Traditional Activities
Guided Mountain Hike
Immersive Village Experience
Embark on a Hiking Adventure to Unveil Sentob's Scenic Treasures
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.
Highlights of the Tour
Immerse yourself in the heart of local life with warm welcomes and comfortable accommodations in a traditional homestay
Embark on invigorating hikes along well-defined paths that reveal the breathtaking beauty of Sentob village and the Nuratau Mountains
Explore Sentob's rich history through visits to remnants of an ancient fortress, mosques, and architectural wonders
Engage with friendly villagers eager to share stories, customs, and traditions
Discover the allure of Kyzyl-Kum steppe and the serene Lake Aydarkul from elevated viewpoints
Day 1 – Transfer from Bukhara to Sentob Village: 9:00 AM: Meet your driver at the tour’s start point and begin the drive to Sentob village. Arrive by lunchtime and settle into the homestay. Spend the afternoon exploring the village at your own pace, observing local architecture and daily life. Relax with your homestay hosts in the afternoon. Note: the guided tour begins the next day.
Day 2 – Hike to Kadavan Valley or Fazilman Plateau: Choose between a hike to Kadavan Valley (14 km/6.5 hours) or Fazilman Plateau (22 km/10 hours). Along the way, see ancient fortress ruins, a watermill, and medieval Arabic rock inscriptions. Enjoy the valley’s diverse birdlife, flora, and fauna.
Day 3 – Hike from Sentob to Majerum Village: Hike from Sentob to Majerum village along the buffer zone of the Nuratau Nature Reserve (11 km/3.5 hours). Along the route, view the Kyzyl-Kum desert and Lake Aydarkul from a distance. Settle into a homestay in Majerum and visit the gigantic arbor vitae tree in the afternoon.
Day 4 – Transfer from Majerum to Samarkand: After breakfast, depart for your next destination.
END OF THE TRIP
Click the “Itinerary” tab to see a detailed itinerary.
Click the Tabs to Find out More
Trip Details
Trip Details
- Tour Dates: Group departures are available every Friday throughout the year.
- Seasonal Considerations: The optimal seasons for this tour are March – May and September – November.
- Meeting Point and Time: In Bukhara, meet at 8:40 AM at the statue of Nasreddin near Lyabi Hauz Pool. Upon request, small groups (2-3 participants) can be picked up from their hotels. The departure time is 9:00 AM.
- Ending Point: In Samarkand, you will be dropped off at Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum at around 12:00 PM. Upon request, small groups (2-3 participants) can be dropped off at their hotels.
Instructions
To find your driver:
Please be ready near the Khoja Naseriddin statue and look for our driver holding a sign with our company name – NURATAU TRAVEL. For any issues or delays, contact our team using this emergency number: +998 90 2650680 (also WhatsApp).
- Accommodations: 3 night in the local homestays
- Meals: 3 breakfast, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.
- Guided Tours: A local mountain escort guide will accompany you on the hike during Day 2 and 3.
- Transportation: Transfers include:
- From Bukhara to Sentob village.
- From Majerum village to Samarkand.
- Registration: The registration will be issued by the homestay owner, please present your passport upon arrival.
- Personal Expenses: Items of a personal nature.
- Travel Insurance: We want you to have a safe and worry-free adventure, so we kindly ask all participants to have travel insurance. It’s a simple way to ensure you’re protected and can fully enjoy your activities with peace of mind.
- Tips: Tipping is not mandatory but is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for the services provided by guides, drivers, and hosts. A general guideline is €4–€9 per person per day, depending on your satisfaction with the service.
- Homestay Details: You will stay in two different homestays, each offering 4 to 6 traditionally decorated rooms with comfortable beds. Towels and bedding are provided. Communal toilets and showers are conveniently located in the yard. In warmer months, meals are served in the garden on tapchans—traditional wooden sitting platforms—while in cooler periods, dining takes place in the kitchen. The homestays provide UzMobile cellular network coverage.
- Amenities: The homestays offer basic internet access via mobile networks, suitable primarily for checking messages. The gardens feature seating areas, including traditional tapchans and chairs, providing comfortable spots to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
- Cultural Experience: Guests are welcome to join the host family in preparing traditional meals or assisting with daily household chores.
- Transport Details: For groups of 2-3 participants, transportation is provided by an air-conditioned sedan car. For groups of 4 or more, a minibus is used.
- In-Tour Transport: Local drivers for smaller groups will not stay at the homestays, while minibus drivers will remain at the homestays as they are not locals.
- Guide Information: A local mountain guide with basic English proficiency will meet you at 9:00 AM on Day 2&3 to lead the hike.
- Minimum and Maximum Participants: The tour operates with a minimum of 2 participants and a maximum of 12 participants.
- Fitness Level: This tour involves challenging hiking routes on Day 1 (12 km/5 hours or 22 km/10 hours) and Day 2 (11 km/5 hours). Participants should be in good physical condition, as the hikes require endurance, involve significant elevation changes, and demand sustained physical effort. A moderate to high level of fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.
- Age Restrictions: Suitable for individuals aged 18 and above.
- Experience: No prior hiking experience is necessary; however, previous experience with trekking or long walks can be advantageous. Participants accustomed to varied terrain and elevation changes will find the hikes more manageable and enjoyable. Good health and a positive attitude toward outdoor activities are essential.
- Clothing:
- Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November): Layered clothing to accommodate varying temperatures. Pack long-sleeved shirts, a light jacket or sweater for cooler mornings and evenings, and comfortable trousers.
- Summer (June-August): Lightweight, breathable clothing such as cotton or linen shirts and trousers. A wide-brimmed hat or cap is essential for sun protection. Consider bringing a light scarf or shawl for additional coverage.
- Footwear: Comfortable trainer shoes are recommended for exploring the village’s uneven terrain.
- Other Essentials: Ensure you bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle.
- Luggage Transport: Your luggage will be transported by car between villages during the hike, allowing you to focus on enjoying the trail without carrying heavy bags.
- Size and Weight Limits: It is recommended to pack light, with a medium-sized suitcase or backpack being sufficient for the duration of the tour.
Please review our booking terms and cancellation policy by visiting our Terms and Conditions page.
Please click here: https://nuratau.com/terms-conditions/
Your 4-Day Homestay in Sentob & Hiking Tour Itinerary
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.
Note: In spring, when water levels in the river are high, the hiking route may be adjusted for safety.
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.
Map of Sentob Village
Private Tour Enquiry
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.
Not Ready to Let Your Trip Come to an End?
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!
Yurt Stay & Camel Ride near Lake Aydarkul
Price includes:
1 night Yurt stay including all meals and registration
20 minutes of camel riding
A trip by car to Lake Aydarkul
Transport to/ from Yurt Camp
Alexander the Great’s fortress and Holy Spring in Nurata City
Price includes:
Entrance tickets in Nurata city
Transport to/ from Nurata
Petroglyphs in Sarmish Gorge
Price includes:
Entrance tickets to Sarmish Gorge
Transport to/ from Sarmish
