & Konigil Day Tour from Samarkand

From $35 / person

From $35/person with 4 travelers

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

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off in Samarkand
  • Visits to Konigil paper mill & the silk carpet factory (entrance fees not included)
Check availability

No payment taken here — we reply within 24 hours.