Uzbekistan · TOURS IN SAMARKAND

The 15 Best Samarkand Tours & Day Trips

53 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Samarkand hands you the Registan on the first morning and then asks what else you have time for. These 15 cover the monuments, the tombs at Shah-i-Zinda, the villages out past the ring road and the day over the pass to Shahrisabz.

Samarkand: Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour - Two hours around Registan Square
Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand: Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour

1.Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 446 reviews · 5 hours · from $20Our pick

Walk through Samarkand’s key monuments with an English-speaking guide such as Gulsanam, Shahrizoda, or Sarvinoz. Expect detailed stories at Gur-e-Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda, plus time at Siyob Bazaar. The $20 tour is good value before entrance fees, but bring sturdy shoes, sun protection, and extra cash.

“My guide is a sweet girl named Sevinch, who was very kind, dilligent and had great knowledge about the city of Samarkand. I was the only guest so it turn out to be a private tour. We went through so much of Samarkand and had a really great time, including meeting many nice Uzbek locals on the way. Sevinch also helped me a lot in buying souvenirs and local products at the Bazaar which I got at a great price. You must really try the Samarkand Non (bread), it’s only 8000 soms per loaf. Overally, it was a great tour and I had the best of time. Thank you Sevinch…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation - Booking details worth knowing
City Tours, City Tours in Samarkand, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation

2.Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $54Top rated

Spend about 5 to 6 hours touring Samarkand by private, air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Siyob Bazaar, and Shah-i-Zinda with a local guide. Guides named in feedback include Amin, Shoh, Feruza, Zarina, and Mohiddin. Monument tickets and lunch cost extra unless you select an inclusive option.

“Exceptional experience! Our guide Amyra brought Samarkand’s history to life with deep knowledge and passion. She expertly showcased the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque, while our calm driver ensured a smooth journey. An essential tour to grasp Samarkand’s Silk Road significance!”

Check availability →Read our full review

A City Tour Of Samarkand: The Pearl Of The East - Gur Emir: Starting With Amir Timur
City Tours, City Tours in Samarkand, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

A City Tour Of Samarkand: The Pearl Of The East

3.A City Tour Of Samarkand: The Pearl Of The East

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · from $16

Walk through Samarkand with guides such as Fayoziddin or Sitora, visiting Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. The tour mixes history, legends, photo time, and practical tips in a small group, with monument entry fees paid separately.

“Great tour that I highly recommend. Good introduction to Samarkand with just right level of detail and free time. If you want a very efficient way to know the language of city and get oriented this is it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand - Panjakent adds a useful first look at Tajikistan
Full-Day, Private, Seven Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand

4.Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $100

Spend 8 to 10 hours crossing from Samarkand into Tajikistan for the jewel-colored Seven Lakes, rural villages, and Fann Mountain views. Guides such as Shamsiddin, Farrukh, Iva, and Shakhzod lead the Tajik side. The trip includes transport, water, and Sarazm, but not lunch or visas.

“The tour was well organised. We had been picked up from our guest house and arrived to the Tadjikistan border. The border pass is time consuming. Allow at least 1.5 hours. Our guide Shakhzod met as immediately after passing the border. We travelled in a comfortable Honda CRV. Shakhzod was a wonderful person and told us a lot about the history of Tajikistan and all the points of interest on our way. On fourth lake we had a delicious lunch in a local village.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour - Starting at Gur Emir Mausoleum
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour

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

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

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip with Optional Local Guide - Photo stops that make the journey worthwhile
1-Day Tours, Guided, Shahrisabz Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip with Optional Local Guide

6.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Guide / excursion service in Samarkand - Registan: allow time for the grandest stop
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Guide / excursion service in Samarkand

7.Guide / excursion service in Samarkand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $25

Start at Gur-e-Amir at 9:00 a.m. and walk through Samarkand’s great monuments with a local English or French-speaking guide. The route includes Gur-e-Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda. Lunch and entry fees are extra, while the group is capped at 20. Guides such as Elyor and Adham may also add local tips or extra stops.

