Road
Takhtakaracha Pass, when open
A stronger drive than the standard highway: mountains, viewpoints and the descent toward Kashkadarya. The driver handles short photo stops on request.
One-Day Shahrisabz Tour from Samarkand
Updated:
1 day · Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Samarkand · private tour · driver from Samarkand · guide in Shahrisabz · from 65 USD per person
This private Shahrisabz day trip is built for travelers staying in Samarkand who want one well-organised day outside the city: a driver picks you up in the morning, the road heads toward the mountains, and a local guide meets you in Shahrisabz for the historical part of the tour.
The route focuses on the essential Timurid sites: Ak-Saray Palace, Dorus-Saodat and Dorut-Tilavat with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque. Entrance tickets, air-conditioned transport and the Shahrisabz guide are included. Lunch is separate; if the pass route and timing allow, the driver can stop for a simple local meal on the way back.
Choose your date online. Payment creates an order; CAJ.UZ confirms the booking in writing after checking the driver, vehicle, guide and services for your selected date.
Quick answer: this is a private one-day tour from Samarkand to Shahrisabz and back. Prices: 1 traveler — 170 USD; 2 travelers — 100 USD per person; 3–6 travelers — from 65 USD per person. You travel with a driver from Samarkand; the guide meets you in Shahrisabz. Entrance tickets, transport and guiding are included. Lunch is not included. Cars and 7-seat minivans can use Takhtakaracha Pass when the road is open; larger vehicles use the bypass road.
Key facts
- Tour type: private day trip, your group only.
- Dates: available on request any day; final availability is confirmed in writing.
- Route: Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Samarkand.
- Pick-up: any hotel, hostel or agreed address in Samarkand city.
- Guide: joins you in Shahrisabz at the first sightseeing stop.
- Included: entrance tickets, air-conditioned transport and guide.
- Separate: lunch, drinks, souvenirs and personal expenses.
- Book: online payment for tour ID 61.
Why this day works
The value is in the combination: a mountain road, a compact UNESCO-listed historic centre and a guide who links the monuments into one Timurid story.
Ak-Saray
Timur’s scale in one view
The palace is ruined, but the surviving portal still dominates the city. It gives immediate context for Timur’s ambition.
Story
The crypt that stayed empty
At Dorus-Saodat, you see the crypt prepared for Timur. He was later buried in Gur-Emir in Samarkand — a detail that makes the day more than a photo stop.
Optional lunch
Tandyr gosht on the road
If timing and the pass route allow, the driver can stop at a simple roadside café for tandyr gosht, the meat dish Kashkadarya is known for.
Is this tour right for you?
You want a clean day trip from Samarkand
- you are based in Samarkand and do not want to change hotels;
- you want transport, tickets and a guide arranged in one booking;
- you prefer a private vehicle over a shared group tour;
- you are interested in Timur, Ak-Saray and the Timurid memorial complexes.
You need a different format
- you want an overnight stay in Shahrisabz;
- you need a large coach group without route changes;
- you expect lunch to be included in the base price;
- you want the guide to travel from Samarkand in the car.
Private, but realistic
The day has enough space for the main sights and short photo stops. Exact timing depends on road conditions, the vehicle and the pace of your group.
Prices
The price includes the core services: private transport from Samarkand and back, entrance tickets and a guide in Shahrisabz.
170 USD
Private car, driver, Shahrisabz guide and entrance tickets.
100 USD per person
Private car for two travelers. Total: 200 USD.
from 65 USD per person
7-seat minivan. Final per-person price depends on group size.
Book: choose your date and pay online. For 7+ travelers, request a separate transport calculation.
Included and paid separately
Transport, guide, tickets
- air-conditioned car or 7-seat minivan, depending on group size;
- driver for the full Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Samarkand route;
- guide in Shahrisabz for the sightseeing part;
- entrance tickets for the listed programme;
- pick-up and drop-off in Samarkand city.
Lunch and personal costs
- lunch and drinks;
- souvenirs and personal purchases;
- extra stops outside the programme;
- pick-up or drop-off outside Samarkand city.
Roadside café or city stop
Lunch is optional and paid on the spot. If the pass route is used, many travelers choose a roadside stop for tandyr gosht. If the pass is not used, the driver can stop in Shahrisabz before the return.
