TravelBliss LLC has been in the travel industry since 2016, providing excursions and complex tours throughout Uzbekistan and around Central Asia.

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Nuratau Mountains Homestay Adventure – 3 Days

Nuratau Mountains Homestay Adventure – 3 Days

March-November
Easy
1-20 pax
4.9 (82)
3 Days/2 nights
Samarkand
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Nuratau Mountains Homestay Adventure – 3 Days

Description

Escape the tourist trails and discover the soul of Uzbekistan in the remote Nuratau Mountains. This extraordinary 3-day journey takes you from the legendary city of Samarkand through ancient mountain villages where time seems to stand still, to the fairy-tale city of Bukhara.

Sleep under a blanket of stars on traditional wooden topchan beds. Wake to the aroma of freshly baked non bread from clay tandoor ovens. Trek through valleys where the rare Severtzov's wild sheep – found nowhere else on Earth – roam freely on rocky slopes.

This isn't just a tour. It's an invitation into the homes and hearts of Uzbek mountain families who have preserved their ancestors' way of life for centuries. Share meals prepared with vegetables from their gardens, learn the secrets of hand-embroidered suzani art, and experience the legendary hospitality that has welcomed Silk Road travelers for millennia.

Highlights

  • Authentic homestay experience – sleep in real village homes, not tourist guesthouses
  • Rare wildlife encounter – see Severtzov's wild sheep (fewer than 2,000 worldwide)
  • Spectacular mountain views – stand where desert meets mountains at Karul Summit (1,650m)
  • Learn traditional cooking – bake bread in clay tandoor, prepare plov with your hosts
  • Sleep under the stars – experience magic of sleeping on traditional topchan beds
  • 2,300 years of history – walk in Alexander the Great's footsteps at ancient fortress
  • Master artisan crafts – watch suzani embroidery masters create textile art
  • Seasonal surprises – witness Kupkari horse games or village weddings (if available)
  • Support local communities – your visit directly helps mountain families

Our creative plan

📍 Distance: 220 km | 🚗 Drive: 4 hours | 🥾 Walking: 2 km
🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner | 🏠 Overnight: Asraf Village Homestay

09:00 – Departure from Samarkand
Your adventure begins as we leave the ancient city of Samarkand behind. Our route takes us through the golden Kyzylkum Desert, where vast sand dunes stretch to the horizon.

12:30 – Scenic Stop at Mountain Pass
Pause at a stunning viewpoint where the desert dramatically transforms into green mountain valleys. Perfect for photos!

13:00 – Arrival in Asraf Village (Elevation: 1,200m)
Welcome to Asraf – a tiny village of just 50 families nestled in the Nuratau Mountains. Your host family greets you with traditional bread and salt – an ancient symbol of hospitality.

13:30 – Home-Cooked Lunch
Taste authentic mountain cuisine: fresh lagman noodles, garden vegetables, and aromatic green tea served on a shaded topchan overlooking the valley.

15:00 – Village Exploration

  • Wild Sheep Sanctuary – Visit the protected habitat of the rare Severtzov's argali sheep. With fewer than 2,000 remaining worldwide, this is a rare wildlife encounter.
  • Ancient Ruins – Explore mysterious stone structures dating back over 1,000 years, remnants of Silk Road caravanserais.
  • Local Life – Watch farmers tend their apricot orchards and wheat fields using methods unchanged for generations.

17:00 – Cooking Class (Optional)
Join your host mother in the kitchen to learn traditional bread-baking in a clay tandoor oven.

19:00 – Dinner Under the Stars
Gather around the family topchan for a feast of plov, grilled vegetables, and fresh mountain yogurt.

🌙 Overnight: Sleep on a traditional topchan bed in the courtyard (weather permitting) or in a cozy guest room.

🥾 Hiking: 12 km | ⏱️ Duration: 4-5 hours
📈 Elevation Gain: +480m | 📉 Loss: -350m | 🏔️ Max Altitude: 1,650m
⚡ Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner | 🏠 Overnight: Ukhum Homestay

08:00 – Hearty Mountain Breakfast
Fuel up with fresh eggs, warm bread, local honey, cream, and strong chai.

