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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-obligatory 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 anticipate 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 principles 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 want to present a adverse 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, nevertheless, it has its personal pink checklist – arrivals from some international locations have to quarantine for 10 days. Â
Aside from 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 the case of getting across the cities (e.g. taxi drivers in Samarkand in Bukhara don’t converse English and there’s no app you need to use to ask for a taxi) and generally resort personnel don’t converse English as effectively, nevertheless, it’s regular – it’s the identical in quite a lot of international locations around the globe.
In the event you’re a younger solo feminine traveller, you may get quite a lot of consideration, so I’m undecided I’d suggest 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 converse English in Uzbekistan – the first language of the nation is Uzbek (and Tajik in Bukhara and Samarkand), nevertheless, you can too use Russian, 80% of individuals in huge cities can converse and perceive Russian.Â
What’s one of the best time to journey to Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan has clearly outlined seasons : chilly winter, great spring when every part 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, until you benefit from the temperatures of 38-55C levels.Â
Winter is totally high quality, it doesn’t often 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 evening. I’ve a separate weblog submit 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
In the event you’re questioning what number of days do you want in Uzbekistan, it actually will depend on what number of days off you could have. This itinerary relies on 4 days in Uzbekistan and consists of 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 of go to a lot of the essential highlights and likewise journey to Khiva, Urgench and Bukhara.Â
You would in all probability do it in 5 days as effectively however that might 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 could most positively imply that you’d arrive to at least one 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 motels
In the event you’re questioning, the place to remain in Uzbekistan, in Tashkent, we stayed in 2 motels and each had been nice: Wyndham Tashkent and Marriott Courtyard. Wyndham was a bit older, nevertheless, the placement was a bit higher, for my part (particularly in the event you like strolling). One other resort I’d suggest is Hyatt – it’s Tashkent’s nicest resort and it’s not even that costly!
In Samarkand, we stayed on the resort referred to as Dilimah Premium Luxurious – it had beautiful massive fashionable rooms and good breakfasts.Â
In Bukhara, I can suggest Boutique Resort Minzifa.
Uzbekistan in winter: what to anticipate? Is December a superb month to journey to UzbekistanÂ
We really 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. A lot of the motels had been empty and extra inexpensive in comparison with what they’d have been in spring through the excessive season. However extra importantly, quite a lot of sights had been virtually empty and we had been in a position to take stunning footage. we couldn’t even think about that we’d be capable of 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 hardly ever will get snow lately, however we had been fortunate to see it lined by a thick layer of snow. It seemed magical!Â
The climate in Samarkand was nice – it was a lot hotter – at some point it was +6C and one other day +12C. After we left, it was +15C!Â
How costly is Uzbekistan? Priced and funds wanted in your journeyÂ
In the event you’re questioning how costly is Uzbekistan, I need to guarantee you that’s this beautiful inexpensive. Nevertheless, there are some issues that may be somewhat bit expensive. For instance, I discovered motels (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 evening. The taxi from the airport to the resort was round $15 at evening. And even supposing meals could 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
In the event you go to the native markets (or bazaars) within the morning or throughout lunchtime, you’d be capable of see quite a lot of meals stalls. You possibly can strive some native dishes like samsa (pie) (for $0.3) or plov or shashlik (meat skewers) ($1 per skewer, generally cheaper).Â
Test this submit to seek out out concerning the meals you need to positively strive in Uzbekistan!Â
Alright, I hope I answered a number 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-obligatory: 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 too 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 missed by the vacationers in favour of extra spectacular cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Sure, it won’t have too many landmarks, however we really loved it so much! Tashkent seems and looks like a capital. It has nice motels and a vibrant culinary scene. In the previous few years Tashkent noticed the opening of recent artistic 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 need to use 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 every part in simply at some point! We ended up spending extra time in Tashkent than initially deliberate as a result of we couldn’t get a velocity prepare to Bukhara (they had been bought 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.Â
Listed here are a number of the essential landmarks we suggest visiting in Tashkent:
Tashkent metroÂ
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 number of the most stunning Metro stations on the earth. Truthfully, just about each single station was spectacular and had a special distinctive design. Nevertheless, there are a couple of stations which might 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’d take some time), I like to recommend you go to no less than these 5:Â
– Toshkent
– Kosmonavtov
– Alisher Navoi
– Mustakillik
– Pakhtakor
If you wish to learn the complete checklist of one of the 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 situated proper in the midst of the sq., surrounding the monument of Amir Timur – the well-known common Tamerlan, who conquered half of Central Asia again within the Fifteenth century!Â
Amir Timur Museum
Tashkent seems like a very new metropolis. A variety of buildings had been constructed within the final 10 years, and the development doesn’t appear to cease! The town continues to be creating quickly. One in all Tashkent’s most vital 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 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 situated within the centre of Tashkent. A variety 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 really outstanding: they’re enormous and they’re divided by totally different sections. Completely different sections embody: fruits, greens, sweets, dairy and different milk merchandise, meat, spices, drinks, baked items and an edible space (avenue meals).
