4.9
4.9
- Duration
- 2 days
- Tour type
- Private or group
- Starts
- Samarkand or Bukhara
- Runs
- March-November
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24 hours before
Overview
Experience, Activities: Sightseeing, Camel Riding, Yurt Stay, Lake Visit, Highlights: Historic Cities, Nomadic Lifestyle, Desert Experience
This 2-day desert tour offers a perfect escape into the natural and cultural heart of Uzbekistan. Departing from Samarkand or Bukhara, you will travel through scenic landscapes to the historic town of Nurata, famous for its sacred Chashma Spring and the ancient ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress.
The journey continues into the Kyzylkum Desert, where you will experience traditional nomadic life at a yurt camp. Enjoy a camel ride across the open desert, admire a stunning sunset over the sand dunes, and spend a peaceful evening by the campfire under a sky full of stars. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided in a comfortable traditional yurt.
On the second day, after breakfast at the camp, you will visit Aydarkul Lake — a beautiful natural oasis surrounded by steppe landscapes. Here you can relax by the lake, swim in clear waters, or simply enjoy the calm atmosphere of nature. After lunch, the tour concludes with a return drive to Samarkand or Bukhara.
This tour is conducted without a guide, making it ideal for travelers who prefer a relaxed, independent experience focused on nature, local culture, and authentic desert life.
Highlights
- 2-day desert adventure from Samarkand or Bukhara
- Visit to Nurata and the sacred Chashma Spring
- Explore the ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress
- Authentic overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp
- Camel riding in the Kyzylkum Desert
- Sunset over desert dunes and campfire evening
- Visit to the scenic Aydarkul Lake
- Swimming and relaxation in a natural lake
- Tour operated without a guide (driver-only service)
- Ideal for nature lovers and cultural explorers
Itinerary
2 days · Samarkand · Yurt Camp · Bukhara
Day 1Samarkand or Bukhara – Nurata – Aydarkul – Yurt camp
Day 1: Samarkand or Bukhara – Nurata – Aydarkul – Yurt Camp Meeting guests at the hotel in Samarkand or Bukhara. Transfer to Nurata. Visit the sacred Chashma complex and the ruins of the ancient fortress associated with Alexander the Great. Continue to Aydarkul Lake. Lunch will be served by the lake. Depending on the season, guests may taste freshly prepared Aydarkul fish, a local specialty. In warm weather it is also possible to swim in the lake and relax by the shore. After some rest, continue to the Yurt Camp in the Kyzylkum desert. Camel riding experience. Dinner at the camp followed by folk songs performed by a Kazakh akyn around the fire. Overnight in yurts. If you prefer, Aydarkul Lake can be visited on the morning of day 2 instead — tell us when you book.
Day 2Yurt camp – Bukhara or Samarkand
Day 2: Yurt Camp – Bukhara or Samarkand Breakfast at the camp. Transfer to Bukhara or Samarkand. Stop at the Rabat-i-Malik caravanserai. Visit to the pottery workshop in Gijduvan. Drop-off at the guest’s preferred location (hotel, train station, or airport).
What's included
Included
- Pick-up from your location
- 1- Lunch
- 1- Dinner
- Camel riding
- 1- Breakfast
- Swimming in Aydarkul
- Transfer to destination
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide
- Personal expenses
Practical information
Route
- Starts:
- Samarkand or Bukhara
- Ends:
- Bukhara or Samarkand
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation 24 hours before
Free date change
Prices
$170 per person, based on 2 travellers
Private tour · price per person
| 1 person | $280 |
|---|---|
| 2–3 persons | $170 |
| 4–10 persons | $150 |
Group tour · price per person
| 1 person | $250 |
|---|---|
| 2–10 persons | $150 |
Estimate. TravelBliss confirms the final price.
Reviews of this journey
Good evening. I wanted to say a huge thank you🌸 for the wonderful private 2 Days 1 Night Dessert Yurt Camp tour! The arrangements were perfect, and our driver was absolutely amazing. His driving skills were excellent, and he was so warm and helpful throughout the trip. 🌟 Thanks to you all, I had such a memorable and beautiful travel experience. Will definitely recommend you guys to my friends! 🙏😊 Best regards, TAN SAY LEE Malaysia 21 Oct 2026
SL Tan · 2026-10
We had a lovely and unique experience exploring the Uzbek desert and spending a night in a traditional yurt! The itinerary was interesting, especially the visit to the ceramics workshop. Our driver was very kind, friendly and helpful throughout the trip. A memorable experience and a great way to discover a different side of Uzbekistan! 😊
Maria Laura Silano · 2026-10
Amazing experience (2 day Yurt camp trip). Our driver (Hasan) was very friendly, spoke good english and showed us around and even stop for us to take pictures. Food along the trip was amazing and included in price. Yurt camp was trully exceptional and I also very enjoyed camel riding. Totally recommend. Very good value for money.
Dominik Vrcon · 2026-08
First of all big shout out to our driver Hasan. He drove us safely but on top of that he was very kind and funny and even managed an extra stop to see the polyglyphes! I would highly recommend this tour it doesn’t feel like a commercial one (even though of course it is touristy) as it is mainly you and your driver. The food was great and the experience in the yurt was a once in a lifetime one!
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Ramona Zauner · 2026-05
We have sent two days on trip from Samarkand to Bukhara with Hessam, our driver and guide. Trip was great, very interesting, lake, camp and all stops on the way were amazing. Hessam is very kind person and very careful driver so we felt save and really comfortable. Thanks!
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Anna Ziebicka · 2026-05
Questions about this journey
Where does the yurt camp tour start and end?
It starts at your hotel in Samarkand or Bukhara and ends in the other city: we drop you at your hotel, the train station or the airport, as you prefer.
Is there a guide on this tour?
No. It is a driver-only tour: your driver takes you to every stop, and a guide is not included.
What is included in the price?
Pick-up at your location, the transfer to your destination, lunch, dinner and breakfast, the night in a yurt, a camel ride and swimming in Aydarkul Lake. Alcoholic drinks, a guide and personal expenses are not included.
Where do we sleep, and what happens in the evening?
In a traditional yurt at a camp in the Kyzylkum Desert. After the camel ride there is dinner at the camp, and in the evening a Kazakh akyn sings folk songs around the fire.
Can we swim in Aydarkul Lake?
Yes, in warm weather you can swim and relax on the shore. Lunch is served by the lake, and depending on the season you may taste freshly prepared Aydarkul fish.
What do we see on the way?
On the first day Nurata, with the sacred Chashma complex and the ruins of the fortress associated with Alexander the Great. On the second day the Rabat-i-Malik caravanserai and a pottery workshop in Gijduvan.
Can I cancel or change the date?
Yes. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour, and changing the date is free.
