Undiscovered Samarkand: the Afrasiyab Site, Local Crafts and the Ulugbek Observatory

About this tour

Discover a different side of Samarkand on a tour that goes beyond the city’s famous monuments and explores three very different chapters of its history: the ancient settlement of Afrosiab, the traditional crafts of Konigil village and the scientific legacy of the Timurid era at the Ulugh Beg Observatory. The journey begins at the Afrosiab archaeological site, located on the remains of ancient Samarkand, long before the city became the capital of the Timurid Empire. Walking among the archaeological remains, you can explore the history of Sogdian Samarkand and one of the most important urban centers of ancient Central Asia. The nearby Afrosiab Museum houses remarkable archaeological discoveries and famous ancient murals that provide a fascinating insight into the culture and international connections of early Samarkand. The route then continues to Konigil, a traditional craft village near Samarkand known for local handicrafts and the production of famous Samarkand paper made from mulberry trees. Meet local artisans, discover traditional techniques and experience a more authentic side of Uzbekistan, where craftsmanship and knowledge have been passed down through generations. The final stop is the Ulugh Beg Observatory, one of the most remarkable monuments of medieval science in Central Asia. In the 15th century, Mirzo Ulugh Beg, the Timurid ruler and renowned astronomer, established a major astronomical observatory here. Learn how scholars of the Timurid era observed the movement of celestial bodies and produced remarkably accurate astronomical tables centuries before modern telescopes. This Samarkand tour is ideal for travelers who want to explore ancient Samarkand, traditional Uzbek crafts and the scientific heritage of Ulugh Beg in a single experience. Rather than following the standard tourist route, discover the archaeology, local culture and history of science that reveal Samarkand as one of the great intellectual and cultural centers of Central Asia.