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Side trips from Samarkand

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(@eilidh)
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Hi, what side trips one can do whilst in Samarkand. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


   
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(@zolobar)
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Joined: 12 months ago
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We went to the Seven Lakes late June, and we really loved it. The lakes are beautiful, the nature is stunning—we definitely don’t regret choosing to go there. It’s not really an official tour, more like a trip with a driver. First, they drove us to the border, then we switched drivers on the Tajik side. The new driver took us to a shop and an exchange office, then we headed to the lakes. We stopped at each lake, got driven to the sixth one, and walked about 2 km to the seventh with amazing views. We had a snack and rested at the seventh lake before starting to go back. At the end of the trip, we asked to be dropped off somewhere to eat on the Tajik side. We got back to Samarkand around 8 or 9 pm.

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(@m1kros)
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Hello! Has anyone gone to the Seven Lakes starting from the border? Like, taking a taxi to the border, then renting a car with a driver? How much does it cost? Do you need to arrange the car in advance, or can you find a driver at the border?


   
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(@zolobar)
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There are plenty of drivers at the border offering their services. I can’t tell you the exact price, but we paid $100 as part of an organized trip.


   
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(@estimata)
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Posted by: @eilidh

Hi, what side trips one can do whilst in Samarkand. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We went towards Shakhrisabz 👆. Really liked it—the car, the guide, and the nature.

 


   
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(@hireling)
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We recently went on an amazing tour of Zaamin National Park, and it was one of the most vivid and memorable trips we've ever had! The nature in Zaamin stunned us with its beauty: fresh mountain air, dense forests, picturesque waterfalls, and stunning landscapes at every turn.
Special thanks to our driver, Isroil, who made the trip truly comfortable and interesting. Not only did he expertly navigate the mountain roads, but he also showed us the most beautiful spots, shared lots of interesting facts about the region, and even helped us take great photos.

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(@coshasa)
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I’d recommend visiting the cozy mountain village of Miraki and checking out the picturesque Hisorak Reservoir nearby. Miraki offers a glimpse into traditional Uzbek village life, which is a world apart from the city hustle.

You’ll get to meet warm and welcoming locals who love sharing stories about their everyday lives—watch carpet weaving, bread baking in a tandoor, and see how they care for their livestock. Wandering the village streets, you’ll notice the slow, peaceful pace of life, with every corner full of charm and friendly greetings from residents.

After exploring Miraki, head toward the Hisorak Reservoir tucked away in the mountains. The scenery changes dramatically—greener slopes, fresher air, and crystal-clear water create an incredible natural oasis. The turquoise surface mirrors the sky and peaks, making for unforgettable views and perfect photo ops.

It’s a perfect spot to relax, enjoy the calm, and recharge after an active day. If you’re up for it and the weather’s good, you can even take a dip or hike in the surroundings. Definitely a hidden gem for nature lovers and anyone who appreciates tranquility!

Miraki and surroundings

https://youtube.com/shorts/GiKKCcMraW8

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(@rumos)
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Posted by: @eilidh

Hi, what side trips one can do whilst in Samarkand. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We went to the Seven Lakes the other day—took a taxi to the Tajikistan border, crossed quickly, and a guide was waiting for us on the Tajik side. With him, we traveled to the lakes. It turned out to be a really interesting trip: mountains, lakes, local life—when else would we have visited Tajikistan? By the way, the guide was excellent. On the way back, we took a taxi from the border again, and the ride was super cheap—only 100,000 soms to Samarkand. So basically, if you have some free time then have no doubts and do visit Seven Lakes - the trip worth it...

 

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(@rumos)
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Overall, I’d recommend this trip to nature lovers—there’s mountain roads, stunning mountains, and the lakes themselves. The best, in my opinion, is the last one, the 7th lake, which has a nice picnic meadow right before it (bring everything with you, by the way; in Penjikent there’s a market and a teahouse where they prepare food in about half an hour and package it to go). Definitely worth spending a day.

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(@elennika)
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Hello! Whilst we were in Samarkand we visited an incredible place — truly heartwarming. It’s a lavender farm, but it’s so much more than just lavender fields. Every corner is filled with soul and love. The owner himself is very kind and offers lavender tea. We originally planned to stay for an hour but ended up spending 3 to 4 hours without even realizing it.

Lavender blooms in May, so if you’re visiting during that time, definitely go—you won’t regret it. Entrance is 50,000 soms. The farm is practically inside the city.
Here’s the location: https://2gis.ru/samarkand/geo/70000001090128468
They have an Instagram on 2GIS if you want to check it out.

There’s no food available there, so if you bring a small snack, you can enjoy it under the cherry or mulberry trees. Overall, wholeheartedly recommend this place!
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(@travelich)
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It's quite far from Samarkand, but you can definitely make it back in a day. We visited the Jizzakh steppe, where the Kyzylkum Desert begins, in the town of Gagarin, Mirzachul district of Jizzakh region. There’s the only Cosmonautics Museum in all of Uzbekistan there...

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(@everosha)
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Joined: 12 months ago
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Hi, can you give an idea of how much it would cost to have a trip to Seven Lakes?


   
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 YRI
(@yri)
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Posted by: @everosha

Hi, can you give an idea of how much it would cost to have a trip to Seven Lakes?

Should be about $80 to $100 per person if you go from Samarkand. But friends of mine who went said that, yes, it’s beautiful to see, but when it comes to food, they recommend bringing your own – which I think is definitely a downside.

 


   
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(@extozii)
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Hello, could you please tell me how to get from the Registan to Urgut?


   
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 YRI
(@yri)
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Posted by: @extozii

Hello, could you please tell me how to get from the Registan to Urgut?

When you exit the Registan towards the main road (I think it’s Zoological Street), cross the street and turn right. Before you reach the first intersection (about 50 meters), you’ll see taxis lined up along the road from morning till evening. Many of them are literally shouting “Urgut” and will ask where you need to go if you approach them.
Sometimes they hide from the traffic police near the Mujiza restaurant. Just ask any passerby there – within seconds, ten people will gather around you. Pick a car and that’s it.

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