Uzbekistan Trekking Holidays & Tours

To travel through Uzbekistan is to discover a country, barely thirty years old, newly freed from the Soviet Empire, where the people are justly proud of both their new country and of their ancient history.

The very names of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara are enough to evoke Arabian tales of fabled desert cities, suspended in the mists of time. And the reality appears surprisingly close to the legend with little evidence of the modern world imposed on the architectural and cultural splendours of the past. All of our trips to Uzbekistan ensure you see the remarkable cultural wonders of these ancient Silk Road cities.

Travelling east along the old Silk Road on our Silk Road to Samarkand cultural tour, Khiva is the first of the great cities. A World Heritage site, the land of the ancient Mongol empire has remained untouched for almost 1,000 years. Within its walls lay a treasure trove of pristine historical monuments including mausoleums, a mosque, a castle and a palace.

Following the ancient route across the Kyzyl Kum desert, Bukhara appears like a movie set rising out of the desert floor. It has similarly impressive architecture to Khiva, with wonderful blue-domed mosques and Madrasahs, as well as the magnificent fortress known as the Ark. It is also the centre of Uzbekistan's traditional carpet making industry and intricately patterned examples can be found draped throughout the bazaars and ancient thoroughfares.

Last, but definitely not least, comes Samarkand, perhaps the most famous of all the Silk Road cities. It is home to Tamerlene’s mausoleum and famous Registan Square - one of the most relevant and visually stunning examples of Islamic architecture to be found anywhere in the world.

Beyond the fabled Silk Road cities Uzbekistan has many other impressive cultural sights including the ruined fortresses and cities of the Kyzylkum Desert and the traditional artisan workshops of the Fergana Valley famed for their fine handmade carpets, textiles, jewellery and ceramics. We offer an extension to the Fergana Valley on all our Uzbekistan holidays.

For those who would like to see a different side of Uzbekistan, and gain an insight into traditional, rural Uzbek life, the picturesque mountain ranges of Nuratau and Chimgan reveal the country’s natural beauty and offer good walking trails and welcoming village homes. Our Silk Road, Mountains & Monuments of Uzbekistan walking holiday is an unforgettable way to combine the cultural highlights of the ancient cities with some active days hiking in the hills.

On all of our Uzbekistan tour packages you will be escorted by an excellent local guide who will share the deep knowledge and passion they have for their country. All your meals, transport and accommodation is included so that, whether your are in Uzbekistan trekking in the mountains or sightseeing on an adventure tour, you can simply focus on getting the most out of your holiday. We have dates available for group departures of our Uzbekistan holidays in 2025 and beyond.

Along with Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan forms the area that has become known as the Five Stans. This vast region of Central Asia covers an immense diversity of cultural, historic and scenic wonders including the Fann Mountains, the Silk Road cities, the Charyn Canyon, the Karakym and Kyzlkum deserts, and the foreboding 'Gates of Hell'. You can see all of these, and so much more, in our immersive journey through the Five Stans of Central Asia.

Related news and articles

Uzbekistan - Top 10 Travel Essentials

An interview with April travelling the Silk Road

• Capital city: Tashkent
• Population: 31,025,500 (est 2013)
• Size of country: 447,400 sq km
• Currency: Uzbekistan Som
• Power supply: 220 – 240 volts
• Sockets: European two-pin round variety
• Language: Uzbek is the official language, Russian, Tajik and Karakpalak are also spoken.
• Time difference: GMT + 5 hours
• Visas: On Uzbekistan tours from the UK, British nationals require a visa to visit which must be obtained in advance.
• Religion: Muslim 90%, Russian Orthodox Christianity 5%, others 5%.
• Popular dishes: Palov - a main course dish made with rice, meat, grated carrots and onions.
• Popular drinks: Green tea is the national hot drink.
• Did you know: In 2002, ancient pyramids were discovered by Russian and Uzbek archaeologists in the Kashkadarya & Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan. They are believed to be as much as 2,700 years old.
• FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice

When is the best time to travel to Uzbekistan?

Our climate charts will give you an idea of the likely weather conditions on your Uzbekistan holiday.

Uzbekistan has an extreme continental climate, with very cold temperatures between December and February followed by a mild, rainy spring. Summers are long, hot and dry and but temperatures begin to cool from October onwards. The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in spring (mid March to May) or autumn (September and October). However, November can also be a very good time to visit - although, colder, with an average temperature of around 10 degrees in the cities, the days are generally dry and bright with clear skies providing a backdrop for Uzbekistan’s impressive architectural sights. This is also a much quieter time to visit so, as long as you wrap up warm, it can be a really good time of the year for sightseeing. You can go there in July and August but expect high temperatures.

If you can't make the dates of our group holiday packages to Uzbekistan, then take a private departure on dates to suit you, or we can create a Tailor Made holiday to Uzbekistan, especially for you and your family or friends.

What is the best month to visit Uzbekistan?

The best months for an Uzbekistan holiday are April, May, September and October. The temperatures in both the spring and autumn are very pleasant whether you are sightseeing in the cities or walking in the mountains. You're likely to see more rain in the spring, but this does mean a wonderful display of wildflowers in the hills and mountains.

How many days are enough for Uzbekistan?

We would advise anyone planning a holiday to Uzbekistan to ideally give yourself at least two weeks. This will allow you to properly explore the Silk Road cities - spending a couple of days in each - or to combine sightseeing on the Silk Road with some mountain walking. Of course, if you have more time to spare you could add on a couple of days in the Fergana Valley.

What should tourists wear in Uzbekistan?

Comfortable, casual clothes, that are both respectful and suited to your activity are the order of the day. Although Uzbekistan is a Muslim country, you can wear shorts and t-shirts when out in public. However, when visiting religious buildings, men and women should cover arms and knees and women should also carry a headscarf for visiting Muslim sites. We send all our clients a comprehensive kit list ahead of their holiday.

What is the cheapest month to visit Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is a very good value destination all year round with little fluctuation in prices for accommodation and other tourist services regardless of when you visit. Flights to Tashkent tend to be higher in the peak summer months and lower in the winter between December and March. However it is very cold to visit at this time of year and many tourist services are closed. We always advise booking flights as far in advance as possible to secure the best prices. We offer a full flight booking service with all our Uzbekistan holidays which gives you the best deals and travel options.