UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan - Take the Golden Road to Samarkand
“We travel not for trafficking alone;
By hotter winds our fiery hearts are fanned:
For lust of knowing what should not be known,
We take the Golden Road to Samarkand.”
James Elroy Flecker (1913)
Uzbekistan, at the very heart of the ancient Silk Road, is very different to its neighbours. While Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are all about mountains, Uzbekistan offers an opportunity to feast on Silk Road history and heritage. This is the land of Avicenna, Al-Khwarizmi, Alisher Navoi and of course Timur, the 14th century 'conqueror of worlds’, a man who still shapes Uzbek identity to this day. The very name of the country, O’zbekiston, means ‘land of the free’.
Once described as being ‘marooned between Mohammed and Marx’, here you can wander through the old mahallas of legendary Silk Road Cities such as Bukhara and Samarkand, visit desert citadels and meet silk weavers and suzani embroiderers. Whether you love Timurid architecture, textiles, stories of the Great Game, visiting bazaars, exploring ancient fortresses or walking through flower-filled mountains, Uzbekistan has a huge amount to offer. And, as with the rest of Central Asia, the hospitality is second to none.
Silk Road Adventures has worked in Uzbekistan for a decade, and we arrange both small-group tours and tailor-made trips across the country. We’ve filmed with Joanna Lumley here, as part of her ITV Silk Road series, hosted journalists from The Sunday Times and New York Times, and arranged dozens of tailor-made and small-group tours. We only work with the very best local guides - people we trust and enjoy travelling with ourselves - and pride ourselves on arranging immersive, imaginative journeys that take our guests off the beaten path and into the heart and soul of this fascinating and beautiful country.
Get in touch to start planning your Silk Road Adventure to Uzbekistan.
Some of our Uzbekistan highlights
Tailor-Made Uzbekistan Tours
With our background in journalism and television production, and more than a decade’s experience of planning bespoke trips for individuals, families and small groups, tailor-made journeys are what we do best.
Most travellers to Uzbekistan come for the arts, architecture and Silk Road history, and hence want to focus on the famous cities of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara. But even on these more standard itineries, we make sure you look deeper and experience more. For example, we can arrange a private visit to the studio of one of Uzbekistan’s most famous artists, a walking tour with a poet, a talk from a museum curator, or a visit to a local NGO.
For those looking for something a little different, we can arrange skiing at Amirsoy, walking and village stays in the Zerafshan mountains, visits to archaeological digs or journeys by motorbike or bicycle. Whatever your intererests, and however you like to travel, we can make it happen.
Of all the Silk Road countries, Uzbekistan has the most vibrant and wide-ranging traditional arts, all of which have seen a resurgence since the end of the Soviet era. From the Urgut school of ceramics to the Ikat weavers of Margilan, the calligraphy ustas of Bukhara and the suzani embroiderers of Khiva, this is a country where the arts are thriving, with families having honed their crafts over many generations.
During the last decade, we have travelled all over the country meeting artists, visiting their studios and learning about their work. Some of our favourites include Rustam Usmanov’s ceramics workshop in the Fergana valley and a tiny ikat workship in Margilan, where usta Fazliddin is painstakingly bringing back ancient designs.
But it’s not just Uzbekistan’s traditional arts scene that’s thriving. Spring 2026 will see the long-awaited opening of Tashkent’s new Centre for Contemporary Arts. Housed in an early 20th century Soviet diesel station and tram depot, the museum will be a major addition to both Uzbekistan’s cultural landscape.
If you’d like us to arrange a tailor-mde tour focusing on the arts of Uzbekistan, contact us here.
Spotlight on: Discover the Arts of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Small Group Tours
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in Joanna Lumley’s Footsteps: 2027
Explore the Silk Road as Joanna Lumley did in her popular Silk Road TV series. This ever-popular trip was designed by one of the series’ producers and Silk Road Adventures director, Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent, and provides a unique chance to follow in Joanna’s esteemed footsteps. Our 2026 trip is now SOLD OUT. Please contact us to be added to the waiting-list for 2027.
