Often described as ‘A country of extremes’, this little slice of central Asia took us by surprise. Being a major part of SILK ROUTE, Uzbekistan takes you back in history, giving you a flavorful experience of its rich culture and heritage, local delicacies, friendly people, and some breathtaking landscapes. Join us on our 10-day journey through this Central Asian gem, where we share our Uzbekistan itinerary, things to do in Uzbekistan, a complete vegetarian food guide, all about Uzbekistan visa and a secret place!(ssshhhhh🤫)
Important things to know before travelling to Uzbekistan:
- The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during spring (mid- March to mid-May) or during Autumn (September to early November) when the weather is pleasant. Summers are usually very hot making it uncomfortable to roam outside.
- If you are flying from Delhi, then Indigo and Uzbekistan Airways provides a direct 3-and-a-half-hour flight to Tashkent. We would recommend the later one. A roundtrip to Tashkent would fall between 20k-30k.
- Uzbekistan requires an e-visa which cost $21 (INR 1800). The application process is super easy, and the visa is issued within 3-4 working days. Except your passport number, no other documents are required. Apply here for Uzbekistan Visa.
- The country is mostly cash based, so we would suggest carrying enough of it, preferably USD. You can easily exchange them into local currency Uzbekistani Som at airport or banks at same rates (1 INR = 152.88 Uzbekistani Som, as of April 2024)
- Beeline, Ucell and UZ telecom are the network providers that work well here. We went with UZ telecom (bought at airport itself), and it costed around $8 for 28 GB data, and served well even in the remote area of Uzbekistan.
- For intercity transfers, the bullet train ‘AFROSIYOB’ operates from Tashkent to different parts of Uzbekistan. We booked it from Tashkent to Samarqand, and the ticket costs around $32 (INR 2700) per person. It is the fastest and most convenient means of transportation. Generally, the slots to book Afrosiyob open 2 months prior to your desired date. Book here. In case you miss it, then flights are the best to save time, like we took a 1-hour flight from Khiva (Urgench) to Tashkent instead of an overnight train journey.
- Download the Yandex app to easily commute within a city at affordable prices. An average ride costs around $1(INR 80-90) for upto 4 kms.
- Drones are not allowed in Uzbekistan, so better not take the risk. However, you can carry tripods and Cameras with ease.
- When it comes to dressing, we would strongly suggest opting for modest and conservative clothing, especially in religious sites. Women should pack some breezy maxi dresses, linen trousers, and avoid wearing sleeveless in the interiors of Uzbekistan. It’s important to be mindful of not wearing revealing clothing.
- As English is not widely spoken, keep Google translator handy. Also, you can learn few Uzbek or Russian words 😊 (Hello= Salom, Thankyou= Rehmat).
- Uzbek Food is one of the scrumptious foods you’ll ever have. However, vegetarian choices may not be abundant, but don’t worry we got you covered 😊.Read here- Your Comprehensive Guide to Vegetarian Food in Uzbekistan- Dining along the Silk Road
Budgeting: Practical tips to save money while travelling to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is an affordable country to experience the vibrant culture and traditions along with exploring the highlights of the Silk Road without burning a hole in your pocket. Below are some tips to make your travel easy and light:
- If you don’t mind the extreme weather conditions, travel during shoulder season i.e. from June to August and December to March. Everything including flights and hotels are way less expensive.
- Instead of pre booked Taxis, use Yandex App. It is very cheap and available almost in every region of Uzbekistan (except Khiva). You can also opt for the shared version in it.
- While in Tashkent, you can easily explore the city through the Metro. A ticket cost only 2000 Som (INR 13) irrespective of destination😊.
- Travelling on local trains like locals can save you a lot. But make sure to book them well in advance as they tend to fill faster.
- Ditch the hotels and stay in a local homestay for that authentic Uzbek experience. There are plenty of hostels as well with bed and breakfast.
- Apart from tourists’ attractions, many religious sites are free of cost to visit.
- If you are on a tight budget, look for traditional /local eating joints for your meals such as Dilkor in Bukhara. They are affordable. Bread is sacred in this country and is widely available for just 15000 Som (INR 100). Grab it for a quick bite. They are wholesome and fulfilling.
- Instead of drinking in cafes, get local produce Beer Sarbast from department stores. It cost around 25000 Som (INR 163).
