Explore famous ceramics workshop in Gijduvan, visit the ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress in Nurata, and experience the stay in desert yurt camp and mountain homestay with this 3 days tour to Kyzyl-Kum desert and Nuratau Mountains. You will have a great opportunity to get to know about the life and activities of local people during your stay in the homestay in Nuratau Mountains. You may also join your hosts in the preparation of traditional dish ‘Plov’.
Trip Highlights
• Learn about ceramics making
• Ancient sights in Nurata city
• Stay in a Yurt camp and ride on the camel
• Swim or stroll along the shores of the Lake Aydar
• Mountain homestay
• Get to know the daily livelihood activities of rural people
Please let us know your hotel name (or pickup venue) when you book this tour.
Pick up from your hotel in Bukhara at 9:00 and drive to the Yurt Camp located in Kyzyl-Kum desert. On the way to Yurt Camp stop in Gijduvan and Nurata cities.
A small town of Gijduvan is situated in 46 km northeast from Bukhara. From the ancient times till the present, Gijduvan has been important trading town and crafts centre. Visit the ceramics workshop of Narzullayev’s family where you can see the process of ceramics making, visit the ceramics museum and purchase articles of Gijduvan craftsmen.
Once the ceramics tour is completed, continue to Nurata city (2 hours of drive). Arrive in Nurata city by lunch time and have your lunch in a small local family tea house. After lunch, start sightseeing in Nurata and see the ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress, holly spring 'Chashma' and medieval mosque.
Complete the sightseeing in Nurata and continue to the Yurt camp (65 km / 1 hour). Arrive and settle in the yurt camp. In the evening, ride on the camel or just walk around the dunes. You might be lucky to spot steppe tortoises, hares and desert agamas depending on the season. In the evening, enjoy listening to the songs of local bard around the fire Dinner and overnight stay in the Yurt camp
After breakfast, drive via Lake Aydar to Nuratau Mountains. Depending on the season, you can have a swim or just stroll along the lakeshore watching the rich aquatic birdlife (cranes, pelicans, many duck and goose species and numerous waders etc.). Continue to Sentob village.
Arrive in the homestay in Sentob village. Your host welcomes you and shows the homestay facilities. Almost all the houses in Sentob village have large gardens with the river passing through. Settle in a homestay. Lunch with the local family. After lunch, wander around the village to see the mosque, local school, village shop and building style of the local houses. Sentob is one of the few villages where almost all the houses are built in traditional way using local rocks. Wandering through the village is a fantastic way to see villagers doing their traditional livelihood activities. You will meet many friendly and curious locals willing to talk to you. In the afternoon, you have a free time to chat with your host family. You may also watch or participate in the preparation of traditional dish ‘Plov’ Overnight stay in a local homestay.
After breakfast, leave for Samarkand (4 hours of drive). END OF THE GRAM
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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