Shahrisabz (Uzbekistan) Travel Guide: UNESCO Sights, Itineraries & the Mountain Pass
Shahrisabz 🇺🇿 — what to see in 1 day, how to get from Samarkand, and road tips for the mountain pass
Updated: 27 January 2026 • Kashkadarya Region • UNESCO • an easy day trip from Samarkand
Shahrisabz (historical name — Kesh) is one of Uzbekistan’s key cities on the Timurid route. Its historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most travelers visit it as a Shahrisabz day trip from Samarkand, but you can expand the plan with mountain viewpoints on the road via the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass.
This guide is strictly practical: how to get Samarkand → Shahrisabz (including vehicle restrictions on the pass), what to see in the city, which itineraries work for 1–2 days, where it makes sense to stay, and what to eat from Kashkadarya cuisine (including tandyr gosht) on the mountain-pass road.
Shahrisabz in 10 seconds: why go
This is a historic city linked to Amir Timur (Tamerlane). The main monuments are compact, so it’s easy to build a one-day tour. The road from Samarkand can go via a mountain pass — the most scenic option for cars and small vehicles.
Ideal format: depart Samarkand in the morning, explore Shahrisabz, return in the evening — or continue the route toward Karshi / Bukhara.
Where is Shahrisabz and why it matters
Shahrisabz is located in southern Uzbekistan, in the Kashkadarya Region. Historically, the city is known as Kesh — the area closely linked to the biography of Amir Timur (Tamerlane).
For travelers, Shahrisabz is valuable because the main monuments are concentrated in a compact area: you can build a logical route without unnecessary transfers. That makes it perfect for a “Shahrisabz in 1 day” format, especially if you are already in Samarkand .
On maps and in navigation you will often see the spellings Shahrisabz and Shakhrisabz — it’s the same place. If you need a Shahrisabz map, the simplest option is to open the city in Google Maps.
Quick answers
Where is Shahrisabz?
In Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya Region, south of Samarkand.
How much time do you need?
The main sights are realistic in one full day.
Can you visit without an overnight stay?
Yes. Most people do it as a day trip from Samarkand.
How to get to Shahrisabz
The key logistics are built around the Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz connection. There are two road scenarios: via the mountain pass (beautiful, but with vehicle restrictions) and via the bypass road (longer, but suitable for larger transport). There is also a practical option via Karshi (train + transfer).
Driving distances and times (no stops)
- Shahrisbaz → Samarkand via M-39 (Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass): 92 km, about 1 hr 55 min.
- Shahrisabz → Samarkand via R-84 (bypass road): 155 km, about 2 hr 53 min.
- Shahrisabz → Bukhara via A-380: 272 km, about 4 hr 48 min.
To book a transfer, visit https://www.caj.uz/en/transfers/item.
Samarkand → Shahrisabz via the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass
This is the shortest and most scenic way: mountain panoramas, winding roads, stops at viewpoints. Time-wise it is often faster than the bypass (in normal weather and with light traffic).
Without stops: 92 km, about 1 hr 55 min via M‑39 (Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass).
- Best for: cars (sedan/SUV) and small minivans.
- Vehicle restriction: the pass is typically used by cars and small minivans / micro vehicles up to 5 seats. Larger minibuses and coaches usually go via a different road.
- Seasonality: in winter and in bad weather the mountain sections can be more challenging; sometimes the pass is temporarily restricted/closed due to snow and visibility.
If you specifically plan the “Samarkand to Shahrisabz” route via the pass, leave a time buffer and choose an experienced driver for mountain roads.
Samarkand → Shahrisabz via the bypass road (for larger transport)
This option is used when the group travels by minibus/coach or when the pass is inconvenient due to weather. The road is longer, but logistics are more stable for bigger groups and luggage.
Without stops: 155 km, about 2 hr 53 min via R‑84.
- Best for: minibuses, coaches, groups with lots of luggage.
- Plus: predictability for organized tours.
- Minus: usually longer than going via the pass.
In organized programs, we choose the route (pass or bypass) based on the vehicle type and season.
What you can see on the pass road (and why travelers love it)
- Aman-Kutan Gorge (Amankutan): a scenic mountain gorge on the northern slopes of the Zarafshan Range, also known as an archaeological site — a Middle Paleolithic cave habitation. It’s a real “meaningful stop” on the Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz road if you want the drive to be part of the experience.
- Viewpoints and mountain panoramas: the pass is not just a “short road”, it’s a visually strong segment for photos.
