The 15 Best Day Trips in Uzbekistan

1.Samarkand One Day Tour – Departure From Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 313 reviews · from $219Our pick

Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand by high-speed train for a packed day of Timurid architecture, local food, and guided sightseeing. You’ll visit Gur-Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Shah-i-Zinda, and Siab Bazaar, with hotel transfers, lunch, tickets, and a Samarkand guide included. Guides such as Mokhigul, Shohrux, and Sevinch have been praised for their history knowledge and friendly help.

“I wanted to visit Samarkand and booked this trip at short notice. I wanted an all-inclusive package that takes care of everything from pick-up at my hotel to dropping me back and everything in between. I was not disappointed. The trip is organised by GoToUzbekistan, and is well conducted. They delivered on all they promised, on-time. The tour guide, Ms. Mokhigul, was very knowledgeable and helpful. She teaches English at the local university and is a native of Samarkand. All this helps bring this beautiful, historical place alive. Overall, highly recommended.”

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2.Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 87 reviews · 6 hours · from $25Best value

Meet your guide at Gur Emir Mausoleum and walk through Samarkand’s key sights, from Registan and Bibi-Khanym Mosque to Siyab Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. The group is limited to 10, with English, French, and Italian listed as guide languages. Entrance fees and lunch are extra.

“Very good. This was a long trip and a lot of information. Very good English, helping with photos. A group of 3 people only made this experience private. 6 h Guiding for a very small price. We left tips”

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3.Shahrisabz Day Trip with Optional Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 81 reviews · 7 hours · from $65

Travel from Samarkand to Shahrisabz through vineyards, farms, hills, and mountain roads in a private or small-group car. In Shahrisabz, an optional local guide such as Mironshox or Zarshed explains the historic sites during a two-hour visit. Drivers including Yusufjon and Ulugbek also make photo stops and help arrange lunch.

“A really interesting trip. Shok was a great guide; helpful, patient and with good English. A long journey but wothwhile.”

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4.Shahrisabz Day Trip & Mountain Pass Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $95

Travel from Samarkand to Shahrisabz across the Takhtakaracha Mountain Pass, then explore Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, and Dorut-Tilavat. You get round-trip transport, an English or Russian guide on the group option, and time for photos and lunch. Guides such as Umida, Nilufar, and Zarshed have been praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“We had a great day on our tour. Our driver was so pleasant and told us about anything we asked. He showed us the cool things along the road. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. Can highly recommend this.”

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5.Bukhara One Day Tour – Departure From Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · from $249

Travel from Tashkent to Bukhara by Afrosiyob high-speed train, tour the Old City with a private guide, eat lunch, then fly back in the evening. You’ll visit Lyabi Khauz, the Kalyan complex, trading domes, Ark Fortress, and major mausoleums. The long day covers sights many people see over two or three days.

“Bukhara is like going back in time centuries ago or going into the future it looks like the set of a Star Wars film yet it has building that date centuries back that have preserved well without need for reconstruction. The tour was very well planned with the truly amazing guide DilfRead more”

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6.All in One Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $196

Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand by train, then explore Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Siab Bazaar, Shah-i-Zinda, Afrasiyab Museum, and Ulugh Beg Observatory with a private guide such as Ikrom, Aziz, or Ulugbek. Hotel transfers, entry fees, water, and a local lunch are included.

“Ikrom was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable and nothing was any trouble for him or our driver and I can’t recommend him highly enough. We saw every historical sight in the great city of Samarkand and even managed to fit in a very good restaurant.”

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7.Chimgan Valley Hiking Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 24 reviews · 8 hours · from $100

Spend eight hours with a guide such as Jamshid or Inom hiking the Chimgan Valley in the Western Tian Shan. Choose an easier or steeper route, stop for lake and peak views, and travel by included transport from Tashkent. Bring warm layers, water, snacks, sunscreen, and solid shoes.

“My Chimgan Mountain hike was wonderful! I wanted a real hiking experience, not just a drive to a spot, and this tour provided it. Climbing myself let me see truly earned, breathtaking views. Our guide was fantastic – fluent in English, incredibly kind, and cheerful. They were very attentive, always checking if I was tired. Their thoughtfulness even extended to meals, considering my condition. I'm so glad I chose this tour. It was a truly satisfying and memorable experience!”

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8.1-Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $196

Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand by high-speed train, then tour the city with a local guide and driver. You will visit Bibi Khanym Mosque, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, and Ulugbek Madrasah. Pickup, return transport, entrance fees, and lunch are included. Guide Shodiyor is among the named guides associated with the tour.

“The trip was very well coordinated, and I had absolutely no problem connecting from Driver to the express train and to the guide and the driver at Samarkand. Return trip was also very well coordinated. The guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. Thank you for a great experience.”

