After exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Kazakhstan, I felt drawn to delve deeper into the heart of Central Asia. Uzbekistan naturally became my next destination—a neighboring “stan-country” with an entirely distinct charm and a unique travel experience. Known as the gateway between East and West, Uzbekistan has long been a crossroads for traders, scholars, and adventurers from around the globe. Its rich and turbulent history—marked by the conquests of Greeks, Mongols, and even the Russians in the 20th century—has shaped it into a land of extraordinary cultural heritage. The thought of exploring the ancient Silk Route was inviting.
Unlike its neighbours Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan which were built on ideals of nomadism, Uzbekistan had emerged as the most important knowledge exchange center in the medieval world. This attracted intellectuals, religious figures, traders and travelers, and the Uzbek cities are dotted with exquisite monuments which served as spiritual and knowledge centers in that era.
Today, Uzbekistan is synonymous with the Silk Road, home of the three major Silk Road cities, composed of a magnificent architecture that can’t be rivaled anywhere else in the world.
How many days in Uzbekistan?
In 7 days, you will be able to see all the main sights in Uzbekistan. However, you might miss the Fergana valley or even do the Silk Route in a rush. The 7-day Uzbekistan itinerary can be found at the end of this post, which in my suggestion could be adjusted to 10 days.
The perfect number of days to spend in Uzbekistan is 10 days. When spending 10 days in Uzbekistan, you can travel through the Silk Route cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva at a slow pace, or even cover the Fergana Valley. Alternatively, a 12-day trip in Uzbekistan can also be done to include the Nukus, the Aydar Lake or the Aral Sea.
Best time to go to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a year-round destination. Nevertheless, bear in mind that summers are utterly hot, especially in Khiva and, in winter, temperatures may easily go below 0ºC. I was there from mid-October to mid-November and days were mild and nights quite cold, around 5ºC.
Uzbekistan is an emerging tourist destination. When you land there, you will realize that you will be surprised to learn that this country is much more popular than you think! The three main Silk Road cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, tend to be swamped with, literally, tens of tour groups. The Fergana valley is a bit off beat, and thus less swamped with tourists.
Moving around Uzbekistan
You can travel by train to pretty much everywhere, except Khiva and the Aral Sea, where you will need to take a bus or a local shared taxi. The trains in Uzbekistan are modern, and the high-speed train connects Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara which can cut travel time to half. However, you need to get your tickets for high-speed train (Afrosiyab) booked in advance (atleast a month before travel date). To check different train schedules and book online tickets, go to the Official Railway Website.
Some important tips
- If you have an Indian passport, you will need to apply for an e-visa. This costs $25 and takes 3-4 working days to arrive. Carry a printout of your e-visa to the airport
- Download the Yandex Go App on your phone for local cabs.
- Download Google Translate or any other translation app of your choice as English is not very widely spoken or understood
- Upon reaching Tashkent, buy a SIM card from the airport so your apps work seamlessly. Data is cheap in Uzbekistan.
- Pack well – weather can be unpredictable in Uzbekistan. Unlike other Islamic countries, there are no strict rules for covering up at monuments in Uzbekistan. In fact, everything from short skirts and sleeveless tops is allowed. However, in the smaller towns away from Tashkent, covered knees and elbows, especially at historical monuments and places of worship, seems to be the norm
- The best time to visit the country is in spring (March and April) before peak summer temperatures hit and autumn (September-November) before it gets very cold
- Uzbekistan’s bullet trains (Afrosiyob) are ideal to travel from one city to the other. However, make sure you book train tickets in advance as they run out! In case you can’t find train tickets, there is always the normal train, inter-city bus, and shared taxis.
Backpacking in Uzbekistan – Ultimate travel itinerary
Day 1-2: Exploring Tashkent’s Hidden Gems
Depending on your arrival time, you can plan your stay in Tashkent accordingly. While the city may not boast an extensive array of monuments or historical landmarks, it provides a fascinating glimpse into its Soviet past. A ride on the Tashkent Metro, renowned for its stunning architecture, is a unique way to explore this history. Begin your day in the Old Town (Eski Shahar) with a visit to Chorsu Bazaar, a lively market brimming with local flavors and cultural experiences. For a more offbeat experience, you might choose to explore Oloy Bazaar instead, offering its own distinct charm.