“I took this tour at the end of August'23. It was great, my tour guide Elyor was very knowledgeable about the historical significance of all the sights - and was very informative. And it was great, that as a solo traveler, he took my pictures. We did stop for lunch to recharge, which was not included. What I also liked about this tour was that my tour guide didn't waste my time taking me to souvenir shops where he got a commission. He was gracious and hospitable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Day Tour to Shahrisabz of Amir Timur - Ak-Saray Palace and the scale of Amir Timur’s ambition
Shahrisabz Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Day Tour to Shahrisabz of Amir Timur

8.Day Tour to Shahrisabz of Amir Timur

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 44 reviews · from $60

Travel from Samarkand to Shahrisabz in a private air-conditioned car, passing farms, vineyards, hills, and mountain roads. Visit Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Dorut Tilovat, and Amir Timur’s statue. The driver may speak English, Russian, or Turkish, and a local guide such as Me’roj can be requested.

“Great experience, thanks for arranging this. Ride was good and driver dropped us at the location and picked us up after a couple of hours. We explored the locations.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip & Mountain Pass Tour - Ak-Saray Palace and the scale of Amir Temur’s ambition
1-Day Tours, Shahrisabz Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

From Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip & Mountain Pass Tour

9.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yurt stay and Hiking in the Nurata Mountains tour - 2 days - One night in an eleven-yurt camp
2-Day Experiences, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand, Yurt Camp Stays

Yurt stay and Hiking in the Nurata Mountains tour – 2 days

10.Yurt stay and Hiking in the Nurata Mountains tour – 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $229

Travel privately from Samarkand to Bukhara through the Nuratau Mountains. You’ll hike with an escort guide, sleep in one of 11 yurts at Sayyod Yurt Camp, eat home-style meals, swim if conditions allow, and stop at Aydarkul Lake and Nurata’s Chashma pilgrimage site.

“Such a great experience! Most of the tourists sites in Uzbekistan are cities and having this little escape in the nature it was incredible! The yurts were great and toilettes were clean and practical (more then what we expected) The family is vRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Tour From Samarkand To Tajikistan: Seven Lakes - Walking across the Uzbek-Tajik border
Seven Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Tour From Samarkand To Tajikistan: Seven Lakes

11.Tour From Samarkand To Tajikistan: Seven Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $99

Join a private day trip from Samarkand to Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes. An Uzbek guide such as Ikrom or Iqrom handles the transfer and border crossing, while a Tajik driver takes you through Panjakent and the mountain reservoirs. Expect an early start, a bumpy road, photo stops, and lunch at your own cost.

“We had an absolutely phenomenal time on this tour with Ikram. He took such good care of us throughout every step of the tour. He picked us up at our hotel in Samarkand and drove us to the Tajik border. From there we walked across the bRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Shahrisabz Private Excursion From Samarkand. - Dor Us-Siyodat and the family mausoleums
Private, Shahrisabz Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Shahrisabz Private Excursion From Samarkand.

12.Shahrisabz Private Excursion From Samarkand.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $75

Travel from Samarkand to Shahrisabz in a private, air-conditioned car over the Takhtakaracha Pass. Meet a local English-speaking guide such as Firuza, visit Amir Timur’s ruined palace and family mausoleums, then choose a bazaar visit, mountain walk, or local meal.

“Shahrisabz is a great little town, full of history and pride for its past, as well as a well kept, modern city. I really enjoyed the tour, and my guide's (Farouza) knowledge and enthusiasm and love for her hometown were contagious!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand: Village Tour with Plov Cooking Class & Home Visit - The drive from Samarkand to the village
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Samarkand, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand: Village Tour with Plov Cooking Class & Home Visit

13.Village Tour with Plov Cooking Class & Home Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 8 hours · from $59

Travel from Samarkand to a rural village with an English-speaking guide such as Asrorbek or Javokhir. Shop for ingredients at a local bazaar, cook plov and non over a live fire, share a family meal, and walk through the village, farms, and gardens. Expect an eight-hour day with warm hospitality and plenty of conversation.

