bigtravelbuzzUzbekistan, an uninhabited landscape where everyone thinks time has stopped! In fact, Uzbekistan is home to beautiful tiled mosques, elaborately decorated palaces, delicious meals made with fresh vegetables and fruits, a high-speed rail network and, above all, the most friendly and welcoming people. It is a well-developed country with Plan your trip through Uzbekistan on a 10-day itinerary.
Uzbekistan itinerary
This undiscovered gem of Central Asia has a rich history as it is located on the legendary Silk Road. A wonderful mix of old and new gives the country a cozy feel. 1-2 weeks is enough for a trip to Uzbekistan.
Day 1: Tashkent
Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia. This modern capital is the starting point for any Uzbekistan itinerary due to its excellent connections with international airports.
Tashkent is very different from other cities and doesn’t have much to offer other than visiting bazaars and quaint metro stations.
Tips: Download the Verum QR App Since mid-2019, all locations have QR codes that provide information about properties. (Like a free tour guide)
Days 2-4: Samarkand – Uzbekistan Travel Favorite
Enter a wonderful city with colorful mosques, minarets, mausoleums and traditional markets. Samarkand is a must-see city in Uzbekistan. Spend 3 days visiting all the sights and chatting with the welcoming locals.
Tashkent to Samarkand
The high speed train from Tashkent to Samarkand takes only 2 hours and is very comfortable.
Days 5-7: Bukhara
The walkable city of Bukhara is perhaps the most beautiful city in Uzbekistan. The labyrinth of narrow, quiet streets and lush parklands is a pleasant place to spend a few days. Visit the Arche and Po-i-Kalyan complexes, two architectural masterpieces.
Samarkand to Bukhara
Board the high-speed train in Samarkand and reach Bukhara within 2 hours.
Days 7-9: Khiva
Khiva, an open-air museum in the desert, was Uzbekistan’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. Sample some of the region’s delicious cuisine and stroll through this old adobe village that feels like you’ve stepped into a real movie scene.
Bukhara to Khiva
Of all the destinations on Uzbekistan’s itinerary, Khiva is certainly the most difficult to reach. From Bukhara, the best way to get there is by train (5 hours) or taxi (7 hours).
Day 10: Tashkent
Finally, spend your last day in Uzbekistan en route to Tashkent and board an international flight home with a backpack full of new experiences. You can take a night train as well from Khiva (16.5 hours) or return to Tashkent from Urgench. (1.5 hours)
Travel expenses in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a very affordable travel country, and you can easily travel on your own.
Expect trips in Uzbekistan to be $25 to $45 per person on a budget, or $60 to $100 if you value a little more convenience in tours and hotels.
Budget
- Hotel: $60-$200/night
- Hostel: $20-$50/night
- Shipping: – $10/day
- Meal: $5-$15/day
- SIM card: $8 (9GB – UCell)
- Enterance fee: $3-$20
- Flight: – $70
Get cash in uzbekistan
Every city has several well-functioning ATMs. Some use the currency of Uzbekistan, others use the US dollar. Maestro and Visa cards are widely accepted, but Mastercard is limited.
Uzbekistan food
A large market with fresh fruits, vegetables and bread represents the delicious cuisine of Uzbekistan. Expect delicious salads, soups, breads, plov, dumplings and more. For vegetarians, finding great meatless dishes like pumpkin dumplings (manti) is not too difficult.
How to get around in Uzbekistan
A common misconception is that you need to see Uzbekistan with a tour operator. Uzbekistan’s rail network is very convenient, affordable and a great way to get around the country. High speed trains are of the same quality as in Italy and other European countries.
At the moment it’s still very difficult to book tickets online (in 2019), but luckily his Advantour, a Silk Road tour operator, has taken the hassle out by pre-booking everything.
Train tickets to Uzbekistan for the above itinerary range from $5 to $20 per person, depending on class. All major cities are connected to domestic or international airports and are served by scheduled flights. For the return journey from Khiva to Tashkent, at the moment only planes are recommended, as trains are much better for traveling between other cities.
Best time to travel in Uzbekistan
The best times to visit Uzbekistan are in spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October), when the climate is pleasant, warm and dry. In general, I recommend skipping the summer months of June-August, but a visit in late August was fine as long as you avoided the sun in the afternoon.
Dressing in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a modern country with no strict dress code for women. The majority of the country is Muslim, but headscarves are not required at all. Western tourists are still new and exciting, so expect some selfie questions.
Dress respectfully for everyone. Of course, some religious sites require body coverings, so always bring an extra scarf when traveling in Uzbekistan.
Security in Uzbekistan
Aside from some years of corruption, Uzbekistan has a very low crime rate and is a safe country to visit. Unlike city trips to Europe, you don’t have to worry about pickpockets. Uzbeks are well-mannered and in this beautiful country, couples and solo travelers don’t have to worry.
Uzbekistan visa
Changes in 2018 have made applying for an Uzbekistan visa easier for most nationalities. You can now purchase an E-Visa and get a free visa for some countries.