Zaamin (Zomin) National Park is Uzbekistan's mountain escape between Tashkent and Samarkand: old juniper forests, a cable car, waterfalls and cool summer air. How to get there, what to do, hikes, the season and how many days to spend, as of 2026.
Facts, prices and schedules checked on November 4, 2026
Zaamin National Park, or Zomin in Uzbek, is where Uzbek families go to breathe. On the northern slopes of the Turkestan range in the Jizzakh region, its valleys are covered in old juniper forest, the air is cool when the plains bake at 40 degrees, and the views run across ridge after ridge towards the Tajik border.
For foreign travellers, Zaamin is still little known, which is part of its charm. It sits between Tashkent and Samarkand, so it makes an easy two- or three-day break from Silk Road sightseeing. This guide covers what makes the park special, the cable car and resort area, the best walks, how to get there from Samarkand or Tashkent, and when to go, as of November 2026.
Where is Zaamin National Park?
The park lies in the Zomin and Bakhmal districts of the Jizzakh region, in central Uzbekistan, on the northern side of the Turkestan range. Its southeastern edge follows the border with Tajikistan. According to the Uzbek government, the park covers about 23,400 hectares and rises from roughly 1,000 metres to 4,033 metres at Shaukartau peak (Shavkartog).
The main visitor area is in the valleys above the village of Bog'ishamol, around the old sanatorium at about 2,000 metres. The district town of Zomin is about 50 km away, and the regional capital Jizzakh about 110 km.
You will see several spellings: Zaamin is the Russian-based form most often used in English, Zomin the Uzbek one. Both refer to the same park.
Why visit Zaamin? Juniper forests and mountain air
Zaamin is the oldest protected area in Uzbekistan. Its origins go back to 1926, when part of the area was set aside as the Guralash nature reserve to protect the juniper forests, and the national park was later built around it.
The juniper, called archa locally, is the heart of the park. Slow-growing and long-lived, juniper covers much of the slopes, from open groves of twisted old trees to denser forest in the side valleys. The air under the trees has a resinous scent, and many Uzbeks believe it is good for the lungs, which is why a sanatorium was built here in the 1970s. One tree on the Uriklisoy loop is presented by the park as being around a thousand years old.
The park is also rich in wildlife and flowers. The government lists more than 1,200 wild plant species, over 30 mammals and over 100 bird species, several of them in Uzbekistan's Red Book. Spring brings wild tulips, irises and blue anchusa to the meadows, and raptors circle above the ridges all year.
In short, Zaamin is the place to see a green, forested side of Uzbekistan that most travellers never imagine.
The Zomin cable car and the resort area
Zaamin changed fast after 2023. A modern eight-seat gondola, built by the Swiss company Bartholet and opened in August 2023, now climbs from about 1,960 metres to about 2,490 metres, a rise of around 530 metres over roughly 2 to 2.6 km of line, depending on the source. The ride takes about 10 minutes and the views over the juniper slopes are excellent.
At the top, the resort area around the Suffa plateau, at roughly 2,400 metres, has hotels, restaurants, viewpoints and a pedestrian suspension bridge about 305 metres long and 150 metres above the gorge. A government update in March 2025 listed further plans, including a higher cable car, ski slopes and more hotels, so expect construction in places.
From the plateau you can also see the huge unfinished dish structure of the Suffa radio telescope project, started in the Soviet era.
Practical points:
- The gondola is the easiest way to get high for walks and views, even if you are not a hiker.
- Cable cars stop in strong wind and storms, and may close for maintenance. Check on the day.
- Ticket prices change; ask at the lower station or your hotel for the current fare.
- The park lists visiting hours of 12:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 21:00 at weekends, closing at 17:00 in winter. Hotel guests usually have more flexibility; confirm locally.
Things to do and hikes in Zaamin
Most walks start from the sanatorium area or the top of the cable car. The park names several eco-tourism sites, and these are the most popular:
- Zaamin waterfall: a tall, thin waterfall dropping through forest beside the road into the park, often the first stop. Best in late spring when snowmelt is high.
- Uriklisoy (O'riklisoy) loop: a forest walk past springs to the ancient juniper. Easy to moderate, two to three hours.
- Sherbuloq spring and Boboyong'oq: short walks in the juniper forest to a spring and other sites the park signposts.
- Suffa plateau ridge walks: open walking on the plateau from the top of the cable car, with views of the Turkestan range. Easy, with little height gain once you are up.
- Yettikechuvsoy and Miq qal'a: longer walks into a side valley, better with a local guide who knows the paths.
- High routes towards Shaukartau and the main ridge: serious multi-day mountain routes near the Tajik border, only with an experienced guide and the right paperwork.
Other activities include horse riding with local herders, picnics in the forest (the national Uzbek pastime here) and, in early summer, the Zaamin Ultra trail race, which uses the park's mountain paths.
Trails are not well marked. Download an offline map, carry water and tell your hotel where you are going. For longer walks, a local guide is worth having. Our guide to hiking in Uzbekistan covers safety and gear in more detail.
How to get to Zaamin from Samarkand
Samarkand is the closest major city. The drive is about 200 km and takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, via Jizzakh and the Zomin district road, then up the valley into the park.
Options:
- Private car with driver: the most practical choice, and easy to combine with a stop in Jizzakh. Typical prices in 2026 for a one-way transfer are roughly US$70 to 130 per car, depending on the vehicle.