- Food on the pass: along the road there are roadside teahouses/cafés where they often cook Kashkadarya tandyr gosht — meat baked in a clay oven (tandoor). It’s one of the best-known regional dishes of Kashkadarya, and many travelers plan a stop specifically “for tandyr”.
Important for groups: how to manage the pass if a coach cannot go
If a group travels on large transport (minibus/coach) but still wants to cover the most scenic pass segment, the practical solution is a split-logistics scheme:
- The group arrives in Shahrisabz / departs from Shahrisabz by larger transport and does the city tour.
- For the pass segment, passengers switch to cars/small minivans (based on capacity).
- Luggage stays in the larger vehicle, which goes via the bypass road.
- In Samarkand (or in Shahrisabz if the route is reversed), the group meets the luggage again at the hotel/arrival point.
This way you combine “the beautiful road” with “correct logistics” without risking the schedule.
Train + transfer via Karshi
Shahrisabz itself is not typically used as a major rail hub for travelers. A practical option is to take a train to Karshi, then continue by car to Shahrisabz.
Uzbekistan train schedules and tickets: Uzbekistan train schedules .
Booking a transfer (Karshi ↔ Shahrisabz) in advance: Transfers in Uzbekistan .
Road routes from other cities
- Tashkent → Samarkand → Shahrisabz: a convenient scenario for a classic Uzbekistan itinerary.
- Bukhara → Karshi → Shahrisabz: a logical chain if you continue your trip to the south.
- Shahrisabz → Bukhara: about 272 km, about 4 hr 48 min (without stops) via A‑380.
- Shahrisabz → Samarkand: you can go via the pass (if your vehicle fits) or via the bypass road (for larger transport).
If you plan a combined itinerary around the country, see: Uzbekistan tours and Cities of Uzbekistan .
Can you travel Samarkand → Shahrisabz by bus via the pass?
Usually not: the mountain segment is primarily for cars and small minivans. Minibuses/coaches usually use the bypass road or a “luggage separately + passengers switch to cars for the pass” scheme.
Why Shahrisabz belongs in your Uzbekistan itinerary
Shahrisabz is not just an “extra stop” — it’s a standalone historic centre, and it complements Samarkand by completing the Timurid story. Below are the reasons why it consistently appears in strong cultural routes across Uzbekistan.
1) Connected to Amir Timur (Tamerlane)
Shahrisabz (Kesh) is directly connected to the biography of Amir Timur. That explains the scale of monuments and the city’s place in national historical memory.
2) UNESCO World Heritage
The historic centre of Shahrisabz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For travelers, it’s one of the key cultural “must-see” markers in Uzbekistan.
3) Compact for a 1-day tour
The main complexes are close to each other, so you spend time on content, not on transfers.
4) A strong contrast to Samarkand
Samarkand is the imperial showcase; Shahrisabz is the personal and “dynastic” side of the era. Together they make the region easier to understand.
5) The pass road as part of the experience
The Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass turns the transfer into a memorable episode: mountains, stops, Aman-Kutan, and local food.
6) Kashkadarya cuisine
Regional dishes (including tandyr gosht) are a separate advantage. Even a short day trip becomes “tasty”.
How many days do you need in Shahrisabz?
The core monuments are realistic in 1 day. If you add mountain stops / the pass road with viewpoints, or prefer a slower pace — plan 2 days.
What to see in Shahrisabz (top sights)
Shahrisabz attractions are primarily Timurid-era monuments, and they form the core of a city tour. The city has several major ensembles that are easy to visit as a sequential route.
Ak‑Saray (Oqsaroy / Ak Saray) — Amir Timur’s palace
Ak‑Saray is one of Shahrisabz’s most recognizable symbols. Today you can see the remains of the giant portal and the palace complex ruins. It’s the place where most routes start.
Dor‑us Saodat — memorial complex
Dor‑us Saodat is one of Shahrisabz’s central memorial ensembles. In a guided-tour logic, it’s the best place to explain the city’s link to Timurid tradition and memorial architecture of the region.
Dor‑ut Tilovat — religious ensemble
Dor‑ut Tilovat is a key religious ensemble of the city, usually visited together with other central monuments. In the route structure, it is the “second anchor point” after Ak‑Saray.
Kok‑Gumbaz Mosque and other central monuments
Kok‑Gumbaz (the mosque with the blue dome) and nearby sites are part of the standard historic-centre route. Tours are usually planned so you cover the whole centre without unnecessary detours.
