Yurts and camels · Uzbekistan

Nurata & Lake Aydarkul

A night in a desert yurt camp between Bukhara and Samarkand.

Between Bukhara and Samarkand, the Kyzylkum desert meets the Nuratau mountains and the large, man-made Lake Aydarkul. Several yurt camps in the desert offer a night in a felt yurt, a short camel ride, dinner around a fire and often traditional akyn songs.

It is the easiest way to add a desert night to a classic Uzbekistan route, and a favourite with families.

Time needed
1 night
Best time
April–June and September–October
Getting there
About 4 hours from Bukhara or Samarkand by road; usually done on the way between the two.

Don’t miss

Highlights

  1. 01

    Yurt camp

    Felt yurts, a campfire dinner and a sky full of stars.

  2. 02

    Camel ride

    A short ride over the dunes at sunset.

  3. 03

    Lake Aydarkul

    Swim in season, or picnic on the shore.

  4. 04

    Nurata

    A spring-fed pool full of sacred fish, and the ruins of a fortress attributed to Alexander the Great.

Tours

Tours that include Nurata & Lake Aydarkul

12 daysUzbekistan

Uzbekistan in depth: 12 days

Tashkent → Kokand → Rishtan → Margilan → Khiva → Desert fortresses of Khorezm → Bukhara → Nurata & Lake Aydarkul → Samarkand → Shakhrisabz

From €1,315 per personView tour
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