Bukhara countryside tour: Palace, traditional lunch

Four to six hours exploring Bukhara's countryside palaces and tombs, then lunch where time slows down

A countryside tour from Bukhara visits the Palace of Moon like Stars (the Emir's summer residence), Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, Chor Minor Madrasah and Fayzulla Khujayev House, with a professional local guide and private transport included. The tour ends with a traditional Uzbek lunch of plov, handmade bread and local salads at a top-rated restaurant in Bukhara. Tour duration is four to six hours including travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bukhara countryside and local cuisine

• Visit Bahoutdin Architectural Complex
• Tour Nasrullah Khan Summer Palace
• Explore Fayzulla Khojayev House Museum
• See Chor Minor Madrasah
• Enjoy traditional Uzbek lunch at The Plov

The experience

The Palace of Moon like Stars takes its name from a story: an Emir of Bukhara loved his wife so deeply that when she died in childbirth, he named the palace after her beauty. Likening her to the moon, her name Sitorabony. That palace is the centerpiece of this countryside route, paired with three other sites that show how Bukhara's rulers and wealthy merchants lived. A professional local guide leads the tour in your choice of English, French, German or Russian, traveling by private vehicle so the group stays small and the pace stays yours.

The itinerary moves through the Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a necropolis built around the founder of the Naqshbandi order who died in 1389 and became the spiritual patron of Bukhara's governors: his tomb remains the most esteemed in Uzbekistan. Then comes Chor Minor, a historic gatehouse with four towers that once served a now-destroyed madrasah. The Fayzulla Khujayev House museum shows how Bukhara's millionaires lived at the turn of the 20th century, built across three hectares with separate courtyards for men and women. Photography is encouraged throughout.

Lunch happens at The Plov, a top-rated restaurant in Bukhara where traditional Uzbek food arrives freshly prepared with local ingredients. Plov (rice, vegetables, meat and spices layered and cooked together) is the national dish, served at weddings and celebrations, and here it comes with handmade bread and flavorful salads. The meal is included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Private transportation and a professional local guide in your choice of language.
• photography opportunities at each site.
• traditional Uzbek lunch of plov, handmade bread and salads at The Plov restaurant in Bukhara.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 8

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by GM TOURS

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, French, German or Russian, so you follow the commentary in whichever language you're most comfortable with. Private transport means the group stays small and you set the pace through each site.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Russian.

What was the Palace of Moon like Stars built for?

The Palace of Moon like Stars was the summer residence of Bukhara's last Emir, named after his wife Sitorabony, whom he likened to the moon in beauty.

Who was Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and why is his mausoleum important?

Bakhouddin Naqshbandi founded the Naqshbandi order and died in 1389. He became the spiritual patron of Bukhara's governors, and his necropolis remains the most esteemed in Uzbekistan.

What does the Fayzulla Khujayev House show visitors?

The Fayzulla Khujayev House museum preserves how Bukhara's millionaires lived in the early 20th century, spread across three hectares with separate inner courtyards for men and women.

What is plov and why is it served at this restaurant?

Plov is Uzbekistan's national dish (a medley of rice, vegetables, meat and spices) served at family celebrations and weddings. The Plov restaurant is top-rated in Bukhara for preparing it with local ingredients.