Uzbekistan in 8 Days: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva
The four great Silk Road cities in one week, in the order the road runs: licensed guides, 3–4★ hotels with breakfast, every transfer and the monument…
Desert and Nuratau Treks in 4 Days: Aydarkul, Hayat and the Ukhum Petroglyphs, from Samarkand to Bukhara
Four days between Samarkand and Bukhara for walkers: a 10–12 km trek to the rock carvings above Ukhum, a 7–8 km hike from Hayat with a plov cooking class, and a night in a desert yurt camp by Aydarkul Lake. Two village guesthouses, all meals, private car, either direction.
About this trip
The longest way between Samarkand and Bukhara, and the most rewarding on foot. In the Nuratau mountains you walk two days with a local guide: from Ukhum, a village of stone houses, along mountain trails to ancient petroglyphs and wide views, and from Hayat through forest paths and viewpoints above the valley. Nights are in family guesthouses, and in Hayat you cook plov with your hosts. Then you go down to the Kyzylkum desert for a camel ride, a swim in Aydarkul Lake and a night in a yurt camp with music around the campfire. Last, the holy spring of Nurata and the Silk Road caravanserai of Rabati Malik.
The trip runs in both directions: choose your start under the title. A private car with a driver takes you the whole way, your luggage travels with the car while you walk, and all meals are included.
The route at a glance
| Day | From Samarkand | From Bukhara |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samarkand – Ukhum, trek to the petroglyphs | Bukhara – Rabati Malik – Nurata – Aydarkul yurt camp |
| 2 | Ukhum – Hayat, hike and plov class | Aydarkul – Hayat, hike and plov class |
| 3 | Hayat – Aydarkul yurt camp | Hayat – Ukhum, trek to the petroglyphs |
| 4 | Nurata – Rabati Malik – Bukhara | Ukhum – Samarkand |
Good to know
- When: April to October. Spring and autumn are best for walking; the lake is warm enough to swim from about June to September.
- The treks: 10–12 km at Ukhum and 7–8 km at Hayat, on mountain trails with some climbs, with a local guide who speaks basic English. You need to be fit for a full day on foot and bring good walking shoes.
- Car: one sedan takes up to 3 travellers with medium-size luggage; 4 travellers go in two sedans. For more people, or an SUV, message us.
- Guide: a professional English-speaking guide can come with you at extra cost: message us before you book.
- Where you sleep: two family guesthouses in the mountains and a shared traditional yurt in the desert; simple, clean and warm.
- Drive times: Samarkand to Ukhum is about 3–3.5 hours.
Day by day
- Samarkand – Ukhum, trek to the petroglyphs
Pick-up at your hotel in Samarkand at 07:30 for the drive to Ukhum in the Nuratau mountains, about 3–3.5 hours. Check in to the family guesthouse around 11:00, and at 11:15 set off with a local guide on a 10–12 km trek: mountain trails, wide views and ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks. Lunch at 14:00 and dinner at 18:00. Night in the Ukhum guesthouse.
- Ukhum – Hayat: hike and plov class
Breakfast at 08:00 and a short drive to Hayat at 09:00. At 11:00 a 7–8 km hike: forest trails, viewpoints above the valley, village life and a chance to see wild animals on the slopes. Lunch at 13:00, then at 15:00 you cook Uzbek plov with your hosts. Dinner at 18:00 and a night in the Hayat guesthouse.
- Hayat – Aydarkul yurt camp
Breakfast at 08:00 and departure at 09:00 down to the desert. Lunch at the yurt camp at 13:00. In the afternoon, a camel ride, a swim in Aydarkul Lake or free time among the dunes. Dinner at 18:00, then a campfire and local music under the stars. Night in a yurt.
- Nurata and Rabati Malik, on to Bukhara
Breakfast at 08:00 and departure at 09:00. In Nurata you visit the Chashma complex, a holy spring full of fish beside an old mosque, below the ruins of a fortress said to have been founded by Alexander the Great. On the way to Bukhara you stop at Rabati Malik, the ruins of an 11th-century royal caravanserai on the Silk Road. Arrival at your hotel in Bukhara in the afternoon.
- Day 1
Bukhara – Rabati Malik – Nurata – Aydarkul yurt camp
Pick-up at your hotel in Bukhara at 08:30. Stop at Rabati Malik, the ruins of an 11th-century royal caravanserai on the Silk Road, and visit the Chashma complex in Nurata, a holy spring full of fish beside an old mosque. Lunch at the yurt camp at 13:00; in the afternoon, a camel ride, a swim in Aydarkul Lake or free time among the dunes. Dinner at 18:00, then a campfire and local music under the stars. Night in a yurt.
- Day 2
Aydarkul – Hayat: hike and plov class
Breakfast at 08:00 and a morning drive up to Hayat in the Nuratau mountains. At 11:00 a 7–8 km hike with a local guide: forest trails, viewpoints above the valley, village life and a chance to see wild animals on the slopes. Lunch at 13:00, then at 15:00 you cook Uzbek plov with your hosts. Dinner at 18:00 and a night in the Hayat guesthouse.
- Day 3
Hayat – Ukhum, trek to the petroglyphs
Breakfast at 08:00 and a short drive to Ukhum at 09:00. At 10:00 a 10–12 km trek: mountain trails, wide views and ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks. Lunch at 14:00, check-in at the Ukhum guesthouse and dinner at 18:00.
- Day 4
Ukhum – Samarkand
Breakfast at 08:00 and departure at 09:00 by private car to your hotel in Samarkand, about 3–3.5 hours.
What's included
- Private car with driver: Bukhara to the yurt camp and Ukhum to Samarkand, or the other way (one sedan for up to 3 travellers with medium-size luggage; two sedans for 4)
- Transfers between Aydarkul, Hayat and Ukhum
- 3 nights: 1 in a yurt camp and 2 in village guesthouses, with all meals
- A local mountain guide for both trekking days (basic English)
- A short camel ride (up to 10 minutes)
- The plov cooking class
- The music and campfire evening
- Luggage transport while you walk
Not included
- A professional guide (available at extra cost: message us)
- A longer camel ride (an option when you book)
- Hotels in Samarkand and Bukhara
- Drinks, tips, travel insurance and personal expenses
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