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Hey guys, on this article, I wished to share our itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan visiting Tashkent and Samarkand (and Bukhara as an elective vacation spot). We visited Uzbekistan in winter, when it was very empty and had an opportunity to discover the primary landmarks with none crowds.
Right here’s what you may anticipate finding on this weblog put up:
Who can journey to Uzbekistan? Do you want a visa?
For those who’re questioning whether or not you want a visa for Uzbekistan, it’s higher to test on the official web site right here, as the foundations might need modified since we wrote this text. Usually, it’s fairly simple 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, it’s good to present a detrimental PCR check taken as much as 72 hours earlier than your journey.Â
There are not any strict guidelines about who may journey to Uzbekistan, nonetheless, it has its personal purple checklist – arrivals from some international locations must quarantine for 10 days. Â
Other than that, it’s simple to journey to Uzbekistan – you don’t want any invites or journey vouchers.Â
Are you able to discover Uzbekistan by yourself with out a journey company?Â
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 terms of getting across the cities (e.g. taxi drivers in Samarkand in Bukhara don’t communicate English and there’s no app you should utilize to ask for a taxi) and generally lodge personnel don’t communicate English as effectively, nonetheless, it’s regular – it’s the identical in loads of international locations around the globe.
For those who’re a younger solo feminine traveller, you may get loads of consideration, so I’m unsure I might advocate travelling alone in Uzbekistan – on this case, it’s higher to purchase a tour!Â
Which language can you utilize in Uzbekistan?
As I discussed earlier than, not many individuals communicate English in Uzbekistan – the first language of the nation is Uzbek (and Tajik in Bukhara and Samarkand), nonetheless, you may also use Russian, 80% of individuals in large cities can communicate and perceive Russian.Â
What’s one of the best time to journey to Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan has clearly outlined seasons : chilly winter, fantastic spring when all the pieces is blooming, extraordinarily sizzling summer time and nice autumn. Summer time is mostly very popular in Uzbekistan so it’s not really helpful to journey there from June to early September, except you benefit from the temperatures of 38-55C levels.Â
Winter is completely 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 count on subzero temperatures at evening. I’ve a separate weblog put up about climate in Uzbekistan in winter and our total impressions from travelling to Uzbekistan in December.
What number of days must you spend in Uzbekistan
For those who’re questioning what number of days do you want in Uzbekistan, it actually will depend on what number of days off you will have. This itinerary is predicated on 4 days in Uzbekistan and contains visiting solely two cities, Tashkent and Samarkand (or three when you have sufficient time and vitality). Nevertheless when you have every week in Uzbekistan, you’d be capable to go to a lot of the principal highlights and likewise journey to Khiva, Urgench and Bukhara.Â
You possibly can in all probability do it in 5 days as effectively however that will require actually cautious advance planning. For instance, you would wish to test the times when there are flights from Tashkent to Urgench or vice versa it will most undoubtedly 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.Â
The place to remain in Uzbekistan: one of the best inns
For those who’re questioning, the place to remain in Uzbekistan, in Tashkent, we stayed in 2 inns and each had been nice: Wyndham Tashkent and Marriott Courtyard. Wyndham was a bit older, nonetheless, the situation was a bit higher, in my view (particularly in the event you like strolling). One other lodge I might advocate is Hyatt – it’s Tashkent’s nicest lodge and it’s not even that costly!
In Samarkand, we stayed on the lodge known as Dilimah Premium Luxurious – it had beautiful giant trendy rooms and good breakfasts.Â
In Bukhara, I can advocate Boutique Lodge Minzifa.