UNESCO and Shahrisabz
The historic centre of Shahrisabz was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (year of inscription — 2000).
Since 2016, the site has been listed as World Heritage in Danger.
For travelers, the practical meaning is simple:
you visit a place of global significance where correct routing and respect for site rules matter.
If you build an itinerary “by meaning”, Shahrisabz naturally complements Samarkand. General country context: Uzbekistan overview .
What are the must-see sights in Shahrisabz in one day?
Basic set: Ak‑Saray, one memorial complex (Dor‑us Saodat), the religious ensemble (Dor‑ut Tilovat), and a walk through the historic centre.
What to see near Shahrisabz: standout places in the Kashkadarya Region
If Shahrisabz is already in your itinerary, it’s logical to expand within the same region:
add petroglyphs, shrines, mountain villages and astro tourism.
Below are key Kashkadarya locations that can realistically be used in 2–4 day programs.
Distances and budgets are approximate values from Shahrisabz (on the road).
Transport cost is shown per car (sedan) round trip and depends on season, road condition, and waiting time.
SiyPantosh Monument (Chirakchi District) — petroglyphs and ochre paintings
- Where: near the village of Kuruksoy (Chirakchi District, Kashkadarya), on the right side of the stream.
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 40 km (round trip ≈ 80 km).
- Car round trip: $40 – $70 (sedan).
- What it is: a prehistoric art site — petroglyphs, inscriptions and symbols on stones.
- Landscape: the western side of the stream has large arched stones (grottoes) and boulders (mostly sandstone); the arches were formed by natural erosion, and surfaces were painted by ancient authors.
- Discovery: 2001; R. Kh. Suleimanov identified the petroglyphs and documented 6 terraced stones.
- Key features: mostly geometric motifs and red ochre; series of 28–30 dots/strokes, arrow-like symbols, handprints, and rare signs occur.
- Finds in 2021–2022: ochre paintings on the 7th and 8th arches (including two wild bulls, human and female figures, handprints, geometric and cosmological symbols); new images near the Akbulok waterfall (people, animals, bows and arrows, geometric signs), including a “claw” motif in red ochre.
Hazrat Sultan Mountain and shrine (Kitab District) — pilgrimage and highlands
- Where: north-east of Kitab District, at the junction of the Zarafshan and Hissar ranges.
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 100–120 km to the access point (round trip ≈ 200–240 km).
- Car round trip: $140 – $220 (sedan; in the mountains the price depends on road/season and time on site).
- Elevation: 4,135 m above sea level.
- Local status: a local shrine; common names include “Kuhi tavba” / “Kohi tauba”.
- Tradition: a pilgrimage place with historical narratives and local legends.
- Visiting season: 20 July – 20 August — a period often chosen because it’s cooler in the mountains.
Gilan village (Shahrisabz District) — a mountain village and summer coolness
- Where: high-mountain zone of the Hissar Range (Shahrisabz District).
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 80 km (round trip ≈ 160 km).
- Car round trip: $100 – $160 (sedan; mountain road + total travel time).
- Driving time: usually 2–3 hours one way (depending on season and road conditions).
- Elevation: 1,800–2,000 m above sea level (above the Gisorak Reservoir).
- Summer: around +25°C.
- Economy and lifestyle: horticulture/farming/livestock; apples, cherries, raspberries, pears, walnuts.
- Tourism format: in summer, accommodation in homes and guesthouses; there are home museums of crafts and paintings.
Miraki — eco-tourism zone and a “tourist village”
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 35 km (round trip ≈ 70 km).
- Car round trip: $40 – $80 (sedan).
- Status: a tourist village since 2024.
- Concept: eco-tourism — nature, local culture and cuisine.
- Accommodation: houses and hotels built from eco materials.
Beshtarak (Kamashi District) — a mountain spring and a local legend
- Where: about 56 km from Kamashi District, the village of Chit (MFY Katta Ura), near the Maidanak peak (Hissar Range).
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 70–90 km (round trip ≈ 140–180 km).
- Car round trip: $90 – $170 (sedan; mountain road).
- Nature: mountain landscape, juniper, a spring with long-term flow.
- Legend: five girls who turned into five poplar trees (origin of the name “Beshtarak”).
- Water composition: minerals, high iodine content, calcium and magnesium (according to laboratory studies).
Maidanak (Kamashi): observatory + mountain eco-tourism
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 45 km (round trip ≈ 90 km).
- Car round trip: $50 – $100 (sedan).
