Uzbekistan is one of the only two double-landlocked countries in the world. This beautiful country in Central Asia was once at the heart of the Great Silk Route, which connected the East and the West. Throughout history, the country has been ruled by various rulers, including the Persians, Arabs, Mongols, Turkic (Tamerlane), and Russians, until it finally became part of the erstwhile Soviet Union. In 1991, the country declared itself independent from the USSR.

Uzbeks are a major ethnic group in the country, followed by Tajiks, Russians, Kazakhs, Tatars, and Karakalpaks. While Russian is popularly spoken in Tashkent, people in rural Uzbekistan speak Uzbek.

The country is home to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, four of which are cultural sites located on the Great Silk Road. But the country also has much to offer for nature enthusiasts. Besides the ancient cities and bustling bazaars, tourists can explore the Chimgan Mountains, the Kyzylkum Desert, the Charvak Reservoir, the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, and the Zaamin National Park. The Surkhan Valley is a famous green paradise with orchards, vineyards and terraced fields.

The people are very warm, friendly, and welcoming toward tourists. Shopkeepers are ready to explain their wares, and locals suggest things you must do in their country. If you are looking for a budget-friendly travel destination, make sure to check our Uzbekistan tour package itinerary.

• Uzbekistan is one of the only 2 landlocked countries in the world.
• It has the world’s largest open-pit gold mine.
• The Aral Sea, a once large saltwater lake, is now a desert, The Aralkum Desert.
• Across Uzbekistan, you’ll only find white-coloured Chevrolet cars.
• Uzbekistan is at the heart of the transcontinental Great Silk Road system.
• It is one of the cheapest countries in the world.
• The Savitsky Museum is home to the world’s largest Soviet avant-garde art.
• Lal Bahadur Shashtri died in Tashkent & has a street named after him in the city.
• Uzbekistan has the 4th largest gold reserves in the world.
• Rural Uzbekistan is considered one of the best places in the world for star gazing.
• Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent is one of the largest open-air bazaars in the world.

• Indians can apply for a 30-day eVisa for a fee of $20 USD.
• Visa on Arrival – Visit Uzbekistan Embassy for visa confirmation stamp & later obtain Visa On Arrival at Tashkent.
• You must register for your stay at every hotel, regardless of whether you have registered earlier.
• When filling out customs declaration during arrival & departure, keep your copy with you.
• It’s best to travel through a tour operator who knows about the different legal aspects of Uzbekistan.
• Pre-book hotels in major destinations like Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara.
• Taxi drivers overcharge; remember to pre-book a taxi.
• Vegetarians may have to survive on salads & porridge. Make sure you carry ready to eat meals from India.

India and Uzbekistan have shared a historically long relationship that’s evident through the language and cuisine. While the term Uzbek did not emerge until the late 15th century, it is possible that the Mughals shared ancestry with the Uzbeks. Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, was born in the Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan and was Timur’s great-great-great-grandson.

The two nations are also connected through the Great Silk Route. Uzbeks love Bollywood movies and Hindi serials. The erstwhile Hindi actor and director Raj Kapoor had a cult following in Tashkent. Some of the other Indian stars who are popular in the country include Mithun Chakraborty and Amitabh Bachchan. India and Uzbekistan also share a similar cuisine with some common dishes like pulav (plov), kebab, and samosa (somsa). Even the bread is called non (a variant of naan).

Uzbekistan is a culture lover’s delight. From historic cities and fascinating art and architecture to the breathtaking landscapes of Amirsoy and Chimgan, there’s so much to explore and experience in this Central Asian country.

Uzbekistan is one of the cheapest countries to travel. With one Indian rupee fetching around 150 Uzbekistan Som, you can buy a lot of things and enjoy accommodation at some of the best hotels in the country. A filling Samsa will cost you only 30 rupees, while a 3-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant in Tashkent will cost you around ~INR 3,000. A litre of water costs around ~INR 30. Should you choose to live in an Airbnb and do some cooking, basic groceries and fruits are very affordable as well. A loaf of freshly baked bread is less than INR 50, and a dozen eggs are less than INR 200. Local transportation is equally cheap taxi costs around INR 40 for a mile. Even long routes wouldn’t cost you more than INR 1,000.

Besides its incredible history and architectural wonders, Uzbekistan has breathtakingly beautiful natural beauty. With snow-capped mountains on the one side and dessert expanses on the other, there’s a little of everything here. For instance, the Chimgan Mountains are only a few hours from Tashkent and are famous for their serene lakes, pine forests, pristine rivers, and panoramic vistas. You can go trekking in the Chimgan Mountains or sign up to go paragliding. During winter, the mountains are perfect for snowboarding and skiing.

