4.9
4.9
- Duration
- 1 day
- Tour type
- Private
- Starts
- Samarkand
- Runs
- Daily
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24 hours before
Overview
Turn the Samarkand–Bukhara transfer into a full day of sightseeing: by road over the mountains to Amir Timur’s home town Shakhrisabz and the hillside shrine of Langar-Ota, arriving in Bukhara at about 18:30.
Most travellers cover the distance between Samarkand and Bukhara by train. This private day tour takes the long way round by road: south over the mountains to Shakhrisabz, on to the village of Langar, and only then west across the plain to Bukhara. You see places that would otherwise need a separate day trip from Samarkand, and your luggage travels with you in the car all day.
Shakhrisabz, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the home town of Amir Timur (Tamerlane). With a local guide you see the ruins of his Ak-Saray Palace, where the remains of the huge entrance portal hint at its former scale, the Dorut Tilovat ensemble with the blue-domed Kok Gumbaz mosque, and the old Chorsu bazaar. Lunch is at a local restaurant in town (not included).
About an hour’s drive away, the village of Langar sits on a hillside in the foothills of Kashkadarya. Above it stands the shrine of Langar-Ota, with the mausoleum of the Sufi sheikh Muhammad Sodiq and a historic mosque. It is a quiet place and still a place of pilgrimage, so modest dress is expected.
From Langar the road descends to the plain and runs west to Bukhara, about 3.5 hours with stops whenever you need them. You arrive at about 18:30, in time to check in and take an evening walk in the old town. The car and driver stay with you for the whole route, and local English-speaking guides show you each place.
Highlights
- Shakhrisabz, Amir Timur’s home town and a UNESCO World Heritage site
- The ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace and the Dorut Tilovat ensemble
- Langar-Ota, a Sufi shrine and mosque above a mountain village
- Scenic mountain roads through the foothills of Kashkadarya
- Samarkand to Bukhara in one day, with your luggage in the car
- Private car and driver, local English-speaking guides
Itinerary
1 day · Samarkand · Shakhrisabz · Langar · Bukhara
08:00Pick-up from your hotel in Samarkand
About 2 hours’ drive south, through the countryside and over a mountain pass.
10:00Shakhrisabz with a local guide
The ruins of Amir Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace, the Dorut Tilovat ensemble and the Chorsu bazaar.
12:00Lunch in Shakhrisabz
At a local restaurant (not included).
13:00Drive to Langar-Ota (about 1 hour)
In the mountain village of Langar, visit the Langar-Ota shrine with its mausoleum and historic mosque, still a place of pilgrimage.
15:00Drive to Bukhara (about 3.5 hours)
West across the plain, with stops whenever you need them.
18:30Arrival in Bukhara
End of the tour.
What's included
Included
- Private car with a professional driver from Samarkand to Bukhara
- Local English-speaking guides at each stop
- Entrance fees to the sites in the programme
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation in Bukhara
Practical information
Route
- Starts:
- Samarkand
- Ends:
- Bukhara
What to bring
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- A headscarf for women at the shrine
- Water, snacks and sun protection in a small day bag
- Cash in Uzbek som for lunch, drinks and donations
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation 24 hours before
Free date change
Prices
$120 per person, based on 2 travellers
Price per person
| 1 person | $230 |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $120 |
| 3–4 persons | $110 |
| 5–7 persons | $90 |
Estimate. TravelBliss confirms the final price.
Questions about this journey
How long does the tour take?
About 10.5 hours: departure from Samarkand at 08:00 and arrival in Bukhara at about 18:30. Roughly 6.5 hours of that is driving – about 2 hours to Shakhrisabz, 1 hour to Langar-Ota and 3.5 hours to Bukhara.
Where does the tour start?
We pick you up at your hotel in central Samarkand at 08:00. If your hotel is outside the city centre, please tell us when you book.
Can I bring my luggage?
Yes. The tour runs one way, so your luggage stays in the car all day and arrives in Bukhara with you. A small day bag is all you need for the sights.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch at a local restaurant in Shakhrisabz around midday is paid on the spot, like drinks. Entrance fees are included.
What should I wear?
Langar-Ota and Dorut Tilovat are active religious sites: cover shoulders and knees, and women should also cover their hair at the shrine.
Should I take the train instead?
The train from Samarkand to Bukhara takes about 1.5–2 hours, but you see nothing on the way. Choose this tour if Shakhrisabz and Langar-Ota are on your list and you have no spare day for them; take the train if you would rather rest or want time in Bukhara the same day.
In which language are the guides?
The local guides speak English. If you need a guide in another language, ask us when you book.
