GoTravelDaily editor Alex Butler traveled to Uzbekistan for a whirlwind trip to some of the country’s highlights and what lies beyond the Silk Road cities. Here, she shares some tips and insights for anyone planning a similar trip.
Uzbekistan had long been one of those destinations I dreamed about visiting. Photographs of intricate blue tiles on towering medressas and markets piled high with spices and handcrafted ceramics had me enthralled. I longed to admire the mosaics of the Registan in all their detail and smell the cumin in the markets for myself. This year, that dream finally materialized.
Admiring 12th-century minarets and the golden spectacle of the Tilla-Kari Medressa in person was incredible, but I was equally wowed by the natural beauty of Uzbekistan, encompassing its mountains and deserts. Consequently, there has never been a better time to plan a trip to this stunning country.
What was the most touristy thing you did?
The most touristy experience I embraced was visiting the Kalon Mosque and Miri Arab Madrasah in Bukhara, which became my favorite city during my travels. Standing in the square under the scalding afternoon sun—when locals wisely sought shade—I gazed in awe at these architectural masterpieces. The Kalon Minaret, built in 1127, has astounded visitors for centuries; it was likely the tallest building in Central Asia at its inception and remains captivatingly beautiful today.
Favorite activity from the trip?
While the historic cities of Uzbekistan capture the most attention from travelers, my favorite activity involved gazing up at the Milky Way from the Kyzylkum Desert.
I stayed at the Kyzylkum Safari Yurt Camp, located a 3 to 4-hour drive from Bukhara or Samarkand. Situated near Lake Aidarkul, a vast Soviet-built reservoir, I found solace in its salty waters, a refreshing reprieve from the oppressive desert heat. Back at the yurt camp, I climbed a sand dune to enjoy the sunset over the expansive sands. After dark, we gathered around the campfire, listening to a folk performer sing soulful Kazakh songs.
However, the true magic awaited us after dark. As we ventured into the desert, the crisp air and absence of light pollution revealed a breathtaking sky blanketed with stars.
What was the most under-the-radar activity you enjoyed?
During my journey, I ventured to Shirin Ethno Village to delve into local Uzbek customs, cuisine, and agriculture. Located 27 miles from Bukhara, the village houses about 1500 residents and approximately 300 homes. In 2022, the village launched a new cultural agrotourism initiative, promoting rural tourism while offering travelers a comfortable place to stay.
The village features rooms and yurts nestled in a garden adorned with grapevines, along with a swimming pool for cool relief during the heat of the day. As a working farm, the meals served were crafted from produce cultivated on-site—eggplants, carrots, basil, mint, corn, grapes, tomatoes, watermelon, and pumpkin. The farm also sells surplus produce at the market.
Throughout the day, I learned how to bake bread and samosas in a tandir (a round oven fueled by cotton stalks). Experiencing rural life offered a refreshing change of pace from the bustling cities. I enjoyed a delightful lunch under the shade of an apricot tree, with fruit sourced from the very tree above me.
What was the most scenic experience of the trip?
One of the highlights of my journey was taking a horseback ride through the Nuratau Mountains, allowing me to fully appreciate the vastness of the landscape. Riding alongside Hayat National Park Preserve, I spotted the Severtsov argali, an endangered wild sheep under the park’s protection.
This mountainous region is dotted with a series of ecotourism villages along a stretching 70 km area, featuring various guest houses that attract travelers seeking hiking holidays. I stayed at Hayat Guest House, one of the more established guesthouses in the region, which began accommodating domestic tourists in the 1990s. The lush trees and babbling creek nearby transformed it into an oasis after my adventures in the desert.
Best thing you ate?
I was already familiar with plov—a traditional Uzbek dish featuring rice, meat, and spices—from my travels in Siberia 15 years ago. It became one of my favorite meals, so I eagerly anticipated indulging in it in Uzbekistan, where it is celebrated as the national dish. I was not disappointed. Plov is rich, beautifully spiced, and incredibly filling. In Samarkand, I visited a spice market to purchase “plov spice,” witnessing firsthand the blending of barberries, cumin, coriander, and a myriad of fragrant spices required to create the perfect plov. Now that I’m back home in Ireland, I intend to recreate this delicious, warming dish throughout the winter months.
What’s your best tip for someone who wants to plan the same trip?
When planning your travels, ensure you secure train tickets well in advance. The high-speed Afrosiyob train effectively connects Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, providing seamless travel between major cities. Notably, this train service is slated for expansion to Khiva in the coming years, further facilitating travel across Uzbekistan. However, the high season sees a surge in demand for these tickets, so it is advisable to book as soon as they become available, typically 45 days prior to your intended travel date. Should you be unable to obtain tickets for your preferred travel date, utilizing a tour operator might offer additional options.
Another suggestion is to acquire a local SIM card. While public Wi-Fi hotspots exist at popular tourist spots in the cities, accessing them requires an SMS for connection, which means you’ll need to activate your phone data. Therefore, consider purchasing a SIM upon arrival at the airport or in local shops. Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIM technology, organizing that in advance may also prove beneficial.
Alex traveled with the support of Uzbekistan Airways and Peopletravel. GoTravelDaily does not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.
