Uzbekistan travel is an exploration of dreamy medieval landscapes accentuated by minarets that pierce the desert sky. Local pilgrims arrayed in dazzling sequined robes whose kaleidoscopic colors are as vibrant as the people themselves. Aromatic scents that combine with the melodic banter of a thriving bazaar, welcoming you to a country both foreign and inviting, adventurous yet comfortable.
This Silk Road destination has been making history for thousands of years – decrepit Buddhist stupas and Zoroastrian shrines speak of its antiquity, while jaw-dropping vestiges of palaces and mosques make it easy to believe how these medieval kingdoms spawned stories of fantasy and lore.
Perhaps Uzbekistan has already captured your imagination and you’re simply looking for practical details on how to prepare for your upcoming trip, in which case we encourage you to check out Uzbekistan Trip Planner.
Embark on Your Dream Journey in Uzbekistan
Dive into Uzbek culture with homestays, cooking classes and yurt camping. Hop on a time machine for a cross-country tour of historic Uzbekistan. Craft your tour around Uzbekistan’s fine-tuned artistic traditions with pottery lessons, silk paper production and carpet weaving.
Our Uzbekistan tourism packages are as diverse as the clients we serve. Whether you’re into history, outdoor adventures or cultural immersion, wanting a quick jaunt to Uzbekistan’s main sites or an extensive, multi-country expedition, chances are we have a tour that’s just what you’re looking for. And if not, drop us a note so that we can begin designing a personalized Uzbekistan travel itinerary that’s tailored to your specific needs and interests.
Traveling Through Uzbekistan
Being the diverse and temperate country that it is, Uzbekistan is a worthy travel destination year-round. While spring and autumn draw the most crowds with their pleasant temps and vibrant landscapes, each season has its own perks:
Winter: Perfect for ski enthusiasts, who can while away the time at Chimgan, Beldersay and Amirsoy Ski Resort, the latter of which opened in December 2019. Fewer tourists in winter also mean discounted accommodations and reduced Uzbekistan travel costs near many touristic sites.
Summer: Sultry summers bring succulent fruits and vegetables of every variety. In July and August, you won’t have to battle crowds and can often find tickets and accommodation at discounted prices. It’s also a great time to cool off in the mountains at Lake Charvak near Tashkent.
Spring: Uzbekistan’s most gorgeous season with pleasant weather, green pastures, flowers in full bloom and several local holidays and festivals that are well worth seeing.
Autumn: Cool and sunny weather, coupled with bazaars that burst with melons and grapes, call a second wave of tourists to this Silk Road land.
Your Travel Map Guide
Use the Uzbekistan Map to locate the country’s main cities and find out what each one has to offer.
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Determining the Ideal Destination for Uzbekistan
Every trip to Uzbekistan will be uniquely patterned after the interests, dreams and schedules of each individual traveler. If you’re looking for a general blueprint to follow, however, these guidelines are based on the experiences of numerous tourists before you and can be a helpful starting point for planning your Uzbekistan Travels:
Tashkent – Metropolitan capital of Uzbekistan with welcoming parks, modern amenities and a smattering of historical sites
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major sites: Tashkent Metro, Chorsu Bazaar, Amir Temir Square
How to get off the beaten path: Wander the streets of Old City in the neighborhood of Chorsu Bazaar, or scrounge for Soviet antiques at the used-goods Yangiabad Bazaar.
Samarkand – Seat of Tamerlane’s medieval empire with striking turquoise-domed palaces and mausoleums, including the glorious Registan
How long should I stay? 2-3 days, especially if you wish to include a visit to nearby Shakhrisabz
Major sites: Registan, Gur Emir, Shakhi Zinda
How to get off the beaten path: Spend the day roaming the archaeological ruins of Afrosiyob, or try your hand at traditional carpet weaving at Hudjum Carpet Factory
Bukhara – Famed center of learning in the Islamic world, its charming Old City quarters will transport you back in time
How long should I stay? 1.5-2 days
Major sites: Ark Fortress, Lyabi-Hauz, Poi Kalyan Ensemble
How to get off the beaten path: Take a day trip from Bukhara to Gijduvon for a ceramics master class; grab some of Bukhara’s famous sofi osh at a local café outside Old City quarters.
Khiva – A ‘Museum Under the Open Sky’ and former Silk Road trade city preserved for over 1500 years
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major sites: Kunya Ark Fortress, Juma Mosque, Kalta Minor Minaret
How to get off the beaten path: Tour the impressive Nurullaboy Palace in Khiva’s Dishan-Kala; take a day trip to the Desert Castles of Ancient Khorezm.
Nukus – Gateway city to the Aral Sea and capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan
How long should I stay? 1.5-2 days, including a trip to Muynak
Major sites: Aral Sea, Savitsky Museum, Mizdakhan Necropolis
How to get off the beaten path: If you’re in Nukus, you’re already well off the beaten path! While in town, visit the House Museum of Ahmet Shamuratov, one of Karakalpakstan’s greatest authors, or spend a half day shopping at the bazaar.
Fergana Valley – Beautiful, populous valley where the country’s finest ceramics and silk products are produced, it includes the cities of Andijan, Fergana, Margilan, Rishtan and Kokand
How long should I stay? 2-3 days if you wish to travel to each city
Major sites: Ceramics Workshop (Rishtan), Yodgorlik Silk Factory (Margilan), Palace of Khudoyar Khan (Kokand)
How to get off the beaten path: Explore ancient Kuva; enjoy the small central parks in Margilan and Fergana.
Termez – Small town laying claim to 1st-century Buddhist ruins and some of the oldest sites in all Uzbekistan
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major sites: Kara Tepa, Fayaz Tepa, Kirk Kiz Fortress
How to get off the beaten path: Admire the lonely Jarkurgan Minaret; track down Zurmala Stupa, believed to be the oldest structure in Uzbekistan.
Where Culture Comes Alive
Uzbekistan’s splendor is never more gloriously displayed than during local holidays and festivals. Come lose yourself in the graceful rhythm of richly ornamented dancers, the irresistible scents of freshly ground spices and home-cooked delights and the kind-hearted embrace of a people eager to welcome you into their beloved traditions.
Boysun Bahori Festival, UzbekistanSharq Taronalari, SamarkandSilk and Spices Festival, Bukhara
Organize your Uzbekistan travels around one of these celebrations:
Navruz (21st March) – Uzbekistan welcomes Persian New Year in full fanfare every March 21, when the long- anticipated arrival of spring is celebrated with song, dance, games and copious amounts of food.
Best place to celebrate: Boysun, Bukhara, Fergana Valley, Samarkand
Navruz Small Group Tour
Silk and Spices Festival (late May-early June) – Bukhara’s annual resurrection of its Silk Road legacy will revolutionize your idea of a party with its days-long celebration splashed with color, folk music, master classes, sporting events and a huge handicrafts fair.
Best place to celebrate: Silk and Spice Festival is only held in Bukhara
Sharq Taronalari (August) – Sharq Taronalari (Eastern Melodies) is a weeklong music festival held every two years at the famed Registan in Samarkand, attracting top-notch performers and attendees from dozens of nations.
Best place to celebrate: Sharq Taronalari is only held in Samarkand
Independence Day (1st September) – Uzbekistan’s independence is duly commemorated with grandiose shows, firework displays, concerts and special programs.
Best place to celebrate: Tashkent
New Year season – Beginning in mid-December, the capital of Uzbekistan is decked out with lights and ‘New Year’ trees, with mini carnivals and holiday villages open daily throughout the city.
Best place to celebrate: Tashkent
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