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Hey guys, on this article, I needed to share our itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan visiting Tashkent and Samarkand (and Bukhara as an non-compulsory vacation spot). We visited Uzbekistan in winter, when it was very empty and had an opportunity to discover the principle landmarks with none crowds.
Right here’s what you may look forward to finding on this weblog submit:
Who can journey to Uzbekistan? Do you want a visa?
In the event you’re questioning whether or not you want a visa for Uzbekistan, it’s higher to verify on the official web site right here, as the foundations may need modified since we wrote this text. Usually, it’s fairly straightforward to go to Uzbekistan and in the event you’re from the EU, you don’t want a visa as of January 2022. Nevertheless, to enter Uzbekistan, you’ll want to present a detrimental PCR take a look at taken as much as 72 hours earlier than your journey.
There aren’t any strict guidelines about who may journey to Uzbekistan, nevertheless, it has its personal crimson record – arrivals from some nations have to quarantine for 10 days.
Other than that, it’s easy to journey to Uzbekistan – you don’t want any invites or journey vouchers.
Are you able to discover Uzbekistan by yourself and not using a journey company?
Lots of people are questioning whether or not you may discover Uzbekistan by yourself with out shopping for an organised tour. I simply say that there are some challenges in relation to getting across the cities (e.g. taxi drivers in Samarkand in Bukhara don’t converse English and there’s no app you should use to ask for a taxi) and generally resort personnel don’t converse English as properly, nevertheless, it’s regular – it’s the identical in a variety of nations all over the world.
In the event you’re a younger solo feminine traveller, you may get a variety of consideration, so I’m unsure I’d advocate travelling alone in Uzbekistan – on this case, it’s higher to purchase a tour!
Which language can you employ in Uzbekistan?
As I discussed earlier than, not many individuals converse English in Uzbekistan – the first language of the nation is Uzbek (and Tajik in Bukhara and Samarkand), nevertheless, you can even use Russian, 80% of individuals in massive cities can converse and perceive Russian.
What’s the very best time to journey to Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan has clearly outlined seasons : chilly winter, fantastic spring when every part is blooming, extraordinarily sizzling summer season and nice autumn. Summer season is mostly extremely popular in Uzbekistan so it’s not advisable to journey there from June to early September, except you benefit from the temperatures of 38-55C levels.
Winter is totally high-quality, it doesn’t normally get colder than -3C, and in Samarkand and Bukhara winters are sometimes sunny and considerably heat (5-15C) through the day. Nevertheless, you may anticipate subzero temperatures at night time. I’ve a separate weblog submit about climate in Uzbekistan in winter and our general impressions from travelling to Uzbekistan in December.
What number of days must you spend in Uzbekistan
In the event you’re questioning what number of days do you want in Uzbekistan, it actually is dependent upon what number of days off you have got. This itinerary relies on 4 days in Uzbekistan and consists of visiting solely two cities, Tashkent and Samarkand (or three if in case you have sufficient time and power). Nevertheless if in case you have per week in Uzbekistan, you’d be capable to go to a lot of the essential highlights and likewise journey to Khiva, Urgench and Bukhara.
You possibly can most likely do it in 5 days as properly however that may require actually cautious advance planning. For instance, you would want to verify the times when there are flights from Tashkent to Urgench or vice versa it will most positively imply that you’d arrive to 1 metropolis and can depart from one other one. For instance, you may arrive in Urgench and depart from Tashkent.
The place to remain in Uzbekistan: the very best lodges
In the event you’re questioning, the place to remain in Uzbekistan, in Tashkent, we stayed in 2 lodges and each have been nice: Wyndham Tashkent and Marriott Courtyard. Wyndham was a bit older, nevertheless, the placement was a bit higher, in my view (particularly in the event you like strolling). One other resort I’d advocate is Hyatt – it’s Tashkent’s nicest resort and it’s not even that costly!
In Samarkand, we stayed on the resort known as Dilimah Premium Luxurious – it had pretty giant fashionable rooms and good breakfasts.
In Bukhara, I can advocate Boutique Lodge Minzifa.