- For Shopping, Chorsu Bazar in Tashkent is best known for dry fruits and spices; and we loved Siyob Bazaar in Samarqand for apparels and other souvenirs. The shopkeepers are not pushy, and you can easily bargain a little 😊.
- Instead of buying water repeatedly, we got ourselves a 10-liter water bottle which cost only 10000 Som (INR 65) and served us well.
Things you should must pack during Uzbekistan travel:
- Irrespective of the season you are travelling in, must pack a lightweight jacket or windcheater as evenings can be chilly.
- Do pack some woolens, if you plan to visit hills.
- Comfortable walking shoes/footwear as you may find uneven paths in monuments.
- A scarf which can act as a cover up in case somewhere is required.
- International travel charger.
- Carry enough cash with you (preferably USD) as it’s a cash-based economy.
- Sunscreens are must preferably 50++ or 70++.
- Reusable water bottles.
- If you are a non-negotiable vegetarian, we’ll suggest carrying some ready-to-eat food as availability and the taste of food may vary.
- Uzbekistan is extremely photogenic, so don’t forget to pack your Cameras and tripods.
You may also read: 6 Essential Packing Tips for International Travel: Avoid Stress and Stay Organised
Our Suggested 10 days Uzbekistan Itinerary:
Uzbekistan can easily be explored within 7-10 days.
Day 0-1: Tashkent
Day 2-3: Samarqand
Day 4-5: Nurata Hills (yurt camping optional)
Day 6-7: Bukhara
Day 8-9: Khiva
Day 10: Fly back home.
Day 0-1: Tashkent
As you arrive in Tashkent, you will feel the hustle-bustle of the city in its full swing. There are a few iconic locations which can be easily covered in 1-1.5 days. Start with visiting Independence Square (Mustakllik Square), followed by Chorsu Bazar and get a glimpse of daily life of people in Uzbekistan. Walk through the old town aka Eski Shahar and admire the Mosques and Madrasas.
For lunch, straight head to Beshqozon, Central Asian Pilaf Centre, and savor the Plov, traditional dish of Uzbekistan(p.s: This place doesn’t offer vegetarian food). Hotel Uzbekistan, being oldest, is also one of the attractions. We stayed there and enjoyed the view of Amir Temur Square view which is next to it. Don’t forget to grab a coffee and watch the sunset from the 17th floor of the hotel.
Your visit to Tashkent is incomplete without admiring the beautiful and interesting Metro stations. Upon reaching Metro station, look for the counter that reads ‘Kassa’ and get yourself a ticket. The fares are standard regardless of your destination and unbelievably economical, 2000 Som / INR 13 pp only (as of April 2024). Metros are operational from 5 am till late at night, so try avoiding morning and evenings rush hours.
These underground masterpieces have a unique architectural design. You will find pillars engraved with thematic murals. Below are our favorite Metro stations:
- Alisher Navoi: One of the busiest yet gorgeous stations in Tashkent. Inspired by the poems of a famous Uzbek poet of 15th century, the colors and intricate detailing of the ceiling domes reminds of silk road era madrasas.
- Mustakillik Maydoni: A metro station ‘adorned with Chandeliers and looks like Heaven’. Yes, you read it right. The entire station is covered in white and gives you a royal vibe. No more spoilers!
- Bodomzor: This is the newest addition to Tashkent metro, giving all the futuristic vibes with their unique shapes and style. You must add this to your list for a fresh concept.
- Kosmonavtlar: If you happen to visit this station, get ready for a space ride😊 One of our absolute favorites as the station is designed to replicate Milky Way Galaxy, to honor the Soveit Cosmonauts for their contribution to space exploration. Don’t forget to spot the mural of Yuri Gagarin (world’s first cosmonaut).
- Pushkin: Step out of the metro wagon, and you will feel like you have entered the aisles of Hogwarts. The pillars are decorated with huge rustic lamps which makes it our favorite.
If you have one more day, then you can visit the State Museum of the Temurids, enjoy the unique structure of Tashkent tower or enjoy an opera in Alisher Navoi Theatre.
Where to stay in Tashkent:
- Hotel Uzbekistan: This Hotel is famous for its convenient location and its unique architectural forms. Situated 20 kms from the airport, it’s a heritage hotel with clean rooms (extremely outdated), but decent enough to stay for a night or two. Staff are friendly and interactive. The breakfast spread is nice but with few options in vegetarian food. There are many eateries outside near it and is adjacent to Amir Temur Hiyoboni metro station.
