Registan — Secret of the Gypsum Heads
Uncover the forbidden secret of Tamerlane's gypsum heads hidden in Registan's madrasas. Decode clues from ancient tiles to expose a deadly conspiracy before the curse claims you.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In the heart of 15th-century Samarkand, Tamerlane's empire pulsed with grandeur and terror
Registan — Secret of the Gypsum Heads
You are a court astronomer to Ulug Beg, commissioned in 1440 Samarkand, to decipher the architectural secrets of the city and the symbols hidden within its madrasas
Discover Samarkand, the pearl of the Silk Road, where the legendary sandy Registan square was the beating heart of trade and empires.
The story that haunts this land
Your journey begins in the heart of Registan Square, whose Persian name means « sandy place », a vibrant commercial center of medieval Samarkand on the Silk Road. Legend has it that its ground was once covered with sand to absorb the blood of public executions until the 20th century. You stand before the Ulugbek Madrasa, built between 1417 and 1420 by Ulug Beg, Tamerlane's grandson. Its monumental portal, facing the center of the square, features a unique oriental architectural decor. Ulug Beg, an astronomer and ruler, made this place the official seat of power for ceremonies and decree announcements in Samarkand.
Continuing your exploration of Registan Square, you admire the Sher-Dor Madrasa, built between 1619 and 1636. This madrasa stands as the twin of the Tilya-Kari Madrasa, with its two preserved domes. On its facade, a mosaic reconstructed in 1962 depicts lion-headed tigers, a powerful symbol of Ali and the kings of Samarkand. These images, visible through augmented reality, remind you of the rich iconography of Islamic architecture in Uzbekistan, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001.
The Registan complex is completed by the Tilya-Kari Madrasa, built between 1646 and 1660. Its name, meaning « adorned with gold », evokes the splendor of its interior decorations, which your app helps you to detail. This ensemble, with the Ulugbek and Sher-Dor madrasas, forms the emblem of Samarkand. A few steps away, the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum invites contemplation. This tomb of Tamerlane (1336-1405) and his family, with its sparkling blue dome, is a recognizable silhouette of Samarkand's urban landscape. This site testifies to the Timurid heritage that shaped the city.
Your route then leads you to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a major historical monument near the Registan and an integral part of guided tours of Samarkand's district. Erected under Tamerlane in the 14th century, it was the main mosque of Samarkand, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Further on, the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a complex of mausoleums, is also included in historical circuits around the Registan. This sacred site on the Silk Road houses the tombs of companions of the Prophet, reinforcing the spiritual and historical character of your stroll through the city of Uzbekistan.
This scavenger hunt in Samarkand will have allowed you to delve into the heart of the Silk Road's history and its world heritage. From the madrasas of the Registan, witnesses to the Timurid era, to the sacred necropolises, each step has revealed facets of this millennial city. You leave with a deeper understanding of Islamic architecture, figures like Ulug Beg and Tamerlane, and the legends that forged Samarkand. This interactive visit is a unique experience to discover « what to do in Samarkand » and explore its monuments with fresh eyes, off the beaten track of traditional tourism.
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
5-10 curated sites across the territory
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 14,90€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Traces of Terror
Explore the remnants of an era of brutal conquests and skull pyramids.
Architectural Wonders
Decipher codes hidden in the tiles and structures of Timurid monuments.
Forgotten Manuscript
Reconstruct a rare testimony of suffering under Tamerlane's empire of blood.
Beneath the splendor of turquoise domes, an empire's blood whispers its secrets.
Samarkand — Capital of Conquests
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Discover Samarkand, the pearl of the Silk Road, where the legendary sandy Registan square was the beating heart of trade and empires.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
Other escape games in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Samarkand — Tamerlan's Cursed Legacy
Uncover the cursed legacy of Tamerlan in Samarkand's Registan. Decode riddles at Timurid monuments to break the ancient malediction before it claims another heir.
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