Uzbekistan · SAMARKAND TOURS

The 15 Best Samarkand Tours & Day Trips

90 tours  ·  from $7

Samarkand puts its three greatest buildings within a mile of each other and then hides the good lunch a bus ride away. These 15 cover the Registan and Shah-i-Zinda on foot, the run over the pass to Shahrisabz and the village kitchens, each priced and timed honestly.

Samarkand: Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour - Two hours at Registan Square
Guided Tours, Guided Tours in Samarkand, Historical Tours, Samarkand Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand: Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour

1.Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 446 reviews · 5 hours · from $20Our pick

Walk through Samarkand with an English-speaking guide such as Gulsanam, Sarvinoz, or Shahrizoda. Visit Gur-e-Amir, Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, and Shah-i-Zinda in five hours. Expect a substantial amount of walking, clear historical storytelling, photo help, and extra entry fees of about $25.50.

“me and my other 2 friends had a really great time today with Charos. Because of no other people other than us she text me beforehand and try to accommodate with our time since we just landed in Tashkent and reach Samarkand quite late. She explained all the history and culture very well. It was worth the money considering all the knowledge we get during this session. Charos also patiently repeat the part that we loss since Samarkand is the heart of Central Asia and have a lot of history. We were tired but so happy. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand One Day Tour - Departure From Tashkent - What the $219 price really covers
Day Trips, Day Trips in Samarkand, Day Trips in Tashkent, Samarkand Tours, Tashkent Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Samarkand One Day Tour – Departure From Tashkent

2.Samarkand One Day Tour – Departure From Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 313 reviews · from $219Top rated

Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand by high-speed train, with hotel pickup, station transfers, a local guide, lunch, and admission included. You’ll see Gur Emir, the Registan, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, and Siab Bazaar in one long day. Guides such as Mokhigul, Shohrux, and Sevinch have led this route.

“A great guide in Samarkand. Pick up to high speed train no problems. Unfortunately, this tour company must wait until last minute to book return train tickets, so my husband and I were seated in different sections of the train. Also, when we Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation - The real value of the $54.40 price
City Tours, City Tours in Samarkand, Private Tours, Private Tours in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation

3.Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $54

Spend five to six hours exploring Samarkand with a private guide and air-conditioned transport. Visit Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Siyob Bazaar, and Shah-i-Zinda, with hotel pickup, bottled water, dried-fruit tasting, and a flexible route. Guides such as Amin, Shoh, Zarina, and Mohiddin have received especially strong praise for warmth, history, and local advice.

“I usually skip tour guides, but with Samarkand’s incredible history and monuments, my mom and I decided to splurge on a private day tour. Unfortunately, it was a complete letdown. We wanted a strong start to our trip, but instead, it left us frustrated. First, communication was poor from the start. Amin, our guide, never reached out the night before or the morning of the tour to confirm details or his arrival time. We were left scrambling to find his contact information through our hotel and had to call him ourselves to ensure he was still coming. The tour began at Timur’s mausoleum, where Amin provided an overview of Timur’s…”

Check availability →Read our full review

A City Tour Of Samarkand: The Pearl Of The East - Bibi Khanym: A Monument to Ambition
City Tours, City Tours in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

A City Tour Of Samarkand: The Pearl Of The East

4.A City Tour Of Samarkand: The Pearl Of The East

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · from $16

Walk through Samarkand with guides such as Fayoziddin or Sitora, visiting Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. Expect clear historical stories, photo time, practical city tips, and a small-group pace. Monument entrance fees are extra, and the tour ends at Shah-i-Zinda.

“Our guide was very friendly and knowledgable. He gave us lots of information on our whistle stop tour and then we were able to go back and spend more time at the sights most important to us-i would recommend and use again in the future”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand - Leaving Samarkand and crossing into Tajikistan
Full-Day Tours, Private Tours, Private Tours in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Tajikistan Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand

5.Full Day Private Tour in Seven Lakes from Samarkand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $100

Travel from Samarkand across the Uzbek-Tajik border to Panjakent and the Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains. Expect colorful mountain lakes, rural villages, a possible hike to Hazorchashma, and a stop at ancient Sarazm. Guides such as Shams, Farrukh, Iva, and Shakhzod have led this route.

“Really enjoyed our tour of The Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains of northwest Tajikistan. We were really well looked after by our tour guide and driver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour - Gur Emir: beginning with Timur’s tomb
Day Trips, Day Trips in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Samarkand

Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour

6.Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 87 reviews · 6 hours · from $25

Walk Samarkand from Gur Emir to Shah-i-Zinda with a guide and a group capped at 10 people. You’ll see Registan, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyab Bazaar, and Hazrat Khizr Mosque. Guides such as Elior, Abdulla, and Adam are praised for clear history and friendly help. Entrance fees and lunch are extra, and the tour may finish sooner than six hours.

