Expert opinion
«Where others see one route, I see dozens of possibilities. The harder the task, the more interesting it is to solve.»Pluses
- Private format: a local guide and a vehicle for your group only, on a date you choose, with the itinerary adjustable.
- Tickets in the price: entrance tickets to the sites on the programme, transport for the day and a guide in your language are included.
- The main four: the Did you know? The Registan's sun-carrying lion went on a banknote The Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636) is named for the big cats with the sun on their backs on its portal. The image appeared on the reverse of Uzbekistan's 200-som note of 1997. Read more →, Did you know? Timur's tombstone went to Persia and came back The dark-green jade slab on Timur's grave in Gur-e-Amir was carried off by Nader Shah in 1740. It broke, and on his advisers' urging he sent it back to Samarkand. Read more → Mausoleum, The great mosque Amir Timur ordered after his Indian campaign of 1398–1399, one of the largest of its time. Read more → Mosque and the Did you know? Why Shah-i-Zinda means 'the Living King' The necropolis grew around the shrine of Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. Legend says he did not die in battle but went down a deep well to a garden of paradise, where he lives on. Read more → Necropolis in one day.
Minuses
- Paid on the spot: photo and video fees at the monuments, tips for the guide and driver and any meals not in the programme are paid separately.
- No times given: the programme lists four sites for one day but does not state the start time or how long you stay at each.
- Summer heat: in July and August the daytime high in Samarkand is 33–35 °C, and the sites are an open square, mosque grounds and a necropolis.
AroundCA numbers
How we counted
By the AroundCA programme: we count only what is written in the day-by-day programme of this tour. If the programme gives no figure, we show nothing.
Best time
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
March and November are the start and end of the season: 14–15 °C by day, few crowds and lovely weather. Winters are getting milder, too: very few people, sunny days and pleasant prices.
Cool, fewer people: Jan–Feb, Dec
Better to avoid
Jul–Aug
July–August is outside the season and hot: 33–34 °C by day in Samarkand.
A typical day
A private full day with a local guide and one vehicle: Registan Square, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum (the tomb of Amir Timur), the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis with its richly decorated mausoleums. The programme gives no times or order.
What the price includes
What is included
- Guide in your language
- Comfortable transport for the day
- Entrance tickets to the sites on the programme
Not included
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Personal expenses
- Photo and video fees at the monuments
- Tips for the guide and driver
Extra cost on site
- Photo and video fees at the monuments
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
Good for
- First-time visitors who want Samarkand's landmarks in one day
- Couples and families who prefer a private guide on their own date
Maybe not for you if
- Those who have already seen the Registan — the Samarkand Discovery tour covers Ulugh Beg Observatory, Konigil and Afrasiab
Questions about this tour
What is included?
Everything that is and isn’t included, and what you pay on site, is in one list: What the price includes
What is not included?
Everything that is and isn’t included, and what you pay on site, is in one list: What the price includes
Which sights are on the programme?
Registan Square, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum of Amir Timur, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.
Can I choose the date?
Yes, the tour runs on the date that suits you, and the itinerary can be adjusted.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask about this tour →
Make it your trip
Tick what you’d like to add — it goes into your request, and the manager confirms the final price.
Add a few days
A guided day
Programme and details
Day-by-day route and details
Private tour · full day
Samarkand — Highlights
The essential Samarkand in one day: the Registan, Amir Timur (Tamerlane, 1336–1405), founder of the Timurid empire, which had its capital in Samarkand. Born near Shahrisabz.’s tomb and the mosaics of Shah-i-Zinda.
from $105 per person
Guide, transport, tickets
Private tour
Programme
What you will see
A private full-day itinerary with a local guide.
- Registan Square — the heart of Samarkand and one of the most impressive architectural ensembles in Central Asia
- Gur-Emir Mausoleum — the tomb of Amir Timur
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque — one of the largest mosques of its time
- Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis — a stunning ensemble of richly decorated mausoleums
Price
Price and what is included
Price — $105 per person. The exact price depends on the number of travellers and is confirmed at booking.
Booking
How to book
- Send a request via the form on this page, by email hello@aroundca.com or on WhatsApp. Reply within 24 hours.
- The tour runs on the date that suits you; the itinerary can be adjusted.
A private tour on the date that suits you — with a local guide.
