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WHY BOOK A TRIP TO UZBEKISTAN?
Central Asia might just be the most underappreciated region of the world when it comes to mainstream tourism. Well, everyone else is missing out, because Uzbekistan is one of the most fascinating and beautiful countries on Earth.
While it may be firmly off the tourist trail these days, historically this part of the world has been right at the heart of the trade trail. Several cities in Uzbekistan have rich Silk Road histories, and the old-world charm of Khiva and Bukhara can still be felt today. In Samarkand, meanwhile, you’ll find some of the great architectural wonders of the world.
Don’t be afraid to venture behind these storied city streets, either, Uzbekistan is full of snowy mountain peaks, beautiful green valleys and glacial lakes, not to mention nature reserves and isolated deserts. This is a wild landscape populated by wolves, bears, vultures and, although very hard to spot, snow leopards too.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's the best time of year to visit Uzbekistan?
Summers can be very hot – at times restrictively so – here, while winters can be cold and snowy, so we’d say the shoulder seasons are your best bet for a pleasant time in Uzbekistan. Opt for spring to see the countryside blossoming and celebrate Navruz in March.
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What's the climate like in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan has an arid continental climate, although conditions can vary significantly across its landscape, and from day to day. Generally speaking, summers are hot and winters are very cold, often averaging below freezing. Droughts are common, rainfall is limited and weather extremes can go either way – the temperature range here is extraordinary, reaching 48C (118F) one day in July 2022 and dropping down to -23C (-9F) in January 2023.
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What's the currency?
Uzbekistani Som
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What’s the local language?
The predominant language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, but Russian is fairly widely spoken, Persian is also commonly heard, as are some other Turki languages.
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What's the time zone?
Uzbekistan Time is UTC+5, making it five hours ahead of the UK, ten hours ahead of New York and 13 hours ahead of LA.
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Major airports
- Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
- Samarkand Airport (SKD)
- Bukhara International Airport (BHK)
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What are the top places to visit?
- Samarkand – the shimmering blue-tiled creations of Registan is one of the world’s great architectural sights
- Bukhara – this Unesco World Heritage Site is remarkably historic in both culture and architecture
- Khiva – an underrated Silk Road city that recently celebrated its 2,500th birthday
- Fergana Valley – winding green valleys, charming rural towns set amid a spectacular mountainous backdrop
- Ugam-Chatkal Natural National Park – for splendid natural beauty and the (admittedly unlikely) possibility of seeing a snow leopard in the wild
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What are the top five local dishes to try?
- Plov – the national dish, a hearty pilaf concoction with meat, vegetables and dried fruit. A social staple
- Shurpa – rich meat and vegetable soups, best when using lamb
- Shashlik – skewered a grilled chunks of well-spiced meat
- Somsa – a stuffed savoury pastry and cousin of the samosa
- Ayran – a cold yoghurt-based beverage, served on hot summer days and a revelation with a dash of mint