Uzbekistan in winter: what to anticipate? Is December month to journey to UzbekistanÂ
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 12 months. A lot of the inns had been empty and extra reasonably priced in comparison with what they might have been in spring through the excessive season. However extra importantly, loads of sights had been virtually empty and we had been capable of take lovely footage. we couldn’t even think about that we might be capable to take a photograph with no folks on the primary 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 as of late, however we had been fortunate to see it coated by a thick layer of snow. It regarded magical!Â
The climate in Samarkand was nice – it was a lot hotter – in the future it was +6C and one other day +12C. After we left, it was +15C!Â
How costly is Uzbekistan? Priced and finances wanted on your journeyÂ
For those who’re questioning how costly is Uzbekistan, I need to guarantee you that’s this gorgeous reasonably priced. Nevertheless, there are some issues that may be slightly bit dear. For instance, I discovered inns (particularly in Tashkent) not low cost. If you wish to keep in worldwide chains like Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott, you may count on to pay from $75-200 (£55-155) per evening. The taxi from the airport to the lodge was round $15 at evening. And although meals might 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).Â
For those who go to the native markets (or bazaars) within the morning or throughout lunchtime, you’d be capable to see loads 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).Â
Verify this put up to seek out out in regards to the meals it’s best to undoubtedly strive in Uzbekistan!Â
Alright, I hope I answered a few of the principal questions you might 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 (elective: Bukhara)
Earlier than we begin the overview of the itinerary, I believed it’s value mentioning that we purchased a multi-city flight. That implies that we arrived in Tashkent and departed from Samarkand. Nevertheless, you may also fly again from Bukhara in the event you resolve to incorporate it in your itinerary!Â
2 days in Tashkent: one of the best issues to doÂ
Tashkent is usually neglected by the vacationers in favour of extra spectacular cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Sure, it won’t have too many landmarks, however we truly loved it rather a lot! Tashkent seems and looks like a capital. It has nice inns and a vibrant culinary scene. In the previous few 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 best metropolis for getting round: you should utilize the Yandex Taxi app there (it’s similar to Uber or Bolt) and pay money to the motive 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 all the pieces in simply in the future! We ended up spending extra time in Tashkent than initially deliberate as a result of we couldn’t get a pace prepare to Bukhara (they had been offered out), therefore, we stayed in Tashkent for an additional day (and loved it rather a lot). Nevertheless, that additionally meant that we couldn’t see Bukhara this time.Â
Listed here are a few of the principal landmarks we advocate visiting in Tashkent:
Tashkent metroÂ
My absolute favorite factor in Tashkent was its metro (subway / underground – nonetheless you name it). Tashkent metro was the primary one to open in Central Asia and it additionally has a few of the most lovely Metro stations on the earth. Truthfully, just about each single station was spectacular and had a unique distinctive design. Nevertheless, there are just a few stations which might be much more outstanding than the others. For those who don’t have the complete 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:Â
– Toshkent
– Kosmonavtov
– Alisher Navoi
– Mustakillik
– Pakhtakor
If you wish to learn the total checklist of one of the best metro stations in Tashkent, head right here.
Amir Timur Sq.
The primary sq. of Tashkent could be very spacious and monumental. It’s very pedestrian – with a stunning park situated proper in the midst of the sq., surrounding the monument of Amir Timur – the well-known basic Tamerlan, who conquered half of Central Asia again within the Fifteenth century!Â
Amir Timur Museum
Tashkent seems like a totally new metropolis. Loads of buildings had been constructed within the final 10 years, and the development doesn’t appear to cease! Town remains to be growing quickly. One among Tashkent’s most essential museums was opened in 1996, and it’s situated proper subsequent to the Amir Timur sq..
Previous metropolis & mosqueÂ
As I discussed earlier than there’s not so many aged buildings in Tashkent as a result of the town suffered a devastating earthquake again within the twentieth century. Nevertheless, you may go to the outdated metropolis and the brand new mosque that’s nonetheless being constructed (as of the start of 2022). As soon as it’s completed, it will likely be very spectacular.
Chorsu Market
One of many principal landmarks of Tashkent is the Chorsu Bazaar or Chorsu market that – a bustling market situated within the centre of Tashkent. Loads 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 overlook to discount on the market as a result of as a foreigner you’d get provided costs that will be considerably larger than costs locals.Â
Chorsu has a powerful spherical corridor, nevertheless it’s the primary ground the place all of the spices and sweets (stuff you can be most enthusiastic about as a vacationer) are offered!Â
One factor to remember: Chorsu is essentially the most touristy market in Tashkent. Therefore, the costs are considerably larger than within the different cities. Since you’ll go to Samarkand and possibly even Bukhara, I like to recommend doing most of your purchasing in these cities quite than in Tashkent.
BroadwayÂ
Lastly, one other place that’s value visiting (particularly in spring or autumn) is the well-known Broadway Road. Broadway is a vibrant avenue with loads of music, avenue meals and total, a really cheerful vibe! (Not in winter although as it’s closed)
The place to eat in Tashkent:
I might advocate visiting Afsona restaurant if you wish to strive superb native meals and Meat.me in the event you favor worldwide dishes (though they do have some native dishes within the menu as effectively). One other good restaurant is Khiva situated contained in the Hyatt Tashkent lodge.
