Traditional Plov Cooking Class in a 14th Century Timurid Garden

Step into Bog'i Baland — "The High Garden" — a historic orchard on the outskirts of Samarkand once cherished by Amir Temur himself and mentioned in the famous Baburnama. Also known as Anjirzor, "The Fig Garden," this peaceful haven has been tended by the same farming families for generations, its fig trees rooted in soil that has nourished Samarkand for over 600 years.

After a scenic drive through the city, you'll be welcomed into this shaded garden retreat, surrounded by fruit trees and fresh mountain air. Under the guidance of a local host, you'll learn to prepare authentic Uzbek plov from scratch — from selecting the rice and preparing the zirvak (the flavorful base of meat, carrots, and onions) to the final steps of steaming everything together in a traditional kazan (cauldron).

As your plov simmers, you'll hear stories about the garden's royal past and Samarkand's rich culinary traditions. The experience ends with a shared meal, enjoying the plov you cooked yourself amid the tranquility of this centuries-old garden