How to get to Kitab from Samarkand and Shahrisabz

Kitab is a small town in the Kashkadarya region, known in scientific circles as the home of an international latitude station and among travellers as a quiet base in the foothills. It lies right next to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Timur, so the two places are normally visited together. There are two ways to reach it: from Samarkand over a mountain pass, or from neighbouring Shahrisabz on a short hop.

From Samarkand: over the pass

It is about 120 to 130 kilometres from Samarkand to Kitab, and a good part of the road crosses a mountain pass in the Hissar range known as Takhtakaracha. On a normal day the drive takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by car. The road is good and paved, but on the climbs and descents with bends traffic moves more slowly. In winter the pass may have snow, fog and ice, which lengthens the trip.

What matters:

• leave in the morning so that you cross the pass in good visibility;
• check the weather the day before: in winter there can be closures or restrictions for some vehicles;
• take water, because there are few places to buy it along the pass;
• fill your tank in Samarkand or Shahrisabz.

If you want the simplest option, hire a car with a driver. Many people reach Kitab as part of excursions from Shahrisabz.

From Shahrisabz: a short hop

Kitab is a few minutes' drive from Shahrisabz, about 10 to 15 kilometres on a flat road. Minibuses and taxis run between the two towns. If you are staying in Shahrisabz, this is the easiest option: you can reach Kitab in the morning and return in the afternoon or evening. Many tourists combine the two towns in one trip, because Shahrisabz holds the main historic monuments while Kitab offers an unhurried stop.

Shared rides

A ride with a driver who is already going your way is often more convenient and cheaper than hiring a taxi. In the Yo'ldosh app you book one seat and see the driver's profile, time and departure point. For the long part of the route over the pass this is especially useful: you split fuel costs and do not pay for empty seats. See the trips here: Samarkand to Kitab and Shahrisabz to Kitab.

Train and bus

There is no direct rail link to Kitab. The nearest option is a train to Qarshi or Samarkand followed by a bus, minibus or taxi. Buses and minibuses leave from Samarkand's bus stations for Shahrisabz and from there on to Kitab. This is the cheapest way, but it takes longer and requires a change.

What to do in Kitab

Kitab is not crowded with sights, and that is its charm. Here is what makes it interesting:

• The International Latitude Station, a scientific site created in the 1930s to observe the movement of the Earth's poles. One of the oldest installations of its kind stands here. Visits are usually arranged in advance, so check the conditions.
• The geological reserve: the Kitab reserve is known for outcrops of rock from different eras. It attracts geologists and nature lovers.
• Foothills and orchards: apricots, apples and grapes grow around the town. In harvest season you can buy fresh fruit from locals.
• Mountain walks: trails start just outside the town and suit unhurried hikes.

When to go

The best time is spring and autumn: in spring the foothills are green, in autumn the harvest ripens. Summer in Kashkadarya is very hot, and in winter the pass can bring delays. If you are choosing seasons, aim for April to May and September to October.

Where to stay and eat

Accommodation in Kitab itself is limited, so most travellers spend the night in Shahrisabz, where there are more guest houses. You can eat in tea houses: plov, kebab, fresh flatbread. Check prices and opening hours on the spot.

Plan your trip

Kitab fits well into a two-day route: a day in Shahrisabz and a day in Kitab and its surroundings. To book a seat, open Samarkand to Kitab or Shahrisabz to Kitab. Other directions are in all routes. If you travel this road regularly and want to take passengers, see the for drivers page.

Cover photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.