TRAIL RUN UZBEKISTAN
NEW DATE 2026
19 - 27 SEPTEMBER 2026
9 SPACES LEFT
PRICE:
£2695
TRIP ADVENTURE GRADE: C2
BOOK WITH JUST 10% DEPOSIT + PAY OFF IN SIX INSTALLMENTS
SINGLE ROOM UPGRADE: £295 PER PERSON
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“Cannot recommend Pure Trails highly enough!
I’ve done two trips now, the first to Annapurna in Nepal, and the second across Uzbekistan. Both were supremely well organised and supported. The local guides and Pure Trails team are all complete and utter legends.
I’ve made friends for life and ran in some of the most incredible scenery and landscapes on these trips. If you’re thinking about whether to do it or not, then I would highly encourage that you do. You will not regret it.ver it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Get ready for an epic trail-running adventure along Uzbekistan’s ancient Silk Road.
Uzbekistan – a name that whispers of ancient caravans, exotic bazaars, and towering minarets. Traversing the fabled Silk Road, running through the tiled cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, each a classic of Islamic architecture. But this Central Asian gem offers more than just history.
Our running adventure takes us on thrilling blend of trails, culture and nature. One day, we’ll be running across the vast, open steppe, the wind whipping through our hair. The next, we’ll be winding through picturesque mountain valleys, the air crisp and clean. And then, there's the desert – a stark, otherworldly landscape that will challenge and reward us with amazing vistas.
Join us on an unforgettable journey through Uzbekistan. Discover the magic of the Silk Road and the raw beauty of the Central Asian wilderness.
INCLUDES:
8 nights' accommodation at a mixture of 3* hotels, guesthouses and yurt camps in the desert
Twin room share throughout (single room upgrade available - please note at Ayaz Kala yurt camp only sharing yurts are available)
Fully-supported trail running adventure
Rolling support vehicle with us on every trail run providing drinks, snacks and fruit
Full board throughout
All transfers
Cultural sightseeing
4:1 Runners to Guide Ratio
Internal flight ticket (economy) from Tashkent to Urgench
Entry fees, local permits
Train travel from Urgench - Bukhara & Bukhara - Samarkand
Trails & Trees: with every booking, we plant a tree
SHARE THIS TRIP
ITINERARY
+ DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TASHKENT (TAS) & ONWARD TO KHIVA
+ DAY 2: KHIVA EXPLORING
+ DAY 3: TRAIL RUN KARAKUM DESERT, ONWARD TO AYAZ KALA FORTRESS
+ DAY 4: RUN HILLS OF THE DESERT - BUKHARA
+ DAY 5: MAGIC OF BUKHARA SIGHTSEEING
+ DAY 6: TRAIL RUN FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY - SAMARKAND
+ DAY 7: RUN ZARAFSHAN MOUNTAINS
+ DAY 8: RUN UZBEK MOUNTAINS & SAMARKAND EXPLORING
+ DAY 9: FINAL SIGHTSEEING - GOODBYE, UZBEKISTAN!
Would you like to talk to a Pure Trails team member to learn more about this trip?
ITINERARY
DAY 01 | WELCOME TO UZBEKISTAN, ONWARD TO KHIVA
Welcome to Uzbekistan!
Arrive at Tashkent International Airport. Our local team will welcome you and take you to your hotel.
We’ve included early check-in at the Hotel Lotte, so if you are arriving early you can access your room immediately for some time to recover from the flight.
Heading out into town, we’ll visit the modern city of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. We’ll also check out the Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s metro (which was designed after the 1966 earthquake), and various modern squares. We will then have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will explore a different side of modern Tashkent.
In the evening, and after dinner, we’ll head to the domestic airport to take advantage of a short flight to Urgench, which is at the tail end of the Silk Road.
On arrival, we’ll transfer to the ancient city of Khiva and check into our hotel for some well-earned rest.
DAY 02 | KHIVA EXPLORING
REST DAY. EXPLORING
The Khiva oasis is located between the Karakum (black sand) and Kyzylkum (red sand) deserts and served as a resting place for the ancient Caravanserai who plied the Silk Road from the desert to Iran.
Today, we’ll get our cultural fix as we explore the marvels of Ichan Kala, a protected UNESCO site. We’ll meet our local guide at the hotel who will show us around the inner fortress of Ichan Kala, which includes more than twenty Islamic historical monuments that we’ll see today.
Later, we’ll watch the sunset over the city from a minaret to finish the day.
Dinner and overnight in Khiva.