- Maidanak Observatory: opened in 1970; elevation 2,650 m.
- Telescope: the largest 1.5 m telescope in Central Asia.
- Institution: Astronomical Institute named after Mirzo Ulugbek.
- Mountain recreation: Katta Ura river, mountain villages; in summer (especially July) many visitors come, nights are cool, accommodation is possible in yurts.
- Scientific results: more than 80 asteroids and 4 comets; territory about 40 hectares.
Tatar village (Yakkabog District) — 100 m waterfall, river and a cave
- Where: mountain zone of Yakkabog District, near the border with Tajikistan.
- Distance from Shahrisabz: ≈ 70–110 km (round trip ≈ 140–220 km).
- Car round trip: $100 – $200 (sedan; depends on route point, road and season).
- Structure: includes 10 small villages.
- Main feature: a waterfall about 100 m high, roughly 2 km upstream along the river.
- Nearby: medicinal plants and a cave in the waterfall area.
What else to see in Kashkadarya Region besides Shahrisabz?
To extend the program, travelers most often add: SiyPantosh petroglyphs (≈40 km), the Miraki eco-zone (≈35 km), the mountain village Gilan (≈80 km), Maidanak (observatory + mountain recreation, ≈45 km), and other nature sites and shrines in Kashkadarya’s mountain districts (depending on season and road conditions).
Shahrisabz itineraries: 1–2 days without rushing
Planning Shahrisabz is simpler than it looks: monuments are compact, and the main logistics are the road to/from Samarkand. Below are two scenarios that work well in real itineraries.
Shahrisabz in 1 day (classic sightseeing)
Morning: depart Samarkand, drive (pass or bypass), arrive in Shahrisabz.
Day: core ensembles of the historic centre — Ak‑Saray, memorial and religious complexes. Short breaks for water/tea and lunch.
Evening: return to Samarkand or continue further (depending on the program).
This scenario is optimal if Shahrisabz is part of a classic Uzbekistan route.
Shahrisabz in 2 days (with the pass and stops)
Day 1: extended city tour at a comfortable pace (without “rushing through”).
Day 2: drive via the pass with stops: viewpoints, Aman‑Kutan, and a roadside lunch with tandyr gosht (optional).
This format is for travelers who want the road to be part of the trip, not just transportation.
Which itinerary should you choose?
If your goal is “the highlights” with a steady pace — choose 1 day.
If you enjoy scenic roads and mountain stops — choose 2 days.
For combined programs across Uzbekistan, it’s easiest to explore ready-made options: Guaranteed tours in Uzbekistan .
Shahrisabz map and a logical walking loop
Shahrisabz’s historic centre is structured so a tour can be built as a “loop”: you visit key ensembles in sequence and return to the central area without unnecessary backtracking.
Practical visiting logic:
- Anchor point 1: the Ak‑Saray area and central squares.
- Anchor point 2: memorial and religious complexes in the historic centre.
- Finish: a relaxed walk, photos, and return to your vehicle.
For navigation, it’s enough to open the city on a map: useful for taxi pickup, meeting a driver, and for independent walking.
Open Shahrisabz in Google MapsDo you need a map for visiting Shahrisabz?
For an organized tour — minimally, because your guide builds the route. For an independent trip, a map helps with parking, entrances, and timing.
Practical tips before you go
Shahrisabz is a calm city focused on cultural tourism. Practical nuances are mainly about the season (heat/coolness) and the road (pass/bypass).
Best time to visit
The most comfortable periods are spring and autumn. Summer can be hot, so sightseeing works better in the morning/evening. Seasonal overview: Uzbekistan climate .
Clothing and visiting monuments
Comfortable shoes are essential. When visiting religious sites, follow a modest dress code: shoulders and knees covered.
Language
The state language is Uzbek. In tourist environments and cities, Russian is often understood. For international travelers, it helps to know the spellings Shahrisabz / Shakhrisabz used in navigation.
Money and payments
It’s convenient to have both a card and some cash for small expenses. Entrance tickets and services may be paid in different ways — it’s best to confirm on site.
Internet and navigation
In the city, coverage is usually more stable than in the mountains. If you go via the pass, download an offline map in advance.
Pace
Shahrisabz is best without rushing. Leave buffer time for photos and lunch — especially if you do “the pass road with stops”.
Road tip:
If you plan the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass route,
mornings are usually easier (light, temperature, less fatigue),
and a tandyr gosht stop fits well on the way back or around lunchtime.