Uzbekistan in winter: what to anticipate? Is December a great month to journey to Uzbekistan
We truly actually loved travelling to Uzbekistan within the winter. We spent 4 days in Uzbekistan in December: we arrived on 26/12 simply after Christmas and departed simply earlier than the New Yr. Many of the lodges have been empty and extra inexpensive in comparison with what they might have been in spring through the excessive season. However extra importantly, a variety of sights have been virtually empty and we have been in a position to take stunning photos. we couldn’t even think about that we might be capable to take a photograph with no folks on the principle sq. of Samarkand – Registan!
The climate was okay. As we arrived from St Petersburg, Russia (which was extraordinarily chilly this winter, which is uncommon), we felt very heat with simply -1C and snowfall in Tashkent. Tashkent not often will get snow today, however we have been fortunate to see it coated by a thick layer of snow. It regarded magical!
The climate in Samarkand was nice – it was a lot hotter – someday it was +6C and one other day +12C. Once we left, it was +15C!
How costly is Uzbekistan? Priced and funds wanted on your journey
In the event you’re questioning how costly is Uzbekistan, I have to guarantee you that’s this gorgeous inexpensive. Nevertheless, there are some issues that may be slightly bit dear. For instance, I discovered lodges (particularly in Tashkent) not low cost. If you wish to keep in worldwide chains like Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott, you may anticipate to pay from $75-200 (£55-155) per night time. The taxi from the airport to the resort was round $15 at night time. And even supposing meals will be actually low cost, we went to good eating places and spent round $20-$35 per meal. Nevertheless in the event you go to native quick meals chains, or strive Plov on the worldwide Plov centre, it can save you some huge cash (as soon as we ate for as little as $5 for each of us).
In the event you go to the native markets (or bazaars) within the morning or throughout lunchtime, you’d be capable to see a variety of meals stalls. You may strive some native dishes like samsa (pie) (for $0.3) or plov or shashlik (meat skewers) ($1 per skewer, generally cheaper).
Verify this submit to seek out out concerning the meals you need to positively strive in Uzbekistan!
Alright, I hope I answered a few of the essential questions you may need had about journey in Uzbekistan. Let’s get began with our itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan, together with Tashkent and Samarkand!
The itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan: Tashkent and Samarkand in a single journey (non-compulsory: Bukhara)
Earlier than we begin the overview of the itinerary, I assumed it’s price mentioning that we purchased a multi-city flight. That signifies that we arrived in Tashkent and departed from Samarkand. Nevertheless, you can even fly again from Bukhara in the event you resolve to incorporate it in your itinerary!
2 days in Tashkent: the very best issues to do
Tashkent is usually ignored by the vacationers in favour of extra spectacular cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Sure, it may not have too many landmarks, however we truly loved it so much! Tashkent seems and appears like a capital. It has nice lodges and a vibrant culinary scene. In the previous couple of years Tashkent noticed the opening of latest inventive bars and eating places and in comparison with Western eating places of the identical rank, Tashkent meals spots are very low cost!
Tashkent can be the simplest metropolis for getting round: you should use the Yandex Taxi app there (it’s similar to Uber or Bolt) and pay money to the driving force.
Having spent 2 full days in Tashkent, we visited a lot of the landmarks of the town. Nevertheless, in the event you’re used to fast-paced journey, you may completely go to every part in simply someday! We ended up spending extra time in Tashkent than initially deliberate as a result of we couldn’t get a pace practice to Bukhara (they have been offered out), therefore, we stayed in Tashkent for an additional day (and loved it so much). Nevertheless, that additionally meant that we couldn’t see Bukhara this time.
Listed below are a few of the essential landmarks we advocate visiting in Tashkent:
Tashkent metro
My absolute favorite factor in Tashkent was its metro (subway / underground – nevertheless you name it). Tashkent metro was the primary one to open in Central Asia and it additionally has a few of the most stunning Metro stations on this planet. Truthfully, just about each single station was spectacular and had a unique distinctive design. Nevertheless, there are a number of stations which can be much more outstanding than the others. In the event you don’t have the whole day to have the ability to cease at each single station (the gaps between trains are 8 minutes, so it would take some time), I like to recommend you go to a minimum of these 5:
– Toshkent
– Kosmonavtov
– Alisher Navoi
– Mustakillik
– Pakhtakor
If you wish to learn the total record of the very best metro stations in Tashkent, head right here.
