Bukhara to Samarkand

Fri 5/6/26

Today after sunrise we ventured out to Chor Minor to capture the site without tourists. 

From Chor Minor we re-visited Labi Hovuz ensemble to enjoy the calm morning view by the pool. 

We then visited some architectural monuments nearby our hotel such as Arabon mosque (1880) and Sallahkhona mosque (19th century).

After that, we went back to the hotel to have breakfast and rested until check out time. After checking out, we went for lunch at a restaurant near Bolo Hauz mosque. We had lagman (pulled noodle), meat shashlik and a pot of tea for UZS 135K (RM 41) paid by cash.

lagman and shashlik

We saw the congregational Friday prayer at Bolo Hauz mosque was conducted outside, in the mosque compound. After the prayer was finished, we tried to see if we could enter the mosque to pray, but the entrance was cordoned off.

We then walked towards Kalyan mosque and asked the mosque caretaker if we could perform our prayers there, and he said yes. The prayer area is separated from the tourist visiting area, near the mosque courtyard.

Kalyan mosque courtyard

Kalyan mosque courtyard

From Kalyan mosque, we walked back to our hotel and then ordered our Yandex taxi to go to the train station. No drama this time, the taxi fetched us from the front of the hotel and we arrived within 25 minutes. The Yandex ride cost UZS 27K (RM 9 ).

cute street and number plate at our hotel (and around Bukhara)

all the train stations look like this

Our train from Bukhara to Samarkand was scheduled to depart at 1655 and arrive at 1913. The train ride cost UZS 169810 (RM 114) per person and bought online from the Uzrail app.

seat arrangement in our economy coach

We arrived in Samarkand about 10 minutes later than scheduled. The 15 minute Yandex taxi ride (UZS 32K) or RM 11 to our accommodation Altair boutique hotel was also smooth and cost . Our hotel cost RM 768 for 3 nights with breakfast and paid by card.

Altair hotel courtyard

Altair room

After checking in, we walked to a chaykhana (teahouse) near Bibikhanum mosque to have dinner. We had manti soup, kebab and a pot of tea for UZS 147K (RM 50) paid by card.

manti soup and kebab

After dinner, we walked to the Registan square where the weekend crowds were enjoying their family time together. It was then time to go back to the hotel and rest.

Registan square at night

Registan square at night