If you're going to start somewhere, start here. bekistan travel
UZBEKISTAN
Ancient Silk Road cities, remarkable architecture, lively bazaars and a surprisingly easy country to explore.
Uzbekistan is a remarkable place to begin exploring Central Asia.
Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have some of the most extraordinary architecture in the region, with turquoise domes, immense gateways and trading streets that have been busy for centuries.
Then there's Tashkent, with its extraordinary metro stations, Soviet architecture, markets and excellent restaurants.
The country is also much more straightforward to travel around than many people imagine. You can stay in beautiful hotels, take comfortable trains between the main cities and find plenty of opportunities to explore beyond the famous sights.
For a first journey into Central Asia, it's a very good place to begin.
WHY UZBEKISTAN?
Much more than the Silk Road.
Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva deserve their reputations. The architecture really is extraordinary, and seeing these places for the first time is quite something.
But some of my favourite memories of Uzbekistan have very little to do with its famous monuments.
On a visit to the solar furnace outside Tashkent, I'd heard about a winery nearby and asked my driver if we could visit. He thought we could do better. Why not find someone making wine at home instead?
So we drove through the countryside, stopping to ask people if they knew a local winemaker. Eventually a man joined us in the car and directed us further into the hills. We knocked on a woman's door, were invited down to her cellar and tasted the wine she'd made herself.
The wine might have been better at the winery I'd originally planned to visit. But I wouldn't swap the afternoon.
That's one of the things I enjoy most about travelling in Uzbekistan. You can take the fast trains, stay in lovely hotels and eat in excellent restaurants. And when the opportunity comes along, you can take a different road and see where it leads.
Not every day brings an unexpected invitation, of course. But it's worth leaving room for one.
A ROUTE I WOULD START WITH
Four cities, with room to explore further.
For a first journey through Uzbekistan, I'd usually begin with Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
Allow around 12–14 days if you can. That gives you time to enjoy the important places without packing up and moving on every second day.
You can travel in either direction, using a combination of trains, flights and road transfers depending on the route.
If you have time, I'd consider spending a night in Sentob in the Nurota Mountains, adding more time in one of the cities or heading somewhere less visited.
Suggested route: Tashkent → Samarkand → Bukhara → Khiva
Possible addition: Sentob in the Nurota Mountains.
It's a starting point, not a fixed itinerary.
Places to explore in Uzbekistan
Tashkent
The unexpected beginning.
The capital offers a different side of Uzbekistan: striking metro stations, Soviet architecture, lively bazaars, a surprisingly lively restaurant scene, and a contemporary city that deserves more than a quick overnight stop.
Samarkand
The big reveal.
The monumental architecture is extraordinary, but there is more to Samarkand than its famous squares and turquoise domes. Markets, neighbourhoods, workshops and time to explore make it worth staying several nights.
Bukhara
Slow down here.
Bukhara is a city for wandering. Courtyards, old trading domes, tea houses, workshops and beautiful architecture make this somewhere to linger rather than work through a list of sights.
Khiva
A city behind the walls.
Step through the gates into a remarkably preserved old city of narrow lanes, minarets and mud-brick buildings. Especially atmospheric in the early morning and evening, when the streets become quieter.
Nurota Mountains / Sentob
A night away from the city hotels.
Small villages, mountain scenery, home-cooked food and time with local hosts. A very different experience from the Silk Road cities, and an opportunity to see something of rural Uzbekistan.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Is Uzbekistan safe to visit?
Uzbekistan can feel much less familiar than destinations in Europe or Southeast Asia, but it is also more straightforward to travel around than many first-time visitors expect.
New Zealand's SafeTravel currently advises travellers to exercise increased caution in Uzbekistan (Level 2 of 4), a level of advice also applied to a number of familiar international destinations. Higher warnings apply to some border regions.
I've travelled extensively through Uzbekistan myself, using its trains, staying in local accommodation and spending time in cities and smaller communities. My experience has been welcoming and positive, although that doesn't remove the need for normal travel precautions.
I keep an eye on official travel advice, work with local people who understand conditions on the ground and take practical arrangements seriously.
Before travelling, I recommend checking the latest advice from New Zealand SafeTravel and arranging comprehensive travel insurance.
Getting to Uzbekistan from New Zealand
There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Uzbekistan, so getting there involves connecting through another international hub.
Tashkent is the usual starting point, although other arrival and departure options can make sense depending on your route. I'll help you work out the most practical way to arrive and leave, so you don't spend unnecessary time retracing your steps.
HOSTED JOURNEY
Uzbekistan — Silk Road & Beyond
12 days | Maximum 8 travellers | Personally hosted | Four departures in 2027 | From NZ$10,950 per person, twin share
The great Silk Road cities, time to explore beyond the monuments and a night with local hosts in the Nurota Mountains.
I travel with the group throughout, with good local guides joining us where their knowledge adds something. We stay long enough in each place to enjoy it properly, without turning the journey into a sightseeing race.
I've travelled this route myself, stayed in the places and met the local people. That experience shapes where we go, how long we stay and what we choose to do along the way.
Four scheduled departures in 2027, with spring and autumn journeys.
