4-Day Hiking Tour of Hayat, Uhum & Asraf With Village Homestays

Embark on an exhilarating hiking tour that leads you through the captivating Hayat and Asraf villages, where the highlight includes a heartwarming visit to the Severtzov’s wild sheep (Ovis Ammon Severtzovi) breeding enclosure, a sanctuary for this remarkable endangered breed. Astonishingly, around 90% of the global population of these endangered wild sheep thrives within the embrace of the Nuratau Mountains, underlining the incredible international significance of this region.

But that’s not all – this adventure is a gateway to immerse yourself in the authenticity of rural life. Discover the cherished Hayat, Uhum, Asraf, and Eski Forish villages as you take on a medium difficulty hiking program that promises unforgettable landscapes and cultural interactions. The cherry on top? Your accommodations during this journey are hosted by three welcoming rural families, ensuring a truly genuine experience.

By embarking on this trip, you’re not just exploring the stunning landscapes and wildlife of the Nuratau Mountains. You’re also making a positive impact on the local community. Your stay with these rural families provides them with valuable income, supporting their way of life and fostering a deeper connection between travellers and locals. Your journey goes beyond the adventure; it’s an opportunity to leave a positive footprint in these treasured lands.

Day 1 – Bukhara – Hayat village
At 9:00 am, meet our driver at the tour’s start point and begin driving to Hayat village. Arriving by lunchtime, your host will welcome you and show you the homestay facilities so you can get settled in. This homestay has six separate guestrooms, furnished with carpets, kupacha mattresses, and pillows. The owner of the homestay, Parda Musaev, works as a warden in the Nature Reserve.

After lunch, start an excursion through the village and visit the nearby breeding enclosure of the highly endangered Severtsov’s wild sheep. According to official statistics, approximately 2000 wild sheep are outside the enclosure in the Nuratau Mountains valleys. Continue walking up to the ruins of the local fortress Shaxi Korgon situated on the hill opposite the enclosure. From the top of the hill, you’ll see many abandoned houses that belonged to the families who were forced to resettle in the 1950s by the Soviet Government to cotton-growing areas. Continue hiking up Hayat Valley, to observe the diverse flora and fauna of the region and admire the lush green landscape (particularly in spring).

Return to the homestay and take a rest in the huge shady garden along the mountain brook on tapchans or benches. In the evening, you’ll have dinner with your host family.

Day 2 – Hayat-Uhum village
After breakfast, meet your mountain guide to hike to Uhum village (Upper Ukhum 12km). Your hike starts through Guzar and the Sari Bedak passes to the Upper Ukhum village (5,4km /3,5 hours – one way). The luggage will be transported by donkeys to the next homestay. From the pass, you will have a beautiful view of the peak Karaul and Hayat village. Hiking up through Uhum Valley, you’ll see local women baking bread in the tandir oven and doing other household chores. Women in the village are still spinning, weaving carpets, or making kurpacha mattresses. Many people will welcome you to enter their yards so you can observe them undertaking their daily activities. In the Upper Ukhum village, you can see the ancient irrigation channels still used by the local farmers, and visit the historical petroglyph site showing traces of ancient settlement in the area.

A picnic lunch will be provided for you en route. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive and settle into Ulugbek’s homestay in Uhum village, and enjoy a dinner with the family later on.

Day 3 – Uhum – Asraf
After breakfast with the family, prepare for your hike to your next homestay in Asraf village. You’ll be guided by your mountain escort while a donkey transports your luggage. Your hike sets off through Ukhum Valley to Asraf village (11 km-4,5 hours). When you reach the school, you’ll take a left turn and continue walking down through the valley (approx 1 km) to reach the old community Watermill. The old watermill is still in operation and uses a hydro pump that lifts water up to a local house without using electricity. The owner, Bakhrom Kasimov, will proudly demonstrate the use of these old devices to you. Continue walking down Mushibirion Valley and turn right at the ruins of the old Mongol fortress “Qorgoni Honkeldi”. To get to Asraf village you still have to hike another 3,5 km to the east.

Upon arrival at Asraf village, you will be welcomed by your host and shown the homestay facilities, followed by lunch with the family. After lunch, relax on the tapchans under huge walnut trees and get to know your host family. In the evening, you may wander around the village watching people doing their daily chores or help the family prepare the traditional dish Plov from homegrown vegetables and mountain spices.

Day 4 – Asraf – Samarkand
After breakfast with the family, embark on a guided hike that takes you along the buffer zone of the Nuratau Nature Reserve to the next Nuratau Mountain village Eski Forish (return trip 11 km/5 hours). On this morning excursion, you’ll marvel at the great view of Lake Aydar and the vast plains of the Kyzylkum steppe. During your hike, see the ancient petroglyphs and visit the ruins of a mediaeval look-out point in Eski Forish which was used to observe the Kyzyl-Kum plains to avoid the sudden attacks of the steppe nomads.

Return to Asraf village to have lunch with your host family and say goodbye before returning to Samarkand.

All our tours are available as private tours, the private tours can depart from Samarkand or Bukhara. To request private tour departure dates you can send us an enquiry here. Please fill in your details and select your preferred hiking tour in the form below and we will get back to you with available departure dates.

Why not make it longer? We have more exciting activities in store for you! Extend your 4-Day Hiking Tour of Hayat, Uhum & Asraf with further cultural and historical exploration. Check out these extension trips to add an extra “check” to your Uzbekistan holiday wish list!