Amir Timur Sq.
The principle sq. of Tashkent may be very spacious and monumental. It’s very pedestrian – with a beautiful park positioned proper in the course of the sq., surrounding the monument of Amir Timur – the well-known normal Tamerlan, who conquered half of Central Asia again within the Fifteenth century!
Amir Timur Museum
Tashkent seems like a very new metropolis. Lots of buildings have been constructed within the final 10 years, and the development doesn’t appear to cease! The town remains to be creating quickly. Certainly one of Tashkent’s most vital museums was opened in 1996, and it’s positioned proper subsequent to the Amir Timur sq..
Previous metropolis & mosque
As I discussed earlier than there’s not so many elderly buildings in Tashkent as a result of the town suffered a devastating earthquake again within the twentieth century. Nevertheless, you may go to the previous metropolis and the brand new mosque that’s nonetheless being constructed (as of the start of 2022). As soon as it’s completed, it is going to be very spectacular.
Chorsu Market
One of many essential landmarks of Tashkent is the Chorsu Bazaar or Chorsu market that – a bustling market positioned within the centre of Tashkent. Lots of cities In central Asia are constructed round markets – they’re an integral a part of the lives of nearly all of folks there. Markets in central Asia are actually outstanding: they’re large and they’re divided by completely different sections. Totally different sections embrace: fruits, greens, sweets, dairy and different milk merchandise, meat, spices, drinks, baked items and an edible space (avenue meals).
Don’t neglect to discount on the market as a result of as a foreigner you’d get provided costs that may be considerably increased than costs locals.
Chorsu has an impressive spherical corridor, however it’s the primary flooring the place all of the spices and sweets (belongings you could be most eager about as a vacationer) are offered!
One factor to bear in mind: Chorsu is probably the most touristy market in Tashkent. Therefore, the costs are considerably increased than within the different cities. Since you’ll go to Samarkand and possibly even Bukhara, I like to recommend doing most of your buying in these cities moderately than in Tashkent.
Broadway
Lastly, one other place that’s price visiting (particularly in spring or autumn) is the well-known Broadway Avenue. Broadway is a vibrant avenue with a variety of music, avenue meals and general, a really cheerful vibe! (Not in winter although as it’s closed)
The place to eat in Tashkent:
I’d advocate visiting Afsona restaurant if you wish to strive wonderful native meals and Meat.me in the event you choose worldwide dishes (though they do have some native dishes within the menu as properly). One other good restaurant is Khiva positioned contained in the Hyatt Tashkent resort.
Attending to Samarkand from Tashkent
One of the best ways to journey to Samarkand from Tashkent is by pace practice Afrosiab. You may purchase tickets on-line right here (make sure that to purchase them upfront as they have an inclination to promote out).
You may as well get there by automotive, sleeper practice, minibus coach or a taxi. Nevertheless, all of those methods are considerably much less comfy and for much longer in comparison with the pace practice. There’s additionally a flight that goes to Bukhara from Tashkent; nevertheless, it departs solely as soon as a day within the morning. After which, you’d additionally have to take a practice from Bukhara to Samarkand.
Exploring Samarkand: the very best issues to do in Samarkand
Samarkand was once the wealthiest metropolis in Central Asia because of its strategic location on the silk route. The structure within the metropolis is totally gorgeous and fortunately, within the final 30 years, the federal government has restored a variety of the landmarks.
There are many issues to do within the metropolis and you’ll simply spend two days there!
I like to recommend taking a tour with the information for a minimum of someday as a result of it is possible for you to to be taught so much concerning the landmarks and can be capable to see spots you wouldn’t end up. We employed a information by way of the web site known as Tripster and our information, Aziza, spoke a extremely good English! She was wonderful and educated, and I can completely advocate a tour along with her!
