About this experience
Shakhrisabz is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. You will remember it for its majestic memorial complexes, mosques, and ruins of eastern palaces. On the way, you will also stop at the mysterious cave of Teshik-Tash and see how the locals prepare the traditional dish tandoor-gusht. Our guide will keep you entertained with stories of local customs, history, and legends.
What to Expect
Teshik-Tash Cave and Mountain People's Cuisine
From Tashkent, you will arrive in Samarkand by high-speed train, where our guide will meet you by car. You will then head to the ancient Shakhrisabz. The road to it passes through a blooming mountain pass. Along the way, you will visit the Teshik-Tash Cave, which is heart-shaped. You will also stop at a place where the mountain people have been preparing the traditional meat dish of tandoor-gusht for many decades. You can observe this process and, if desired, try it.
Main Attractions of Shakhrisabz
You will visit the memorial complex of Dorus-Saodat, where two sons of Tamerlane are buried. You will see the mausoleum intended for Tamerlane himself and discover why it has stood empty for centuries. Additionally, we will show you the 15th-century Kok-Gumbaz Friday Mosque, the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace, and the memorial complex of Dorut-Tilovat, created by Amir Timur's grandson, the famous astronomer Mirzo Ulugbek. You will also see the Hazrat Imam Mosque in Shakhrisabz, where a plane tree planted in 1370—almost 700 years old—is located.
Organizational Details
Please note: tickets for the high-speed Afrosiyob train can sell out quickly. If this happens, we will notify you during booking: you can cancel the order or we will offer you a tour on the Sharq or Nasaf high-speed trains (which are 1 hour longer).
Tour Itinerary
- Departure from the Northern Station, then by the Afrosiyob high-speed train around 07:28, you will travel to Samarkand (arrival around 09:30), where a guide will meet you. The distance from Samarkand to Shakhrisabz is 100 km.
- Return to Tashkent around 18:30
- I or another guide from our team will conduct the tour for you
- Bring comfortable shoes and clothes for walks, headgear, sunglasses, as well as money for personal expenses
What's Included and What's Not
- The price includes tickets for the high-speed train and a transfer by a comfortable crossover along the entire route
- Lunch is not included and must be paid separately