Stroll through Independence Square, where monumental structures like the Senate and the Cabinet of Ministers stand tall. Delve into the past at the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, housing artefacts dating back centuries. Pencil in time to check in some real Islamic architecture at the Hazrat Imam Complex and the Kulkedash Madrassa. Take metro as much as possible as the metro station network in Tashkent is a site itself.
Take a leisurely stroll through Independence Square, home to impressive landmarks such as the Senate and the Cabinet of Ministers. Delve into the past at the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, housing artefacts dating back centuries. Pencil in time to check in some real Islamic architecture at the Khast Imam complex, Hazrat Imam Complex and the Kulkedash Madrassa. While exploring the city, make the most of the Tashkent Metro—its stations are architectural gems and a highlight of the city’s Soviet-era heritage.
Keep the evening for the Magical City – Tasjkent’s answer to the Disneyworld, and be enthralled at the artistic brilliance and youthful vibes of the place.
Read my Tashkent itinerary here
Day 3 – 4: The absolute splendor of Samarkand
Depending on how many days you have, keep 2-3 days for Samarkand. As Samarkand is just 3-4 hours from Tashkent, you can take an evening train from Tashkent and be at Samarkand by late evening. Samarkand is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning architecture and significant historical importance, which served as the capital of the powerful Timurid Empire.
You may begin your Samarkand adventure at Registan Square, the heart of the city, adorned with three grand madrasas (Islamic schools). My recommendation, however, is to enter Registan Square at evening so that you can enjoy the monuments when they get lit up in the evening. No matter how many photographs you have seen of the Registan Square, nothing can prepare you of the sheer scale of the monument.
Start your day with the Shah-i-Zinda, an enchanting necropolis hailed as one of the Timurid era’s most magnificent creations. A little further away from the Shah-i-Zinda is the Ulug Bheg observatory and the Afrosiab Museum, which showcases artefacts from ancient settlements. Ulug Bheg, Timur’s grandson, was a Sultan, but also a scientist with a passion for mathematics and astronomy, and a significant figure of Uzbek history.
Close to the Shah-i-Zinda, is the resting place of Islam Karimov, the nation’s inaugural President, President’s tomb or the Hazrat Khizr mosque. The tomb holds profound significance, providing insights into Uzbekistan’s contemporary narrative and political evolution.
For day two, start with the Bibi Khanyum Mosque. Bibi Khanyum mosque is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia, with a capacity to accommodate around 10,000 worshippers at a time. The beauty and scale of the mosque are testimony to the artistic dexterity of that era. And while you are there, pencil in time to walk across the Promenade Street and savor the shopping places. Next to the mosque is the Siyab bazaar for some local shopping.
Next on your list should be the “Tomb of the King” Gur-e Amir. This architectural marvel is the burial site of Timur and several of his descendants. The intricate tile work in gold and turquoise will leave you in click frenzy mode.
Reserve your evening for a visit to Uzbekistan’s most iconic landmark—the Registan in Samarkand. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a magnificent complex of three historic madrasas, or Islamic schools, each representing a distinct era in history. Together, they form the breathtaking Registan Square, a testament to the architectural and cultural brilliance of the ancient Silk Road. The three madrasas—Ulugbek Madrasa, Sher Dor Madrasa, and Tilla-Kari Madrasa—are masterpieces of Islamic architecture. These institutions not only symbolize the region’s rich legacy of scholarship but also its thriving trade and cultural exchange during the Silk Road era.
Evening is the ideal time to visit, as the soft glow of lights transforms the monument, highlighting its intricate details and creating a striking contrast between day and night. It’s a perfect opportunity to capture the Registan’s enchanting beauty and experience its timeless allure under the evening sky.
Read my Samarkand itinerary here
Day 5 Explore the eastern dome of Islam, Bukhara
Samarkand to Bukhara is close to two hours of journey on train. Bukhara, a city steeped in spirituality and liberality, is a living relic of history, with its old town brimming with hundreds of historical monuments. Walking through the city centre feels like stepping into an open-air museum and bazaar, where echoes of its grand past can be found in its countless madrasas, mosques, and ancient marketplaces.
