Fietstocht door Oezbekistan

After breakfast, we transfer by car to the endorheic brackish Tuzkan Lake which is a part of the Aydar-Arnasay lake system. The Arnasay Lakes are in the east of the Kyzylkum Desert, occupying the area of nearly 4,000 sq. m. This sparsely populated area is extremely picturesque with its vast green meadows, a large blue lake looking like the sea, salt marshes, and a few birds coming here to nest. Lunch by the lake.

After lunch, we start the bicycle route. We ride along the lake by a good dirt road on the way to low mountain ridge Pistalitau, then over the pass, we move on to the Ortacheku Rocks (719 m). The name of the ridge originates from the Uzbek word “pista”, or pistachio which covers with its lush forests the slopes.

We set up camp 1 in a picturesque spot near the rocks. If you wish, you can walk to one of the surrounding peaks to enjoy the stunning scenery from high up. In the sunset, in the fiery orange light the Ortacheku Rocks are especially beautiful. 

Road: dirt road, asphalt.

Height difference: +685/-171 m.

Total cycling distance a day: 35 km.

Overnight at the tent Camp 1 (719 m).

Today we cycle the Nuratau slopes, the largest range of the Nuratau Mountains, which are the western spurs of the Gissar-Alai mountain system. The Nuratau Mountains surround the Kyzylkum Desert in the south. The Nurata State Nature Reserve is located here offering to see rare Kyzylkum arkhars (Severtsov wild sheep), as well as the unique species of walnut. On the way we can enjoy the picturesque countryside views with traditional mud houses.   

First, we climb over 5 km and ride around the Ortacheku Rocks, then descend to Yangikishlak Village. Lunch. The nature here is scenic indeed with its green walnut forest orchards along the shores of mountain rivers, rocky mountain ranges, rare species of predatory birds (such as golden eagles, vultures, eagles), lush and colorful meadow grasses. Ultimate peace in the mountains is interrupted by the charming songs of nightingales and the voices of mountain streams, while the crystal air is full of sun and fresh wind energy.

In the evening we reach the authentic mountain Hayat Village (translated as “life”). Here we stay in one of the guesthouses of hospitable locals. There are legends saying that in times of severe draught a spring was here, so the name comes from that. The time seems to have no power over life here, as far from the urban civilization the aksakals cherish ancient traditions. Accommodation in a guesthouse is a chance to experience the traditional life of a mountain village and see its simplicity and wisdom from the inside. Dinner in a guesthouse made by the hospitable owners.

Road: dirt road - 23 km, asphalt - 55 km.

Height difference: +706/-429 m.

Total cycling distance a day: 78 km.

Overnight at a guest house (960 m).

After breakfast we say goodbye to the hospitable owners of the house and move downhill along the Nuratau Ridge by the dirt road of the Khayat Valley. The next 15 km is flatland riding, and then we ascend the pass near Gaukum Peak (1516 m).

Lunch near the Sop Pass (1707 m) on a picturesque lawn. Then we proceed and enjoy a long descent through the scenic Nuratau Mountains, the fascinating view of the Nuratau Ridge summits, Sentyab Village and the beautiful shore of Lake Aidarkul.

We stay overnight by the freshwater Fazilman Lake (1645 m). The lake is on the plateau, a place where the flocks of wild geese often stop to rest.

Road: dirt road, asphalt.

Height difference: +1121 m.

Total cycling distance a day: 39 km.

Overnight at the tent Camp 2 (1645 m). 

Today we move on the dirt road through bizarre piles of huge boulders transformed by the nature into various sculptures scattered over green mountain pastures.

Lunch near Ravat Village (683 m).

After lunch we continue our journey along the Urgancha River to Soykechar Village. Then we cross the valley moving on the sand road on the way to the Aktau Ridge and Chuya Village. The last part of the track is asphalt road.

Road: dirt road, asphalt.

Height difference: -425 m/+316 m.

Total cycling distance a day: 68 km.

Overnight at the tent Camp 3 (1425 m). 

Today we are making a 6 km ascent to the Lyangar Pass (1425 m) opening a magnificent view of Talizar Peak (990 m) and the ruins of the fortress of XV-XVI centuries.

Then we proceed to a scenic top of the Aktau Ridge. After a whilewe start a descent through the valley alongside the tributary of Maydansay River until we reach Maydan Village.

After lunch in Maydan Village, we set out and move through small villages towards the plateau. The upper part of the plateau is a wonderful viewpoint opening the vast valley of the Zeravshan River and the steep white Khanaka Rocks with the eagles soaring over it.   

Then we make a steep descent to an authentic Aktepa Village surrounded by lush greenery. From here we follow the shallow mountain river to reach Chinar Village.    

Road: asphalt, dirt road, off-road.

Height difference: +405 m/-659 m.

Total cycling distance a day: 56 km.