In bad weather, keep a fallback scenario via the bypass road — especially for groups.
Shahrisabz trip budget: what your costs consist of
The cost depends not so much on the city itself, but on the format: an independent day trip, a private tour with a guide, or including Shahrisabz in a larger Uzbekistan itinerary.
Transport
- Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz transfer (pass/bypass)
- via Karshi (train + car)
- for groups — luggage + passenger split logistics (if you want the pass)
Tour and tickets
- guide services (on request)
- entrance tickets to sites
- possible photo/video rules at some locations
Food and personal expenses
- lunch in the city or on the road
- a pass-road stop (for example, “for tandyr gosht”)
- souvenirs and small purchases
The clearest way to “fix” the budget is to assemble logistics in advance: transport + tour + timing. For this, people typically use: Transfers in Uzbekistan and curated Uzbekistan tours.
Where to stay: overnight in Shahrisabz or base in Samarkand
Accommodation depends on your format. Most travelers stay in Samarkand and visit Shahrisabz as a day trip. But if you plan a 2-day itinerary, an overnight stay in Shahrisabz can be convenient.
Base in Samarkand
The most popular option: more hotels and restaurants, and easier logistics for a classic route. Base guide: Samarkand travel guide .
Overnight in Shahrisabz
Works if you want to explore the centre calmly and add mountain stops / the pass without a strict same-day return.
Route via Karshi
If logistics are tied to trains/flights, sometimes it’s easier to build the chain via Karshi. Then accommodation is planned around the schedule.
Food in Shahrisabz and on the mountain-pass road
Kashkadarya cuisine is meat-based, rich, and “road-friendly”: many dishes fit perfectly for a stop in transit. If you drive via the pass, food can become a deliberate “feature” of the day.
Tandyr gosht (Kashkadarya)
Tandyr gosht is meat baked in a tandoor (clay oven). In Kashkadarya, it’s one of the most recognizable regional dishes, and on the pass road you often find places that cook it “for a roadside stop”.
Lunch in the city
In Shahrisabz, lunch is usually planned mid-tour to keep the pace comfortable. For private programs, we choose the place based on route and timing.
Roadside teahouse format
In mountain sections, short stops work well: tea, water, a hot dish. It helps avoid fatigue on the road, especially in the hot season.
When is it best to plan a “tandyr” stop?
Usually closer to lunchtime. If you depart Samarkand in the morning for Shahrisabz, you can have lunch after sightseeing on the way back via the pass (or the opposite, if you return to Samarkand later).
Transfers: Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz, Karshi ↔ Shahrisabz
Local logistics in Shahrisabz are simple, but intercity transport is the key point. That’s why it’s best to plan transfers in advance, especially if your time is limited or you travel as a group.
Samarkand ↔ Shahrisabz
Two road variants: via the pass (for cars/small vehicles) or via the bypass road (for larger transport). In private programs, we select the road based on season and group profile.
Book transport here: Transfers in Uzbekistan .
Karshi ↔ Shahrisabz
This is a working scenario for “train + car”. It’s convenient when your itinerary is synchronized with train schedules.
Train schedules: Uzbekistan train schedules .
For bigger itineraries, it’s convenient to look at country combinations right away: Top Uzbekistan tour with guaranteed dates — an example program where logistics are pre-calculated.
Shopping and souvenirs in Shahrisabz
Shopping in Shahrisabz is usually an addition to sightseeing: small stalls and souvenir points appear along the way between monuments. Remember that your main resource here is time: don’t overload the day with shopping if you do “1 day from Samarkand”.
What people usually buy
- Timurid-themed souvenirs
- textiles and small embroidery
- sweets, dried fruits (in season)
- magnets and “on-the-road” gifts
How to plan time
If you return via the pass, it’s better to leave shopping for the second half of the day so you don’t carry bags through every site.
Payments
In small stalls, cash can be more convenient. For larger payments, it’s best to confirm the method on site.
Traveler tips: how to make the trip a 10/10
Shahrisabz becomes great when you tune three things correctly: departure time, the road and tour pace. Below are practical recommendations that actually affect the day’s quality.
Leave early
If you start from Samarkand, an early departure gives buffer for stops (Aman‑Kutan, viewpoints, lunch) and reduces the risk of “chasing the schedule”.
Treat the drive as part of the itinerary
If your vehicle fits, choose the pass: you get the city, the mountains, and “roadside food” in one day.
Leave buffer time
Don’t schedule the day “tight” before a train/flight. The pass road and stops add value, but require time.