Amirsoy is another mountain resort only an hour and a half away from Tashkent.
It is popular for its ski resorts and panoramic views of the snow-capped Tien Shan mountains. Within Tashkent is the beautiful village of Nanai, famous for its many cascades and waterfalls.

If you’d like to explore the desert regions, head to Kyzylkum Desert for some wildlife photography, camel trekking, and a stay in a yurt camp.

Don’t miss the Ugam Chatkal National Park, the largest in the country and famous for the Tien Shan brown bear, rare and endemic flowers, including Butkov’s tulips and snowdrops, and other endangered birds.

Uzbekistan was the central crossroad for traders plying the Great Silk Route, which had connected the Far East to the West for centuries. Some of the Uzbek cities that traders traversed through include Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent, Termez, Urgench, and Fergana. The trade route even helped the locals discover new crafts. For instance, artisans from the Fergana Valley learnt the secret of silk making as early as the 3rd century AD. The city now produces the best quality silk in Central Asia.

The trade route also attracted scientists, thinkers, travellers, and other artisans who left their indelible mark on the cities through their buildings, artworks, music, food, and literature. Samarkand, for instance, is home to masterpieces such as the ornately tiled Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir, the Mausoleum of Tamerlane, and the Bibi Khanum Mosque. Bukhara is another legendary medieval city famous for its bazaars, which seem to have frozen in time. The Ark of Bukhara and the Kalon Mosque are some of the famous buildings that have survived time in Bukhara.

Khiva is another city that flourished during the Silk Route trade and is worth visiting to explore the well-preserved walled town of Ichon Qala. We can either add the Great Silk Route tour to your Uzbekistan tour package itinerary or customise one exclusively for you, including all Central Asian cities along the Silk Route.

The Uzbeki people are warm, friendly, and welcoming. Don’t be surprised if random Uzbek people smile at you on the metro or while shopping. People are happy to welcome you into their homes, share their food, and even expect you to stay overnight with them. And if you’re Indian, Bollywood can be an ice-breaker. You’ll often find people commenting on how they love Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Uzbekistan is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. And what better way to stargaze than to spend a night in the Kyzylkum Desert inside a yurt? To the uninitiated, a yurt is a circular collapsible tent, usually made of wood and covered with felt. This is unlike the tents you’ll find in the Middle East as they’re much sturdier and even have an electric wall lamp and a flushing toilet.

Uzbekistan has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The best time to visit the country would depend on your purpose of travel. If you’re planning a ski vacation, we suggest booking Uzbekistan tour packages in winter. But the country has extreme climates – winters can be extremely cold, and summers can be unbearably hot. Spring and autumn can be a good time if you aren’t accustomed to weather extremes.

Spring in Uzbekistan is characterised by apricot blooms, tulips, and wildflowers, making this a wonderful time to hike in the Tien Shan Mountains. The entire region experiences a riot of colours, and the rivers are in full force thanks to the melting glacial water. It’s also a festive time in the country with major festivals like Nowroz and the Silk and Spices Festival in Bukhara. Nowroz is Persian New Year and the best time to witness Kopkari, a game played on horseback where two teams battle over a goat carcass. Spring is the only time when you can sample Sumalyak, a treat made using new shoots of wheat.

If you’re from the South of India and looking to avoid the Indian summers, we suggest booking an Uzbekistan tour package around this time.

Things to do in Spring:

• Enjoy Kopkari, a traditional Uzbek game.
• Sample Sumalyak, a treat only available in spring.
• Hiking on the Tien Shan Mountains.
• Bird watching at the Zaamin National Park.

Temperatures can soar up to 40°C in summer, but the average is around 32°C. It’s also the driest season in the country, especially in southern Uzbekistan regions of Bukhara, Khiva, and Karakalpakstan. The high temperatures keep tourists away from the country, making summers the perfect time for affordable Uzbekistan tour packages.

We suggest sticking to Wayanad or Ladakh, as the climate is pleasant in these areas despite the rain.

The daytime temperature around Fall is pleasant and between 20°C to 30°C. This is the best time to feast on the country’s fruits, including watermelons, melons, grapes, apples, plums, figs, and quinces. Packages are slightly expensive as it is peak season during this time. It is also a great time to admire the beautiful poplar trees as they attain a golden hue. If you are in Tashkent, it is the best time to participate in the many exhibitions and music festivals held around this time.

Things to do in Autumn:

• Enjoy the fruit and vegetable bounty in this season.
• Visit the Botanical Garden in Tashkent.
• Visit the Ispaisai Gorge.
• Explore Karakalpakstan and the Baday-Tugai National Park.

