Uzbekistan Tours & Holidays

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. This part of Uzbekistan is largely inhabited by Kazakh ethnic people, some of whom are nomadic and inhabit traditional yurt style homes. The Karakum Desert (meaning black sand) is predominantly found in Turkmenistan but also spans Uzbekistan.

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. In the winter months of the year this area will see snow.

If local handicrafts and unique cultural items are your bag, then you will love shopping in Uzbekistan. Whether you’re in a large city like Tashkent or a smaller town with a local bazaar, there will be opportunities to buy local souvenirs. When you visit mosques or other historic buildings in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva you’ll find many little shops full of knick-knacks and local crafts like traditional clothing and accessories such as hand-painted ceramics, colourful doppi (skullcaps) woollen hats, handmade cloaks and jackets and embroidered bags.

In the old city of Tashkent, a visit to the Chorsu Bazaar is a must. This traditional bazaar is frequented by locals and travellers alike and is famed for its attractive, blue-domed ceiling. Here you can buy everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, nuts, sweets, local breads and pastries and meat (including the local delicacy of horsemeat), through to jewellery, souvenir knives, ceramics, clothes and embroideries. There is also a large street food market where you can stop for lunch to eat a number of local favourites including fried pike, plov, kababs, soups, manti and more.

In Samarkand, the Siyob Bazaar is the place to for artistic souvenirs, traditional clothing and embroidery. It is also where locals will shop for all types of fresh produce, dairy, bakery goods and meat. Most vendors will be happy to let tourists taste different dried fruits, nuts and other items before buying, which can be a fun way to tour around the market.

There are mixed ethnicities in Uzbekistan with Uzbek making up 80 per cent of the population. Other ethnicities include Russian, Tajik, Kazakh and even Korean and Armenian. This is largely due to its strategic location as part of the ancient Silk Road trade route between the East and West.

Uzbekistan was part of the Persian Empire in the 4th Century, when Alexander the Great arrived and married a local Uzbek chieftain’s daughter in Samarkand. This attracted the attention of Western Turks, who ceased their nomadic existence in the 6th century and settled in Uzbekistan. The introduction of Islam in the 8th century then saw many Arabic groups immigrate into the area.

In the 13th century, Genghis Khan conquered Uzbekistan as part of his Mongol empire and over the next few centuries there were numerous smaller invasions. The most notable of these was Amir Timur (also known as Tamerlane), who dreamed of restoring Uzbekistan to the former glory of Genghis Khan’s Mongol empire. Amir Timur was an Islamic leader but led a people and army that was inclusive of a range of ethnicities. He was known as a patron of arts, architecture and intelligence.

The next great change in Uzbekistan came in the form of the Soviet takeover in the late 19th century. While it was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, Uzbekistan has retained much of its Islamic history and culture, making it a melting pot of Russian, Central Asian and Islamic customs today. It is a welcoming, yet conservative society.

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 in Uzbekistan and are traditionally drunk 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 family areas but will often still serve alcohol to people over the age of 20 years old, which is the legal drinking age. Locals will toast to good health in Uzbek by saying rahmat.

Must try dishes

• 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 – there are many varieties of local soups that normally include a thin broth, pieces of meat, an assortment of vegetables and may include either rice or noodles. They are normally topped with fresh herbs such as 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 and 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.

Due to the melting pot of cultures and ethnic groups in Uzbekistan, there are a diverse number of national, historical and religious holidays recognised. Some of the most popular ones include:

• Independence Day (September 1) – this day marks Uzbekistan’s independence from the Soviet Union and is celebrated with feasts and festive performances throughout the entire country.
• Day of Defenders of the Native Land (January 14) – has been celebrated since 1992, to honour the creation of Uzbekistan’s own armed forces, once they had been liberated from the Soviet Union.
• Navruz (March 21) – one of the oldest national holidays that celebrates the spring equinox. Families celebrate with traditional feasts.
• Day of Memory and Honour (May 9) – celebrates the opening of the Square of Memory in Tashkent, which honours the memory of national heroes who have defended Uzbekistan over the centuries.
• The cultural festival of Boysun Bahori – which dates back to the Persian Empire and celebrates ancient local traditions through a celebration of song, dance and storytelling. This has been labelled a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
• Ramadan Hayit (June) – Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Ramadan Hayit has been celebrated to mark the end of the 30 days of fasting and purification of Ramadan. There is no exact day, but each year there are several days of celebration and traditional feasting and the first of these days is a public holiday.

Top 5 Must-See Monuments of Uzbekistan

1. Ark Fortress

Bukhara's massive fortress is a most impressive architectural wonder. Masked in legend, tourists flock to this grand structure to both admire its existence and gain some understanding of local history. If the walls could talk they would speak of royal dynasties, Mongol conquerors and Bolshevik sieges, all taking place over hundreds of years of history.

2. Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum

This ancient, sprawling complex features mausoleums and other buildings used for rituals and worship. With intricately carved mosaics, elaborate tile work and arched doors, a visit here reveals architectural gems and fascinating moments in Central Asia's history.

3. Ak-Saray Palace

Shakhrisabz is home to many monumental buildings but one of the most spectacular is the ruins of the awesome Ak-Saray Palace. With coloured, glazed bricks that shimmer in the sun, elegant mosaics and splendid calligraphy, this monument is a standout of Uzbekistan.

4. Bibi Khanum Mosque

This huge, holy site located in Samarkand was built all the way back in the 14th century. Suffering damage due to earthquakes and the ravages of time, it has now been partially restored and stands as a magnificent example of Central Asian Islamic architecture.

5. The Registan

Hailed as one of Central Asia's most recognisable monuments, the Registan's towering minarets, blue domes and beautiful, tiled exteriors are decadently dazzling. The interiors are as exceptional as the facade, so don't miss a visit here while travelling through Samarkand.