Uzbekistan Tours & Holidays

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

Overview

Uzbekistan has long considered itself different from the rest of Central Asia. These rich lands were settled as early as the 6th century and led to a less nomadic existence compared to its neighbours – an ancient past that is etched into the very stone of Khiva and Bukhara’s towering fortresses. 

Scythians settled ...

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Group tours

Travel to Uzbekistan with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.

TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS

Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries as a private tour or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

HIGHLIGHTS OF UZBEKISTAN

BEST EXPERIENCES

Explore the history of Tashkent

Explore the history of Tashkent

See the main sights via the city's metro with its richly decorated stations. Visit the central square Amir Timur Maydoni, the statue of Tamerlane on horseback, the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Applied Arts Museum and the Old Quarter of the city.

Visit the last emir’s summer palace

Visit the last emir’s summer palace

Visit the summer palace of Bukhara's last Emir. The palace is an eclectic mix of Oriental and European design and contains a good collection of suzanis (traditional embroidery) and Chinese porcelain brought to the city of  Bukhara by camel caravan in the 19th century.

Marvel the Majesty of the Registan

Marvel the Majesty of the Registan

Explore Samarkand's most impressive sight, Registan Square 'Sandy Place' in Persian. Surrounded on three sides by blue tiled madrassahs, it is a masterpiece of impressive architecture and no picture can convey the magnificence of this square.

Discover the Desert Citadels

Discover the Desert Citadels

Enjoy the remote ancient desert citadels, located on the fringes of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert. Explore the imposing Toprak Kala, which was settled in the 1st century BC and later flourished in the 3rd century AD as the capital of the Khoresmshah Dynasty.

Hike between Nurata guesthouses

Hike between Nurata guesthouses

Hike through the Nurata Mountains to your next guesthouse. Enjoy a lovely walk, surrounded by mountainous views. Your lunch will be either a picnic along the way or will be enjoyed at the next guesthouse, depending on how long your walk is.

Enjoy an opera and ballet show

Enjoy an opera and ballet show

Music is vital to the Uzbek soul. An evening at the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tashkent, with its glittering fountains and finely mosaicked interiors, is to touch an artistic quality that is beginning to achieve international recognition.

Visit Khovrenko wine cellar

Visit Khovrenko wine cellar

Taste the secret wines of Khovrenko Wine Cellar. Kept a secret for many decades, passed between friends and finally revealed in 1968, Mr Dmitry Filatov had been producing wines and filled a cellar with wines from Samarkand, many of which are now auctioned off.

Take in views of Aydarkul Lake

Take in views of Aydarkul Lake

Visit Aydarkul Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Uzbekistan. The lake was accidentally created after Chardarya reservoir in the Syrdariya river burst in 1969. Although manmade, the lake is important to many migratory birds’ species, as well as native fish.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Aral Sea

Left behind by the retreating waters of a vast inland ocean, the Aral Sea was once the fourth largest inland body of water on the planet. Fed by the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, its fragile ecology ...

Bukhara

Bukhara was a major staging point on the Silk Road. By about 500BC, it was already an important centre, defended by a citadel that has stood in one form or other ever since. Today it is the site of ...

Khiva

Khiva is a fascinating medieval desert town which has been perfectly preserved. It came to prominence in the 16th century as the capital of the Khans of Khiva whose territory stretched from the Caspian ...

Nurata Mountains

The Nurata mountain range is home to the Nurata Nature Reserve and many lush green river valleys, as well as the ancient town of Nurata, founded by Alexander the Great. Rural Tajik and Uzbek villages ...

Samarkand

Samarkand is the evocative, mythical name of one of the key trading cities of the ancient Silk Road. With a history dating back 2,700 years, Samarkand became famous as the capital of the vast state ...

Tashkent

Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, has a population of more than two million and is the major economic, political and cultural centre of the republic. Its history spans over two millennia, although ...