What is the most common disappointment?
When people try to “squeeze” Shahrisabz between other tasks and leave too late. The best result comes from clear timing: morning departure → sightseeing → lunch → return drive (or continue the route).
Tours and excursions to Shahrisabz
For Shahrisabz, travelers most often choose two formats: a one-day tour from Samarkand or including the city in a multi-day Uzbekistan itinerary. Below is the decision logic without fluff.
One-day tour from Samarkand
Best if you stay in Samarkand and want to add another strong historic city. In this format, choosing the road correctly (pass or bypass) is essential.
Planning base: Samarkand (guide) .
Combined Uzbekistan tours
If you travel around the country, Shahrisabz fits naturally next to Samarkand and Bukhara. In such programs, roads, timing, hotels and transport are pre-calculated.
Program collections: Uzbekistan tours • Guaranteed tours.
Useful links to tours and excursions:
Why CAJ is convenient for a Shahrisabz trip
CAJ (Central Asia Journeys) has worked in tourism since 1996 and builds routes in Uzbekistan so the trip remains predictable in timing and logistics. For Shahrisabz this matters especially because of the road choice (pass/bypass) and group format.
Local logistics
We select transport for the route in advance: if you want the pass — we choose the correct vehicle type; if the group is large — we plan the bypass or split luggage/passenger logistics.
Transparent program
In a well-built itinerary, it’s clear in advance: when you depart, where you have lunch, how much time on sites, and how you return. That is what makes the day “10/10”.
More about the company: About us .
Uzbekistan routes where Shahrisabz fits perfectly
Shahrisabz is rarely visited “on its own”. Most often, it’s a logical upgrade to a route through Uzbekistan’s historic cities.
Classic route
Tashkent → Samarkand → Shahrisabz → Bukhara
Clear logic: capital → Silk Road masterpiece → Timurid “birthplace city” → spiritual centre.
Extended route with the west of the country
… → Bukhara → Khiva
If you want to see different historical regions, add Khorezm: Khiva.
Full list of directions and cities: Cities of Uzbekistan.
Where to go after Shahrisabz
After Shahrisabz, travelers usually continue along the classic trajectory or return to Samarkand.
Continue the itinerary:
- Samarkand — Silk Road architecture capital
- Bukhara — spiritual and trading centre
- Tashkent — capital and main transport hub
- Khiva — open-air museum city
- Guaranteed tours — if you want fixed dates and ready logistics
Frequently asked questions about Shahrisabz
These questions are most often asked when planning a day trip and the mountain pass road.
How many days do you need in Shahrisabz?
The main monuments of Shahrisabz's historic centre can usually be covered in one full day. If you want stops on the pass road (for example, Aman-Kutan) and a slower pace, plan 2 days.
How far is Shahrisabz from Samarkand and how long is the drive?
Without stops, Samarkand → Shahrisabz via M-39 (Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass) is about 92 km and about 1 hr 55 min. The bypass road via R-84 is about 155 km and about 2 hr 53 min.
What is the best way to travel Samarkand → Shahrisabz: pass or bypass?
If you travel by car/small minivan and the weather is normal, the pass is the most scenic and often the shorter road. For minibuses/coaches, the bypass road is used more often.
Is it true that only cars and minivans up to 5 seats can go over the pass?
In practice, the Kitab / Takhtakaracha Pass is used mostly by cars and small minivans up to 5 seats. Larger transport usually chooses the bypass. For big groups, a split scheme is used: passengers go over the pass by cars, luggage goes via the bypass.
What can you see on the way via the pass?
The most popular drive-as-an-experience elements are viewpoint stops and a stop near Aman-Kutan Gorge. Many travelers also make a food stop for Kashkadarya tandyr gosht.
Where is the best place to try Kashkadarya tandyr gosht?
Often at roadside places along the pass road. It fits the timing (lunch) and the day's logic (a stop on the drive).
Is Shahrisabz a UNESCO site?
Yes. Shahrisabz's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2000).
How far is Shahrisabz from Bukhara by road?
Without stops, Shahrisabz → Bukhara is about 272 km and about 4 hr 48 min via A-380.
Where can I book a transfer to Shahrisabz?
To book a transfer, visit https://www.caj.uz/en/transfers/item.
Can Shahrisabz be included in a larger Uzbekistan tour?
Yes. Most often it is placed next to Samarkand, and then the route continues to Bukhara and/or Khiva. See options: Uzbekistan tours and guaranteed tours.