- Topchan Hostel: A decent option near the airport. We spent here few hours while returning to our home country. You can book a private room or a dorm depending on your requirements. It boasts clean and spacious rooms.
Other properties to be considered:
- Light House Hostel by Triple
- Art Hostel
- Sunrise Caravan stay
- Wyndham, Tashkent
- Mir Luxe Plaza (newly opened)
Day 2-3: Samarqand
Welcome to Samarqand, one of the most important sites on the Silk Road traversing Central Asia. We took a morning Afrosiyob and made it to Samarqand by 11:30 am. Checked into our hotel and relaxed for a bit. There are plenty of good hotels here and we had a comfortable stay at Hotel Kamila Boutique, which offers great views of Registan Square.
You can start your evening by visiting Bibi Khanum Mosque, dilapidated but with interesting history. Stuff yourself with another local delicacy Manti (dumplings) and some Uzbek tea at Bibi Khanum Tea house. You can also try the ART Café (vegetarian friendly) next to it. At sunset, stop by Registan Square, UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see it all lit up. Don’t miss the Free Light & Sound show here 😉.
We would recommend visiting Registan Square twice, so next day you can visit here early morning and appreciate the beauty of Madrasas (Islamic schools). We found Tilya Kori Madrasa to be extremely gorgeous with a vast courtyard. Post breakfast, you can go to Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning necropolis, in the heart of Samarqand. The tile work here will blow your mind.
In the evening, stroll through Siyob Bazaar, meet the friendliest people and get yourself Sacred Samarqand Bread. The other attraction not to be missed is Gur-e-Amir, mausoleum of Amir Temur, a masterpiece of art, which is believed to be an inspiration for Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and Taj mahal in Agra!
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Where to stay in Samarqand:
- Hotel Kamila Boutique: Located in the heart of Samarqand, with a terrace that provides an amazing view of Registan Square. Its literally 5 minutes’ walk to Registan Square and hardly 10-15 minutes’ walk to Bibi Khanum Mosque and Siyob Bazar. For other attractions, you can opt for Yandex, which on average will cost less than $1 (INR 80). The rooms are comfortable & gorgeous with traditional designs which you may find in monuments as well. We absolutely loved their breakfast spread with a good balance of vegetarian dishes as well. However, Water bottles are not complimentary here, and there was some issue with Hot water in the bathroom.
- Jahongir Hotel: An affordable B&B in Samarkand with only 11 rooms in traditional Uzbek culture. It’s 5-10 mins walk from Registan Square.
- L’Agramak: Its slightly upper budget hotel but has nice terrace views. The rooms seem to be cozy and clean.
Day 4-5: Nurata Hills
Amidst the vast expanse of the internet, this place emerged as a delightful surprise. If you want to experience the nomadic life of Central Asian people, and have soft corner for nature and hikes, you will stay here in a heartbeat. Sayyod Yurt Camp, nestled in the hills of Uzbekistan is a perfect city escape. We stayed there for two nights, and it was truly the best experience. It takes around 3 hours’ drive from Samarqand and 5 hours from Bukhara. Roads are in good shape and it’s best to opt for their pick-up and drop services as the area is totally remote.
Stay in traditional Kazakh Yurts, go for long nature walks, enroll in a live cooking session, opt for a guided 15km trek, enjoy a bonfire at night – Tempting enough? Book here.
Let’s the picture do the talking!😊
Day 6-7: Bukhara
If you are travelling from Samarqand, then Afrosiyob is the best way and takes only 1.5 hours to reach Bukhara. But if you follow our itinerary, you may leave your camp at a maximum by 9 am as it’s a long drive. As you will reach Bukhara, it will be Lunch time so you can have a meal at Lyab-i-Hauz complex. If you are craving for authentic Indian food, have it at Salom Namaste.
It’s best to stay in Old Bukhara town, as everything is within walking distance. If you are looking for a traditional mid-budget hotel, then Minzifa Boutique Hotel it is. We would even go as far as saying, it was the best stay we had in Uzbekistan. Try to reserve a Bukhara room, with Baghdadi style wooden ceiling and 20th century inspired furniture.
The ancient city of Bukhara was also a prominent stop in Silk Road trades. One of the major things to do is to visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex, the main square in Bukhara. Adjacent to each other are Kalyan Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Madrasa & Kalyan Minaret. You must pay a small fee to enter inside. Please keep in mind to dress respectfully, as they seem to be quite strict there. You will find a bazaar, centrally located that sells carpets, jewelries and other souvenirs.
