Uzbekistan tours & holidays

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during the spring (March to mid-June) and fall (September to October) when the extreme heat and chill step aside for milder, more comfortable days. Spring brings life to the desert with blooming wildflowers and refreshing rains, while fall fills the markets with fresh harvests, making both seasons ideal for exploring ancient Silk Road cities like Bukhara and Samarkand. Plus, it’s prime time for stargazing in a cozy yurt in the Kyzylkum Desert.

If you’re trying to escape the heat or below-freezing temperatures, you won’t be able to escape the crowds. If you’re looking for a quieter vibe and fewer tourists in the mausoleums, then opt to travel in the shoulder months outside these preferred timeframes.

Learn more about the best time to visit Uzbekistan

Food in Uzbekistan is hearty, with an emphasis on red meat, bread and noodle-based dishes. Both green and black loose-leaf tea are the national drink and accompany all meals; they're traditionally drank without milk or sugar.

Unlike many other conservative countries, alcohol is widely available and accepted in Uzbekistan, largely thanks to the Soviet influence from the 20th century. Some restaurants may have designated dry areas but will often still serve alcohol to people over the age of 20, which is the legal drinking age. Locals toast to good health in Uzbek by saying rahmat.

Things to try in Uzbekistan

Plov

Uzbekistan’s national dish and version of pilaf. A rice dish containing pieces of meat, onions, yellow carrots, spices and sometimes raisins or chickpeas.

Soups

Many varieties of local soups normally include a thin broth, pieces of meat, an assortment of vegetables, and rice or noodles. They're normally topped with fresh herbs like parsley and dill and served with local bread.

Somsa

Uzbekistan’s answer to a meat pie, somsa is a street food pastry filled with minced meat, onions and spices.

Manti

A Turkic-style steamed or boiled dumpling filled with spiced minced lamb or beef meat. It's often served with yogurt as a dressing.

Kebabs

A kebab can refer to a variety of grilled meat dishes, often cooked over an open flame and served with onions and tomatoes. A shish kebab is a common type and consists of spiced, ground meat that has been skewered and cooked over a fire.

Located in Central Asia and sharing borders with Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world (the other is Liechtenstein).

It has a variety of different terrain, and travellers can expect to see deserts, mountains and valleys with little water mainly due to most areas receiving very little rainfall throughout the year.

As a result of this, much of Uzbekistan's countryside is dusty, sandy and dry, with pockets of fertile, green land interspersed throughout the rocky landscapes.

The Kyzylkum Desert is one of the country’s biggest features: a red sand desert (Kyzylkum means red sand in Turkic) located between two rivers – Amu Darya and Syr Darya. It spans Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

Another prominent topographical feature of Uzbekistan is the Nuratau Mountains, found east of the Kyzylkum Desert. These mountains are a luscious ecosystem of forests, rivers, lakes and small villages. This area sees snow in the winter months.

Bukhara

Uzbekistan’s ‘holiest city’ is like stepping back in time. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s packed with medieval gems like the Ismail Samani Mausoleum and Bolo-Khauz Mosque. As you wander through winding streets, you’ll discover ancient mosques, madrassas and towering minarets. More than just historic buildings, it is also alive with Uzbek folklore and music. With its bustling bazaars, cozy tea houses and intricate domes, this city beautifully blends the old with the new.  

Samarkand

Samarkand has long been a hub for artisans and traders, with a rich history that draws you in at every corner. You can’t miss the remnants of the Ulugbek Observatory, built by a Muslim prince, or a visit to the Afrosiab Museum to dive into the city’s ancient past. Don’t forget to stop by the Siob Bazaar, where vibrant stalls and friendly traders give you a taste of the local culture.  

Khiva

A hidden gem surrounded by the vast Kyzylkum Desert, Khiva is where nomadic people have roamed for centuries. The Old City is a treasure trove of ancient monuments, including the turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret and the Kuhna Ark fortress. For a stunning view of the city, head up to the Ak-Sheikh Baba observation platform, then relax with a glass of champagne on a rooftop terrace for the sunset.  

Tashkent

This city is a mix of extravagant mosques—both old and new—and vibrant museums and art galleries that showcase Uzbekistan’s rich culture. Foodies can indulge at local restaurants serving up Uzbek classics, and history lovers can awe at the Mosque, home to one of the oldest and holiest Korans in the world. Take a stroll through Amir Temur Square and soak up the city’s energy as locals go about their daily lives.  

Nuratau Mountains

Tucked away in the hills, the Nuratau Mountains are a peaceful desert oasis where nature and culture blend. With rolling peaks and rocky gorges, the area offers the perfect backdrop for hikes to waterfalls or ancient petroglyph sites. The local mountain villages remain deeply rooted in tradition, where time-honoured practices continue to thrive. Learn about their way of life by staying in a traditional Tajik village surrounded by stone buildings and vibrant greenery.  

Uzbekistan is a trove of history and culture shaped by centuries of trade, conquest and creativity. As a vital hub on Silk Road, it saw merchants and travellers pass through ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, leaving behind a rich blend of cultures. 

These cities flourished as centres of art, science and learning, turning Samarkand into a city of dazzling blue domes, intricate mosaics and towering madrasahs.  

The country’s history traces back to the Persian empire in the 4th century, drawing in Western Turks who later settled there in the 6th century. Islam arrived in the 8th century, bringing Arabic influence, followed by Genghis Khan’s invasion in the 13th century. Timur rose next, leading to a multi-ethnic army and building an empire celebrated for its cultural and architectural achievements.  

Today, Uzbekistan’s customs reflect its blend of Russian, Central Asian and Islamic traditions. It’s a welcoming yet conservative society where hospitality is valued and the Boysun Bahori festival keeps ancient traditions alive with song, dance and storytelling.  

The official currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbek Sum (UZS).  

Foreign credit cards aren’t widely accepted in Uzbekistan, so be sure to carry enough cash when travelling.  

ATMs are not widely accessible, so be sure to arrive with enough USD for the trip to exchange at the airport or hotels for local currency. While you will encounter some ATMs, operational ATMs that accept foreign cards are hard to come by.