Private Tour
Private 2-Day Aydarkul & Yurt Camp Tour: Samarkand-Bukhara
Overview
2 days
Mobile ticket
This private 2-day adventure offers far more than a standard transfer between Samarkand and Bukhara—it combines Uzbekistan’s most memorable natural, cultural, and Silk Road experiences into one seamless journey. Swim or relax at the serene shores of Aydarkul Lake, ride camels across the Kyzylkum Desert, enjoy an authentic overnight stay in a traditional yurt beneath a sky full of stars, and experience genuine nomadic hospitality around the campfire. On the second day, explore the sacred Chashma Complex in Nurata, discover master ceramic craftsmanship in Gijduvan, and visit the historic Rabati Malik Caravanserai before arriving in Bukhara. With private transport, flexible pacing, and customizable stops, this tour is perfect for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and unforgettable landscapes—all in one unique Silk Road experience.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Samarkand - Aydarkul-Yurt Camp
Accommodations
Overnight in the yurt
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Aydar Lake
Depart Samarkand in the morning and drive toward the desert oasis of Aydarkul Lake. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing lunch by the water, take a walk along the peaceful shoreline, and, in warm weather, swim in the clear lake surrounded by vast степpe landscapes. This is the perfect spot to unwind and experience Uzbekistan’s natural beauty.
Continue to your traditional yurt camp in the Kyzylkum Desert. Experience authentic nomadic life with a camel ride across the dunes, followed by a freshly prepared dinner. In the evening, gather around the campfire, enjoy local music (depending on availability), and take in unforgettable stargazing far from city lights. Overnight in a comfortable yurt.
Yurt Camp - Bukhara or Samarkand
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Nurata
After breakfast at the yurt camp, travel to the historic town of Nurata, where you’ll visit the sacred Chashma spring complex, ancient mosque, and the remains of Alexander the Great’s fortress. Discover the spiritual and historical significance of this unique desert town while enjoying views of the surrounding Nurata Mountains.
Gijduvan ceramics of The Narzullaevs
Continue your journey with a stop in Gijduvan, one of Uzbekistan’s most famous ceramic centers. Visit a traditional pottery workshop to see master artisans creating beautiful handmade ceramics using techniques passed down through generations. This is a perfect opportunity to experience authentic local craftsmanship.
Karavan-Sarai Rabati Malik
Stop at the historic Rabati Malik Caravanserai, a remarkable 11th-century roadside monument that once welcomed Silk Road travelers crossing Central Asia. Explore this fascinating architectural site and imagine the ancient caravans that once rested here.
What‘s Included
Lunch
Dinner
Air-conditioned vehicle
Breakfast
Entrance tickets
Accommodation 1 night in yurt camp
Driver tips
Fees for photo and video at sights
In person guide
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private 2-Day Aydarkul & Yurt Camp Tour: Samarkand-Bukhara
Pickup included
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Poor description
Kristoffer S,Oct 5, 2024
- Review from Viator
2.00The description of the tour is beyond poor, it doesn’t state that the trip starts in Samarkand and ends in Bukhara. We started in Samarkand needed to go back to Samarkand, informed the driver of this but once we noticed that he was going to Bukhara we where demanded 50USD extra to go to Samarkand where we had hotel, car and rest of luggage. Rude person on the phone demanded the money. Very disappointed. We where not taken to the ancient wall paintings and never informed of stop duration. Car didn’t have AC, driver did not speak English and driving was rough, got stopped by traffic police once.
The good, the bad & the ugly
Highgardener,Sep 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Here's the text with grammar and minor stylistic improvements: Yurts are quite authentic, spacious, and have beds to sleep in. The bedding is very firm and not super comfortable. It can be very cold at night, so bring warm clothes. All in all, if you like camping, then go for it. The food served is simple yet quite tasty and comes in good portion sizes. For the evening entertainment, there was a Kazakh singer. He was not bad at all; however, after singing only 6-7 songs, he was done. Moreover, he took off his hat and walked around the circle asking for money. Tourists felt pressured and had to give him some tips. The absolutely revolting part was the camel ride. The animals are grossly mistreated. A couple of camels were clearly in pain, groaning every time their handlers made them kneel down and get up. All animals had punctured noses with wooden sticks, and one had a heavy metal bolt through its delicate nose. The weight of the metal made the camel's nose hang to one side (see the picture). Do not ride the camels. It's not worth it, let alone give the handlers tips! The ride was included in the price, but they asked for 20-30k of local currency nonetheless. Do not encourage animal cruelty!
Yurte
pierforesta11,Jun 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really interesting experience... everything as agreed and even more thanks to Hasan, impeccable driver and really very nice person, positive and always available for anything
Very nice! Recommended
Tulipan18,Jun 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the tour Bukhara-Nurata-Aydar Lake-Yurt Camp-Samarkand and it was awesome! I was solo traveling but thanks to the very nice guide Khaasan, I did not feel lonely at all! He always tried to explain himself and I think that after speaking for a while his English was already much better! Khaasan also gave suggestions on the things to do and I appreciated it a lot as I was able to see different things
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Operated by Jahongir Travel