If you are a history buff, then Ark of Bukhara may interest you. Also, for some authentic Uzbeki Food, try visiting Dilkor Restaurant. Slightly far, but you will thank us later 😊. Try Lagman, it’s their specialty.
Where to stay in Bukhara:
- Hotel Minzifa Boutique: If you want to experience traditional Bukhara rooms, this is perfect for you. Nestled in Old Bukhara Town, this property is within walking distance of all major attractions in Bukhara. We opted for Bukhara Room, where ceilings are carved in Baghdadi Style, Furniture inspired from early 20th century. Their breakfast spread is vegetarian friendly, and the staff is polite. As we checked out early morning for Khiva, they even packed us some food and water as well.
- Lyabi House Hotel: Lyabi House is very centrally located, quite popular, 1km from Bukhara airport and within easy walking distance of the old historic part of the city. It’s a traditional upper budget hotel, so please check reviews on Trip advisor before booking.
- Samani Bukhara Hotel: A little, budget friendly homestay in Bukhara. The location is great and stay boasts of clean rooms. It’s an affordable option and has good reviews on Trip advisor. Highly suitable for families.
- Hotel Omar Khayyam Bukhara: Conveniently located within walking distance from major monuments. It has a lovely courtyard with a beautiful terrace view of Kalyan minaret.
Day 8-9: Khiva
Stepping into Khiva will take you back in time. This city of Uzbekistan holds a significant role in Silk Route.
There are local train services operating from Bukhara to Khiva and are very comfortable. We had an early morning train from Bukhara which dropped us at 11 am at Khiva. Upon reaching Khiva Railway station, you will have to hire a local taxi, as Yandex doesn’t work here. We contacted Mr. Murad Bek (998914271202) for taxi service and airport transfers. He is a nice guy and charges decently, who is also a big fan of Indian music and Shahrukh Khan :-).
Khiva is all about exploring Ichan Kala, (it will remind you of the Arabian Nights 😊) an old town which is preserved as a ‘World Heritage Site’. It’s an Open-Air Living Museum, consisting of around 350 houses where people live and perform their day-to-day activities. It’s also home to 50+ historic sites.
If you are staying inside Ichan Kala, you can access it for free, however, to enter multiple sites, you need a separate ticket. There are multiple tickets versions depending on the sites included in it. We would recommend staying at least two nights in Khiva. Start your day early at sunrise and explore sites like Kalta Minor Minaret, Islam Khodja, Juma Mosque, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum. In the evening stroll the market and enjoy sunset at Kuhna Ark Fortress.
After Bukhara, you will find a change of taste in Khiva, exploring local specialties. Our favorite: Terrassa Café. They have vegetarian friendly options as well, so Urvi was very happy 😊. Try to reserve a seat well in advance for rooftop dining and relish Shivit Oshi (green noodles), Tukum Barak, Shashlik Kebabs along with fruit tea overlooking gorgeous views of the city.
If you have more days, you can even go for Aral Sea tour from Khiva and wonder over the man-made disaster.
Where to stay in Khiva:
It’s best to stay inside Ichan Kala, in Khiva.
- Orient Star Khiva: Most popular hotel in Khiva, as it is located right next to Kalta Minaret. The premises are beautiful with spacious rooms, heated bathroom flooring, and a grand breakfast spread. They even arrange your tickets for the historical sites in Ichan Kala. Here also you can ask for packed food in case you leave early. We would rate our stay as 7/10.
- Caravan Sarai: If you are looking for more traditional and authentic style, you may try this place. It used to be a Madrasa, now converted into a hotel. Its more budget friendly compared to the former.
- Islam Khodja: This is a family run guest house, inside old city. We booked this one but later changed to Orient Star (wondering why though). It’s value for money, the location is excellent, and it has a beautiful terrace sitting. Rated positive on trip advisor.
Day 10: Fly back home
We drove from Khiva to Urgench airport and then flew to Tashkent and then back to our home country. If you are up for an overnight journey or have a budget constraint, you can book yourself a train ride from Khiva.
That’s all from our 10 unforgettable days in Uzbekistan. Hope you enjoyed reading. 😊
For any query or if you want to share your experience, leave a comment below.
If you are vegetarian traveler, don’t forget to check our detailed guide on the same- Your Comprehensive Guide to Vegetarian Food in Uzbekistan- Dining along the Silk Road
