Tours/Samarkand/Shakhrisabz Private Day Tour from Samarkand
Viator · Private tour

Shakhrisabz Private Day Tour from Samarkand

5.0(4)Samarkand1 hour
VIATOR5.0(4)

Description

Avoid the hassle of renting a car to see a beautiful landscape and historical monuments beyond Samarkand with help from 7 hours a day tour which includes transport from Samarkand, local guide in Shakhrisabz and entrance tickets to the monuments. Beyond Samarkand, the road to the south, through Zarafshan Range, a Pamiri spur, towards the Takhtakaracha Pass. Along this major Silk Road branch marched the armies of the Greats, Alexander and Amir Temur, en route to India. In 1395 Amir Temur ordered a palace and garden built here, between his imperial capital and his birthplace Shakhrisabz, 90 kilometers south. The road passes through villages, resting in the shade of white acacias, Persian walnut, pine and plane trees. The peak of the pass is more than 1620 meters in elevation and in a clear day after the peak of the pass there is a spot of fine panorama of the town Kitob of Kashkadarya province.

Tour Options

Shakhrisabz Private Day Tour from Samarkand
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

30 min

Beyond Samarkand, the road to the south, through Zarafshan Range, a Pamiri spur, towards the Takhtakaracha Pass. Along this major Silk Road branch marched the armies of the Greats, Alexander and Amir Temur, en route to India. Photo stop to capture unusual shape of stones and snow capped mountains (one can see snow from November to March).

20 min

You stop on top of Takhtakaracha Pass take picture of local market (the peak of the pass is more than 1620 meters in elevation).

20 min

In a clear day after the peak of the pass there is a spot of fine panorama of the town Kitob of Kashkadarya province.

Admission included40 min

Ak Saray Palace (“a white palace” in Uzbek) built in 1380-1404. Amir Temur gathered its craftsmen to his hometown to build his greatest palace, similar in structure to Samarkand’s Bibi Khanum Mosque. The name Ak-Serai (White Palace) symbolizes his noble descent, not the dominant colour, for blue, green and gold patterned the vast mosaics.

20 min

Statue of Amir Temur— there are three huge statues of Temur: one is in Samarkand, one is in Tashkent and the third is in his hometown Shakhrisabz in standing position. The bronze statue weighs 20 tons and 9 meters high built after the Independence (1991).

Admission included50 min

Complex of Dor-us Siyadat (“place of sadness” in Uzbek) from XIV century. It arose on the death of his eldest and favorite son Jahangir, killed in 1375 (aged only 22). When another son, Umar Sheikh, joined Jahangir in 1394, Temur even built himself a crypt.

Admission included50 min

Dor-ut Tilavat (“place of praying” In Uzbek) from XIV-XV centuries, contains the Kok Gumbaz Mosque (1435) built by grandson of Temur Mirzo Ulugbek, the mausoleum constructed by Amir Temur in 1373-1374 for Sheikh Shamseddin Kulyal, a Sufic leader and spiritual advisor of Temur’s father , Taraghay.

Highlights

Entrance tickets to the monuments
Air-conditioned vehicle
English speaking local guide in Shakhrisabz

What's included

Included
Entrance tickets to the monuments
Air-conditioned vehicle
English speaking local guide in Shakhrisabz
Not included
Lunch
Photo and video charges 5 usd (for photography cameras. It is free if travelers use phone cameras)
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

Tour starts at 09:00 (starting time can be change by request) from your hotel / airport / railway station in Samarkand. (Please contact us to let us know the exact pickup location for the tour)

Traveller Ratings

5.0
4 reviews
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Total duration of the tour is 7 hours which includes driving to Shakhrisabz and back, also lunch time.
  • On this tour you visit architectural marvels which have a rich history and important religious sites. It’s recommended to follow a specific dress code when visiting these iconic landmarks. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing tight, revealing, or transparent clothing. Women should cover their hair with a headscarf or shawl when they enter to holy places.

Reviews(4)

A
Antonio_A
January 6, 2026
Very interesting tour...

Very interesting tour The guide (Lochin) was very helpful and attentive - giving all explanations regarding the placas visited. I would recommend it.

Operator response

We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the tour, and we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your review

H
Heather_P
October 17, 2025
Great day out

It is a two hour drive to the historical site and along the way you stop for some phot opportunities. Our driver was excellent - very safe! If you get car sick, be warned the road gets windy! Our guide Luna was very knowledgeable. On the way back we stopped for lunch on the mountain road but not until like 3pm so bring snacks.

Operator response

Thank you for your valuable feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your mountain trip. It is very rewarding to know that you had a pleasant experience, and we truly appreciate your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you again on another adventure in the future.

F
Florika_K
August 5, 2024
A trip worth your while

The mountains were magnificent and Temur's palace grounds were outstanding. The guide told us interesting facts about the history, which was also exciting.

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