Overnight at the tent Сamp 4 (665 m).

After breakfast – ascent to the plateau near Djunaty Peak.  

Then we move towards the Sarmish Gorge which has more than 4,000 of rock paintings preserved. The average age of petroglyphs is 4-6 thousand years. Some of these paintings were carved on the rocks, some were made with special paints produced by the ancient people from ochre.     

Road: dirt road, off-road.

Height difference: +505 m/-578 m.

Total cycling distance a day: 36 km.

Our bike route finishes.

We change for a comfortable vehicle and head for the ancient city of Samarkand.

Samarkand is one of the world’s oldest cities, as old as Rome, former capital of the vast empire of Tamerlane. A city-museum and the heart of caravan trade on the Silk Road, nowadays Samarkand still has the unchanged unique ambience of Asian Middle Ages.

Overnight at the hotel. 

Sightseeing in Samarkand: Registan square – the most spectacular square in Central Asia. It is surrounded on three sides by majestic buildings: Ulugh Beg Madrasa (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasa (17th century), and Tilla-Kari Madrasa (17th century). Historically, it was a place for public gatherings, especially on Sundays, when the market would welcome its guests. It was also the place where emir decrees were announced, and the spot for festivities and demonstrative public executions. After that we will visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (15th century) – one of the grander buildings located in Samarkand, it is the dynastic tomb of Timur and his descendants, which served as a prototype for the mausoleums that were later built in Delhi and Agra (Humayun and Taj Mahal respectively). Inside the mausoleum you can find the famous jade tombstone situated right over the grave of Timur. Timur’s ashes rest here, in an underground crypt.

The next sight is Bibi-Khanym Mosque (14 th – 15 th centuries) – the largest cathedral mosque in Central Asia, full of royalty and beauty. It was named after Timur’s beloved wife. The grand mosque is richly decorated with majolica, frescas, carved marble, and some of the finest ornaments you will ever see.

Another grand building is Shakh-i-Zinda Ensemble (11th-15th centuries) – an extensive complex of eleven monumental medieval mausoleums and one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Muslims. The last sight is the Ulugh Beg Observatory Museum (15th century) – one of the most significant observatories of the Middle Ages. A place where a fragment of a grandiose goniometer (sextant) has been preserved underground.

Overnight at the hotel. 

Transfer to Bukhara. Sightseeing of the ruined grand palace near Navoi city along the way – caravanserai Rabat-i Malik (means ‘King's Fortress’). Locals named the remaining portal as ‘The Gates of Bukhara’. Arrival in Bukhara, check-in at the hotel.

Bukhara is another ancient city in Uzbekistan which also used to be part of the Great Silk Road. Medieval Bukhara used to be one of the main political, cultural, and religious hubs of the Middle East. Over 140 architectural monuments have been preserved here. The historical center of Bukhara is included in the list of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO.

Sightseeing in Bukhara:

Lyabi-Khauz ensemble (16th – 17th centuries) is the most famous square in Bukhara which has an artificial pond, on the shore of which there are Kukeldash Madrasa (16th century) and Nadir Divan-begi madrasa (17th century), a khanaka, the famous Khodzha Nasreddin monument and numerous cozy cafes.

After that we will visit trading domes (16th century) – an old quarter where there are many indoor bazars. You can find a huge selection of souvenirs and all kinds of local products and artisans here. Visiting a showroom at Bukhara golden-embroidered factory and Karakul dressing (astrakhan fur) workshop.

Overnight at the hotel.

Continuation of sightseeing in Bukhara:

Samanid Mausoleum (9th century) is the family tomb of the dynasty of the same name, which combines the traditions of ancient Sogdian and Islamic architecture: Chashma-Ayub tomb (12th century) – an unusual mausoleum shaped like an oblong prism, it is associated with biblical legends about the wandering Job; Bolo-House complex (18th century) – a monument of the monumental Registan of Bukhara, which consists of a hauz (reservoir), a minaret, and a mosque, which is decorated with 20 carved columns; the Ark Fortress (6th century BC – 19th century) – the citadel of ancient Bukhara, “a city within a city”, surrounded by a massive and very impressive fortress wall.

Then we will go to the central ensemble – Poy-Kalyan Complex (12th-16th century), which includes the main symbol of the city – the famous Kalyan Minaret (46.5 m), the Kalyan Mosque, and the Miri Arab Madrasa. Then we will see Abdulaziz-khan madrasa (17h century) – an incredibly beautiful building which is richly decorated with complex and sophisticated ornaments; Ulugbek madrasa (15th century) – a strict and balanced building that is turned in its façade to the Abdulaziz-khan madrasa and makes up a duet ensemble with it.

Transfer to Tashkent by train. Meeting at the railway station, check-in at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel. 

Transfer to the airport. The end of the program. Departure.