Uzbekistan Tours & Holidays

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 here in the Bronze Age and built giant burial mounds for their kings, Alexander the Great briefly brought the area under control during his march eastwards and the armies of Islam were spreading Muhammad’s message through its valleys and cities as early as 700AD. However, it was under the reign of Tamerlane in the 14th century that Uzbekistan experienced its Golden Age, seen today in the breathtaking splendour of Samarkand’s Islamic architecture, most notably Registan Square and Gur-e-Amir – Tamerlane’s tomb. All of these different civilizations, migrations and conquerors have left their mark on the country we see today, physically, culturally and spiritually.

The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva offer a glimpse into the country’s glittering past with their impressive architecture, intricately tiled domes, thriving bazaars, tea houses and alleyways. Here, you can also witness the ancient techniques of silk production and other crafts for which Uzbekistan has been renowned for centuries, such as carpet weaving and colourful ceramics. For more modern artistry, the city of Nukus is home to a huge collection of avant-garde Soviet art, much of it smuggled out of Russia in the 1930’s.

Although it is rightly renowned for its cities, we believe there is more to Uzbekistan than its Silk Road heritage. As always with Wild Frontiers, we like to get off the beaten track by leading our Uzbekistan trips into the countryside where to experience the country’s rugged natural beauty and friendly rural culture. From the verdant slopes of the Ferghana Valley to the arid, parched landscapes of the Aral Sea, this is a land whose beauty has long lived in the imagination of the west.

Take a Wild Frontiers group tour or tailor-made adventure in Uzbekistan to learn the legacy of the Silk Road through the impressive mosques, minarets and bazaars of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara; or explore the country’s natural beauty and rural charm with our Uzbekistan holidays and tours.