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9.Shakhrisabz-Samarkand One Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 16 reviews · 8.5 hours

Travel privately from Bukhara to Samarkand with a stop in Shakhrisabz, Timur’s hometown. You’ll see the ruins of Aksaray, the Dorut Tilovat and Dorus Saodat complexes, Timur’s unfinished crypt, desert and steppe scenery, and Takhtakaracha Pass. A driver is included, while entrance tickets, lunch, and a guide cost extra.

“Il tratto panoramico tra shakhrisabz e Samarcanda è veramente molto bello. Van molto confortevole ma l’autista non parlava inglese”

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10.Samarkand day trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $71

Spend about five hours touring Samarkand with a private guide and driver. Visit Gur-i Amir, Registan Square, Shahi Zindah, Ulughbek Observatory, Bibi Khanum Mosque, and Siyab Bazaar. Guides including Jafar, Olimjon, Muhammed, and Olim have led this route. Pickup from the railway station, airport, or hotel can be arranged.

“Samarkand is full of incredible sites. Olinjon was a wonderful guide, he was extremity knowledgeable and interesting and went out of his way to make the tour memorable.”

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11.All in One Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 11 reviews · 8 hours · from $195

Travel by high-speed train from Tashkent to Samarkand, where a guide such as Satora or Fayoz leads you through Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Shah-i-Zinda, Ulugh Beg Observatory, and Siab Bazaar. Hotel transfers, train tickets, entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking guide are included in the $195 price.

“It was great. Fayoz had amazing insights and knowledge regarding history of Samarkand and was very courteous and accommodating. He helped cover a few key places in a short time with minimum fuss and got me taste of proper local cuisine. I’d like to thank him and the company for getting this arranged.”

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12.Shakhrisabz – Bukhara One Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 8.5 hours

Travel privately from Samarkand to Bukhara with a stop in Shakhrisabz. You’ll cross the Takhtakaracha Pass, see Aksaray’s vast portal, visit Timur-era mausoleums and a preserved crypt, then continue through steppes and desert. The price is $175 for up to three people, with an English- or Russian-speaking driver, but entrance tickets and lunch cost extra.

“Nizam was excellent driver, he provided a lot of explantation about the country, was friendly, communicative and intellectual.”

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13.Aral Sea One Day Tour from Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $399

Leave your Tashkent hotel early, fly with a small group to Nukus, then visit the Savitsky Museum, Mizdakhan Necropolis, and Muynak’s stranded ships. GOTOUZBEKISTAN provides private transport, an English-speaking guide such as Kamal, lunch, dinner, and return flights. Expect a demanding day with long road transfers and a powerful environmental story.

“I waited for almost an hour and no-one turned up. Tried to contact operator but no reply. Got a call @ 7:52 am to be told no tour because no return flight available. Why did they take the money and accept booking if no flights? Got a refund bRead more”

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14.Day Trip to Amirsoy, Chimgan Mountains & Charvak Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9 reviews · 1 day

Travel from Tashkent in a private vehicle with a local driver such as Doniyor or Shukhrat. Ride Amirsoy’s cable car, stop for Uzbek food, then visit Charvak Lake for views and optional horse riding, ATV driving, or paragliding. Snow is most likely from late November through March.

“I recently had the pleasure of going on a tour that exceeded all my expectations! From start to finish, it was an incredible experience. First, the driver was outstanding. Not only was he incredibly friendly, but his communication was top-notch. He made sure we were comfortable and informed throughout the entire journey. It felt like we were traveling with a friend rather than just a driver. What really stood out was how he went the extra mile. He acted as a fantastic tour guide, sharing interesting stories and insights about the areas we visited. Plus, he offered to take photos, capturing memories perfectly against the stunning backdrops. Speaking of which,…”

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15.One day tour to Shakhrisabz: Motherland of Amir Temur

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9 reviews · 1 day · from $54

Travel privately from Samarkand to Shakhrisabz with Fayoziddin or a colleague, stopping at the Valley of Demons and natural Heart-stone. Explore Ak-Saray, Darus Saodat, and Kuk Gumbaz Mosque, then enjoy regional food and tandoor-gush. Pickup is available from your hotel, airport, railway station, or Gur Emir Mausoleum.

“Eccellente visita di un giorno: un buon compromesso tra monumenti, bellissimi panorami, incontri con gente del posto e pranzo in tipico ristorante uzbeko. Fayoziddin è stato bravissimo, paziente e sempre disponibile: una guida consigliatissima, che ci ha insegnato, nelle poche ore passate insieme, molti aspetti della cultura uzbeka.”

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