“I had a wonderful morning with my guide, Elyor. Elyor made the tour an unforgettable experience. He is knowledgeable, patient and generous and I would highly recommend his services.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip with Optional Local Guide - The drive from Samarkand through rural Uzbekistan
Day Trips, Day Trips in Samarkand, Guided Tours, Guided Tours in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Shakhrisabz Tours, Tour Reviews

Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip with Optional Local Guide

7.Shahrisabz Day Trip with Optional Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 81 reviews · 7 hours · from $65

Travel from Samarkand through vineyards, farms, hills, and mountain roads to Shahrisabz, the historic city linked with Amir Timur. You get round-trip transport, a driver, photo stops, and about two hours in town. Add a local English-speaking guide such as Zarshed, Shouq, or Mironshox for context at the palace complex and nearby monuments.

“The tour was splendid and we had a great time with both our driver and tour guide. Our driver Ulugbek picked us up with a nice car and drove around 2 hours to Shakhrisabz. There were a few photo taking stops on the way. His English was limited but we managed to chat through translation. Was the best driver we had throughout our 10days in Uzbekistan who drove safely. Our tour guide Mironshox was young but full of historic knowledge. The whole complex was in walkable distance and time flies while learning all the history. We bought 3 tickets, each ticket was 40000som pp and could be paid by credit…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Guide / excursion service in Samarkand - Gur Emir, the right place to begin
Guided Tours, Guided Tours in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Guide / excursion service in Samarkand

8.Guide / excursion service in Samarkand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $25

Start at 9:00 am with a local English or French-speaking guide such as Elyor or Adham, then walk through Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda. The six-hour route leaves lunch and entry fees to you, with no required shopping stops and occasional flexibility for extra sights or photo breaks.

“I took this tour at the end of August'23. It was great, my tour guide Elyor was very knowledgeable about the historical significance of all the sights - and was very informative. And it was great, that as a solo traveler, he took my pictures. We did stop for lunch to recharge, which was not included. What I also liked about this tour was that my tour guide didn't waste my time taking me to souvenir shops where he got a commission. He was gracious and hospitable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2 Days Tour to Bukhara and Samarkand from Tashkent by train - Samarkand’s grand opening at Gur Emir
2-Day Experiences, Bukhara Tours, Multi-Day Tours, Multi-Day Tours in Bukhara, Multi-Day Tours in Samarkand, Multi-Day Tours in Tashkent, Samarkand Tours, Tashkent Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

2 Days Tour to Bukhara and Samarkand from Tashkent by train

9.2 Days Tour to Bukhara and Samarkand from Tashkent by train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $499

Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara by high-speed Afrosiyob train on a tightly planned private tour. You’ll see Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi Khanim, Lyab-i-Hauz, the Kalon complex, and Bukhara’s trading domes. Guides such as Nodir in Samarkand and Shahrukh in Bukhara have been associated with the operation, with pickup and group discounts available.

“This was an excellently organized tour by Anur Tours. I found them to be extremely responsive and particular about details. Thank you Mrs. Aynur for walking the extra mile to ensure everything was in place- train tickets, sightseeing bookRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Day Tour to Shahrisabz of Amir Timur - Ak-Saray Palace and the remains of a giant project
Day Trips, Day Trips in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Shakhrisabz Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Day Tour to Shahrisabz of Amir Timur

10.Day Tour to Shahrisabz of Amir Timur

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 44 reviews · from $60

Travel privately from Samarkand to Shahrisabz, Amir Timur’s birthplace, in an air-conditioned car. See the giant Ak-Saray gateway, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Dorut Tilovat, and Timur’s statue, with scenic stops possible along the road. The driver may speak English, Russian, or Turkish, but confirm whether a separate guide is included.

“The trip was nice overall. Very beautiful and informative. The only minus was that our driver did not speak English at all. Even though, teoretically he should. I think that our driver had an issue and he sent his brother. A very nice person, but the communication was a bit hard.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip & Mountain Pass Tour - Crossing Takhtakaracha Pass from Samarkand
Day Trips, Day Trips in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Shakhrisabz Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Samarkand: Shahrisabz Day Trip & Mountain Pass Tour

11.Shahrisabz Day Trip & Mountain Pass Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $95

Travel from Samarkand to Shahrisabz with an English or Russian-speaking guide, crossing Takhtakaracha Pass and visiting Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, and Dorut-Tilavat. Guides such as Umida, Nilufar, Zarshed, and Bakhtiyor have earned praise for clear explanations and thoughtful pacing. Choose a small group or private driver option.

“Our tour guide Mr Bakhtiyor very good for bringing us to the place we want to explore, and he gives very good explanation about the history, daily life, and culture. And he is a good driver as well. pleasent journey.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Uzbekistan 8 Days Private Tour Tashkent-Urgench-Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent - Khiva packs centuries inside Itchan Kala
Bukhara Tours, Multi-Day Tours, Multi-Day Tours in Bukhara, Multi-Day Tours in Samarkand, Multi-Day Tours in Tashkent, Private Tours, Private Tours in Bukhara, Private Tours in Samarkand, Private Tours in Tashkent, Samarkand Tours, Tashkent Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Uzbekistan 8 Days Private Tour Tashkent-Urgench-Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent

12.Uzbekistan 8 Days Private Tour Tashkent-Urgench-Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · from $975

Travel privately through Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities in eight days, with local guides in Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. See Khiva’s tiled old town, Bukhara’s trading domes, and Samarkand’s Registan. Hotels, breakfasts, entrance fees, and train tickets are included, while the Tashkent to Urgench flight costs extra.

