Uzbekistan isn’t just about ancient cities and architecture ensembles. Its deserts, salt flats, and archaeological plateaus offer the chance to spend the night under the stars and enjoy morning tea on the sand. Yurt camps and campsites allow you to experience this in a slow and relaxed way, creating a balance of traditional lifestyle, nature and basic comforts. We’ve selected some spots, where you can spend a night in a yurt, enjoy stunning landscapes, and to explore the country beyond the usual tourist routes.
“Aydar”
Hidden in the desert part of Navoi Region, just a short distance from Lake Aydarkul, lies one of the most well-known yurt camps in the region. A few traditional yurts stand quietly among the sands, offering visitors a rare sense of privacy and wide-open space. Inside, you’ll find colorful Uzbek textiles and everything you need for a calm, comfortable night in the desert.
The camp is equipped with showers, restrooms, and a dining hall. Guests can enjoy traditional dishes of Uzbek cuisine, such as lepeshka (flatbreads) and samsa, cooked in a tandoor oven. During the day, you can join a guided trip to Lake Aydarkul, the Kyzylkum Desert, or see the ancient petroglyphs of Sarmishsay. In the evenings, the camp gathers around the fire to enjoy live music.
“Safari”
Located in Navoiy Province, a short distance from the town of Nurata, Safari is one of the most spacious yurt complexes in the region. Guests stay in individual yurts, and the camp is equipped with electricity, a dining hall, and restroom facilities. The program includes desert walks, relaxing by the shores of Lake Aydarkul, and camel rides across the dunes. In the evenings, guests can enjoy folk performances, bringing the atmosphere of ancient caravan stops to life.
“Muynak”
The yurt camp near the town of Muynak is set in one of Uzbekistan’s most striking and unusual landscapes, on what was once the floor of the Aral Sea. Here, the Aralkum Desert meets the remnants of a former seaport.
The camp itself is small and intimate. Guests stay in traditional yurts, with access to showers, restrooms, and electricity. From the camp, you can join guided trips to the famous ship cemetery, the Aral Sea Museum, and the surrounding area of Muynak. During their stay, visitors are introduced to Karakalpak cuisine and local dishes.
“Ayaz-Kala”
Located near the ruins of the ancient settlement of Ayaz-Kala, this yurt camp is set beside one of the earliest civilization sites in the region, offering its visitors unique views of the desert from one side, and of the Sultan-Uizdag Range and Lake Ayaz-Kul on the other.
Guests stay in spacious yurts. During the day you can join guided tours around the archaeological complex, walks through the surrounding area, and camel rides. In the evening, most visitors stay at the camp to watch the desert sky filled with stars, uninterrupted by city lights.
Ecopark “Konimekh”
Situated in the Kanimekh District of Navoiy Region, Ecopark “Konimekh” offers a more active and varied vacation experience. Alongside traditional yurt accommodations, the site includes a restaurant, an amphitheater, and areas for outdoor activities.
The yurts are suitable for both small and larger groups. The ecopark has a camel farm, where guests can learn about the production of shubat, a traditional beverage made from camel milk.
Each of these places reveals a different side of Uzbekistan. In one, it’s desert silence and a campfire; in another, salt flats and stillness; in a third, ancient walls set against a star-filled sky. These destinations are ideal for travelers seeking calm, closeness to nature, and a more personal way to experience the country.