The 6 Best Kyzylkum Desert Tours

1.Desert Adventure from Samarkand: Yurt Camp & Aydarkul Escape

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · 2 days · from $200Our pick

Travel from Samarkand or Bukhara to Nurata, Aydarkul Lake, and a desert yurt camp. You’ll visit Chashma, Alexander the Great’s garrison ruins, Rabat-i-Malik, and a Gijduvan pottery workshop, with camel riding, local meals, and Kazakh folk music by the fire. English-speaking driver Khasan has earned praise for careful driving and helpful service.

“Une super excursion dans un camp de yourtes avec des arrêts très intéressants (Nurota ou la fabrique de céramique). Hassan a été un guide parfait, souhaitant toujours bien faire. C’est à coup sûr une aventure à ne pas rater.”

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2.Desert yurt camp and Mountain tour – 3 days

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $325

Travel from Bukhara to Gijduvan, Nurata, the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, Lake Aydar, and Sentob village in a small group of up to 15. You’ll visit a ceramics workshop, ride a camel for 30 minutes, sleep in a yurt and family homestay, and finish in Samarkand. A sedan, meals, water, and local escort are included.

“This was a very interesting tour into the desert and mountains of Uzbekistan. I'd definitely make sure you have your adventure pants on for this one! My friend and I (two, 30yo women) had a great time snapping pictures and exploring thRead more”

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3.2 Days of Tour in Yurt Camp and Aydarkul

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $190Top rated

Travel from Samarkand or Bukhara with driver Hassan to Nurata, Aydarkul Lake, and a desert yurt camp. Visit a sacred spring, Alexander the Great’s fortress, a family home, Rabat-i-Malik, and a Gijduvan pottery workshop. Choose a private or shared yurt, with meals, transfers, camel riding, and evening folk music included.

“Belle expérience même si le côté local est trop peu présent. Hassan le conducteur est super bien (même si encore mieux que le conducteur parle anglais parfaitement) La musique le soir autour du feu dure à peine 20-30min donc la soirRead more”

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4.Desert Yurt Camp tour – 2 days (shared)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $206

Travel from Bukhara or Samarkand into Uzbekistan’s Kyzylkum Desert for Nurata’s ancient monuments, lunch with a local family, Aydarkul birdwatching, a yurt stay, camel riding, and music by a fire. The shared tour includes meals, transfers, breakfast, and a 20-minute camel ride, but not an English-speaking guide.

“Vikram was an awesome driver and guide! We truly enjoyed this tour as the highlight of our trip. The star and moon gazing was quite an experience with little to none, light pollution. Everything was really just great! Food was really good! Camp fire, music, singing, camels… loved it! 🥰”

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5.Adventure to Desert Kyzyl Kum and Yurt Camp

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 10 reviews · 2 days · from $230

Travel privately from Samarkand or Bukhara through Nurata to a desert yurt camp near Lake Aydarkul. You will see Alexander the Great’s fortress ruins, Chashma Mosque, and Ismail Al-Bukhari’s memorial complex, with meals, camel riding, and time by the lake. Drivers may speak limited English, so confirm guiding arrangements before booking.

“Bellissimo il campo di yurte. Molto gentili ed ospitali. Pulito”

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6.Kyzylkum Desert tour from Samarkand (1Night 2 Days)

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $186Best value

This private two-day trip takes you from Samarkand to Nurata, the Kyzylkum Desert, and Aydarkul Lake before dropping you in Bukhara. You sleep in a yurt, ride a camel, eat dinner at camp, and hear Kazakh folk music. Drivers speak Russian or English, though English ability can vary. Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and air-conditioned transport are included.

“4 stars only because the tour organizer was disorganized. The driver assigned to us was not fully aware of the itinerary of the excursion we purchased, as not all tours include the same stops. We were not informed about the lunch house where we were to stop or the yurt camp where we would stay (at least 3 in the area), so we had to guess. The driver (Murat) was very helpful and quick to solve issues, making the trip pleasant and stress-free. He spoke excellent English, acted as our guide explaining the day and some history, even though he wasn’t required. He let us stop as we wished without…”

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