To truly experience the discovery of Uzbekistan, you must immerse yourself in the mountains, where life follows the ancient rhythm of pastoral peoples. We organize hiking tours in the natural region, where you will encounter the rich diversity of the vast flora and fauna. Along the way, you will meet village inhabitants and learn about their traditions, as we travel from valley to valley, with each stop offering us a warm welcome in the homes of the locals. The hosts will treat you to the famous Uzbek hospitality, surpassing any imagination! This world, distinct from urban life, nestled in the traditional environment, will continue to enchant you with every step. After each hike along mountain streams, don’t rush to seek shade under the ancient fruit trees. The charming landscapes of these valleys, where traditional villages stand, will captivate you forever. This is the experience Shehérazade Voyages wishes to share with you during these elevated moments.

Day 1: EUROPE – TASHKENT

• Overnight flight.

Day 2: TASHKENT – ESKI FARISH VILLAGE (TRANSFER) – 2-hour drive

• Arrival in the morning. Meet with our Uzbek guide and have breakfast at a teahouse.

• Departure to Eski Farish village (old Paris) – 300km. Arrival and accommodation with locals. Lunch, followed by a 3-hour hike through the valley. Return to our hosts’ homes.

Day 3: ESKI FARISH – UKHUM (DAY HIKE) – 5-6 hours walk

• After breakfast, we head to the village of Ukhum, located in a different valley. A 5-hour hike through the nature reserve will allow us to enjoy the landscapes of the Nurata Mountains and the surrounding steppes. Picnic halfway. Arrival in Ukhum, where we meet Ulugbek, our host. Dinner and overnight stay with local residents.

Day 4: UKHUM – DAY HIKE TO KHAYAT VILLAGE – 5-6 hours walk

• After breakfast, departure on a hike towards Khayat village. En route, we will discover ancient petroglyphs and visit a sacred site (mausoleum) in Uum-le-Ot.

• Lunch with locals. Continue our journey to Khayat village. Climb through the Ukhum Valley, followed by a trek over the Guzar and Sari Bedak passes, where we will enjoy spectacular views of the village from the summit of Karaul.

• Arrival in Khayat at sunset. Our new host will greet us and show us around their traditional home. Settle in for the night.

Day 5: KHAYAT – MAJURUM – SENTOB (DAY HIKE) – 5 hours walk

• After breakfast, we depart for a hike towards Majurum, a protected area aimed at preserving the ecosystem, where we will see century-old “arbor vitae” trees. Visit this magical and preserved area. Arrival in Majurum, followed by a local dinner.

• Travel by car to Sentob village. Accommodation in a guesthouse, and relaxation under the shade of fruit trees near a stream. We will then visit this small village and proceed to the ruins of an ancient fortress, passing by the historic Sentob mosque. On the way back, stop by a local’s house to learn about the silkworm breeding technique (in May), meet the locals, and enjoy dinner and overnight stay with our hosts.

Day 6: SENTOB – FOZILMON LAKE (DAY HIKE) – 5 hours walk

• After breakfast, depart towards Fozilmon Lake. Along the way, we’ll discover petroglyphs and, after some effort, reach the summit where wild horses come to drink near the lake. We will stop for a well-deserved rest and a picnic. Overnight stay in the Darvazsay Valley.

Day 7: FOZILMON LAKE – SHAGAL VILLAGE (5-hour walk)

• Climb to Pangat Pass (2100m), towering above the Samarkand plains! Then, follow the stream with numerous springs, right into the heart of the shale landscape. Ascend the ridge for about 45 minutes, enjoying views from both sides. Stop at the Hamidullo pasture for a picnic and a chat with the welcoming shepherd. Descend along the Pangat River to quickly reach the crops and orchards of Shagal. Meet with locals and have dinner with the family.

Day 8: SHAGAL – NURATA – BUKHARA (260 km)

• After breakfast, descend for an hour, crossing the village. Visit a rural school. Then, drive to Bukhara through Nurata. Visit the ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress (shaped like the Little Bear constellation), the 14th-century Chiltustan Mosque with 40 columns, the 16th-century Panjvahdat Mosque (with 5 prayers), and the mausoleum of Sheikh Abdulla Hasan Nuri (8th century). Lunch with locals in Nurata.

• Continue the journey to Bukhara. Arrival and accommodation in a guesthouse. Evening walk around the Labi-Haouz Square.

Days 9-10: BUKHARA

• Detailed city tours, including the Ark Citadel (former emir’s residence), the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (made of burnt brick), the Cheshma-Ayub Mausoleum (“Job’s spring”), the Kalyan Mosque, Ulugbek Medressa, Tok Sarrafon (money changers’ market), and Tok Telpakfurushon (hat makers’ market). We will also visit craft workshops, the charming little Chor-Minor Medressa, and the Labi-Haouz pond complex. Evenings at the hotel.

Day 11: BUKHARA – SHAKHRISABZ – CHUNKAYMISH VILLAGE (300 km)

• Breakfast. Departure for Shakhrisabz. Visit the city, including the ruins of Tamerlane’s Ak-Saray Palace, the Kok Gumbaz Mosque (1436), named for its blue dome, the Hazrat Imam Mausoleum, and the Gumbezi Siedan Mausoleum.

• Journey to the mountain village of Chunkaymish. Dinner and overnight stay with locals.

Day 12: CHUNKAYMISH HIKE IN ZERAFSHAN MOUNTAINS (6 hours walk)

• Early morning departure along the village trail to the mountain pastures, followed by a steep climb over the Ayregazal Pass. Enjoy the stunning mountain atmosphere and panoramic views from both sides. Short break near a spring. Then, take the balcony path, where a second pass allows us to descend into the beautiful Dashtiusurt Valley. We will descend on a beautiful balcony path, passing wild horses and small canyons, leading to Oxsoy, where we will visit the St. David’s mosque. Accommodation in a house.

Day 13: HALF-DAY HIKE (3 hours) – MEHNATKASH VILLAGE – SAMARKAND (40 km)

• Climb the pilgrimage staircase to reach the mosque. Then, descend towards Mehnatkash village to find a bus that will take us back to Samarkand. Settle in at a guesthouse, followed by a first visit to Samarkand: Registan Square. Dinner in the city.

Day 14: SAMARKAND

• Visit the Bibi Khanym Mosque, the Shahi Zinda Mausoleums (“living king”), the Rukhabad Mausoleum, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s tomb), the Ulugbek Observatory, and the Samarkand History Museum.

• Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 15: SAMARKAND – TASHKENT (300 km)

• Transfer to Tashkent, lunch in the city, and then transfer to the airport for the flight to Europe. End of our services.