“The 8-Day trip was an amazing experience filled with breathtaking moments where I got the Chance to learn the history from really knowledgeable and passionate guides, and see a ancient cities of the Silk Road like Bukhara, Khiva and SamaRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yurt stay and Hiking in the Nurata Mountains tour - 2 days - Reaching Sayyod Yurt Camp by lunchtime
2-Day Experiences, Desert Yurt Camps, Hiking & Trekking, Multi-Day Tours, Multi-Day Tours in Samarkand, Samarkand Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Yurt stay and Hiking in the Nurata Mountains tour – 2 days

13.Yurt stay and Hiking in the Nurata Mountains tour – 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $229

Travel from Samarkand to Bukhara through the Nuratau Mountains with a private driver and hiking guide. Sleep in one of 11 yurts at Sayyod Yurt Camp, enjoy included meals, walk beside Aydarkul, swim if weather permits, and visit Nurata’s Chashma spring, Juma Mosque, and fortress ruins.

“Such a great experience! Most of the tourists sites in Uzbekistan are cities and having this little escape in the nature it was incredible! The yurts were great and toilettes were clean and practical (more then what we expected) The family is vRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Tour From Samarkand To Tajikistan: Seven Lakes - Panjakent and Ancient Sarazm
Samarkand Tours, Tajikistan Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tour From Samarkand To Tajikistan: Seven Lakes

14.Tour From Samarkand To Tajikistan: Seven Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $99

Travel from Samarkand across the Uzbek-Tajik border to Panjakent, ancient Sarazm, and Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes. You’ll have private transport, a Samarkand-based guide, photo stops, and bottled water. Guides such as Ikrom, Iqrom, Islom, and Ardik may handle the Uzbek side, while a Tajik driver takes you into the mountains.

“Great tour, and customizable! Lovely drivers and beautiful scenery. Thanks Islom and Ardik! Recommend 10/10 times Ps: bring toilet paper on the trip in case if you need to go to toilet outside the main road!”

Check availability →Read our full review

All in One Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent - The train ride sets the rhythm
Day Trips, Day Trips in Samarkand, Day Trips in Tashkent, Samarkand Tours, Tashkent Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

All in One Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent

15.All in One Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $196

Travel from Tashkent to Samarkand by high-speed train for a full day of Timurid monuments, markets, museums, and local food. Your guide meets you at the Samarkand station, then leads you through Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Shah-i-Zinda, and more. Guides such as Aziz, Ikrom, and Ulugbek are available, though early booking helps secure your preferred train and language.

“This tour was planned and executed impeccably each pick up and drop off was seamless and timed perfectly....as for Samarkand it's pure magic....it's simply unforgettable and it's not enough to simplify walk the streets and enjoy the sights Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Samarkand Tours

★ 5.0Uzbekistan 6 Days Private Tour Khiva-Bukhara-Samarkand by TrainFrom $8004 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand-Bukhara tour-3nights/4 daysFrom $1,2005 reviews
★ 3.5Private Intercity Transfer Tashkent – Samarkand – Tashkent3 reviews
★ 5.06- Day Private Tour to Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and SamarkandFrom $7655 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand Capital of Amir Timur Private Tour with TransportFrom $613 reviews
★ 4.0The Golden City of Samarkand: A Self-Guided Audio TourFrom $64 reviews
★ 5.0Tadjikistan 7 Lakes Day Trip from Samarkand with LunchFrom $935 reviews
★ 5.0Shakhrisabz Private Day Tour from SamarkandFrom $994 reviews
★ 5.0Seven Lakes Panjakent: One-Day Adventure from SamarkandFrom $1003 reviews
★ 5.0Ancient and Modern tour in Samarkand with TransportFrom $453 reviews
★ 5.0Explore Samarkand Guided Tour with TransfersFrom $943 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand Local Family Cooking Class and Siyob Bazaar TourFrom $655 reviews
★ 5.0Samarkand City Tour from Silk Paper Factory to Registan SquareFrom $904 reviews
★ 5.0Plov Cooking Class at Local Uzbek HouseFrom $655 reviews
★ 5.0Penjikent Day Trip From SamarkandFrom $1603 reviews

Keep browsing

Day Trips48Multi-Day Tours29City Tours35Walking Tours26Ancient Fortress Tours12Cooking Classes12
Scroll to Top

Across Uzbekistan

Start with a city, a desert or a kazan.

In the old towns

City ToursWalking ToursHistorical ToursGuided ToursEvening Tours

Out of town

Day TripsShahrisabzDesert FortressesChimgan & AmirsoyFergana Valley

The desert

Aral SeaYurt CampsVillagesWalking & TrekkingLong Transfers

At the table

Cooking ClassesFood ToursPlov in SamarkandBy TrainFull Days