“This experience was far beyond anything I could have imagined or hoped for. You are invited into a local village home and treated like family, as they welcome you with love and a display of kindness that is unseen in the West. They create a beautiful, safe space in which you can share your cultural differences in a way that is simply full of wonder and free of judgement. It's so much more than a cooking class and a village tour. The warmth of the people I met will stay with me for a long time. I learned so much from Eshkuvatov (my guide) about the history of Uzbekistan and…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand: Historical Monuments Group Walking Tour - Registan gives the tour its grandest moment
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand: Historical Monuments Group Walking Tour

14.Historical Monuments Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $12Best value

See Samarkand’s major monuments with an English-speaking guide such as Zarnigor or Zarshed. The four-hour route links mausoleums, madrasas, mosques, and Shah-i-Zinda, with air-conditioned transport between sites and walking at each stop. Plan for monument entry fees, a group of up to 25, and a finish at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.

“We had an amazing day with our guide Zarshed! He picked us up on time at our hotel in a private car and drove us around the city to the most important landmarks in Samarkand. He provided important information about the sites we visRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Seven Lakes of Tajikistan Full Package Excursion from Samarkand - Seeing all seven lakes in one long day
Seven Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Samarkand

Seven Lakes of Tajikistan Full Package Excursion from Samarkand

15.Seven Lakes of Tajikistan Full Package Excursion from Samarkand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $175

Travel from Samarkand into Tajikistan with Ali and an Uzbek driver for an 11-hour visit to all seven lakes. You’ll have an air-conditioned vehicle, snacks, water, internet, lake walks, village encounters, and possible swimming time. Pickup is offered, and groups can include up to 20 people.

“This tour with Ali and his team was great from start to finish. Ali and the Uzbek driver picked me up on time from Samarkand to take me on a wonderful tour. The crossing to and from Tajikistan went smoothly as I am sure Ali has gone Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Tours in Samarkand

★ 4.3Samarkan City Tour From TashkentFrom $1995 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand City Tour: Ancient Domes & Timeless StoriesFrom $255 reviews
★ 5.0Two Days in Fann Mountains at Iskandarkul and SevenlakeFrom $3006 reviews
★ 5.0Private Day Trip to Shakhrisabz from SamarkandFrom $509 reviews
★ 5.0Seven Lakes Tajikistan: All-Inclusive Private Day TourFrom $9411 reviews
★ 5.0Best of Samarkand: City Tour – Inside Visits IncludedFrom $248 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand Walking Tour History Culture and Hidden GemsFrom $289 reviews
★ 4.5Samarkand Walking TourFrom $608 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand Ancient Silk Road City Tour w/ Pickup & Lunch OptionFrom $409 reviews
★ 4.5Samarkand Airport / Railway Station – Samarkand City TransferFrom $207 reviews
★ 4.5Panjakent day trip from SamarkandFrom $1506 reviews
★ 4.51 Day Tour to Shakhrisabz: Motherland of Amir TemurFrom $456 reviews
★ 5.0Day Tour from Samarkand Explore Panjakent and Seven LakesFrom $996 reviews
★ 5.0Cooking Class in the Village with Local Family in SamarkandFrom $6511 reviews
★ 4.0Seven Lakes Tajikistan Private Excursion From SamarkandFrom $14511 reviews

Keep browsing

Tours in Tashkent54City Tours26Walking Tours20Cooking Classes10Train Journeys7
Scroll to Top

Explore Uzbekistan

Pick a city, a kitchen or a stretch of desert.

Monuments

Monument GuidesCity ToursWalking ToursShahrisabzDesert Fortresses

Out of town

Mountain DaysCharvak LakeSeven LakesKyzylkumThe Aral Sea

Food and table

Cooking ClassesFood WalksPlov in SamarkandEvening Tours

Getting around

Train TripsPrivate DriversDay TripsTwo-Day RunsYurt Camps