The One-day Solar Furnace and Equestrian Club Tour is one of the most unusual tours from Tashkent, offering an enjoyable day trip beyond the capital. You will visit the remarkable Big Solar Furnace near Parkent, whose architectural ensemble was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026, before heading to Konny Dvorik Equestrian Club for a horse ride and the chance to spend time with the horses. This tour is ideal for travellers looking to explore the area around Tashkent, enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Tien Shan foothills, and spend time outdoors.
Tour itinerary:
In the morning, meet your guide and driver at your hotel in Tashkent. Drive to the Parkent region (55 km, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes) to visit the Big Solar Furnace, a unique Soviet-era research complex also known as the Physics-Sun Institute or the Solar Institute of Uzbekistan.
Upon arrival, begin your guided tour of the Solar Institute. Learn how the Big Solar Furnace uses a system of special mirrors (heliostats), a giant solar concentrator, and a technological tower. Together, these components generate high temperatures required for scientific research and materials testing.
The research complex stands at an altitude of approximately 1,100 metres above sea level, in the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains.
During the tour, you will visit:
- The heliostat field, featuring 62 large mirror installations that reflect sunlight onto the concentrator;
- The Solar Museum, dedicated to the history and operation of the complex;
- The hydrometeorological station;
- The Big Solar Furnace concentrator, where concentrated sunlight is used to heat and melt materials at temperatures reaching 3,000°C;
- The upper observation deck, offering panoramic views of the mountains and Parkent Valley.
Important: The lift is currently out of service, so visitors must climb 13 floors up the stairs to reach the observation deck.
Please note: Melting demonstrations do not take place at weekends and may also be unavailable on certain weekdays.
13:00–13:30 – Depart for Konny Dvorik Equestrian Club (30–40 minutes’ drive). Stop for lunch at a local café along the way (at your own expense).
Upon arrival at the equestrian club, explore the grounds and meet the horses. Enjoy a 30-minute guided horse ride, feed the horses under an instructor’s supervision and take memorable photos with them.
Around 16:00 – Depart for Tashkent. Transfer to your hotel.
End of the tour.
Important Horse-Riding Rules
- Maximum permitted rider weight: 90 kg.
- Riding in shorts is not permitted.
- Open-toe shoes and shoes with high platforms are not permitted.
Recommendations
- Wear long trousers and comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
- Bring a hat or cap for sun protection on sunny days.
Price includes:
- Transportation throughout the tour (1–2 travellers in a standard sedan; 3–8 travellers in a minivan);
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Tashkent;
- Services of an English-speaking accompanying guide;
- Entrance fees to the Solar Institute and Konny Dvorik Equestrian Club;
- A 30-minute guided horse ride;
- The opportunity to feed the horses under an instructor’s supervision and take photos with them using your own mobile phone.
Price doesn't include:
- Lunch;
- Additional charges for extending your stay at the equestrian club;
- Additional charges for extending the horse ride beyond the included 30 minutes.
Prices, per person
Tour Enquiry
The tour is private with your personal guide. There will be no other people joining the tour.
Our guides will follow your own pace.
The starting time of the tour is up to you and may vary from 09.00 am to 16.00 pm.
We are happy to offer this tour for air/train passengers too. Our guide will meet you at the arrival station.