Temperatures can range from -1°C to -3°C in winter and could even drop up to -8°C in some areas. While Uzbekistan looks draped in a blanket of snow around this time, there’s not much to do if you aren’t a winter sports enthusiast. Uzbekistan tour packages are cheap around this time. Winter is also the perfect time to witness the Yillar Festival. It is quite similar to Christmas.

Things to do in Winter:

• Enjoy ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, etc.
• Enjoy tea at the many Choykhanas.
• Sample winter specials like dolma, manti, and Uzbek halva.

From stargazing and hiking to exploring the cultural cities of the Great Silk Route, there’s so much to do and see in this beautiful Central Asian country. Some of the activities we cover on our Uzbekistan tour package include:

The Ulug Bek Observatory in Samarkand is one of the oldest and was built by Tamerlane during the 1400s. The observatory stands as a testament to the scientific mindset of medieval Islam in Central Asia. But if you are looking for a perfect stargazing experience, we suggest you stay overnight at a camp in the Kyzylkum Desert. The clear skies offer an unparalleled view of the Milky Way, followed by a brief astronomy lesson from an expert where you’ll learn about different constellations.

Yurts are traditional tents in Central Asian countries like Mongolia and Uzbekistan. They’re sturdy and quite compact as well, with comfortable beds, electric wall lamps, and even Western-style toilets. At night, you can enjoy a campfire along with local Uzbek music and singing. Don’t miss the traditional meal cooked by the local Uzbeks, followed by wine and vodka. Some of the typical activities on a yurt camp include camel riding, watching the sunset and sunrise, and enjoying tea while stargazing.

Uzbekistan is full of bazaars selling unique handicrafts, including carpets, silk, wood carvings, ceramics, and leather goods. But if you’d like to be transported to medieval times, we suggest exploring bazaars in Bukhara. The place has been a hotspot for traders for thousands of years, with merchants selling spices, nuts, dried fruits, carpets, silk, puppets, and even gold and silver. It’s the best place to buy handmade Damascus steel knives.

The Chorsu Bazaar is over 1200 years old and one of the largest open-air markets in Central Asia, from pickled vegetables to dried meat and sausages to spices, bread, and even everyday household items. It’s also a great place for souvenir shopping.

While the rest of Uzbekistan maintains its Uzbek identity, Tashkent has a distinctive Russian influence. This beautiful city combines traditional and avant-garde Russian architecture. Some of the city’s attractions include its Soviet-era buildings, Chorsu Bazaar, Moyie Mubarek Library Museum, Assumption Cathedral, and the Hazrat Imam Complex. The city also has the finest metro in Central Asia, not only because of the architecture but also because of the super-efficient trains.

The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are primarily associated with the historic Great Silk Route and have attracted great conquerors like Alexander the Great, Timur, and Chengis Khan. Explore the unique medieval architecture of these towns, evident through their mosques, minarets, madrassas, and mausoleums. These cities are literally open-air museums with history hidden in every corner and hundreds of years old buildings. These cities are perfect for exploring the intricate tile works, offering a kaleidoscope of blue, white, green, and turquoise.

The Uzbek Metro is one of the biggest in Central Asia but is widely appreciated for its astounding architecture. The most beautiful stations in the country are along the Ozbekistan Line and based on various themes. For instance, the Kosmonavtlar Station is themed on the Russian space program and designed as an ode to Soviet cosmonauts like Yuri Gagarin and Vladislav Volkov.

Some of the other notable metros include Chilonzor, notable for its majestic chandeliers; G’afur G’ulom, famous for its granite columns and ceramic wall art; Bodomzor for its futuristic design, and the Pushkin metro station for its mystic Hogwarts like interiors.

This region is rightly called the Pearl of Uzbekistan. The beautiful and picturesque place is also connected to India through Babur, who ruled Ferghana when he was 12 and had to leave when the Uzbeks invaded it. Some of the cities in the region greatly benefited from the Great Silk Route trade. Today, Margilan silk is among the best in the world with the famous khan-atlas standing out for its unique weaving pattern.

It is also home to the picturesque Shakhimardan town, a sacred place believed to be the resting place of Ali bin Abu Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad. Don’t miss the valley’s favourite dessert, Kokand halva, a fudge like sweet made using butter, milk powder, sugar, nuts, and dried fruits.

Uzbek cuisine is characterised by its rich flavours and a blend of Turkic and Persian cultures. While the cuisine is primarily meat and dairy based, there are regional diversities as well. For instance, Tashkent people prefer lamb, while people in the northeastern regions include horse meat in their diet.

