Nuratau Horse Riding Adventure: 2 Days from Bukhara

Horse riding in the Nuratau Mountains is not a riding-school lesson and not a long expedition. On this two-day trip from Bukhara you sleep in the village of Uhum, and the next morning a local horseman leads you on horseback across the hills to the neighbouring village of Asraf. The trip ends in Samarkand, so it also works as a scenic way to move between the two cities.

Key facts

• Route: Bukhara – Uhum village (overnight) – on horseback to Asraf village – Samarkand.
• Time needed: 2 days, 1 night in a family homestay in Uhum.
• Driving (tour data): about 5 hours from Bukhara to Uhum, about 4 hours from Asraf to Samarkand.
• The ride: one stretch on Day 2, from Uhum to Asraf, led by a local horseman.
• Views: mountain villages, and on the way the steppe of the Kyzylkum and Lake Aydarkul in the distance.
• Runs: daily, according to the tour page; cancellation is free up to 24 hours before, and date changes are free.
• Prices: depend on group size and season — see the tour page or contact us.

What the two days look like

Day 1: Bukhara to Uhum

Your driver meets you in Bukhara at 9:00. The road runs north-east for about five hours, past the countryside around the town of Nurata and up into the foothills. By lunchtime you are in Uhum, where your host family serves a home-cooked lunch. In the afternoon there is an easy walk through the village to see how people live here: gardens, orchards, animals and the rhythm of a rural day. Dinner and the night are with the family.

Day 2: on horseback from Uhum to Asraf

After an early breakfast you meet your local horseman, who knows the horses and the path. The ride follows mountain trails from Uhum to Asraf. From the higher ground you look out over the Kyzylkum steppe and, on a clear day, Lake Aydarkul. In Asraf another family serves lunch, and then your driver takes you to Samarkand, about four hours away.

Who this trip suits

The ride is part of a cultural trip rather than a sport holiday. It suits:

• travellers who have ridden a few times and want to see the mountains from the saddle rather than on foot;
• confident beginners who are happy at a walking pace with the horseman nearby;
• people moving from Bukhara to Samarkand who want one night in the countryside on the way;
• photographers and anyone who likes quiet landscapes and village life.

It is less suitable if you expect long gallops, a riding-centre horse with a fixed level of training, or Western-style facilities. If you have never sat on a horse, or have back or knee problems, tell us before booking and we will talk through whether riding or walking the same route makes more sense.

Riding level and safety

The tour page does not set a minimum riding level, so we ask every guest about their experience when they book and pass it on to the horseman. A few points help the day go well:

• Be honest about your experience. It decides how the horseman matches horses and sets the pace.
• Follow the horseman's lead. On steep or stony sections he may ask you to dismount and walk the horse; this is normal.
• Bring your own helmet if you want one. We cannot promise that riding helmets are available in the village.
• Check your insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers horse riding.
• Children: ask us before booking; the horseman needs to know age and size in advance.
• Weather: in rain or strong heat the horseman may shorten the ride or change the route.

If riding is not for you, the Uhum–Asraf area is also good walking country — our 3-day Nuratau homestay covers that by foot, and the guide to the Nuratau villages explains how Uhum and Asraf differ.

Where you stay

Both villages host guests in family homes. Expect a simple guest room, shared washing facilities and meals cooked by the family, not a hotel. Mobile signal in the mountains can be weak. The night of Day 2 is in a hotel in Samarkand.

Practical tips

• Wear long, comfortable trousers (no thin leggings) and closed shoes with a small heel or at least a firm sole.
• Bring sunglasses, sun cream and a hat: there is little shade on the open slopes.
• Pack a light warm layer — mornings in the mountains are cooler than in Bukhara.
• Carry a small backpack for water and a camera; leave the main luggage in the car.
• Take some cash in local currency for small purchases in the villages.
• Download maps and anything you want to read before you leave Bukhara.

Plan it with TravelBliss

We arrange the car and driver from Bukhara, the homestay in Uhum, the horseman and horses for the ride to Asraf, lunch with a family in Asraf and the transfer to Samarkand. Details are on the Nuratau Horse Riding Adventure tour page, and the Nurata destination page shows more of the region. Prices depend on the number of travellers and the season — contact us for a quote.