Departs: Late May, 2027 (dates TBC in early 2026)
Duration: 16 days
Planning Your Trip
When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?
The best time to visit Uzbekistan is generally considered be in the two ‘shoulder’ seasons of early April to late May, and early September to mid-October, as this is when the climate is neither too hot nor too cold. However, the popularity of these two periods means that the cities, especially Samarkand and Bukhara, can be busy at key sites. Likewise, good hotel rooms and guides, as well as high-speed train and air tickets can get very booked up during these times. Because of this, we recommend visiting between late October and early April, when the weather will be cooler but you’ll have the pick of the guides and hotels and the sites to yourselves. For hiking and wonderful wild flowers in the mountains, mid-April to late May are perfect, although the weather might be more unpredictable. For skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, the season at Amirsoy runs from late November until early March. The Navruz (Nawrus, Nooruz) spring festival falls in March and is well worth experiencing.
How much does one of your Uzbekistan tours cost?
Small-group Uzbekistan tours with Silk Road Adventures are around £4,900 per person for a 14 day tour. This includes - all accommodation (in a mix of high-quality, carefully chosen hotels and guesthouses), ground transportation in quality 4WD vehicles, most meals (typically breakfast and supper with some light lunches), expert English-speaking guides, entry fees to all attractions, airport transfers, air and high-speed rail tickets, and unique, exclusive experiences along your route.
Our tailor-made private tours start from a minimum around £450 per person per day.
Is Uzbekistan safe for travelers?
Yes, Uzbekistan is extremely safe for tourists. In our experience of running dozens of tours there since 2015, we have always found Uzbekistan to be safe and welcoming, and have never had any incidents, threats or theft. Hospitality is central to Uzbek culture and values, and Uzbekistan is considered safe for foreign travellers, including solo female travellers. Silk Road Adventures provides 24/7 emergency support for our guests and, in the event of illness or any sort of emergency, we ensure our guests receive the best possible care and treatment.
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?
UK, US, EU, Australian, NZ, Singapore and many other citizens do NOT need a visa for stays up to 60 days. Citizens of most Western countries enjoy visa-free entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
How do I fly to Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is now very well connected to the world, with all sorts of options to various Uzbek cities via the national carrier Uzbekistan Airways - including direct routes from New York JFK, Paris and from both London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. There are plenty of options from the Gulf, China and India, and further afield to Indonesia and South Korea with Asiana Airlines and Air Asia respectively. Turkish Airlines provides services into both Tashkent and Samarkand and a number of newer carriers are also connecting Uzbekistan regionally and long-haul. These include Centrum Air, Qanot Sharq, Samarkand Airlines, Silk Avia, Fly One and Fly Khiva. Other regional connections include options via Air Astana to Kazakhstan, Somon Air to Tajikistan, TezJet to Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan Airlines to Baku.
What's included in a Silk Road Adventures Uzbekistan trip?
Every Silk Road Adventures Uzbekistan small-group tour includes:
Pre-trip planning consultation with Marley or Antonia, both of whom have travelled and worked extensively in Uzbekistan
Small group size (maximum 11, typically 6-8)
Brilliant, experienced English-speaking guides, personally chosen by us
Comfortable accommodation in high quality hotels and authentic guesthouses
Ground transportation in high-quality vehicles, with safe drivers
Exclusive, behind-the-scenes studio visits and experiences
Most meals, featuring plenty of local cuisine
All activity, historical site and national park fees
Emergency support where required
Comprehensive pre-departure information in the Vamoos app format, with regular updates, articles, playlists, films and all of our personal recommendations along your route
NOT included: International flights, visa fees (if required), travel insurance, some lunches, drinks, tips.
How fit do I need to be for travel in Uzbekistan?
This depends on the type of trip you are seeking, but in general the fitness level needed for Uzbekistan is lower than in the more mountainous neighbouring countries. You will need to have good mobility, and be able to walk in cities and on rough ground at a reasonable pace. For a tailor-made trip, we will of course design this around your interests, wishes and abilities.