# Camel trekking in Uzbekistan

> The Kyzylkum desert around Aydarkul offers 1-hour to multi-day Bactrian camel treks. Two-humped Bactrians are calmer and steadier than one-humped dromedaries.

**Bactrian (two-humped)** camels are the native domestic camel of Central Asia — adapted to hot summers and −40°C winters, with long shaggy winter coats. Dromedaries (one-hump) exist too but are rarer in Uzbekistan.

**Riding style**: You sit between the two humps, which forms a natural saddle. There's usually a folded blanket for cushion. The gait is a slow rolling walk — comfortable enough that most tourists find it easier than a horse's trot. Camels rarely canter or run when guided by a herder.

**Options**:

- **Sunset ride, ~45 min** — the standard camp add-on. Ride out 20 min to a dune, dismount, watch sunset, ride back. Included in most yurt-camp packages.

- **Half-day trek, 3–4 hours** — cover 8–12 km. Break at a shepherd's tent for tea and non.

- **Full-day trek, 6–8 hours** — 20+ km with lunch stop. Advance booking required.

- **Multi-day expedition, 3–7 nights** — recreate a Silk Road caravan segment. You ride 4–5 hours per day between shepherd camps. Requires physical fitness and heat tolerance. Book through Kyzylkum eco-tour operators in Nurata or Bukhara.

**Tips**:
- Wear long trousers — camel hair is coarse and rubs bare legs.
- Bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen; there is zero shade.
- Camel-mounting is the awkward part: they kneel front legs first, then rear, which pitches you forward and backward. Grip the front hump firmly.
- Motion-sensitive riders may want to skip long treks.

The Kyzylkum "desert" is technically semi-desert steppe with sparse vegetation, tumuli and rolling dunes — not the featureless sand seas of the Sahara. Photography is excellent.

---
Keywords: camel, trek, Kyzylkum, Bactrian, yurt, riding
Updated: 2026-08-15
Category: experiences
URL: https://uzbguidedtours.com/kb/kb-experience-camel-trek