09:00 – Trek Begins
Meet your experienced local guide – born and raised in these mountains.

Section 1: Valley Floor (3 km, 1 hour) – Follow the gentle river valley through apricot orchards. Easy terrain.

Section 2: Mountain Ascent (4 km, 1.5 hours) – The trail climbs through juniper forests. Watch for golden eagles!

11:30 – Karul Summit (1,650m) – THE HIGHLIGHT!
Breathtaking 360° panorama:

  • NORTH: Snow-capped peaks of the Nuratau Range
  • SOUTH: Endless golden Kyzylkum Desert
  • EAST: Shimmering Lake Aydarkul
  • WEST: Green valleys with tiny villages

12:00 – Picnic Lunch with a View

Section 3: Ridge Walk & Deh Fortress (2 km) – Visit ancient stone walls that protected Silk Road merchants.

Section 4: Descent to Ukhum (3 km) – Wind down through terraced hillsides.

15:00 – Arrival in Ukhum Village
Your new host family awaits with refreshing cold ayran and sweet dried apricots.

19:00 – Farewell Mountain Dinner

📍 Distance: 180 km | 🚗 Drive: 3.5 hours
🏛️ Sightseeing: 3 historical sites
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast

08:00 – Final Mountain Breakfast
Savor your last home-cooked meal and say goodbye to your host family.

09:00 – Departure to Nurata

10:30 – Nurata Ancient Town

🏰 Alexander's Fortress (Nur Citadel)
Step back 2,300 years to when Alexander the Great's army marched through Central Asia. In 327 BC, his soldiers built this fortress. Legend says Alexander struck the rock with his sword and a miraculous spring burst forth!

⛲ Chashma Sacred Spring
Crystal-clear water bubbles up at 19°C year-round. The pool is home to thousands of sacred fish.

🕌 Chashma Mosque (9th Century)
One of Central Asia's oldest mosques with 1,100 years of history.

11:30 – Suzani Workshop
Watch master craftswomen create stunning embroidery. A single large suzani takes 6-12 months!

12:30 – Continue to Bukhara

15:00 – Arrival in Bukhara
Your mountain adventure ends in one of the world's oldest cities.

🎉 End of tour. Thank you for traveling with Travel Bliss!

Tour photo

Travelers trekking along a forest path in the Nuratau mountain area
Local host baking traditional bread during Nuratau homestay experience
Nuratau mountain landscape under clear blue sky

What's Included

Included
  • Accommodation: 2 nights authentic village homestay with traditional topchan sleeping
  • Meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 packed lunch, 2 dinners (vegetarian/vegan available on request)
  • Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle, Samarkand pickup to Bukhara dropoff
  • Water: Sealed mineral water during all hikes and snacks during trek
  • Entrances: All site fees included (fortress, mosque, workshop)
  • Luggage: Transport between villages by car
Not Included
  • Lunch on Day 3 (free time in Nurata/Bukhara)
  • Guides: local mountain guide for Day 2 trek
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal shopping (suzani, souvenirs)

Tour routes

Seasonal Weather Guide

Plan your trip with our detailed monthly weather information

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Frequently Asked Questions

This tour lasts 3 Days/2 nights . The detailed itinerary includes all major attractions, guided tours, and activities mentioned in the tour description. You can view the complete day-by-day plan in the 'Tour Plan' tab above.

We offer both options! You can join a small group tour or book a private tour just for your party. Private tours offer more flexibility with timing and personalized attention. Please contact us to discuss your preferences and pricing options.

The tour price typically includes transportation during the tour, entrance fees to all attractions mentioned in the itinerary, and some meals as specified. An English-speaking guide may be included depending on the specific tour package - please check the detailed description above or contact us to confirm what is included in your selected tour.

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4.9/5
Based on 82 reviews

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