A must-visit landmark in Bukhara is the Ark, a fortress dating back to the 5th century. Another highlight is the Poi Kalon complex, often credited as the heart of Bukhara’s holiness and a key reason the city is referred to as Uzbekistan’s spiritual capital. Don’t miss the Lyabi Hauz, a lively square surrounded by historical monuments, where you can take a break amid the vibrant ambiance. One of my favourite things to do in Bukhara though, was to visit one of the Silk Road Teahouses. Here, you can immerse yourself in the city’s rich heritage while savoring tea in an atmosphere that feels unchanged by time.
While most of the Bukhara attractions are near each other you shouldn’t miss also those a bit away. Not all the tourists get there, and you can see a bit different, more real face of Bukhara. The Chor Minoor, found on the outskirts of town, known for its characteristic 4 pillars that rise high above its roofs, is a sight to behold. And if you miss everything, get down to some serious shopping in Bukhara. Bukhara is famous for it’s historic, covered shopping arcades. These arcades, still bustling today, are home to art galleries, souvenir shops, cozy cafés, and much more.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, a nighttime stroll at the Po-i-Kalyan (Kalon Ensemble) is highly recommended. Under the soft glow of evening lights and with fewer crowds, the exquisite artistry of this era becomes even more enchanting. Alternatively, you can cover Bukhara in a day and take an overnight train or bus to Khiva, ready for the next chapter of your journey through Uzbekistan.
If you have an extra day, I’d recommend visiting the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve, offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a chance to experience the nomadic lifestyle. You can engage in activities like hiking, birdwatching, and stargazing, all while staying in traditional yurts. You can also venture into the Karakalpakstan Desert, once the heart of the ancient Khorezm civilization. Unlike the opulent Silk Road cities, Khorezm offers a stark contrast with its remarkable landmarks. Here, you’ll discover sandy forts and ruins, slowly being reclaimed by the desert. This route is dotted with numerous forts, some emerging dramatically from the desert landscape like colossal sandcastles. The best part? It remains blissfully uncrowded, offering an intimate experience shared with just a handful of others.
Read my travel itinerary to Khiva here
Day 6-7 Immerse in the time wrap called Khiva
Khiva is the last stop on the Silk Route. Some travellers skip it owing to its distance from other stops. It takes approximately 8 hours to reach here from Bukhara. But trust me, this long journey is worth all the pain. Khiva is a gem in the middle of a desert. It’s well-preserved citadel walls hold its cultural and scholarly past. Khiva is often referred to as a “living museum,” where ancient mosques, crafted from sun-baked mud bricks, and towering fortress walls evoke the mystique of the Silk Road and its legendary caravans.
Most of the sites in Khiva are found in the Itchan Kala fortress. You will be captivated by the sheer number of street shops here, and some locals told me that Khiva is probably the best place to shop some authentic Uzbeki crafts and souvenirs. Itchan Kala, a labyrinth of streets with dozens on intricately decorated monuments, was declared an open-air museum by the UNESCO. The most impressive of the monuments in Itchan Kala is the Islam Khodja Minaret, Khiva’s tallest (44.5 m) and most recent (1910) minaret. Close to it is the Katla minor minaret, with turquoise and teal bricks, and probably one of the most iconic landmarks of the walled city. You will see many mosques and museums within the walled city.
Khiva has a fair bit of history of itself. It was the centre of slave trade in the medieval era. It also became a literary and scholarly centre with many mathematicians making it their workplace. In fact, Khiva was the birthplace of the ninth-century polymath Al-Khwarizmi, who’s often described as the father of algebra and gives his name to the scientific term ‘algorithm’. To learn more of this algebraic side of Khiva, visit the museum inside the Kunya-Ark citadel, to see exhibits that explain how concepts like algebra and algorithm have roots in Khiva.
Itchan Kala is a do-nothing, stroll around sort of place. The town seems like a labyrinth of narrow lanes that opens to wide squares, with minarets, teal tiled mosques, life-size street statues, carpet weaving workshops, ceramic studio, artists shops, and some antique tea houses. You can’t go wrong exploring Itchan Kala – every 10 steps in some other mosque or monument to explore. Do climb the Kunya-Ark Citadel to get magnificent views of the walled city. Go there at dusk and climb up the steep and narrow steps of the watchtower in search of Khiva’s famed desert sunset.