Some of the common dishes on a typical Uzbek menu include

Also called shashlik, they are one of the main dishes in the country and are made using ground beef, mutton, chicken, organ meat, and even vegetables. The secret to making a good kebab is understanding the intricacies like spice blends, marinade ingredients, fat-to-meat ratio, etc., and it is often a closely guarded secret passed down through generations.

There are different variations of where this triangular-shaped pastry originated, with Uzbeks believing that it originated in their region. Unlike their Indian counterpart, these pastries are baked in clay ovens (tandyrs) and stuffed with minced meat, onions, and spices.

These steamed delicacies were probably inspired by the Chinese dumpling and came to Central Asia through the Silk Route. There are different variations of these dumplings. For instance, mantis are large dumplings stuffed with meat, onions, and spices and steamed in a steaming pot called kasban in Uzbek. Chuchvara are small dumplings with a meat filling and served in vegetable broth. There’s also a fried variety called kovurma chuchvara and osh kuktli chuchvara, which are made using greens, eggs, onions, and tail fat. Similarly, hanum is another dumpling stuffed with potatoes and onions and sometimes meat or pumpkin and rolled into logs.

Also called nons or lepekshas, breads are central to Uzbek cuisine, with multiple traditions connected to it. For instance, bread is always torn and not cut with a knife. Obi non is another popular type that could incorporate lamb fat, raisins, and nuts for flavour. There’s also a goodluck bread called Lepioshka. Uzbeks believe that this bread must not be laid upside down, or it may bring good luck.

This is Uzbek’s national dish and is traditionally cooked by men. While every region has its own plov variant, the base ingredients are always rice, meat, onions, carrots, and spices. The dish is so popular that there are competitions where renowned chefs take part. Make sure your itinerary includes watching Plov chefs or Oshpaz cooking them in giant cauldrons called kazans. Plovs are so popular that you’d even find locals eating them as early as 6 in the morning. This is a communal food and is often served at weddings, funerals, and other events.

Some of the other everyday Uzbek dishes include:

Shurpa is a broth made from lamb and vegetables. Mashhurda is a thick soup made from rice and mung beans. Mastava is a rice soup made using beef and vegetables. Laghman is another hearty soup that includes hand pulled noodles, meat, and vegetables.

Diary is another key ingredient in Central Asian cuisine and is available in various forms. For instance, Ayran is made using cold and sour milk diluted with carbonated water. Katyk is a type of sour fermented milk, while Kuzma is made by squeezing liquid from the Katyk. When Katy is dried in the sun, it becomes a solid ball that can be stored for a long time.

The great bazaars of Bukhara, Tashkent, Samarkand, and Khiva are ideal for souvenir shopping. Some popular souvenirs include Fergana silk, ceramics, bread stamps, wool hats, suzani blankets, dried fruits and nuts, Uzbek dolls, Uzbek knives, and spices.

• Spices, dried nuts and fruits – Chorsu Bazaar
• Ceramics – Rishton, Fergana Valley
• Uzbek Knife – Chust
• Sik – Margilan
• Metal art – Bukhara, Khiva
• Suzani – Urgut Market
• Silk carpets – Itchan Kala, Khiva
• Wine – Samarkand

• Handshakes are acceptable only between men. Women must be greeted by bowing down and placing your right hand on the heart.
• There are several traditions associated with bread. Check with your local tour guide.
• Uzbekistan is a cash-centric country. Make sure you carry plenty, especially when shopping in bazaars.
• Bargain, but don’t push the limits—it’s considered rude.
• Respect towards elders is central to Uzbek culture.
• Avoid tap water across the country and avoid too much oily plov.
• Wear appropriate clothes, especially if you are visiting religious sites
• Don’t walk in front of a person who is praying. It invalidates their prayers.
• Homosexuality is illegal in the country.

Uzbek culture was formed over thousands of years and inspired by the various ethnicities that inhabited the region at various times. Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Chinese, and the nomadic Turkic people have all contributed to Uzbek culture.

For instance, Nowruz is a fun-filled Persian festival and a major holiday in the country. Boysun Bahori is another popular festival celebrated in Boysun. This festival predates Islam and includes songs, dance shows, and storytelling. Uzbeks also celebrate Christmas in their own special way—Yillar is very similar to Yuletide with decorated fir trees and even Santa Claus.

Uzbek dances are an essential aspect of every festival. The Khorem Lagzi is a traditional folk dance that reflects life, love, and nature. Bukhara dances are graceful and slow compared to the dances in the Khorezm region. Fergana dances are characterised by the upturned hands and depict human relationships.

Uzbekistan has a rich history of art appreciation. Some of the rock paintings in Aman Kutan, Sarmyshsay, and Teshik-tash date back to the Bronze Age