Listed below are a few of the landmarks we visited with Aziza:
- Amir Temur Mausoleum – a shocking constructing coated inside by gold with the tombs of a few of the most influential folks within the historical past of Uzbekistan
- Registan sq. – probably the most stunning sq. in Samarkand. Inside the three madrasas, you will discover memento retailers.
- Bibi-Khanym mosque – an incredible Fifteenth-century mosque that may be a must-visit place in Samarkand
- Shah-i-Zinda – probably the most spectacular landmark in Samarkand in my view. It consists of quite a lot of stunning tombs and mausoleums completed in several kinds
- Siyob (Siab) Market – an historical market the place you should purchase meals, spices and souvenirs
What we haven’t had an opportunity to go to, nevertheless, it’s completely price visiting: the observatory (Ulugbek observatory). The well-known Samarkand bread can be baked close to the observatory. This bread is exclusive in some ways – it by no means will get spoilt or mouldy! There isn’t a rationalization for that – scientists nonetheless don’t know why it occurs. Additionally, this bread is kind of sizeable and heavy – it prices lower than $1 and weights greater than a kilo!
If you wish to learn the detailed itinerary for spending two days in Samarkand, learn this text!
Plov making class and dinner
Via Aziza, we additionally booked one other tour – a Plov making class and dinner with Ilhom. Nevertheless, be happy to e book a masterclass with Ilhom individually – listed here are his particulars!
The masterclass and dinner final round 3 hours – preparation of Plov is a prolonged course of! Nevertheless, Ilom is an entertaining and nice host, so the time flies! In the long run, you get to eat all of the plov in addition to a few of the different dishes his spouse Nargiza has cooked and depart the home barely strolling – due to a lot tasty meals!
The place to eat in Samarkand
In the event you’re questioning the place to eat in Samarkand, I can advocate the restaurant Samarkand for a standard meal and a Chaikhona proper in the course of the marketplace for the very best Shashlik I’ve ever eaten in my total life!
Another locations embrace:
- Restaurant Samarkand
- Restaurant Platan
Non-compulsory: visiting Bukhara
Find out how to get to Bukhara from Samarkand
Order to get to Bukhara from Samarkand, you may take the identical pace practice, Afrosiab. It’s the simplest and quickest approach to journey between the cities. You may purchase the tickets on-line right here and don’t neglect to purchase them upfront.
Issues to see in Bukhara
It’s it’s positively doable to go to Bukhara on a day journey from Samarkand. The practice journey between these two cities is kind of quick – lower than 2 hours every method.
In the event you solely have someday in Bukhara, make sure that to go to the next landmarks:
- Kalan Mosque (a well-known Sixteenth-century mosque, most likely probably the most stunning in Bukhara)
- Chor Minor Madrasa
- The Ark of Bukhara
- The Samanid Mausoleum
The abstract: the itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan: Tashkent and Samarkand & Bukhara (non-compulsory)
Alright, this was our itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan visiting a few of the essential highlights corresponding to Tashkent and Samarkand (and likewise together with Bukhara if in case you have an opportunity). I have to say that I haven’t anticipated Uzbekistan to be that lovely. I’ve heard good issues about Samarkand earlier than, however in actuality, it was 10 occasions higher than that. Tashkent was additionally pretty – the metro was spectacular and the meals was nice in Tashkent! General, we loved exploring Uzbekistan so much! There are, maybe, only some minor downsides in relation to travelling round Tashkent, Samarkand and different cities in Uzbekistan. One: it’s very troublesome to get a taxi in Samarkand in the event you don’t have an area SIM card. Two: generally, there’s a bit an excessive amount of consideration from males in the event you’re a younger feminine. Lastly, in the event you don’t get pleasure from bargaining, you’ll undergo a bit, as you at all times have to discount in Uzbekistan!
Different articles you may like:
Is Tashkent price it? Issues to do in Tashkent
Uzbek meals information – dishes to strive in Uzbekistan
Visiting Uzbekistan in winter: what to anticipate
Essentially the most stunning metro stations in Tashkent
