Two millennia ago, Uzbekistan was once the cradle of culture and trade, right at the center of the ancient Silk Road. Nowadays, it is well-known for ancient cities and well-preserved Islamic architecture, perfect for a curious adventurer like you. Within this post, I will tell you why Uzbekistan should be your next destination, how to get there, and where to go.
- Uzbekistan Itinerary Map
- Quick Summary: 2 Weeks Backpacking Uzbekistan Itinerary
- What are things to know before traveling to Uzbekistan?
- 2 Weeks Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Uzbekistan Travel Video
- Why Visit Uzbekistan?
- When To Visit Uzbekistan?
- How to Get a Tourist Visa for Uzbekistan?
- How to Get to Uzbekistan?
- How To Get Around Uzbekistan?
- What to Pack for Uzbekistan?
- Further Reading for Central Asia
Uzbekistan Itinerary Map
Quick Summary: 2 Weeks Backpacking Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Highlights of Uzbekistan (10 days)
- The Silk Road of Uzbekistan (11 days)
- Uzbekistan Cultural Tour (Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva) boutique hotels option (8 days)
What are things to know before traveling to Uzbekistan?
- You are required to register to an accommodation every day you are in Uzbekistan. The hostel/hotel will manage this for you but you will have to keep all the registration papers provided by your accommodation throughout your entire trip.
- Since 2017, the official rate of exchange had been equalized to be the same as the black market going rate so you are no longer required to exchange your money at the black market. You can do it at any back now.
- Crossing the border from Osh to Uzbekistan, my bags, my camera and computer were searched. Most of the time, they are looking for illegal drugs, pornography, drones and political books so be sure not to carry those with you when you are traveling to Uzbekistan
2 Weeks Uzbekistan Itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent (2 nights)
Tashkent is not exactly my cup of tea, but it is still a good place to see the proper metropolitan area of Uzbekistan. The city is equipped with a Metro system, making traveling around the city easy and fast. It is also a good place for you to get a SIM card and prepare for a trip through the country.
There are a few sights to see, but the most interesting ones are the Chorsu Bazaar (shown above) and the Kukeldash Medressa, which is right next to the bazaar and can be easily reached by metro.
If you enjoy beautiful architecture, make sure to visit Hotel Uzbekistan and the surrounding buildings. This area has all the cool-looking architecture on display, from the Soviet era to modern Uzbek architecture.
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If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.
Where to Stay in Tashkent?
Day 2 - 4: Samarkand (3 nights)
Samarkand is one of the reasons why I decided to come to Uzbekistan. The entire city is like an open-air museum with multiple UNESCO sights all concentrated in one area, which makes it easy to explore. Right at the center of it all is Registan, a public square framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) with a distinct architectural style.
Registan is best seen during either sunset or sunrise.
Another one of my favorite sights is Shah-i-Zinda, a necropolis that includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings. This cluster of buildings is most photogenic in the evening when there are fewer people.
A few other sites, such as Bibi Khanym Mosque and Gur-e Amir Complex, are also worth visiting.
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.
Where to Stay in Samarkand?
Day 5 - 7: Bukhara (3 nights)
The beauty of Bukhara lies within the small alleys of the old town area, where you can discover locals living out their lives in the traditional sand structure.
You can spend an entire day just walking around the Lyab-i Hauz square, shopping for souvenirs, drinking cold beers, and enjoying the traditional food in rooftop restaurants.
Kalon Mosque and the minaret are also quite a sight to behold, as one can walk around this spacious mosque admiring the intricate craftsmanship of the Uzbeks or hide from the sun under the shade of the minaret.
Kalon Minaret is one of the few architectures that was spared by the Wrath of (Genghis) Khan when his army invaded Bukhara. Although the fate of the minaret was spared, what the tower had come to represent after that was as dark as if it had been destroyed. The Tower of Death, as it was known, was due to the fact that people were executed by being thrown out of the tower.
Walking a little further, you will stumble upon a beautiful sand fortress called the Ark of Bukhara, a massive fort that has since turned itself into a museum for the public.
Chor Minor is also worth a visit. Chor Minor, or Four Minarets, is a nice little old mosque located between the cramped stalls of the modern city of Bukhara.
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.
Where to Stay in Bukhara?
Day 8 - 10: Khiva (3 nights)
The entire city of Khiva is a UNESCO site, and for good reason. The city is surrounded by an old wall that has maintained its traditional look throughout the years. You can still see many households living inside the wall in traditional sand structures, with their unique culture intact.
Khiva's old town square is where you will spend most of your time. It is located right inside the front gate, where you can find nice restaurants, museums, and locals hanging out in the evening.
You can also go up one of the minarets for a nice sunset over the city.
Another thing to do in Khiva is to go out into the desert and explore the many long-forgotten fortresses that are scattered throughout the barren land. Ayaz Qala is the most impressive one of all, and you will be able to see it from a wonderful viewpoint on a nearby hill. It's too bad that there were zero attempts at maintaining all these forgotten fortresses.
