Uzbekistan — a land in the heart of Central Asia — is still a relatively undiscovered destination for many travelers. Yet those who have ventured here once are inevitably drawn back, eager to rediscover this true jewel of the East again and again.
The tourist season in Uzbekistan lasts practically all year round, for every season brings with it its own palette of wonders. The country welcomes visitors warmly — especially travelers from CIS nations — and its well-developed transport network allows you to move between cities swiftly and comfortably.
Many people assume that Uzbekistan’s main attractions are limited to its grand palaces, mosques, madrassahs, and monuments concentrated in the major cities. But this country is full of surprises. Beyond the famed skylines of Samarkand and Bukhara lie natural and historical marvels that few outsiders — and even fewer locals — have ever seen.
With Shahina Travel, you can choose not only classic group tours along Uzbekistan’s most popular routes but also journeys off the beaten path — to places where you can capture truly unique photographs and collect unforgettable impressions.
A paradise for lovers of wild, untamed nature and extreme adventure. The road to this remote wonder passes through the dramatic Derbent Gorge, a landscape of raw cliffs and echoing canyons. Traveling here without a guide or proper equipment is not recommended — the terrain demands respect. But once you reach the mountain summits, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking panorama that seems to stretch into eternity.
Hidden in the Khamkan Tract, this extraordinary lake is believed by scientists to have been formed by a meteorite impact. Its origins are extraterrestrial, and so is its unique water composition. The lake’s calm, mirrorlike surface and mysterious energy make it a destination unlike any other in Central Asia — a silent reminder of the cosmic forces that shaped our planet.
Located at the edge of the Kyzylkum Desert, Sarmysh Gorge enchants visitors with its ancient volcanic formations, stone terraces, and natural arches sculpted by time and wind. Yet its greatest treasure lies within its rocky walls — Neolithic petroglyphs, etched thousands of years ago. Here, among the ocher cliffs, you can trace the outlines of hunters, animals, and ancient symbols, connecting with a civilization that once thrived in these sunburnt lands.
In the valley of the Urungach River lie two emerald lakes — the Lower and the Upper Urungach — both shimmering in astonishing shades of turquoise. Nestled within the Ugamsky-Chatkal National Park, this untouched corner of nature feels like a world apart. Depending on the season, the water level rises and falls, leaving visible marks on the opposite rocky shore — a living rhythm of time and earth.
Few people know that Uzbekistan has its own pyramids, estimated to be around 2,700 years old. Their discovery has profoundly changed historians’ understanding of early civilizations. These mysterious structures are hidden in the mountain gorges of the Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions, and in both shape and dimension, they closely resemble the Nubian pyramids near Egypt. To stand before them is to confront history’s enigmas face to face — tangible proof that the ancient world was far more interconnected than we once believed.
This ancient settlement, dating back to the 4th century AD, was unearthed in 1938 during excavations near Khorezm. Once a vital trading post along the Great Silk Road, today it lies mostly in ruins — though the echoes of its former grandeur still linger in the air. Historians believe it once served as a defensive outpost guarding the borders of ancient Khorezm. The name “Kyrk-Kyz” translates as “Forty Maidens,” a tribute to the legendary warrior women who, according to myth, defended the fortress with unmatched courage. Scattered across the site are also ancient Zoroastrian burial grounds, preserved in full accordance with the sacred rites of that era.
