Uzbekistan · ARAL SEA & YURT CAMPS
Moynaq is a long way from anywhere and the drive is the trip. These 15 cover the ship graveyard, the Ustyurt plateau and the yurt camps you sleep in between, with what each includes, how many nights it takes and what it costs per vehicle.
Explore the Aral Sea ship cemetery, Chilpik Dakhma, Mizdakhan, and Nukus on a private 12-hour day trip from Khiva.
“Our driver was great, pointing out sights of interest to us. The trip was very interesting and we enjoyed it.”
Review of a two-day Nuratau Mountains yurt tour from Samarkand to Bukhara, with hiking, Lake Aydarkul, meals, and practical travel tips.
“Such a great experience! Most of the tourists sites in Uzbekistan are cities and having this little escape in the nature it was incredible! The yurts were great and toilettes were clean and practical (more then what we expected) The family is vRead more”
Review of Asli Travel’s 2-day yurt camp tour from Bukhara, with Aydarkul Lake, camel riding, desert sunsets, meals, and practical tips.
“Other than the transportation, it was not a good experience, to say the least. There was nothing to do there in that freezing cold dezert, the facilities were rather poor and the food was mediocre at best. There was actually no guidance at all, as soon as we got to our yurt we were left alone. The yurt was shabby and depressing. We were so happy and relieved when it all came to an end on the following day!”
Review of the two-day Aral Sea trip from Khiva, with desert driving, Muynak, Savitsky Museum, a yurt stay, and practical booking advice.
“Welcoming and efficient drivers and comfortable cars with water provided. Food was all delicious and plentiful - hosts were very friendly at the cafes en route and at the yurt camp. Very well run campsite at the Aral Sea shore and unforgettRead more”
Review of the 1.5-day Khiva to Aral Sea tour, with Muynak ships, desert forts, a yurt night, costs, tips, and practical advice.
“Dire che è stata un’esperienza ‘oltre le aspettative’ è quasi riduttivo. Il paesaggio, le persone e l’atmosfera sono stati così coinvolgenti da farmi sentire parte della storia del luogo, pur nella consapevolezza dei cambiamenti avvenuti nel tempo. Cultura, arte, ambiente e tradizioni: tutto questo prende vita lungo il tour, che senza Islom sarebbe stato certamente meno divertente e immersivo. Islom è una guida attenta, professionale, gentile e curiosa. Grazie a lui abbiamo scoperto aspetti inediti della storia e della vita quotidiana del Karakalpakstan, sentendoci sempre al sicuro e accompagnati da una persona affidabile e umanamente straordinaria. Ho apprezzato molto anche la possibilità d...”
Review of Khiva’s Aral Sea day trip, with Chilpik Qala, Moynaq ship cemetery, Mizdakhan Necropolis, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“Islom organized an exceptional tour. Since we are english speakers, Islom arranged for his colleague Jasur to operate the day excursion as he speaks fluent English. Islom and Jasur were both very communicative using WhatsApp and Jasur waRead more”
Escape Samarkand for two days of camels, Aydarkul Lake, desert yurts, local music, Nurata history, and a Gijduvan pottery stop.
“Premetto che il grande caldo (picco di 43°C) ha parzialmente compromesso l'attività. Tra le cose migliori c'è sicuramente Khasan, il nostro driver, che ha guidato molto bene (in un paese in cui per esperienza sappiamo che guidano maluccio), è stato disponibile a soddisfare le nostre richieste e a rispondere alle nostre domande, in inglese, da non sottovalutare. Inoltre i pasti erano buoni e abbondanti. I lati negativi sono stati la poca attenzione ai vegetariani, nonostante l'agenzia fosse avvisata, il driver non lo sapeva e alla cena allo Yurt Camp abbiamo dovuto rimediare all'ultimo. Inoltre al campo e al lago ci sono tempi morti un po' troppo lunghi, soprattutto se c'è…”
Review of a 3-day Uzbekistan tour from Bukhara to Gijduvan, Nurata, a desert yurt camp, Lake Aydar, Sentob, and Samarkand.
“This was a very interesting tour into the desert and mountains of Uzbekistan. I'd definitely make sure you have your adventure pants on for this one! My friend and I (two, 30yo women) had a great time snapping pictures and exploring thRead more”
Review of a 2-day Samarkand to Aydarkul tour with yurts, camels, local food, Silk Road sites, and practical booking advice.
“Belle expérience même si le côté local est trop peu présent. Hassan le conducteur est super bien (même si encore mieux que le conducteur parle anglais parfaitement) La musique le soir autour du feu dure à peine 20-30min donc la soirRead more”
Spend two days from Bukhara in Nurata and the Kyzylkum Desert, with yurt camping, camel rides, Aydarkul, meals, music, and transfers.
“Vikram was an awesome driver and guide! We truly enjoyed this tour as the highlight of our trip. The star and moon gazing was quite an experience with little to none, light pollution. Everything was really just great! Food was really good! Camp fire, music, singing, camels… loved it! 🥰”
Review the Aral Sea day tour from Tashkent, with flights, Nukus art, ancient ruins, Muynak ships, meals, costs, and practical tips.
“I waited for almost an hour and no-one turned up. Tried to contact operator but no reply. Got a call @ 7:52 am to be told no tour because no return flight available. Why did they take the money and accept booking if no flights? Got a refund bRead more”
Spend two days from Samarkand or Bukhara in a Kyzyl Kum yurt camp, visiting Nurata, Aydarkul Lake, camels, desert stars, and historic sites.
“il nostro autista, Xamza, è stato bravissimo e molto professionale. il tour è molto suggestivo ed è sicuramente un'esperienza da fare.”
Review of a private Khiva day trip to Nukus and Muynak, including Savitsky Museum, ship cemetery, Chilpiq qala, costs, timing, and tips.
Review of a private 2-day Aral Sea tour from Nukus, with Muynak, ship cemetery, Ustyurt Plateau, yurt camp, costs, and practical tips.
“nous avons passé un moment extraordinaire dans les paysages de la mer d'Aral. Un paysage désertique, et une mer en disparition. L'organisation était parfaite. Les véhicules étaient parfaitement adaptés aux routes chaotiques du désert. La nuit en Yourte était une belle expérience. Nous conseillons ce voyage mémorable. Attention cependant à prendre en compte le coût supplémentaire des repas, de la nuit en Yourte et du musée de la mer d'Aral. Vous vous rapprocherez alors plus des 700 euros.”
Spend a night in a Kyzylkum yurt camp, visit Nurata, swim in Aydarkul Lake, ride camels, and continue from Samarkand to Bukhara.
“Purtroppo l'esperienza in sè sarebbe stata anche carina, nel senso che ti permette di vedere il tramonto nel deserto e provare l'esperienza di dormire in una vera e propria Yurta. Molto bella Norata. Chiaro che è necessario spirito di adattamento e questo era stato messo in conto; infatti il problema non è stato l'adattamento alla struttura in sè ma il fatto che avessimo un accompagnatore che non parlava una parola di inglese e soprattutto che non ci diceva nemmeno a che ora dovevamo partire o cosa dovevamo fare. Addirittura spariva tanto che la sera ho dovuto chiedere al gestore del Campo tendato se sapeva a che ora saremmo ripartiti la…”
City walks, kazan kitchens, mountain mornings and long desert drives.