DAY 03 | TRAIL RUN KARAKUM DESERT - AYAZ KALA FORTRESS
TRAIL RUNNING APPROX: 24KM / +120M
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll prepare for our first trail run of the trip as we run through the desert back towards Khiva and around a selection of beautiful lakes which lie to the south of the city. Once we have finished we’ll have lunch and head out towards the Ayaz Kala fortress where you will spend the night under traditional yurts. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 04 | AYAZ KALA FORTRESS - BUKHARA, VIA URGENCH
TRAIL RUNNING APPROX: 19KM / +150M
After breakfast, we’ll prepare for our hills of the desert trail run which takes us on a trail run circumnavigating the Ayaz Kala Fortress and out into the desert. It’s a flat trail, which makes for easier running in this moonlike landscape. Once we have finished we’ll return to our yurt camp for lunch, time to freshen up and relax. In the afternoon, we will visit the fortresses, and then return to the city of Urgench from where we will catch an evening train to Bukhara. On arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel, check-in, and relax with time for dinner and drinks.
DAY 05 | EXPLORING MAGICAL BUKHARA
REST DAY. SIGHTSEEING.
Today we have the day devoted to another Silk Road city, Bukhara, which served for a long time as a link between Iran and China. We’ll visit the Samanid Mausoleum, which was built in the Middle Ages and is considered one of the best examples of early Islamic architecture. We will walk through the local bazaar nearby and taste the sweetest fruits in the region. The visit to impressive historical monuments will be followed by a local meal in the new city. At the end of the day, free time in the old city. Dinner and overnight in Bukhara.
DAY 06 | TRAIL RUN BUKHARA - SAMARKAND
TRAIL RUNNING APPROX: 22KM / +60M
Breakfast in the morning. We will then head to our next running spot for our trail following in the footsteps of history. This is a beautiful run, which starts at the Khoja Ubban mausoleum, built in the 16th century on the outskirts of Bukhara. The trail heads out into the desert with gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape, before finishing at the Oasis Camp. Lunch at the camp and then returning to Bukhara to catch the train to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand, transfer to our hotel for check-in and relax. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 | RUN THE ZERAFSHAN MOUNTAINS
TRAIL RUNNING APPROX: 16KM / +900m
Early this morning we’ll drive to the village of Kitob, which is located at the bottom of the Zerafshan mountain range. From here we’ll start our trail run which takes us around the city of Samarkand and to discover Uzbek country life. In just a few hours, the trail takes us through mountains and a selection of local villages. Once finished we’ll have lunch at a mountain restaurant with brilliant views around the valleys. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Samarkand with some light sightseeing of the old town.
DAY 08 | UZBEK MOUNTAINS & SAMARKAND EXPLORING
TRAIL RUNNING APPROX: 19KM / +670m
Today we’ll head to the village of Toshbulok from where we will start our trail exploring the Uzbek mountains. This arm of the Zerafshan Mountains is packed with unique valleys, great trails and breathtaking views of surrounding peaks. After lunch head back to Samarkand with some further sightseeing planned in the city, before dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 09 | SAMARKAND - DEPARTURE DAY!
Today is set aside for departure dates with flights to Samarkand. Depending on your departure time we also offer the option of some further sightseeing to cap off your journey in Uzbekistan, with visits to the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, which holds more than twenty funeral buildings.
It’s time to pack up and bid farewell to your newfound trail-running friends and our local team. A group transfer is arranged for you to Samarkand International Airport in time to connect with your onward flight back home, we can also provide options for anyone heading back to Tashkent.
WHERE WE STAY
Modern Hotels & Yurt Camps
Throughout our stay in Uzbekistan, we will be staying in a variety of modern and comfortable 3* hotels, as well as a night in a Yurt encampment out in the desert.
The hotels we use throughout the trip are selected for comfort, including spacious rooms, modern design and the ease of access for getting about and exploring are just a few of the reasons why we love staying at these hotels.
iMPORTANT NOTES
+ WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
September is an excellent time to visit Uzbekistan. The weather is pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 21°C (70°F) to 30°C (86°F) during the day. It's generally dry with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for exploring the country's historical sites and stunning landscapes.
+ VISAS
Uzbekistan is now visa free (stamped on arrival) for the majority of western passport holders.
If in doubt please check with your local Uzbekistan Embassy.
+ CAN YOU CATER FOR DIETARY?
Yes we can.
While Uzbekistan's traditional cuisine is heavily meat-based, the country has become increasingly accommodating to dietary requirements for travellers, especially in larger cities.
Please let us know in advance so that we can cater properly for you on the trip.
NEWS FROM BASECAMP
