What can you find in Uzbekistan that can’t be found elsewhere?
Uzbekistan is a captivating crossroads of cultures and religions. A spot that once linked China to the West as part of the legendary Silk Road, Uzbekistan is dotted with superb monuments - fiercely protected - that hint at the country's rich historical past. Say the word Uzbekistan and immediately the mind conjures images of proud turquoise domes glittering in the skylines of the mythical cities of Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva and yet nothing quite prepares you for seeing these magnificent landmarks in person. The architecture here is truly dizzying in its beauty. The Russian imperialist/communist era added another layer of cultural influence on to an already rich heritage, although it's fair to say that the Soviets' architectural legacy leaves something to be desired, except in the metor stations of the capital Tashkent.
Who are Uzbekistan holidays for?
History and architecture enthusiasts are sure to be delighted by the well-preserved monuments that rise up in Uzbekistan. The Barak Khan Madrasah in Tashkent, the mosques and minarets of Ichan Kala, the inner city of Khiva, the Poy Kalon in Bukhara, the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, the necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda and the great monuments of the Timurid era are just a few wonders waiting to stir awe in their admirers.
What are the best ways of discovering Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan gifts you the rare opportunity to live like a local if you choose a homestay in Samarkand and Khiva – where hospitality is king. Delve deeper into these lands by taking the road between Bukhara and Tashkent to see the mythical cities that adorn the Silk Road. While exploring this far-flung corner, push your adventure to the next level while venturing to the borderlands of China via Kyrgyzstan and hiking the snow-capped mountains or meeting the nomads on the shores of Lake Songkul before turning your sight to the blue domes of the historic towns.
Unique experiences in Uzbekistan
- Admire the curiosities of the Igor Savitsky Museum. Sitting on the border between steppe and desert, this forgotten museum boasts the largest collection of Russian Avant-Garde artworks outside of St. Petersburg, along with a rich assortment of local treasures including artefacts, jewellery and textiles dating back to Khorezm’s ancient civilization.
- Those who want to discover the pleasures of Central Asia by train can take the Registan. One of the most luxurious train journeys in the world, you can pass by sumptuous landscapes in carriages adorned with splendid panel work, embroidered curtains and swathes of velvet that transport you back into another time.
What is the best option for an Uzbekistan holiday?
Any visit to Uzbekistan invariably starts in the capital Tashkent, a city far more strongly influenced by its Soviet occupation than the Silk Road cities, but no less interesting for it. Spend a day exploring the wide boulevards, the huge expanses of Independence and Amir Timur squares and the metro stations - chandeliers and all - that make this a very idiosyncratic place.
Next, take the Afrosiyob fast train to the city of Samarkand, Tamurlane's legendary capital and home to some of Central Asia's finest Islamic architecture. Persian influence and design are very much in evidence, and the magnificent Registan Square is probably the highlight. Other sites such as the Bibi Khanum mosque and the Siab Bazaar are fascinating and another particular favourite of ours is the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, perched on a hillside and containing mausoleums that read like a 'Who's who' of Uzbek history. The stay in Samarkand will also include a day trip to Shakhrisabz.
After a tale of two cities, the trip then heads into the Kyzylkum desert for some camel riding and walking, supper by a camp fire and a night under the stars in basic but comfortable yurts. The exploration of Uzbekistan's beautiful landscape continues the next day with a visit to the tranquil Aydarkul Lake where you can try your hand at fishing.
Then it's onwards to Bukhara, city of mausoleums, madrassas and a more relaxed pace of life than Tashkent or Samarkand. Highlights here include the fortress-like Arc, which housed the city's elite until it was bombed by the Red Army in 1920 - the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, the Chor Minor and the chance for some serious haggling for hand-painted pottery and craftwork in the ancient bazaars.
Next stop Khiva, a city with a dark past as a centre for the slave trade, but whose winding alleyways and architecture make it a modern day must. We highly recommend climbing the Juma Minaret for fabulous panoramic views across the city, and the trip will include a visit to the Kuhna Ark to see the Khan's mint, stables, harem, mosque and jail.
Away from the cities, glorious as they are, Uzbekistan's dramatic landscapes range from wastelands such as the enormous western Kyzylkum desert to fertile plains such as the Ferghana Valley in the east, with the terrain becoming ever more mountainous towards the borders with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan respectively. If you have time, we'd urge you to add on time in Ferghana before a brief return to Tashkent and on home, bearing hard-haggled gifts and memories of a mysterious and magical destination.
