Uzbekistan

Explore ancient mosques, madrassas and mausoleums in Samarkand

Marvel at spectacular Islamic architecture in the medieval city of Bukhara

See the stunning tombs, domes and towering minarets of Itchan Kala, Khiva’s ancient walled city

Wander markets, monuments and museums in the capital, Tashkent

Visit the remote Nukus Art Museum for an incredible collection of Russian avant-garde art

Get a taste of nomadic life with a yurt stay in the Kyzyl Kum desert

Head to the Nuratau Mountains for hiking and horse riding

Shop for colourful Uzbek carpets, silks and ceramics

Uzbekistan has an extreme continental climate.

It is generally warmest in the south and coldest in the north.

Temperatures in December average -8°C in the north and 0°C in the south. However, extreme fluctuations can take temperatures as low as -35°C.

During the summer months, temperatures can climb to 45°C and above.

Humidity is low.

In recent years Uzbekistan has been notably affected by general global warming and the specific effects of the drying-out of the Aral Sea. This has turned snowy cold winters to mild ones with less precipitation.

The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn, with September being the absolute optimum month.

Uzbekistan is +5 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other languages 7.1%

Uzbekistan’s official and primary language, Uzbek, belongs to the southeastern or Chagatai branch of the Turkic language family. The Uzbeks were the least Russified of the Turkic peoples formerly part of the Soviet Union, and virtually all still use Uzbek as their primary language.

Following independence from the Soviet Union, Uzbek replaced Russian as the language of education. Russian language skills among Uzbeks have declined greatly since independence, but in a region that is very multilingual, Russian is still the lingua franca of Central Asia.

Basic English is spoken by some students, government officials and by those who work in hotels and other tourism industries.

Uzbekistani Som

USD is the best currency to carry in Uzbekistan.

We recommend you bring US Dollars cash only dated no earlier than 2006 (the newer the better) in larger denominations (US$50 & US$100) as your main source of money. ALL notes should be in excellent condition. They should not be torn or have any writing on them. If in doubt ask your bank to supply alternatives.

Credit cards and ATM’s are not as widely accepted in Uzbekistan so it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

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Electricity in Uzbekistan is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Electricity in Uzbekistan is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.