Observatory of Ulugbek: A Samarkand Astronomy Audio Guide
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Samarkand was once home to one of the most sophisticated observatories in the medieval world. On this walking tour, you'll explore the story of Ulugbek, the Timurid prince who mapped over 1,000 stars without a telescope, and his observatory. You'll also discover how his calculations of the solar year proved more accurate than those of any astronomer before him.
The tour starts at the statue of Mirzo Ulugbek, where you'll learn about his childhood at the court of his grandfather, Amir Timur, his early fascination with astronomy, and how he came to rule Samarkand. You'll then climb to the observatory site on Kuhak Hill, hearing how a chance discovery in a Kyrgyz archive helped archaeologist Vasily Vyatkin locate the long-lost ruins in the early 1900s.
Inside the museum, you'll trace the legacy of Ulugbek's landmark star catalog, the Zij-i Sultani, from its Samarkand origins to its publication in Oxford, Paris, and London. You'll also meet the scientists of his inner circle, including the brilliant Qazizada Rumi and Ali Qushchi, who carried Ulugbek's work to Constantinople after his death. The tour ends at the museum's final gallery, where Ulugbek's place in global astronomy history is placed alongside figures like Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, and Buzz Aldrin.
On this 60-minute tour, you'll have a chance to:
- Examine the surviving sextant, once compared in height to Istanbul's Hagia Sophia
- Learn how Ulugbek's 1444 Zij-i Sultani was structured across four volumes of mathematics, geography, and star charts
- Discover how Timur's descendant Babur founded the Mughal Empire and how Shah Jahan later built the Taj Mahal
- Explore a map of the Great Silk Road, which passed through Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva
- See Ulugbek's world map, featuring cities like Cairo and Bukhara alongside rivers like the Syr Darya and the Nile
- Hear how English astronomer Edmond Halley confirmed Ulugbek's star measurements as almost unchanged centuries later
This tour brings one of Central Asia's greatest scientific minds to life through the instruments, manuscripts, and stories he left behind.
Please note: This doesn't include entry to the museum.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Saodatdaytours
We are a professional, family-run tour organization based in Samarkand, specializing in cultural, historical, and immersive tours across Uzbekistan. Founded by Shodiyor Daniyarov — a licensed tour operator, linguist, and experienced guide — our team combines academic expertise with authentic local storytelling.
Our founder graduated from the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages (Faculty of Philology) and later completed a Master’s degree in Linguistics. With more than 12 years of professional experience in tourism, education, translation, and interpretation, our organization is built on a strong academic and literary foundation.
In addition to guiding and tour operations, we are actively engaged in international publishing projects. Several of our books were published in France by Éditions L'Harmattan in Paris, including:
Parlons Karachay-Balkar (co-authorship)
Parlons Khakas (co-authorship)
Parlons Shor (co-authorship)
Le Bûcheron et le Lion
Nénuphar / Niluphar – Conte ouzbek (trilingual French–Uzbek–Russian)
We also contributed to Guide de l’Ouzbékistan (Peuples du Monde, France, 480 pages), presenting Uzbekistan’s rich cultural and historical heritage to French-speaking readers.
Among other important literary projects is the Uzbek translation (co-authorship) of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, published in Tashkent in 2020, as well as Uzbek Folktales (Clever Fox Press, Great Britain).
Our organization brings together a close-knit team of family members and trusted colleagues who offer tours in English, French, and Russian. We specialize in the history, architecture, legends, and living traditions of Uzbekistan. Our storytelling approach blends academic depth with engaging narratives, making each tour informative, immersive, and memorable.
We design tours that reveal not only the famous Silk Road monuments but also the hidden stories, local traditions, and authentic atmosphere that define Uzbekistan. Whether guiding individual travelers, families, educational groups, or cultural delegations, we are committed to professionalism, warmth, and high-quality service.
Our mission is to share the beauty, heritage, and spirit of Uzbekistan with the world — through both travel experiences and literary work.
📞 Contact us via WhatsApp: +998 97 579 94 77
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://saodatdaytours.uz/
We look forward to welcoming you to Uzbekistan!
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Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 5
The main "telescope" of the observatory
The main "telescope" of the Samarkand Observatory, the sextant, was even known outside the territory of the Timurid country. In the 1600s, European manuscripts compared its height with the height of the Hagia So...
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Ulugh Beg Museum
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationM2G3+3R7, Samarkand, Samarqand Region, Uzbekistan
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Total distance0m
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Distance back to start location0m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the observatory. Do not start the tour from the nearby residential streets. Make sure you are standing at the official entrance of the observatory complex before beginning.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There are places to sit and rest near the museum area and entrance.
Because the site is mostly outdoors, visitors should plan short breaks, especially during hot weather.
Best time of day
The best time to visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory is from morning until late afternoon, when the site is open and the lighting is ideal for photos.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, especially from March to May and September to November, when the weather in Samarkand is mild.
The tour can be done all year, but summers can be extremely hot. If visiting in July or August, it is better to come early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Try to avoid the busiest hours during the middle of the day when tourist groups usually arrive.
Precautions
After visiting the observatory, you can continue exploring Samarkand’s historical landmarks.
Nearby places worth visiting:
Ulugh Beg Madrasah at Registan Square — one of the most famous monuments of Samarkand, built by Ulugh Beg himself.
Afrasiab Museum — located nearby and perfect for learning about the ancient history of Samarkand before the Timurid period.
Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis — a stunning avenue of mausoleums with beautiful blue tile decoration.
For a meal or tea break, you can find traditional Uzbek restaurants and cafés in the city center near Registan Square.
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