- Shared taxi: from Samarkand to Jizzakh, then another taxi to Zomin and the park. Cheaper but slow, and drivers may not know the resort area.
- Train plus car: take a train from Samarkand to Jizzakh (around an hour on the fast trains), then a car for the last stretch of about 2 hours.
If you are coming from Samarkand, Zaamin works well as a two-night stop before continuing to Tashkent, or as a cool break in the middle of a summer itinerary.
How to get to Zaamin from Tashkent
From Tashkent the road trip takes about 4 to 5 hours, via Gulistan and either Jizzakh or Yangiyer.
- By car: the simplest way, door to door. Typical prices in 2026 for a private transfer are roughly US$90 to 160 per car one way.
- By train: trains on the Tashkent to Samarkand line stop at Jizzakh, and some stop at Dashtobod in Zomin district. From either station it is a drive of around 1.5 to 2 hours to the park. Check stops and times on railway.uz, and book the onward car in advance.
- By air: small regional flights from Tashkent to Zomin airport have operated in recent years, taking about 45 minutes. The carrier and schedule have changed between seasons, so check what is flying before you plan around it. The airport is still a drive of over an hour from the park.
For a short visit from Tashkent, an overnight stay is the minimum; a day trip means more time in the car than in the forest.
Best time to visit Zaamin
Zaamin is a year-round destination, but each season is different.
- Late April to June: the greenest time, with flowers on the meadows, full waterfalls and comfortable temperatures. Our favourite season for walking.
- July to August: peak season for Uzbek visitors escaping the heat. Days in the park are warm but much cooler than Samarkand or Tashkent, and nights are fresh. Weekends and holidays can be busy.
- September to October: clear, stable weather and golden colours on the lower slopes. Excellent for hiking, quieter than summer.
- November to March: snow on the upper slopes and cold nights. Some services close or reduce hours. Skiing is planned but, as of November 2026, Zaamin is not an established ski resort; for skiing, see our guide to Amirsoy and Chimgan.
Bring a warm layer at any time of year: evenings at 2,000 metres can be cool even in August.
Practical tips for visiting Zaamin
A few things that make a stay in the park easier:
- Cash: bring enough som from Samarkand, Tashkent or Jizzakh. Cards work in the larger hotels, but small guesthouses, cafes, horse owners and taxis usually want cash, and ATMs in the park area are not reliable.
- Mobile signal: coverage is good around the resort area and patchy in the side valleys. Download offline maps and save your hotel's number before you set out.
- Food: hotel restaurants serve Uzbek and European dishes; in the villages and guesthouses expect plov, shashlik, soups and fresh bread. Mountain honey and dried fruit from local stalls make good trail snacks.
- What to bring: walking shoes, a fleece or light down jacket for the evenings, a rain shell, sun hat and sunscreen. The sun at 2,000 metres is strong even when the air feels cool.
- Weekends: Uzbek families come in large numbers on summer weekends and public holidays. If you want quiet trails, plan your walking days for Monday to Thursday.
- Respect the forest: juniper grows very slowly, so do not cut branches, light fires only where allowed and take your rubbish back with you.
Zaamin is a safe, family-friendly place. The main risks are ordinary mountain ones: twisted ankles on rough paths, sudden weather changes and getting lost on unmarked trails.
Is Zaamin good for families?
Yes. Zaamin is one of the easiest mountain areas in Uzbekistan to visit with children. The cable car and the suspension bridge are fun for most ages, the short walks to the waterfall and springs suit young legs, and horse rides with local herders are a highlight for many children. Picnics in the juniper forest are what local families do, and children are welcome everywhere.
A few tips for families:
- Plan short walks of one to two hours with plenty of stops, and carry snacks and water.
- Keep a close eye on children near the gorge edges and on the suspension bridge; railings are not always continuous on viewpoints.
- Pack warm clothes for the evenings, even in summer.
- Choose accommodation near the cable car or sanatorium area to keep driving to a minimum.
Our guide to Uzbekistan with kids has more ideas for family itineraries.
Where to stay in Zaamin and how many days you need
Accommodation in the park falls into three groups:
- The resort area near the Suffa plateau and cable car, with newer hotels of international standard, the most comfortable option.
- The sanatorium area at about 2,000 metres, with the national sanatorium (focused on health stays, mostly for Uzbek guests) and simpler guesthouses and holiday camps nearby.
- Guesthouses and family homes in the villages below the park, the cheapest choice, with home-cooked food.
Summer weekends and Uzbek holidays fill up fast, so book ahead from June to August. Outside summer, check that your chosen place is open.
We suggest:
- One night: enough for the waterfall, the cable car, a short forest walk and sunset on the plateau.
- Two nights: the best balance, with a full day for a longer walk such as the Uriklisoy loop and a relaxed morning before you leave.
- Three nights or more: for keen hikers, horse riding or simply resting in the mountain air between busy city days.
Zaamin fits naturally between Samarkand and Tashkent. A typical plan is Samarkand, two nights in Zaamin, then on to Tashkent by car or train. It also pairs well with the Nuratau mountains and the Aydarkul lake to the west for a nature-focused itinerary.
Visiting Zaamin with TourEast
We can add Zaamin to a private or small-group Uzbekistan itinerary with transfers, accommodation and, if you like, a local guide for the walks. Tell us when you travel and how active you want to be, and we will plan the days around the season.
