Surkhandarya · Buddhist sites · Amu Darya
Termez lies in Uzbekistan's far south, on the Amu Darya river. Long before Islam, this was a centre of Buddhism on the routes between Central Asia and India, and the remains of its monasteries and stupas still stand in the desert outside the city. Later, Termez became a place of Islamic scholarship and pilgrimage. A private guide brings these layers together — and saves you time, because the sites are spread out around the city.
North-west of the city, Kara Tepe was a Buddhist monastery complex with cave sanctuaries cut into a hill, and nearby Fayaz Tepe has a restored stupa and the outlines of the monastery around it. The Zurmala stupa, a tall brick tower, is one of the oldest standing structures in the region. Many of the finds from these sites are shown in the Termez Archaeological Museum.
Sultan Saodat is an ensemble of domed mausoleums built over several centuries for the Termez sayyids. The mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termizi, a 9th-century Sufi scholar, stands near the river and is an important place of pilgrimage. The square Kyrk Kyz fortress-palace is another stop on a full day.
Termez tours
Private · City tour with car
Two thousand years of Termez in one day — Buddhist monasteries and stupas in the desert, the mausoleums of Sultan Saodat and the shrine of Al-Hakim at-Termizi.
PriceOn request
View tourTermez has an airport with flights from Tashkent and is linked by rail. By road it is a long drive from Samarkand through the mountains; our sister company Uzbekistan Transfers can arrange the car.
Spring and autumn are best. Summer in Surkhandarya is among the hottest in Uzbekistan — we start early and plan indoor visits for midday.
Some sites lie close to the Afghan border. Access rules can change; your guide checks before the day and plans the route accordingly.
One full day with a car covers the main Buddhist sites, Sultan Saodat, Al-Hakim at-Termizi and the museum.
Yes, by road through the mountains or by flight via Tashkent. Our sister company Tour to Uzbekistan can plan the whole route.
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Need a transfer?
Airport and railway station pick-ups and private cars between cities — arranged by our sister company Uzbekistan Transfers.
Book a transferNeed a multi-day tour?
Several days with hotels, trains, guides and transport planned for you — by our sister company Tour to Uzbekistan.
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