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Tours
Yurt Camp & Aydarkul Lake Tour
Explore the ancient sights from the time of Alexander Great in Nurata city. Stay in the Yurt camp and explore the desert landscape walking around the dunes or riding on the camels. Take a walk to the desert village ‘Dungalak’ (4 km / one way) to get to know the daily livelihood activities and land use practices of the desert inhabitants. Ride on the camel or drive by car to explore countries largest man-made Lake Aydarkul located 8 km to the south-east from the Yurt camp. Enjoy the evening around the camp fire listening to the traditional songs of local bard.
Program
On the first day drive from either Bukhara or Samarkand to Nurata Yurt Camp (5 hours). Visit Alexander the Great’s fortress ruins in the town of Nurata, check the holly spring full of fish and local mosques. Ride on the camel, admire the desert landscape and stay overnight in the Yurt Camp. In the evening listen to the music performance around the fire. Next day take a walk to the nearby village of ‘Dungalak’ to learn about the life of desert inhabitants. Drive by car or ride on the camels to the lake Aydarkul. Swim or stroll along the lake shores. In the afternoon drive to Samarkand/Bukhara.
Tour Highlights
- Ancient sights in Nurata city
- Stay in desert Yurt camp and ride on the camel
- Swim or stroll along the shores of the Lake Aydar
Itinerary program
day
1
Bukhara/Samarkand – Nurata- Yurt Camp
9:00 Depart Bukhara /Samarkand for the desert Yurt Camp located near the village of Dungalak (total 5 hours of drive). On the way to the camp make a stopover in Nurata city and visit some local sights (holy spring and Chashma Ayub Mosque). There are many legends related to the origin of the city and its name. People refer the origin of the city to the fortress ‘Nur’, founded there in the 3rd century BC by Alexander the Great. However, according to archaeological excavations the cultural layer in this area reaches the age of 40 thousand years. Supposedly, the main reason to choose this place as a settlement was holy “Chashma” (spring). 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. Dinner. You may also listen to the songs of local bard around the fire if the weather is not too windy for camp fire. Overnight stay in the Yurt camp
day
2
Yurt Camp – Lake Aydarkul - Samarkand/Bukhara
After breakfast, you may drive or walk to the nearby desert village Dungalak (4km) to get familiar with the life of village people who mainly live on livestock and sheep farming. After visiting the village, drive by car or ride on the camels (additional 20$ per camel) from the camp to the lake Aydarkul located 8 kilometres (3h) to the south –east from the camp. Aydarkul is an artificial salty lake that stretches 180km to the east and being the largest wetland body in the area it is home to many aquatic birds such cranes, pelicans, numerous waders, many duck and goose species. Depending on the season you can have a swim or just stroll along the lake shores watching the bird like at the lake.
In the afternoon transfer to Samarkand/Bukhara (5 hours of drive).
Transport in Uzbekistan
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Duration: 2 days
Path: Bukhara/Samarkand – Nurata – Yurt Camp – Bukhara/Samarkand
Difficulty level: Medium
Price per person in USD
| Tourists |
Price with guide
|
Price without guide
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | 230 |
| 2 | N/A | 145 |
| 3 | N/A | 115 |
For groups greater than 3 people –price upon request. Sedan car for groups of up to 3 persons.The trip is without guide. A driver will have a limited knowledge of English
Tour map
Tour hotels
| City |
 |
| N of nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yurt camp | 1 | ||
Hotels will be booked based on availability
Included services
- Yurt stay;
- Meals ;
- Transport service on comfortable tourist class vehicle (a certain type of vehicle is provided depending on the group size).
Not included services
- Alcohol drinks;
- Personal items;
- Optional camel riding to the Lake Aydarkul (20 $ per camel).
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