4-Day Sentob Village Homestay & Nuratau Mountains Hike

Get ready to set off on this 4-day hiking tour in Sentob and Majerum to unravel the captivating beauty of this landscape through an assortment of scenic trails. Sentob village emerges as a unique gem within the Nuratau Mountain range, boasting an unparalleled array of hiking opportunities. Spanning an impressive 19 kilometres, the Sentob Valley gracefully extends to the very foothills of the majestic Peak Fazilman.

Throughout this immersive journey, you’ll have the privilege to traverse well-defined paths that lead to vantage points perched among the mountains. These elevated viewpoints grant you sweeping panoramas of the boundless Kyzyl-Kum steppe that unfolds in the distance, along with the serene expanse of Lake Aydarkul. As you ascend and descend, each twist and turn in the trail unveils new facets of the landscape, immersing you in the grandeur of nature’s handiwork. In the summer months, the villagers ascend to the mountain plateau to engage in the age-old practice of cultivating seasonal vegetables. This harmonious relationship between the land and its people adds depth to your experience, offering insight into the delicate balance between traditional livelihoods and the breathtaking surroundings that envelop Sentob village.

By engaging with local families, staying in rustic homestays, and sharing in their daily routines, you foster a positive impact on their livelihoods. Your presence provides a supplementary source of income, supports sustainable practices, and encourages the preservation of cultural heritage. As you delve into the heart of Sentob and Majerum villages, you become an integral part of the fabric that weaves together the past, present, and future of this enchanting mountain community.

Day 1 – Bukhara – Sentob village
At 9:00 am, meet our driver at the tour’s start point and begin driving to Sentob village. Arriving by lunchtime, your host will welcome you and show you the homestay facilities so you can get settled in. Most of the local houses have large fruit tree gardens where the villagers have tapchans under the walnut trees to sit in the summer. Once you’ve settled in you’ll enjoy lunch with your host family. After lunch, wander around the village to see the mosque, ruins of an ancient fortress, and the building style of the local houses. Sentob is one of the few villages where almost all the houses are built in a traditional way using local rocks. Wandering through the village is a fantastic way to see locals doing their traditional livelihood activities. You will meet many friendly villagers who’ll be curious to talk with you. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to chat with your host family and help or observe them in their regular activities, including the dinner preparation in which you may participate or simply watch.

Day 2 – Sentob village  – Kadvan or Fazilman hike
After breakfast, your local mountain guide will lead you on a full-day hike, with two route options: Kadvan Valley (14 km / 6.5-7 hours round trip) or Fazilman Plateau (22 km / 10 hours). Start by hiking up Sentob Valley, passing an old watermill, the ruins of an ancient fortress, and rock inscriptions in Arabic. The trail follows a clear mountain stream with small waterfalls, lush vegetation, and natural pools for swimming. A picnic lunch will be provided by the homestay.
The valley offers excellent bird-watching opportunities and rich plant diversity. Bird species commonly spotted here include the Spotted Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Mistle Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Persian Nuthatch, Blue Rock-Thrush, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Laughing Dove, Common Nightingale, Eurasian Magpie, Chukar, and occasionally, an owl species.
For the Kadvan hike, you’ll return via the same route through Sentob Valley. The return from the Fazilman hike follows the Saridash ridge.

Day 3 – Sentob – Majerum
After breakfast with your host family, meet your mountain guide for a scenic hike to the neighboring village of Majerum (11 km / 3.5-4 hours). The trail leads through the buffer zone of the Nuratau Nature Reserve, offering views of diverse landscapes and local wildlife. Upon arrival, settle into Muhammad Ali’s homestay, hosted by Mr. Qoldosh and Ms. Muhabbat Mirzaeva, local farmers who grow a variety of fruits. In the afternoon, join your guide for a two-hour hike into the nature reserve to visit the legendary arbor vitae tree. Believed to have been planted by soldiers of Alexander the Great during his campaign in Central Asia, this ancient tree and the nearby mosque are revered as sites of local pilgrimage.
Return to your homestay for a hearty dinner with your host family, sharing stories of the day’s journey and experiencing warm local hospitality.

Day 4 – Majerum –  Samarkand
After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and transfer back 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 Sentob Hiking Tour with further cultural and historical exploration. Check out these extension trips to add an extra “check” to your Uzbekistan holiday wish list!