Is Uzbekistan worth visiting?
If I could answer this with a single eye roll emoji, I would. But that would be rude, so I'll elaborate...
YES!
Uzbekistan blew my mind and the history was absolutely fascinating. I felt Uzbekistan's history was like a massive secret that has been kept from me my whole life. Uzbekistan was the center of the universe at one point, and it has stunning architecture to prove it. Being a main spot along the Silk Road, I should have known. (Jk, I had no idea it was on the Silk Road). Either way, I know now and am here to tell you that Uzbekistan is absolutely worth visiting, and quite an easy country to visit as well.
Best time to go to Uzbekistan
The summers are HOT in the cities of Uzbekistan, so I would aim to go in the spring or in the fall.
Flights to Uzbekistan
Flights to Uzbekistan are best in and out of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Traveling around Uzbekistan
Train Travel in Uzbekistan
Train travel is dreamy in Uzbekistan and makes traveling to the places of interest so easy and comfortable. Check out train ticket prices, times, and duration on https://eticket.railway.uz/en/home. You can book months in advance, but check a month before you want to buy. We bought our tickets the day before we took the train, so that's also an option.
Getting around cities
Getting to and from train stations or around the city, we used Yandex Go (the Russian version of Uber). It was incredibly affordable and very easy to use. Don't always expect seatbelts: they don't always exist. This is helpful all around Central Asia including traveling around Kyrgyzstan.
E-Visa for Uzbekistan
You will have to get an e-visa to visit Uzbekistan. It comes within a few business days and it's pretty straight forward to get. You just need to upload a photo of your passport and a passport photo. Below I recommend a potential trip to Tajikistan. If you decide to do this, make sure you get a multi-entry visa rather than a single entry visa.
The Ultimate 7 day itinerary for Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is quite an easy country to travel in thanks to its train system. Here is a good start to a 7(ish) day itinerary for Uzbekistan.
Day 1-2: Fly into Tashkent
We only got a little taste of Tashkent, but I wish we had stayed an extra day. There are some impressive restaurants in the city, and (at the time of writing this), the US Dollar went quite far, so we could feast at a nice restaurant for a fraction of what we would typically pay.
Beyond that, Tashkent has some cush places to stay. If it fits your budget, I would look into the Intercontinental Tashkent by IHG. There is also the Windham Tashkent that is in a good location with nice rooms.
If you're looking for something different, we almost always book our hotels through Booking.com
Day 2-4 : Train to Bukhara
Bukhara is straight out of a Silk Road fairytale--ancient mosques, bustling bazaars, hidden courtyards, and a vibe that makes you want to slow down and soak it in. You could "do" Bukhara in a day because it's small enough, but I would give yourself 2 days to explore, shop around, and learn about the history.
Where to stay in Bukhara
We stayed at the Golden Minaret which is right in the old town. The restaraunt on the rooftop is delicious and has the best view in the city. The rooms were a little old, but they were clean and I don't think there is anything super modern in the city as an alternative.
Things to do in Bukhara
If you want to understand the history and the significance of the town more, I recommend this highly-rated walking tour of the town.
If tours aren't your thing, just wander around the old town, stop for something to eat, and see where the wind takes you.
Day 4-7: Train to Samarkand
Samarkand blew my mind. It differs from Bukhara in that the city is much bigger and the historical buildings are more spread out and dotted around a modern city. I said Uzbekistan was the center of the universe, but Samarkand specifically was the epicenter of it all. If you go to one place in Uzbekistan, make it here.
Places to stay in Samarakand:
Top end: The Hilton Regency
Mid-Range: The Mosaic Boutique Hotel, Ametist Hotel Complex
Budget: Izumrud Palace (this is where we stayed--it was wonderful and the owner was super sweet)
What to see in Samarkand, Uzbekistan:
Registan Square – This square has the most beautiful buildings my eyes have seen. This square was the center of the ancient city and is the main reason why people travel to Uzbekistan, so don't miss it. It's three massive madrasas covered in intricate tilework. It's unreal at sunrise, sunset, and at night when it's lit up.
Shah-i-Zinda – A stunning avenue of blue-tiled tombs that feels straight out of a dream. It's beautiful and a photogenic spot, but be respectful as it is a mosoleum.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque – This is one of the largest mosques in the world.
Siab Bazaar – A lively market where you can grab fresh bread, dried fruits, and all the Uzbek snacks your heart desires.
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum – Amir Temur's (the ruler who was behind the creation of these stunning buildings) final resting place.
Ulugh Beg Observatory – An astronomical wonder from the 1400s. Ulugh Beg was an astrophysicist that made discoveries well beyond his years.
Hazrat Khizr Mosque – Overlooking Samarkand, this hilltop mosque has intricate design and beautiful views.
If you would prefer a tour guide that can explain the architecture and history, I recommend booking a tour through Viator.
Day 7 (optional): Seven Lakes, Tajikistan
Something I wish we had done was the Seven Lakes trip to Tajikistan. Samarkand is only about 45 minutes from the Tajikistan border, and close by is a beautiful mountain range with an area of seven lakes in close proximity (shocking, who would have thought).
There are many tours offering this as a day trip. You can also go overnight and stay in a small town in the mountains (think rustic), and hike from lake to lake. This requires more planning and asking around in Samarkand with help to find transportation (you'll need to figure out multiple legs: Samarkand to the border, another vehicle from the border to Panjakent, and another 4 wheel drive vehicle to get you up into the mountains, and then rides heading back as well. It's more complicated, but it can be done!
If you're interested in a day trip, here is an option to make it easy. Just remember, get a multi-entry Uzbekistan visa if you're planning on doing this trip.
Day 8: Train to Tashkent for flight back
Note: If you have more time to travel in Uzbekistan, or you want to move quickly and see Bukhara in just a day and Samarkand in 2, I highly recommend looking into Khiva. You can take an overnight train from Tashkent to Khiva (around 14 hours). Khiva is even smaller than Bukhara, so you can see it in a day. This makes the trip more of a whirlwind, but if you are into that type of travel, definitely look into it.
So are you ready to travel to Uzbekistan?
If you love history and stunning architecture, Uzbekistan should shoot to the top of your list. It was absolutely stunning and were warmly welcomed by the people we met along the way. If your looking to travel in more countries on your trip to Central Asia, check out my blog on Kyrgyzstan for some time in nature to balance off the trip.
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