Urgut: the bazaar, plane trees and mountain villages

Urgut is a town in the foothills of the Zeravshan range, about 40 kilometres from Samarkand. For many tourists it is associated with a noisy Sunday bazaar, where they arrive at dawn to buy fabrics, dried fruit, crockery and crafts. But Urgut is more interesting if you do not stop at the market: the surroundings have plane trees, holy places with springs, mountain villages and unhurried trails.

How to get there

From Samarkand the road to Urgut takes about an hour. Minibuses and buses run from the bus stations, and a taxi is handier if you travel as a group. Many choose a shared ride: in the Yo'ldosh app the Samarkand to Urgut page lets you book a seat and see the driver's profile, and you will find the return on Urgut to Samarkand. The road runs south-east through hilly country and orchards. The surface is good, but on market days there are jams on the highway, so set off early.

The Urgut bazaar

The market in Urgut is one of the busiest in the region. It sells:

• fabrics and clothing, including bright traditional dresses;
• suzani and embroidered items made locally;
• crockery, knives and metalwork;
• dried fruit, nuts, spices and sweets;
• fresh vegetables, fruit, flatbread and everything for the table.

It is better to come in the morning: by noon the heat builds and there are too many people. Do not be shy about bargaining, but do it politely. Prices depend on season and quality, so compare. Some traders come on particular days of the week, and at weekends the bazaar is especially lively. Watch your belongings: in a crowd it is always wise to be attentive.

Plane trees and holy places

Centuries-old plane trees grow near Urgut, and in the mountains there are holy places with springs where pilgrims come. These places are valued for their quiet and beautiful nature. If you plan to visit, dress modestly, keep quiet and ask permission before photographing people. It is best to learn about specific places from locals or guides, because visiting conditions can change.

Mountain villages

Beyond Urgut the mountain country becomes harsher. Roads follow valleys with small villages of orchards, terraced fields and stone houses. Here you can see how people live far from big cities: they graze livestock, pick fruit and dry apricots on rooftops. In spring the slopes are green and in bloom, in autumn golden with leaves. By car you can reach them in an hour to an hour and a half from town. Walks are best done with a guide, since trails are not always marked.

How to spend the day

1. Morning. Leave Samarkand and reach the bazaar around nine.
2. Until noon. Stroll the rows, shop and have tea at a tea house.
3. Midday. Lunch at a tea house: plov, shashlik, samsa.
4. Afternoon. A trip to the plane trees or a mountain village.
5. Evening. Return to Samarkand before sunset.

If you come for the mountains rather than the bazaar, choose a weekday, when it is calmer.

What to bring back

Urgut is known for crafts: fabrics, embroidered items, knives, crockery. Buy what you like and ask about the origin of the piece. For souvenirs, dried fruit and nuts work well: they are light and do not spoil on the road.

Practical tips

• Carry cash: cards are not accepted everywhere at the bazaar.
• Dress for the weather: the mountains are cooler than the city.
• Wear comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to walk in the hills.
• Watch your bag and phone in the crowd.
• Bring water and a hat in the heat.

When to go

The best seasons are spring and autumn. Summer is hot in Urgut, and in winter snow may lie and mountain roads become difficult.

Plan your trip

To book a seat, open the Samarkand to Urgut or Urgut to Samarkand page. Other directions are in all routes. Drivers heading from Samarkand to the foothills will find the for drivers page useful.

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