Nurata and Aydarkul

Desert yurt camps, camels and a lake in the Kyzylkum.

Tours in the desert A private guide for the trip

A sandy beach on Aydarkul Lake in the Kyzylkum desert

Best time: April–June, September–October
Getting there: About 4 hours by car from Samarkand or Bukhara
How long to stay: One night
Guides: In almost every language

What to see around Nurata

Aydarkul Lake

A large lake in the desert — warm water and sandy beaches.

Also worth seeing

A yurt camp — Camel rides, dinner by the fire and a night under the stars.
Nurata — The holy spring full of fish and the ruins of an ancient fortress.

Tours in the desert

A sandy beach on Aydarkul Lake in the Kyzylkum desert

2 days

2 daysNurata desert

Aydarkul Lake, yurt camp and camel ride

A night in a yurt in the desert

from $145 / person

Everything you need for the desert

A guide for the tripIn your language, from $80 a day for the group. TransfersA car from Samarkand or Bukhara and back. The yurt campWe book the camp with dinner and breakfast.

Good to know

Warm layers

Desert nights are cool even in summer — bring a jumper.

Swimming

The lake is warm enough to swim from late May to September.

Cash

There are no cash machines in the desert — bring some cash for extras.

Plan your night in the desert

Tell us your dates — we’ll book the camp, the car and your guide.

Build your trip

Build your trip