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.