Attending to Samarkand from TashkentÂ
One of the simplest ways to journey to Samarkand from Tashkent is by pace prepare Afrosiab. You may purchase tickets on-line right here (make certain to purchase them prematurely as they have a tendency to promote out).Â
It’s also possible to get there by automobile, sleeper prepare, minibus coach or a taxi. Nevertheless, all of those methods are considerably much less comfy and for much longer in comparison with the pace prepare. There may be additionally a flight that goes to Bukhara from Tashkent; nonetheless, it departs solely as soon as a day within the morning. After which, you’d additionally must take a prepare from Bukhara to Samarkand.
Exploring Samarkand: one of the best issues to do in SamarkandÂ
Samarkand was once the wealthiest metropolis in Central Asia as a consequence of its strategic location on the silk route. The structure within the metropolis is completely beautiful and fortuitously, within the final 30 years, the federal government has restored loads of the landmarks.Â
There are many issues to do within the metropolis and you may simply spend two days there!Â
I like to recommend taking a tour with the information for a minimum of in the future as a result of it is possible for you to to be taught rather a lot in regards to 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 superb and educated, and I can completely advocate a tour along with her!
Listed here 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. – essentially the most lovely sq. in Samarkand. Inside the three madrasas, you could find memento outlets.Â
- Bibi-Khanym mosque – an incredible Fifteenth-century mosque that may be a must-visit place in Samarkand
- Shah-i-Zinda – essentially the most spectacular landmark in Samarkand in my view. It consists of quite a lot of lovely tombs and mausoleums completed in several kindsÂ
- Siyob (Siab) Market – an historical market the place you should buy meals, spices and souvenirs
What we haven’t had an opportunity to go to, nonetheless, it’s completely value 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 any rationalization for that – scientists nonetheless don’t know why it occurs. Additionally, this bread is sort of sizeable and heavy – it prices lower than $1 and weights greater than a kilo!Â
If you wish to learn the detailed itinerary for spending two days in Samarkand, learn this text!
Plov making class and dinnerÂ
By means of Aziza, we additionally booked one other tour – a Plov making class and dinner with Ilhom. Nevertheless, be at liberty to guide 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! Ultimately, you get to eat all of the plov in addition to a few of the different dishes his spouse Nargiza has cooked and go away the home barely strolling – due to a lot tasty meals!
The place to eat in SamarkandÂ
For those who’re questioning the place to eat in Samarkand, I can advocate the restaurant Samarkand for a standard meal and a Chaikhona proper in the midst of the marketplace for one of the best Shashlik I’ve ever eaten in my complete life!
Another locations embrace:
- Restaurant Samarkand
- Restaurant Platan
Non-obligatory: visiting Bukhara
The right way to get to Bukhara from SamarkandÂ
Order to get to Bukhara from Samarkand, you may take the identical pace prepare, Afrosiab. It’s the best and quickest strategy to journey between the cities. You should buy the tickets on-line right here and don’t overlook to purchase them prematurely.Â
Issues to see in Bukhara
It’s it’s undoubtedly attainable to go to Bukhara on a day journey from Samarkand. The prepare journey between these two cities is sort of brief – lower than 2 hours every approach.Â
For those who solely have in the future in Bukhara, make certain to go to the next landmarks:
- Kalan Mosque (a well-known Sixteenth-century mosque, in all probability essentially the most lovely 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 (elective)
Alright, this was our itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan visiting a few of the principal highlights corresponding to Tashkent and Samarkand (and likewise together with Bukhara when you have an opportunity). I need to say that I haven’t anticipated Uzbekistan to be that stunning. I’ve heard good issues about Samarkand earlier than, however in actuality, it was 10 instances higher than that. Tashkent was additionally beautiful – the metro was spectacular and the meals was nice in Tashkent! General, we loved exploring Uzbekistan rather a lot! There are, maybe, only some minor downsides in terms of 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 must discount in Uzbekistan!Â
Different articles you may like:
Is Tashkent value it? Issues to do in Tashkent
Uzbek meals information – dishes to strive in Uzbekistan
Visiting Uzbekistan in winter: what to anticipate
Probably the most lovely metro stations in TashkentÂ
Visiting the Christmas Market in Moscow
Superb issues to do in Saint Petersburg, Russia