Don’t neglect to cut price on the market as a result of as a foreigner you’d get supplied costs that might 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 could be most desirous about as a vacationer) are bought!Â
One factor to remember: Chorsu is probably the most touristy market in Tashkent. Therefore, the costs are considerably larger than within the different cities. Since you’re going to go to Samarkand and perhaps even Bukhara, I like to recommend doing most of your purchasing in these cities reasonably than in Tashkent.
BroadwayÂ
Lastly, one other place that’s price visiting (particularly in spring or autumn) is the well-known Broadway Road. Broadway is a vibrant avenue with quite a lot 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’d suggest 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 resort.
Attending to Samarkand from TashkentÂ
One of the simplest ways to journey to Samarkand from Tashkent is by velocity prepare Afrosiab. You possibly can purchase tickets on-line right here (be sure that to purchase them prematurely as they have an inclination to promote out).Â
You too can get there by automobile, sleeper prepare, minibus coach or a taxi. Nevertheless, all of those methods are considerably much less snug and for much longer in comparison with the velocity prepare. There may be 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 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 totally gorgeous and fortuitously, within the final 30 years, the federal government has restored quite a lot 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 no less than at some point as a result of it is possible for you to to be taught so much concerning the landmarks and can be capable of see spots you wouldn’t end up. We employed a information by the web site referred to as Tripster and our information, Aziza, spoke a very good English! She was superb and educated, and I can completely suggest a tour together with her!
Listed here are a number of the landmarks we visited with Aziza:
- Amir Temur Mausoleum – a shocking constructing lined inside by gold with the tombs of a number 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 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 – probably the most spectacular landmark in Samarkand for my part. It consists of a wide range of stunning tombs and mausoleums completed in several typesÂ
- Siyob (Siab) Market – an historic 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 is no such thing as 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!Â
If you wish to learn the detailed itinerary for spending two days in Samarkand, learn this text!
Plov making class and dinnerÂ
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! Ultimately, you get to eat all of the plov in addition to a number 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 SamarkandÂ
In the event you’re questioning the place to eat in Samarkand, I can suggest the restaurant Samarkand for a conventional 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 embody:
- Restaurant Samarkand
- Restaurant Platan
Optionally available: visiting Bukhara
Tips on how to get to Bukhara from SamarkandÂ
Order to get to Bukhara from Samarkand, you may take the identical velocity prepare, Afrosiab. It’s the best and quickest option to journey between the cities. You possibly can purchase the tickets on-line right here and don’t neglect to purchase them prematurely.Â
Issues to see in Bukhara
It’s it’s positively doable to go to Bukhara on a day journey from Samarkand. The prepare journey between these two cities is kind of brief – lower than 2 hours every method.Â
In the event you solely have at some point in Bukhara, be sure that to go to the next landmarks:
- Kalan Mosque (a well-known Sixteenth-century mosque, in all probability 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-obligatory)
Alright, this was our itinerary for 4 days in Uzbekistan visiting a number of the essential highlights comparable 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 occasions higher than that. Tashkent was additionally beautiful – the metro was spectacular and the meals was nice in Tashkent! Total, we loved exploring Uzbekistan so much! There are, maybe, just a few minor downsides in the case of travelling round Tashkent, Samarkand and different cities in Uzbekistan. One: it’s very tough 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 take pleasure in bargaining, you’ll undergo a bit, as you all the time have to cut price in Uzbekistan!Â
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
Probably the most stunning metro stations in TashkentÂ