Road, pass and optional food stop
How the road is chosen
- Pass route: Samarkand → Shahrisabz via M-39 and the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass is about 92 km one way without stops.
- Bypass route: the alternative road via R-84 is about 155 km without stops and is used for larger vehicles or if the pass is restricted.
- This tour: passenger cars and 7-seat minivans can use the pass when the road is open and conditions allow.
- Larger vehicles: groups from 7 travelers or vehicles with more than 7 seats use the bypass road unless a separate split-transport plan is arranged.
What you can see on the pass road
- mountain views and short viewpoint stops;
- Aman-Kutan area on the Samarkand side of the route;
- views toward the Kashkadarya Valley in clear weather;
- small roadside stalls with dried fruit, herbs, nuts and local snacks;
- simple cafés where tandyr gosht may be available.
Route logic
The day is deliberately simple: drive from Samarkand, meet the guide in Shahrisabz, walk the compact historical centre, then return to Samarkand with the same driver.
Start
Driver pick-up in Samarkand
Pick-up is from your hotel or another agreed address in Samarkand city. The guide does not travel from Samarkand.
Sightseeing
Guide meets you in Shahrisabz
Your guide joins at the first stop and leads the historical programme through Ak-Saray, Dorus-Saodat and Dorut-Tilavat.
Road stops
Handled by the driver
Viewpoints, market pauses and lunch stops on the road are handled by the driver, not by the city guide.
Finish
Back to Samarkand
Drop-off is at your hotel or another agreed point in Samarkand city.
Itinerary
One-day tour — Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Samarkand
Meals: lunch is not included; an optional stop can be added if route and timing allow.
08:30 Driver pick-up from your hotel, hostel or another agreed address in Samarkand city.
In Shahrisabz, the guide meets you at the first sightseeing stop and leads the historical part of the day.
Timing note: this is a planning schedule. Road time, walking pace and visit order depend on vehicle type, weather, traffic, opening times and road conditions.
| Time | Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Driver pick-up in Samarkand city. | — |
| 08:30–10:15 | Drive Samarkand → Shahrisabz, about 92 km via the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass if the road is open for your vehicle. If the bypass road is used, the road is about 155 km. | about 2 h via pass; about 3 h via bypass |
| 10:15–10:30 | Arrival in Shahrisabz. Meet your guide at the first sightseeing stop. | 15 min |
| 10:30–11:15 | Ak-Saray Palace — the ruins of Timur’s palace and the strongest visual symbol of Shahrisabz. | 45 min |
| 11:20–12:10 | Dorus-Saodat — Jahangir Mausoleum, Hazrat Imam Mosque and Timur’s planned crypt. | 50 min |
| 12:15–13:00 | Dorut-Tilavat — Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Sheikh Shamsuddin Kulal Mausoleum and Gumbazi-Sayidon. | 45 min |
| 13:00–13:40 | Photo time and short free time in the historic centre. | 40 min |
| 13:40–15:45 | Return drive Shahrisabz → Samarkand. On request: roadside café, viewpoint or market stop if the pass route and timing allow. | about 2 h; +45–60 min with lunch stop |
| 15:45–16:30 | Drop-off at your hotel or another agreed place in Samarkand city. | — |
Notes:
- Road time is approximate and is not guaranteed.
- Cars and 7-seat minivans can use Takhtakaracha Pass when the road is open; vehicles with more than 7 seats use the bypass road.
- The guide can change the order of visits because of opening times, local access rules or weather.
- Walking in Shahrisabz is moderate; wear comfortable shoes and carry water in hot weather.
What you will see in Shahrisabz
The tour keeps the sightseeing tight and relevant. These are the core stops:
Palace ruins
Ak-Saray Palace
The main landmark of Shahrisabz and the clearest place to understand the scale of Timur’s architectural ambition.
Memorial complex
Dorus-Saodat
A Timurid memorial site with Jahangir Mausoleum, Hazrat Imam Mosque and the crypt prepared for Timur.
Memorial complex
Dorut-Tilavat
Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Sheikh Shamsuddin Kulal Mausoleum and Gumbazi-Sayidon form the quieter religious layer of the route.
Context
Historic Centre of Shahrisabz
The UNESCO-listed historic centre is compact, so the main sites can be covered without unnecessary transfers. More context: Shahrisabz travel guide.
