Bukhara: Sarmish-Soy Gorge Petroglyphs Day Trip
Bukhara: Sarmish-Soy Gorge Petroglyphs Day Trip
Explore the ancient petroglyphs of Sarmish-Soy Gorge on a day trip from Bukhara. Visit a historic caravanserai, enjoy a picnic in nature, and learn about the region's history.
Begin your adventure with a scenic drive from Bukhara to the Nurata Mountains. Stop at a centuries-old Silk Road caravanserai, where weathered stone walls and massive arched gates evoke the days when traders rested here after long desert crossings. Continue to Sarmis-Soy Gorge and meet your English-speaking guide. Enter the dramatic limestone canyon, where cliffs and rock terraces hide hundreds of prehistoric rock carvings, some dating back nearly 3,000 years. During a gentle 1½–2-hour walk, learn how early steppe peoples engraved images of wild bulls, ibex, gazelles, deer, and dancing human figures. Scholars believe the art reflects seasonal hunts, shamanistic rituals, and the spiritual life of Bronze and Early Iron Age communities. Enjoy a simple picnic with fresh bread, local fruit, and tea amid silence broken only by the wind and birdsong. After absorbing the timeless atmosphere, drive back to Bukhara or continue to Samarkand, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.
Costs for the tour:
Single person - $90
Two people - $140 (70 per person)
Three people - $190 ($63 per person)
For four or more people, the price is upon request.
Inclusions:
Private driver from Bukhara
English-speaking guide
Guided exploration of Sarmis-Soy Gorge
Picnic (lunch)
Exclusions:
Tips
Personal expenses
Extra drinks/alcohol
