4.9
4.9
- Duration
- 7–8 hours
- Tour type
- Private
- Starts
- Samarkand
- Runs
- Only on confirmed competition days. Next date: Saturday, 28 November 2026
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24 hours before
Overview
A private day trip from Samarkand to a real village Uloq-Kopkari, the horseback game of the steppe. Hotel pick-up, a private car with driver and an English-speaking guide who explains the game and finds you a safe spot with a good view.
Uloq-Kopkari is the horseback game of the steppe. Dozens, sometimes hundreds, of riders fight for one goat carcass at full gallop, while the whole village watches from the edge of the field. It is a real local celebration, played by village horsemen for village crowds, far from the tourist trail.
We follow the local announcements, pick the best competition on your date and take you there privately. Your English-speaking guide explains the rules, the prizes and the traditions, and keeps you in a safe spot with a good view.
Your driver and guide pick you up at your hotel in Samarkand at about 08:30. After a drive of 1 to 2 hours through the countryside, you watch the competition from about 11:00 to 14:30, then join the local lunch and festivities. You are back in Samarkand at about 16:00, at your hotel or at the railway station in good time for an evening train.
The kopkari season runs from late autumn to early spring, and competition dates are announced only a few weeks ahead. Send us your date and group size: we check which competition is on and confirm it together with your price.
Highlights
- A real local kopkari, far from the tourist trail
- Trained kopkari horses and riders from nearby villages
- Your guide explains the rules, the prizes and the traditions
- A safe spot with a good view of the field
- Tea, bread and village hospitality around the field
- Drop-off at your hotel or the railway station
Itinerary
7–8 hours · Samarkand · Kopkari field · Samarkand
- 08:30Pick-up in Samarkand: your driver and guide meet you at your hotel.
- 08:45Drive to the kopkari field, about 1 to 2 hours through the countryside. Your guide tells you about the game on the way.
- 10:30Arrive and find a good spot: meet the crowd, see the horses up close and settle in before the start.
- 11:00Watch the competition: round after round, with prizes announced for each. Your guide explains what is happening.
- 14:30Local lunch and festivities: plov or shashlik at a local chaikhana (at your own expense), and a taste of the celebration around the event.
16:00Return to Samarkand: drop-off at your hotel or the railway station, in good time for an evening train.
Times are approximate and depend on where the competition is held that day.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off in Samarkand (hotel or railway station)
- Private car with driver for the whole day
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips for driver and guide
- Personal expenses
Practical information
Route
- Starts:
- Samarkand
- Ends:
- Samarkand
Important information
Competition dates depend on local announcements, so your booking is a request. Send us your date and group size, and we will confirm the competition and your price.
Times are approximate and depend on where the competition is held that day.
The game uses a real goat carcass. Some visitors find this difficult to watch, so it is good to know before you come.
Riders sometimes come close to the crowd. Please stay where your guide tells you, ideally on raised ground.
Dress warm: layers, a hat and sturdy shoes. Fields are cold, windy and dusty; sunglasses and a scarf help a lot.
Groups of more than 10 people: ask us for a quote.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation 24 hours before
Free date change
Prices
$135 per person, based on 2 travellers
Price per person
| 1 person | $280 |
|---|---|
| 2–3 persons | $135 |
| 4–6 persons | $115 |
| 7–10 persons | $95 |
Private tour, per person: 1 person $280 · 2–3 persons $135 · 4–6 persons $115 · 7–10 persons $95. Groups of more than 10: ask us for a quote.
Estimate. TravelBliss confirms the final price.
Questions about this journey
How do you know when a competition takes place?
Dates are announced a few weeks ahead on local Telegram channels and by word of mouth. We check them for you and confirm which event fits your date.
How does booking work?
Send us your date and group size. We check which competition is on that day and confirm it together with your price.
Is it safe to watch?
Yes, if you follow your guide. Riders sometimes come close to the crowd, so we choose a safe spot, ideally on raised ground.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, a hat and sturdy shoes. Fields are cold, windy and dusty. Sunglasses and a scarf help a lot.
Is the game hard to watch?
The game uses a real goat carcass. Some visitors find this difficult, so it is good to know before you come.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and drinks are paid on the spot. After the competition your guide takes you to a local chaikhana for plov or shashlik.
Can you drop us at the train station?
Yes. Tell us your train time and we plan the day so you arrive with time to spare.