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.
Where to Stay in Khiva?
Day 11 - 12: Nukus (2 nights)
Only a few hours away from Khiva, Nukus is worth a visit if you have a bit of time left on your trip. The Mizdakhan Necropolis, Moynaq, and the Nukus Museum of Art are definitely worth a visit.
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.
Where to Stay in Nukus?
Why Visit Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is like Iran on steroids. With its Persian roots and its significant location during the Silk Road era, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara have been able to preserve most of their wonderful structures and culture that has been thriving for the past two millennia.
With so much history, Uzbekistan is the place to be to learn about the Silk Road trade route that dominated much of Central Asia's history, explore the stunning desert landscape, and be immersed in its unique culture.
When To Visit Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is best visited during either spring (April - May) or autumn (September - November) when the weather is mild and the colors of the seasons are in full swing. In the summer, it is possible if you can handle the desert heat.
If you want to go during the summer, keep in mind that most road transports are not equipped with air conditioning, and the marshrutka (minivan) can be cramped at times, so prepare accordingly.
How to Get a Tourist Visa for Uzbekistan?
Getting into Uzbekistan is easier than ever with the introduction to the eVisa portal as well as a number of countries no longer requiring visas to visit the country. If you hold a European or the US passport, you should be able to enter the country without a visa. For other countries, you can check out the Uzbekistan Visa Requirement page on Caravanistan.
If your country are not eligible for free-visa or eVisa entry, you might also need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) to obtain a tourist visa, so make sure to get it before embarking on the journey. To check if you need an LOI or not, please visit Caravanistan for the latest information.
You can also get your visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which is highly recommended if you plan to visit Kyrgyzstan as well. For more information on this, please see a quick guide by Lost With Purpose.
How to Get to Uzbekistan?
You can fly to Tashkent if you already have your visa organized, but if you are already in Kyrgyzstan like I did, you can cross the border from Osh and take a taxi to Tashkent all in one day. If you are looking for a flight, be sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia before comparing prices so you can get the cheapest flight possible.
How To Get Around Uzbekistan?
High-speed trains are the easiest, most comfortable, and cost-effective way to travel around Uzbekistan. You can also book the ticket online now from the Railway official website. You can also buy the ticket on the same day at the train station, but there is a high chance that it will be fully booked during the summer.
Another option is taking a bus. It is cheap and not as uncomfortable as a marshrutka (minivan), but it is slower, and you might have to change buses at times.
Some stretches of the itinerary I proposed might require you to get a shared taxi. From Bukhara to Khiva, it is best that you organize a shared taxi with your hostel since the train doesn't reach Khiva directly, only Urgench. The shared taxi might be a little expensive, but it's direct and much more comfortable. It will take you around 6 hours to travel from Bukhara to Khiva.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Uzbekistan?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Uzbekistan:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Uzbekistan in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 2 Weeks Backpacking Uzbekistan Itinerary. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Uzbekistan! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Uzbekistan independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Central Asia
Are you looking to dive deeper into Central Asia? Here are a selection of travel guides and itineraries for traveling in Central Asia.
- Looking for a complete one-month itinerary and a travel guide for Central Asia? One Month Itinerary For Central Asia
- For a complete itinerary to Kazakhstan, check out: 10-Day Backpacking Kazakhstan Itinerary.
- Looking for things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan? Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Almaty.
- If you are staying in Almaty for a while and want to explore the city's culinary delights, be sure to check out our 10 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Almaty.
- Want to get off the beaten path in Kazakhstan? Shymkent is an awesome place to visit. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Shymkent.
- Want to visit Turkestan in Kazakhstan? Check out our Complete Travel Guide to Turkestan.
- If you want to witness the city of the future in Central Asia, Astana is definitely the place you want to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Astana.
- A great country to start your journey in Central Asia is Kyrgyzstan since it is the easiest country to enter the region. Here's a complete 3-week itinerary travel guide to Kyrgyzstan.
- Bishkek, the capital city, is a great place to use as a base for you to obtain all tourist visas for the surrounding countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and the city has a ton to offer. Here are the top 10 things to do in Bishkek.
- Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, and one of the best treks you can do is the Ala Kul trek. Here’s a travel guide for trekking the Ala Kul trail and how you can do it in 2 days.
- The Pamir Highway is one of the best road trips you can do in your life, and it begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan and ends in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Here's a complete guide on how to plan your Pamir Highway road trip.
- Last but not least, one of the hardest countries to visit in Central Asia is Turkmenistan, and you will require a lot of planning before you can visit. Here's a complete travel guide with a one-week itinerary for Turkmenistan.
- You can watch all my travel videos from Central Asia here: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
- Looking for more travel guides for Central Asia? You can find more on my Central Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit the All Destination Travel Guide page.
1 Comments
great guide!