Uzbekistan, the pearl of Central Asia
Oezbekistan, het hart van Centraal-Azië staat bekend om de prachtige steden die de sfeer van de Zijderoute nog altijd ademen. Er is echter nog zoveel meer, van Soviet-invloeden tot het verrassende Tashkent. Tot het rauwe en bizarre landschap van Oezbekistan. Wie opzoek is naar een unieke bestemming moet zeker Oezbekistan op je lijstje zetten. Het is namelijk een absoluut hoogtepunt in deze geweldige hoek van de wereld. Combineer het met andere ”’Stans” of richt je enkel op Oezbekistan, het is de reis meer dan waard!
Central Asia stole my heart, after my first visit in 2022 I went there again in 2024. From not knowing exactly what this corner has to offer, to being hungry to explore everything in Central Asia! So far I have combined Uzbekistan with trips to one of the neighboring countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Turkmenistan will probably also be on the list. The big advantage of Uzbekistan is that traveling has become incredibly easy. No more visa hassles, and with a great train network, traveling between cities is surprisingly good.
Unknown, but great in surprise!
Uzbekistan is located in the western part of Central Asia. From the Fergana Valley with its green landscape and high mountains, dry deserts in the southern part of Uzbekistan, to the largely dried-up Ural Sea. In terms of landscape it is very versatile. For real mountains and vast steppes, it is better to go to Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan. That does not mean that Uzbekistan is only interesting for its cities. Anyone who wants to explore nature between the cities can certainly do so in places such as Zaamin national park or around Navoi. And especially with the bizarre landscape of the dried-up Ural Sea near Nukus. And everywhere you go you will be warmly greeted by curious Uzbeks. Hospitality is of paramount importance here!
While most people from Tashkent go straight to the well-known cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the capital Tashkent is very surprising! Read all about why Tashkent is also worth a visit here!
Uzbekistan's Destinations
See all our posts about Uzbekistan below! From the famous Silk Road cities to bizarre landscapes around the Ural Lake. To alternative plans for traveling between cities!
Samarkand, perhaps the city of Uzbekistan. From the famous Registan to lively markets. Samarkand is a real highlight of your trip through Uzbekistan! Read more about it in our blog:
Bukhara, perhaps our favorite in Uzbekistan. Everything comes together here, historic buildings and lively streets. And less polished, which makes it feel even more authentic! Read more about it in our Bukhara blog!
Uzbekistan travelroute's
All my trips to Uzbekistan so far have been combined with other countries around Uzbekistan. In terms of routes, you can easily travel Overland to surrounding countries. Anyway, I recommend at least 9 days for Uzbekistan. The more, the deeper and more you can see, of course.
Travel route combining Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan. This was my route:
To be updated
Practical tips Uzbekistan:
Nowadays, Uzbekistan is an incredibly easy country to travel through solo.
- The Uzbek SOM gives you the feeling of being a millionaire, as 1.45 million SOM is €100.
- Visas for most nationalities have been abolished and the reporting obligation is hardly checked. Although you will receive a piece of paper from your hotel that acknowledges your stay, you will not be asked for it. Of course, keep them.
- Uzbekistan is an Islamic country, respect the local culture and dress decently. So cover your shoulders and don't wear very short pants/skirts. Although Uzbekistan is a very moderate Islamic country due to its Soviet history, it is somewhat more conservative.
- Uzbekistan has a shared Soviet history, which means that alcohol is seen as accepted and there are also places to go out
- Book your train tickets in advance, the train is popular and therefore sells out quickly.
- Uzbekistan is very easy to combine with surrounding countries, except for Turkmenistan you can travel to all of them without a visa.
- Uzbekistan is extremely hot in the summer. 45 degrees during the day is normal, in winter it can freeze again. So continental climate.
- You can easily book hotels in most cities via booking.com
- Brush up on your Russian language, or use a translator. English is still far from known to most people. Also young people.
In short, Uzbekistan is definitely a country you should put on your list! Uzbekistan is already the most touristy in this corner, and will become more so. If you want to avoid mass tourism for the most part, you better go quickly. Like all the other countries in this corner, Uzbekistan is as unique as any other. They cannot be completely compared to each other and that is what makes this corner so interesting. From the rich history to the big, golden smiles of the people. Uzbekistan is a pearl!
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