Uzbekistan
About Uzbekistan...
Uzbekistan is one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. Sharing borders with other Central Asian countries like Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan is literally the heart of Central Asia. Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan is an excitingly varied region. Home to the world’s newest desert (created by the Aral Sea shrinkage), rare wildlife and unique geology, dotted with ruins of ancient fortresses, this is a region waiting to be explored.
From Termez in the southernmost part of Uzbekistan, to Aral Sea in the north, Fergana Valley in the east to the remote, less visited Khorezm region to the west, Uzbekistan offers the perfect blend of history, ancient culture, architecture, natural landscapes and modernity. The country is much more than the Silk Road cities of Samarkand & Bukhara. Travellers have a wide range to choose from, national parks to music festivals, medieval monuments to bullet trains and winter sports to traditional arts & crafts.
Tashkent, a fascinating city of contrasts, is one of the oldest and largest cities in Central Asia. It replaced Samarkand as the Uzbek capital in 1930. It is very much a showpiece of Soviet and post-Soviet architecture.
Follow in the footsteps of the greatest adventurers and conquerors, traverse the country on modern, high speed ‘Afrosiyob’ trains, visit caravanserais and stay in traditional yurts. This irresistible country has all the ingredients to make your visit a truly memorable experience.
Nuggets of information:
Uzbekistan is a combination of the Turkic words “uz” (self), “bek” (master) and the Persian suffix “stan” (country).
Samarkand was chosen as the 2023 World Tourism Capital.
Khiva has been named the 2024 Tourism Capital of the Islamic World.
One of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Samarkand is known as a crossroad, due to its location at the junction of trade routes from China and India and a melting pot of the world’s cultures.
The national dish, Plov is a very important part of the Uzbek culture and traditions. One qualifies to be a master chef only if they can cook enough palov/plov in one caldron to serve a thousand people.
Uzbekistan is home to one of the world’s largest open-pit gold mine.
Tashkent metro stations are considered amongst the most beautiful in the world, with their chandeliers, marble and granite pillars and ceilings and engraved metal.
Gold embroidery is one of the most popular crafts in Uzbekistan. It’s origin dates back to the 1st-2nd centuries AD when golden threads were used for decoration of clothes. Later, clothes with golden threads became the privilege of Khans and Emirs.
Cotton in Uzbekistan is known as “white gold”, as it accounts for around 7% of the country’s exports.
General Guidance:
Visa:
UK passport holders do not require a visa for Uzbekistan for travel up to 30 days. Click on the link for a visa guide for Uzbekistan.
Insurance:
It is a mandatory requirement for travellers booking with a UK based tour operator to have adequate travel insurance to cover you against loss of luggage, personal belongings, Covid, hospitalisation, flight delays/cancellations and trip curtailments and cancellation due to unforeseen reasons. Sometimes there are travel advisories about specific areas or countries, where a standard insurance may not suffice. Should your itinerary include such regions or an advisory comes up after a trip has been booked, we will update you. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain an insurance which provides you appropriate cover.
Travel advisory:
We recommend consulting the travel advisory of the country you are travelling to/wish to. Click here for the relevant weblinks – UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Citizens of other countries must check their respective government’s advice.
Medical advice:
General travel health advice can be found on Home – Fit for Travel. However, we recommend you contact your GP Services or Travel Clinic for information on vaccines and medication.
Multi – Country tours and extensions:
Uzbekistan combines well with its neighbouring countries.
Kyrgyzstan, with its stunning alpine scenery, offers a glimpse into nomadic traditions, while Kazakhstan’s vast steppes and modern cities like Astana showcase the region’s dynamic growth. Tajikistan’s rugged mountains beckon adventurers, and Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert holds the enigmatic city of Merv. Each country presents a unique blend of landscapes and traditions, making a multi-country itinerary an enticing mosaic of Central Asian splendour. Whether you choose to delve into the history of just one or weave through the narratives of several, the journey promises to be as enriching as it is unforgettable.
Watch our video on Uzbekistan
Itineraries:
As destination experts, we excel in crafting bespoke itineraries that are aligned with your vision, individual style and interests. Contact us to make your Uzbekistan holiday dream a reality.
What our clients say:
Check out our testimonials page.
Trotting Soles in the media:
Read about journalist Suzanne Moore’s trip to Uzbekistan with Trotting Soles in The Telegraph; and Alice Murphy’s travel experience in the Metro.
We were mentioned as a bespoke travel specialist in The National Geographic, Citizen Femme and WHYTT Magazine.