OTHER REGIONS OF UZBEKISTAN
The classic Silk Road cities are only part of Uzbekistan. If you have longer, or have already visited the main sights, there are other parts of the country well worth considering.
There's plenty more if you have the time.
Nukus and the Aral Sea
The remarkable Savitsky Museum in Nukus, the vast landscapes of Karakalpakstan and the haunting remains of the Aral Sea. This is a very different Uzbekistan, and one that deserves more than a rushed detour.
Boysun and Termez
Head south for mountains, ancient archaeological sites and a region shaped by centuries of connections between Central Asia and Afghanistan.
It's a part of Uzbekistan that receives far fewer visitors than the main Silk Road cities.
Travelling from Termez towards Boysun, I was invited by my driver to stay with his sister's family rather than in a hotel. It turned into one of the most memorable nights of my trip.
This region particularly appeals if you enjoy history, rural landscapes and taking a less familiar route.
Fergana Valley
Silk weaving, ceramics, busy markets and some of Uzbekistan's strongest craft traditions. A good place to spend time meeting makers and seeing how traditional skills are still part of everyday life. Some areas of the Fergana Valley are subject to higher travel advisories, so any proposed itinerary would be considered carefully against current advice.
Also worth considering: Shahrisabz · Zaamin · the Khorezm fortresses
I wouldn't try to fit all these places into one trip. The distances are considerable, and some regions deserve several days of their own.
The question is which additions would genuinely make the journey better for you.
FESTIVALS & CELEBRATIONS
Sometimes it's worth planning around a festival.
Uzbekistan has some wonderful festivals and celebrations. If your dates are flexible, it's worth seeing what's happening while you're there.
In March, Navruz welcomes the arrival of spring. Families gather, food is prepared and celebrations take place across the country. It's a lovely time to experience a different side of everyday life.
In late May or early June, Bukhara's Silk and Spices Festival brings craftspeople, musicians and performers into the old city. It's particularly interesting if you enjoy textiles, traditional crafts and seeing the streets come alive.
Further south, the Boysun Bahori Festival celebrates the music, dress, food and traditions of the Boysun region. It's a good reason to venture beyond the main Silk Road cities, particularly if you're interested in local culture and places that receive fewer international visitors.
And it isn't only the organised festivals that are worth looking out for. Weddings, family celebrations and local gatherings are part of life here. You won't necessarily know when you'll come across one, but sometimes those unplanned encounters turn out to be the most memorable part of a journey.
I wouldn't plan an entire trip around a festival unless it genuinely interested you. But if one fits naturally into your route, it can add something quite special.
Festival dates and programmes can change, so I'll check what's confirmed before recommending you build a journey around one.
MOMENTS FROM THE ROAD
MAKE IT YOURS
The route is the starting point, not the rule.
Perhaps you'd like more time in Tashkent exploring its Soviet architecture, or a few days meeting craftspeople in the Fergana Valley.
You might prefer comfortable hotels and private drivers throughout, or enjoy mixing city hotels with simpler places where you get to know your hosts.
I can help work out which places are worth including, how long to spend in each and the best way to connect them.
You can travel independently with a journey designed around your interests, or we can discuss personal hosting if I'm available.
The point isn't to fit in everything. It's to make the most of the time you have.
GO FURTHER
Add another country, if it improves your journey.
Uzbekistan works very well on its own. But with more time, it can also be the beginning of a wider Central Asian journey.
The neighbouring countries offer very different landscapes and experiences. The key is choosing a combination that makes sense, rather than adding borders simply for the sake of visiting another country.
+ Tajikistan
Around 4–6 additional days
Travel from Samarkand towards Panjakent and the Seven Lakes, with time in mountain villages and the landscapes of the western Fann Mountains.
+ Kyrgyzstan
Around 6–10 additional days
Mountains, Lake Issyk-Kul, small villages and time outdoors. Karakol and the lake's southern shore make a wonderful contrast to Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities.
+ Turkmenistan
Around 4–6 additional days
A journey through the Karakum Desert, Darvaza, Ashgabat and ancient Merv. Quite unlike Uzbekistan, with the route planned around the border, visa and guiding arrangements in place at the time.
+ Kazakhstan
Around 3–5 additional days
Add Almaty, with its cafés, mountains and surrounding landscapes, or head further west to the extraordinary desert scenery of Mangystau. These are quite different journeys, so the right choice depends on the time you have.
SPECIAL DEPARTURE
Uzbekistan by Lada
Fancy seeing Uzbekistan from behind the wheel of your own classic Soviet Lada?
You'll drive as part of a small convoy, following scenic roads between Silk Road cities, mountain villages and interesting places along the way.
It's not a race or an endurance challenge. The route is designed to be enjoyable, with time to explore properly, carefully chosen accommodation and practical support throughout.
You don't need to be a car enthusiast. But you do need to enjoy driving and be comfortable with a manual car.
How would you like to travel?
Come with me.
Hosted journeys
Join one of my scheduled small-group journeys, with me travelling alongside you throughout.
Travel your own way.
Journey Design
Have a journey designed around your interests, dates and preferred way of travelling. Private hosting may also be available.
Only have a few days?
Stopovers
Have a few days in Uzbekistan between flights? I'll help you make the most of them.