The Nuratau Mountains, also known as Nuratau, stretch 170 kilometers east of the city of Nurata, almost reaching the city of Jizzakh. The highest point of the range is Mount Khayatbashi, standing at 2196 meters. These ancient, not very high mountains are composed of volcanic rocks, limestone, and sandstone. The northern slopes are steeper and more rocky, while the southern slopes are gentle, merging into valleys.
To preserve the unique plant and animal life of these mountains, the Nuratau Reserve was established in 1975. Many animals in the reserve are listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan, including the Severtsov sheep (Kyzylkum sheep), golden eagle, bearded vulture, black vulture, and others. The area boasts 805 species of plants, with 41 species listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan and 32 plant species being endemic, found nowhere else but in the Nuratau Mountains (such as mixed onion, Suvorov’s onion, Korolkov’s tulip, Turkistan tulip, Nuratau eremurus, and others).
The geographical location of the Nuratau Mountains is favorable for tourism, being approximately 3-4 hours’ drive from major cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent. About an hour’s drive from Nurata is the popular tourist destination of “yurt camps” along Lake Aydarkul.
The Nuratau Mountains are ideal for contrasting tourism programs, combining visits to popular tourist destinations like Bukhara and Samarkand with an introduction to rural life in mountain villages predominantly inhabited by Tajiks. The mountains can also be considered as a weekend getaway from nearby cities. The Tajik rural community living in traditional clay houses in the valleys of the Nuratau Mountains offers excellent conditions for active recreation, with guesthouses available in villages such as Sentyab, Forish, and Yangi Khait.
Tourists who stay in guesthouses often have a memorable experience. The unique lifestyle of the local population offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about ancient crafts, simple life, and to feel part of the everyday life of Tajik mountaineers. In the guesthouses of the Nuratau Mountains, tourists can not only observe but also actively participate in spinning, weaving, or making colorful felt carpets. In spring and autumn, festivals become an integral part of rural life. Held for special occasions such as weddings or Navruz, they include a variety of activities, with the highlight being the mesmerizing “kupkari” game – a tournament that attracts not only tourists but also spectators from all around.
However, the Nuratau Mountains are not just about ethnotourism but also offer opportunities for active recreation. Due to their moderate height and relatively gentle slopes, the Nuratau Mountains offer a wide variety of routes for hiking, horseback riding, and even donkey trekking. Various natural and cultural landmarks (ancient petroglyphs, fortress ruins, settlements, mosques, etc.), accompanied by stories about the historical significance of Nuratau, will leave no one indifferent.