Read my Khiva itinerary here
Day 8-9 Feel the local Uzbek life in Fergana Valley
To visit the Fergana Valley, you first need to travel to Tashkent and then take another train to the region. While it’s possible to explore multiple towns over 3 to 4 days, it’s advisable to focus on just two destinations for a more immersive experience. The Fergana Valley is renowned for its rural charm, authentic Uzbek culture, and exceptional local crafts.
Between 1924 and 1927 Stalin created five artificial Republics named Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. In creating these divisions, the Soviet regime paid little attention to the ethnic composition of the populations. This disregard was most evident in the Fergana Valley, a region historically home to diverse ethnic groups. Thus, when the respective republics were created, many groups suddenly found themselves within a republic which was not theirs. Most of the Fergana Valley was assigned to Uzbekistan, but it also included several enclaves—territories belonging to one country but surrounded by another. This crazy division made Fergana one of the most troubled regions in the Stans for years. This also made Fergana a cultural cradle, enriched by its diverse ethnic mosaic.
The Fergana Valley is a vast depression bordered by the Tien Shan Mountains to the north and the Alay Mountains to the south. Renowned for its agricultural fertility, the valley has long been a thriving centre of cultivation and trade, which is evident in palaces, fortresses and wealthy towns.
But Fergana valley has also had a tumultuous past, so it doesn’t figure in many travel itineraries. This also is not for travellers who follow a certain checklist. Fergana valley is best enjoyed in slow travel – best enjoyed at its numerous cafes serving local cuisines, in endless strolls and chats with nice, hospitable Uzbeki people.
Take a train from Tashkent to Fergana city – the centre of Fergana Valley. From Fergana you can explore the rest of the region on day trips. Fergana is known for its authentic silk factories – Yodgorlik Silk Factory, built in the 80s but keeping the old, traditional weaving techniques, and the Margilan Silk Factory.
Kokand: My personal pick in the region is Kokand. Kokand is an important trading centre and home to some beautiful palaces and mosques. Make sure to check out Khudayar Khan Palace, a stunning, architectural masterpiece and the fancy residence of a ruler in the 18th century. Close to it is the Juma mosque with intricate woodwork.
You can also go to the city of Andijan and Namangan. Andijan is mostly symbolic as it is where once the fiercest Uzbeki terrorist group was created which played a huge role in Afghan war in early 2000s. The place has had a bloody past. Andijan’s bustling bazaars, like the Siyob Bazaar, offer an authentic glimpse into local culture. Namangan is a haven of tranquillity with its picturesque surroundings and parks like the Namangan Central Park. A stroll through the bustling Chorsu Bazaar reveals a kaleidoscope of colours, fragrances, and flavours, offering an authentic taste of local life. Namangan is also home to exquisite architectural gems, such as the Mulla Kyrgyz Madrasa, showcasing the region’s artistic heritage.
Read more about the region here
Day 10 – Back to Tashkent for a flight back
In case you have more days, you can plan to the Aral Sea. For that you will have to go to Karakalpakstan (closer to Nukus and Muynak). The fastest way to reach Nukus is to take a direct flight from Tashkent (1.5–2 hours), else the “Tashkent-Nukus” train is another option. It’s an overnight journey, taking around 16–18 hours. From Nukus head to Muynak, historically a fishing town on the Aral Sea’s shore, now known for the “Ship Graveyard.” Muynak is a three-hour drive from Nukus. From Muynak, you can book a 4×4 jeep tour to explore the dried seabed, remnants of the sea, and nearby desert landscapes.
Travelling across Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is well connected with trains. High-speed trains, such as the Afrosiyob, operate between cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, significantly reducing travel time and providing a smooth ride through the scenic Uzbek landscape. For those seeking a more leisurely journey, traditional trains offer a slower pace.
What to eat in Uzbekistan This deserves an entire blog. Uzbekistan’s cuisine is a flavorful blend of Central Asian and Middle Eastern influences. Plov, the national dish, is a must-try rice-based meal cooked with meat, carrots, onions, and spices, each region adding its own twist. Meat lovers will relish shashlik, skewered and grilled meats served with naan, and manti, large, steamed dumplings filled with meat and onions. Another must try is the lagman, a noodle soup with meat and vegetables, and samsa, flaky pastries stuffed with meat or pumpkin, make for a delicious snack.
