Kashkadarya (Shahrisabz)

Why visit

Shahrisabz was Amir Timur's home town, and the surviving portal of his Ak-Saray palace still stands 38 metres high. The historic centre is UNESCO-listed, and the surrounding Kashkadarya region adds mountain villages, Sufi shrines and some of the country's best autumn fruit.

Tour Highlights

• ✦ Ak-Saray Palace ruins
• ✦ Dorus Saodat & Dorut Tilavat complexes
• ✦ Kok Gumbaz Mosque
• ✦ Chiroqchi nature
• ✦ Timurid history

What you can do

Stand under the Ak-Saray portal, visit the Dorut Tilovat and Dorus Siadat complexes, cross the Takhtakaracha pass for the views, and continue to the villages around Kitab and Shahrisabz for orchards and stone-built houses.

Where to stay

Shahrisabz has small hotels near the historic centre; many visitors come as a day trip from Samarkand. Village homestays operate seasonally around Kitab.

Food

Tandoor lamb, thick regional non and autumn pomegranates. Village households will prepare vegetarian meals from their own gardens if asked a day ahead.

How to get there

Shahrisabz is about 90 minutes by road from Samarkand over the Takhtakaracha pass. Karshi, the regional capital, has an airport and is on the Tashkent-Termez railway.

When to visit

April to early June and September to October. Spring in the Kashkadarya foothills is the greenest season in southern Uzbekistan.

Transport

Private car or shared taxi from Samarkand over the pass; trains serve Karshi rather than Shahrisabz itself.

Practical information

The historic centre was heavily rebuilt in 2015-2016, and the surroundings of Ak-Saray are now open park. Bring cash: card acceptance outside Karshi is limited.

Safety

Safe. The pass road has tight bends and can be icy from December to February.

Related experiences

Frequently asked questions