Yurt Camp Tour: Bukhara → Samarkand

Yurt Camp Tour: Bukhara → Samarkand

The desert route in reverse — leave Bukhara, visit Gijduvan and Nurata, spend a night in a yurt by Aydarkul Lake, and arrive in Samarkand the next day.

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
  • From$145 / person (private)
  • PickupYour Bukhara hotel
  • Drop-offYour Samarkand 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.

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.

Departure 09:00 · Day 1 · Your Bukhara hotel
Return / Drop-off ~16:00 · Day 2 · Your Samarkand hotel

Day 1 · Bukhara → Gijduvan → Nurata → Yurt Camp

Included today Gijduvan ceramics Nurata Chashma Camel ride Campfire dinner
  1. 09:00 DEPART

    Bukhara hotel — departure

    Pickup from your Bukhara hotel and drive east toward the desert.

    • Hotel pickup included
    • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  2. 11:00 STOP AT

    Gijduvan ceramics & Rabati Malik

    A Gijduvan ceramics workshop and the Rabati Malik caravanserai.

    • Working ceramics studio
    • Historic caravanserai
  3. 13:30 STOP AT

    Nurata — Chashma Complex

    The ancient Silk Road town of Nurata and its sacred spring complex.

    • Sacred spring
    • Silk Road history
  4. 16:00 OVERNIGHT

    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
  5. 19:30 MEAL

    Campfire dinner & stargazing

    Dinner cooked by local hosts around the fire, traditional music and a sky full of stars.

    • Local plov or BBQ
    • Milky Way on clear nights

Day 2 · Yurt Camp → Aydarkul Lake → Samarkand

Included today Breakfast Aydarkul Lake Samarkand drop-off
  1. 08:00 MEAL

    Breakfast at the camp

    Fresh breakfast by your hosts — coffee, tea, eggs, bread, jam and fruit.

    • Breakfast included
  2. 09:30 STOP AT

    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
  3. ~16:00 DEPART

    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 are cold year-round, 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.
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