Day trip to Shakhrisabz from Samarkand avoids the hassle of renting a car and allows travelers to explore the beautiful landscapes and historical monuments beyond the city through a convenient 7-hour excursion, during which they can enjoy the stunning nature outside of Samarkand, breathe fresh mountain air, observe the unusual shapes of mountain stones, visit the market located at the top of the mountain, and discover the remarkable historical monuments in Shakhrisabz
Tahtakaracha Pass
The first stop is a photo opportunity to capture the unusual shapes of the stones, among which the heart-shaped stone is particularly well-known. This site is also popular among local residents, functioning as a small recreational park that offers activities such as a short zip line, sliding, and archery. During the Soviet era, this location was used as a filming site for the movie Apache. Travelers can also enjoy views of the snow-capped mountains, with snow typically visible from November to March.
The second stop is the local market situated at the top of the Takhtakaracha Pass, where travelers can find a variety of dried fruits, mountain herbs, and traditional dried cheese. It is an excellent place to shop for local products or capture photographs of the vibrant market atmosphere. The peak of the pass stands at an elevation of more than 1,620 meters.
The third stop, on a clear day, offers a scenic panoramic viewpoint overlooking the town of Kitob in the Kashkadarya province, situated just beyond the peak of the pass.
The Palace Complex of Ak-Saray
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.
Statue of Amir Timur
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).
Dor Us-Siyodat
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.
Dorut Tilovat
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.
Additional Info:
Total duration of the tour is 7 hours which includes driving to Shakhrisabz and back, also lunch time
Travelers may choose to drive directly to Shakhrisabz without making any stops, explore the city, and then have a lunch stop in the mountain area on the return journey, followed by visits to the market and the unusual stone formations. Alternatively, they may follow the program as outlined, although in this case lunch will be slightly later. Travelers can decide which option best suits their preferences.
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
When the transport goes up the mountain pass, the air conditioning will be switched off, as driving uphill places high pressure on the vehicle’s engine.
Add any additional pickup details you’d like travelers to know
Pick up is 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)
