TREKKING IN UZBEKISTAN
Details
Route: Tashkent – Zamin – Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Ayaqchi – Bukhara – Yurt camp – Aydarkul – Nurata – Sentob – Majroum – Hayat – Tashkent This 15-day circuit is designed for travellers who wish to combine adventure in the great outdoors with the discovery of Silk Road treasures. From the juniper forests of Zamin National Park to the steep trails of the Zeravshan mountains, from the highland lakes of the Nuratau Reserve to nights beneath the stars in the Kyzylkum Desert, this trek reveals a wild and unspoiled Uzbekistan. Between hikes, the legendary cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent unfold their domes and minarets: a complete itinerary blending physical challenge, cultural wonder and authentic encounters. ℹ️ Practical information 🏨 Comfort level: Good-standard hotels in cities. Tent bivouac in Zomin park (basic comfort). Traditional yurt in the desert. Family-run guesthouses in villages (simple comfort, warm hospitality). This tour prioritizes authenticity over hotel comfort. 🥾 Physical condition: Moderate to sporty difficulty level. Four hiking days are planned, the most demanding being day 12 (Fozilmon lake: 6–7 hours, +500 m elevation gain). Good overall physical fitness is required. Proper hiking boots are essential. Trekking poles recommended. 🌡️ Climate: At altitude (Zomin, Zeravshan, Nuratau), temperatures can be cool even in summer: bring layered clothing. In the desert (Kyzylkum), temperature variations between day and night are significant. Samarkand sits at 700 m elevation. 📌 Please note: The order of visits may be adjusted according to local and weather conditions, without altering the program's content. Hiking itineraries may be adapted to the group's level.
Highlights
🏞️ Zomin National Park, hiking in one of Uzbekistan's oldest protected areas 🕌 Samarkand, pearl of the Silk Road: Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-Emir 🏛️ Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, UNESCO World Heritage site ⛰️ Trekking in the Zeravshan mountains (foothills of the Pamir), breathtaking landscapes 🪔 Bukhara the Noble, its 360 mosques and the enchanting Lyabi-Hauz ensemble 🐪 Night in a yurt in the Kyzylkum desert, camel ride 🏖️ Lake Aydarkul, swimming in a landscape at the edge of the world 💧 Fozilmon mountain lake, high-altitude hike in the Nuratau reserve 🐏 Village immersion in Sentob, Majroum and Hayat, wild mouflon observation
Itinerary (15 days)
Morning arrival at Tashkent International Airport. Welcome by your English-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and breakfast. First discovery of the Uzbek capital, a city of contrasts where Islamic heritage meets Soviet modernity. Visit Barak-Khan Madrasa and the Hazrati Imam complex, home to one of the world’s oldest Quran manuscripts — the Othman Quran, dating from the 7th century. Dive into the bustle of Chorsu Bazaar, a vast covered market beneath a turquoise dome brimming with spices, dried fruits, golden bread and embroidered suzanis. Visit Kukeldash Madrasa (16th century), the Museum of the History of the Uzbek People and Independence Square. Discover the Tashkent Metro, whose lavishly decorated stations are considered among the most beautiful in the world. Lunch and dinner in the city. Night at the hotel in Tashkent.
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Reviews (2)
Olivier Mercier
Quelle aventure fantastique ! 15 jours parfaitement équilibrés entre treks en montagne et découverte des joyaux de la Route de la Soie. Les randonnées dans les monts Nuratau étaient superbes, et apercevoir les moutons argali sauvages fut un moment rare. L'immersion chez l'habitant dans les villages reculés est ce qui rend ce voyage unique — partager le thé et le repas avec ces familles ouzbèkes d'une générosité touchante. Samarcande, Boukhara et Shakhrisabz sont des merveilles architecturales qui dépassent toutes les attentes. La nuit sous tente à Zamin et celle en yourte dans le Kyzylkum ajoutent une dimension d'aventure inoubliable. Guide remarquable, logistique sans faille, paysages grandioses. Un grand merci à toute l'équipe pour ce voyage exceptionnel !
Sophie Delacroix
Un circuit absolument extraordinaire qui combine à la perfection l'aventure et la culture ! Les randonnées dans le parc national de Zamin et les montagnes du Zeravshan étaient magnifiques — paysages sauvages, forêts de genévriers centenaires, panoramas à couper le souffle. Le trek vers le lac Fozilmon depuis le village de Sentob restera l'un des plus beaux moments de ma vie : une eau turquoise nichée à plus de 2000 mètres, dans un silence absolu. L'accueil dans les familles d'Ayaqchi, Sentob et Hayat fut d'une chaleur incroyable — quelle hospitalité ! Et que dire du Registan de Samarcande au coucher du soleil, ou de l'atmosphère envoûtante de Boukhara... Tout simplement féerique. La nuit en yourte dans le désert du Kyzylkum, avec la balade à dos de chameau au coucher du soleil, fut magique. Notre guide francophone était passionné, cultivé et très attentionné. Organisation parfaite, repas délicieux. Je recommande vivement à tous les amoureux de nature et d'histoire !