Ferghana Valley

Known as the "garden of Uzbekistan" the Ferghana Valley lies in the eastern part of Uzbekistan between the Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains) and the Pamir Alay range, and spreads across Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan ...

OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY

Superior | Boutique Hotel

Bibi-Khanym Hotel, Bukhara

Deep in the old city, a five-minute walk to the Lyabi Khauze complex, is this beautifully restored 17th century house. Rooms have preserved their history with traditional decoration and, despite the…
Superior | Boutique Hotel

Hotel Bibikhanum, Samarkand

The Bibikhanum in Samarkand is set right in the heart of the historic town, only a short walk to Bibi Khanum Mosque, Registan Square and Siyab bazaar. The towering and impressive sights of Samarkand…
Superior | Boutique Hotel

Minzifa Hotel, Bukhara

The Minzifa is a small, stylish guesthouse located in the old town. Built in traditional Uzbek style around a central courtyard, this friendly charming hotel features the most refined Bukharan design.…
Superior | Boutique Hotel

Mirzo Boutique Hotel, Tashkent

The Mirzo Boutique Hotel, located in an old Islamic building in the Old Town, is a five-minute walk from the Khast Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar making independent exploration and multiple visits…
Superior | Boutique Hotel

Sasha & Son, Bukhara

Sasha & Sons was a 16th-century Jewish merchant’s house that has been renovated and converted into a beautiful, boutique hotel. Located in the heart of city, and within walking distance from ancient…
Superior | Boutique Hotel

Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah), Khiva

Contained inside the 19th century Mukhamed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Orient Star enjoys a faultless location within the walls of Ichan Qala, the medieval citadel in the heart of Khiva. Only a short walk…

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WHEN TO GO

The best time to visit is generally May, June, September and October when the skies tend to be clear and the temperature warm. You can also visit Uzbekistan in July and August however it is hot and the temperature in Bukhara and Khiva can reach 40 degrees.

Read Our Best Time To Visit Uzbekistan Guide >

Meet the expert, Clem

Clem is our Uzbekistan expert, who has travelled extensively in the country.

Speak to Clementine by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

In Samarkand, go for a stroll in the Afrosiyob Hills for a great view of Registan Square with none of the crowds.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Uzbekistan though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.

Currency

In Uzbekistan, the official unit of currency is the Sum.

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.

Cultural Sensitivity

On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.

The first thing to say about travelling in Uzbekistan is that most areas, particularly the cities and towns, have a much more laid-back approach to Islam than other countries to the south. In places such as Tashkent and Samarkand you won’t believe the length of some women’s skirts! However, it should also be remembered that it is technically a Muslim region and therefore some caution and respect should be applied.

T-shirts are fine for both sexes, as are vest tops and skirts for women, but if visiting the active mosques and mausoleums of Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand, women should cover their shoulders and both men and women should wear trousers/ skirts that fall below the knee.

Language & Religion

Uzbek is the only official state language in Uzbekistan, although the Tajik language is widespread within Bukhara and Samarkand due to the large population of ethnic Tajiks. Russian is the main language for 14% of the population and in the cities, it is an important language for inter-ethnic communication.

95% of the population are Muslim with about 5% following Russian Orthodox Christianity. Over the years there have been many versions of the Islamic faith practiced in Uzbekistan

Time

Uzbekistan is 5 hours ahead of GMT A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.

Food and drink

The food in Uzbekistan is not particularly varied and is based around meat and rice, although the salads on offer are very tasty. Your guide will ensure you experience the delicacies of each region, which often overlap with the cultures that have lived and moved around Central Asia over the centuries.

Regarding alcohol, the choice is limited to vodka, beer or rather filthy local brandy so anyone wanting something different - Scotch or Gin for example - should buy it duty free and bring it with them. However, be advised that mixers, like tonic water, are extremely difficult to find! There is also some quite acceptable local wine generally available, although rarely sold by the glass!

Travelling Solo In Uzbekistan 

All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.