Uncover Uzbekistan
No where does Silk Road splendour quite like Uzbekistan. Travel back in time as you wander in three of the most significant Silk Route cities - Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand - each painstakingly restored to their former glory. Immerse yourself in ancient and present life, shop in bustling bazaars, and explore heritage sights draped in gold and turquoise that glisten under a dusty desert sun.
Taste a fascinating tangle of contradictions in Uzbekistan’s newly built capital. The city was razed to the ground by an earthquake in the 60s then promptly rebuilt under soviet era muscle. Meander down leafy streets and thrumming bazaars, and look up to observe its curious mosaic of brutalist Soviet, classical Russian and ancient Islamic architecture.
Ancient traders navigated the golden city carrying silks, spices and precious metals overland to China as far back as 206BC. Its enviable Silk Road position made it hot property for conquerors, each time adding a new layer of cultural intrigue. Fall under the spell of azure adorned Timur monuments such as Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda.
Thanks to its proximity to waterways, roadways and agricultural bounty, Bukhara was an important rest stop along the Silk Routes. It became a major cultural and religious centre, nourished by the constant flow of enlightened merchants. Get lost in a warren of protected wonders before relaxing by the Lyabi-Hauz - the only remaining stone pool reflecting the city’s splendour.
Once the final stop before crossing the desert to Persia, or if you were unlucky enough, the overcrowded city in which you were sold by oppressive slave caravans. From its brutal history rises a marvellous UNESCO protected town, Itchan Kala, the mud-walled fortress of a bygone Khiva oasis.
Shake the sand from your shoes and gulp down an authentic taste of Uzbek life in this fertile border region. The ‘valley’ is an unexpectedly flat expanse, swaddled by dramatic mountains on either side. Curious and friendly locals tend to cotton fields, and produce the majority of Central Asia’s silk. The bazaars are bright and full of local crafts and fresh fruit that grows abundantly.
Taste a fascinating tangle of contradictions in Uzbekistan’s newly built capital. The city was razed to the ground by an earthquake in the 60s then promptly rebuilt under soviet era muscle. Meander down leafy streets and thrumming bazaars, and look up to observe its curious mosaic of brutalist Soviet, classical Russian and ancient Islamic architecture.
Ancient traders navigated the golden city carrying silks, spices and precious metals overland to China as far back as 206BC. Its enviable Silk Road position made it hot property for conquerors, each time adding a new layer of cultural intrigue. Fall under the spell of azure adorned Timur monuments such as Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda.
Thanks to its proximity to waterways, roadways and agricultural bounty, Bukhara was an important rest stop along the Silk Routes. It became a major cultural and religious centre, nourished by the constant flow of enlightened merchants. Get lost in a warren of protected wonders before relaxing by the Lyabi-Hauz - the only remaining stone pool reflecting the city’s splendour.
Once the final stop before crossing the desert to Persia, or if you were unlucky enough, the overcrowded city in which you were sold by oppressive slave caravans. From its brutal history rises a marvellous UNESCO protected town, Itchan Kala, the mud-walled fortress of a bygone Khiva oasis.
Shake the sand from your shoes and gulp down an authentic taste of Uzbek life in this fertile border region. The ‘valley’ is an unexpectedly flat expanse, swaddled by dramatic mountains on either side. Curious and friendly locals tend to cotton fields, and produce the majority of Central Asia’s silk. The bazaars are bright and full of local crafts and fresh fruit that grows abundantly.
Capital city: Tashkent
Population: 28.2 million
Language: Uzbek
Currency: Uzbekistani Som (UZS)
Time zones: GMT+05:00
Electricity: Type C (European 2-pin)
Dialing code: +998
All visitors to Uzbekistan must register with the local department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 3 working days after arrival. Your hotel accommodation will register you automatically. Please ensure you keep any registration documents issued by the hotel with your passport and visa documentation, until you exit the country.
Travel Insurance is mandatory for all group journeys and Sundowners Overland strongly recommends travel insurance for all other journeys. You must ensure that your insurance policy covers you for the entire duration of your journey, for all activities you will be participating in and that you have purchased the highest level of cover available to you for medical emergencies (including repatriation/evacuation cover) which are relevant to ALL the destinations that you will be visiting. Contact us for further information and quotes.
Please note ANY medications containing tramadol, morphine, codeine, opiates or any other similar constituent component may be considered as narcotic drugs, which are widely used as painkillers in a number of countries, and have been prohibited from export to Uzbekistan or transfer across the territory of the country. Sleeping tablets are also restricted.
If you are unsure about any regular medications you take, please contact a consulate and your doctor. For more information please click on the link: Prohibited Medications in Uzbekistan
Please ensure you bring written authorisation from your doctor for all special medications carried on your journey and declare the items on your customs declaration form upon entry.
Since some medications can also be affected by changes in temperature or require special care, we recommend you discuss this with your doctor before departure.
Spring and autumn are usually the most popular times to travel to Uzbekistan when temperatures are typically warm and dry, and fresh produce is harvested filling the markets and street vendors with delicious fruit and vegetables. Spring (21 March) brings Navruz to Uzbekistan, the celebration of the renewal of nature and the New Year, festivities full of ancient unique rituals, beautiful customs and huge feasts. Being a desert region, the summer months can be can be extremely hot. November to March bring cold temperatures but also clear, blue skies and less travellers – you can have the regions stunning historical sites all to yourself!
The local currency is the Uzbekistani Som. Throughout Uzbekistan ATM’s are a rare find and quite often when you do locate one it is out of order. Credit cards are rarely accepted or attract large transaction fees; therefore it is best to ensure you have enough US dollars in cash to see you through. The USD is the most recognised and accepted of all foreign currencies. It is vital that you obtain USD notes in good condition (not torn or too worn, with no stamps, ink or other marks) and issued after 1996 as older or damaged USD notes are not accepted. Smaller denominations are less frequently needed now, and we would recommend you carry a mixture of $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills.
Tashkent:
*Prices are approximate average costs based on prices at 11/03/17 and are based on the equivalent amount of local currency.
Border crossings take a long time due to customs and immigration searching the trains – often full of traders – bogey changes and train schedules. Patience, a sense of humour and a positive outlook will ensure you enjoy this experience.
Upon arrival into Uzbekistan you will need complete two copies of the Customs Declaration forms, one copy will need to be presented on your departure. You must ensure you do not leave Uzbekistan with more money than you entered with.
Most mobile telephones work in Uzbekistan and coverage is reasonable throughout the country with the exception of the desert areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your service provider or purchase a local SIM card. You will need to make sure your device is unlocked to accept a foreign SIM card.
Internet access is readily available in major cities and international hotels, however can be very limited when travelling in remote areas.