Booking, payment and confirmation
Book online
- Open the official CAJ.UZ booking page.
- Select your date, number of travelers and guide language.
- Pay online by card.
Card, transfer or cash
- Visa / Mastercard on official CAJ.UZ payment pages.
- Bank transfer after details are agreed.
- Cash only if CAJ.UZ confirms it in writing.
Written confirmation
Payment creates an order. The booking is final only after CAJ.UZ checks the services and sends written confirmation by email or WhatsApp.
Useful pages: online payment · purchase terms · cancellations and refunds.
Why book this Shahrisabz trip with CAJ.UZ
- Clear service split: driver from Samarkand, guide in Shahrisabz, road stops handled by the driver.
- Road logic checked: pass or bypass is confirmed with the vehicle type and road conditions.
- No hidden lunch claim: lunch is shown as optional and paid separately.
- Official booking: payment is made through the CAJ.UZ booking page for tour ID 61.
- Written confirmation: pick-up place, time, guide language and services are confirmed before the trip.
FAQ
Short answers before booking.
How long is the Shahrisabz day trip from Samarkand?
Plan for a full day: morning departure from Samarkand, guided sightseeing in Shahrisabz and return in the afternoon. Road time can change with weather, traffic and the final road choice.
How much does it cost?
1 traveler — 170 USD; 2 travelers — 100 USD per person; 3–6 travelers — from 65 USD per person. Entrance tickets, transport and guide are included.
Where does the tour start and finish?
It starts and finishes in Samarkand city. Pick-up and drop-off can be at your hotel, hostel or another agreed address.
Does the guide travel from Samarkand?
No. You travel from Samarkand with a driver. The guide meets you in Shahrisabz at the first sightseeing stop.
Which sights are included?
Ak-Saray Palace, Dorus-Saodat with Jahangir Mausoleum and Hazrat Imam Mosque, and Dorut-Tilavat with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Sheikh Shamsuddin Kulal Mausoleum and Gumbazi-Sayidon.
Are entrance tickets included?
Yes. Entrance tickets for the listed programme are included.
What vehicle is used?
For 1–2 travelers, a passenger car is used. For 3–6 travelers, a 7-seat minivan is used. Larger groups require a separate calculation.
Will we drive through Takhtakaracha Pass?
Cars and 7-seat minivans can use the pass when the road is open and conditions allow. If the pass is restricted, the driver uses the bypass road.
Who uses the bypass road?
Vehicles with more than 7 seats and groups from 7 travelers use the bypass road. Any vehicle may also use it if the pass is closed or unsuitable on the day.
How far is Shahrisabz from Samarkand?
Via the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass, the road is about 92 km one way without stops. The bypass road is about 155 km.
What can we see on the pass road?
Mountain views, viewpoints, the Aman-Kutan area, roadside stalls and simple cafés when the pass route is used.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is optional and paid separately. If timing allows, the driver can stop for tandyr gosht or a simple local meal.
Can I book this tour for any date?
You can request any date online. CAJ.UZ confirms the booking after checking the driver, vehicle and guide for that date.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. Visa / Mastercard payments are available on official CAJ.UZ payment pages.
Is the booking confirmed immediately after payment?
No. Payment creates an order. The booking becomes final only after written confirmation from CAJ.UZ.
Can I cancel?
CAJ.UZ does not charge a cancellation fee for cancellations made 24+ hours before the start time. Less than 24 hours before the start, fees may apply.
Is the walking difficult?
The walking part is moderate. Comfortable shoes, water and sun protection are recommended in warm weather.
Which guide languages are available?
English is the main language for this page. Other languages can be requested and are confirmed depending on availability for your date.
Useful CAJ.UZ pages
City and route
Payment and rules
Uzbekistan tours
Book the Shahrisabz day trip
What to enter when booking
- Tour date.
- Number of travelers.
- Preferred guide language.
- Pick-up address in Samarkand.
- Any lunch or road-stop request.
Ready to check your date?
Book online, pay by card and wait for written confirmation. We will confirm the driver, vehicle, guide and meeting details before the trip.
Phone / WhatsApp: +998 90 922 30 73 · Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
5
5
20
Price for 1 pax
Tour to Shakhrisabz from Samarkand
1 people
$170
2 persons
$100
from 3 to 6 people
$65
Book now.
Prices valid until: 31.12.2026