Camel trekking in Uzbekistan

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.