Wondering where to start with an Uzbekistan itinerary? Our biggest tip would be not to overthink it. We had an amazing three weeks of travel in Uzbekistan and can only say good things about each of the unique destinations that we were lucky enough to visit.
Because seriously, Uzbekistan is a destination that defies expectations. It is a place where Soviet planning meets Islamic architecture, where the hospitality is unmatched, warm and friendly, and where history is so tangible you can absolutely imagine the camel caravans of the Silk Road.
It is also surprisingly easy to travel Uzbekistan – and even with kids in tow!
Read on for the ultimate Uzbekistan itinerary.
- The Essentials
Money
Safety
Transportation - Our Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Uzbekistan Itinerary Options
7-Days
14-Days
21-Days - Things To Do in Uzbekistan
- Uzbek Food to Try
- Accommodation in Uzbekistan
The Essentials: Money, Safety, and Logistics
Money
The currency is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS). For years, Uzbekistan was a ‘cash only’ economy with a thriving black market. But those days are gone. ATMs are now plentiful in major cities (look for Kapitalbank), and they dispense both Som and US Dollars. However, always carry a stash of USD as a backup.
Safety
Uzbekistan is a safe Central Asian country to travel. Crime against tourists is almost non-existent. Perhaps the biggest challenge is the language barrier (Uzbek and Russian are dominant). But the younger generation speaks increasing amounts of English, and everyone is eager to help.
Transportation
- Afrosiyob High-Speed Train: This is a game-changer. It connects Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara at 250km/h. But do book these tickets weeks in advance on the official UzRailways website. They sell out fast!
- Shared Taxis: The standard way to travel between cities like Bukhara and Khiva. You pay for a seat in a car, and it leaves when full. The same for getting around inside the cities.
- Yandex Go: Think of this as the Uber of Central Asia. It works perfectly in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, preventing any haggling over taxi fares.
PART I: Our Uzbekistan Itinerary
Here is our three week Uzbekistan itinerary – and read on for what we recommend for 7-, 14- or 21-days of travel in Uzbekistan.
- Tashkent > train > Nukus
- Nukus > car + driver > Aral Sea + Muynak
- Muynak > car > Nukus
- Nukus > car + driver > Khiva
- Khiva > taxi > Urgench
- Urgench > flight > Bukhara
- Bukhara > train > Samarkand
- Samarkand > train > Tashkent
PART 2: The Uzbekistan Itinerary Options
This is the best part. Choosing an Uzbekistan itinerary from home starts to make the adventure come to life already.
Uzbekistan travel is currently the biggest draw card for Central Asia and with good reason. It’s undeniably exciting in the thought alone of retracing the ancient Silk Road.
However, with the practicalities of modern travel it means it’s easy enough to do just that. But get as far as Khiva and Karakalpakstan and you can’t help but feel satisfied you are well off the beaten track.
7-Day Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Tashkent
- Day 3-4: Samarkand
- Day 5-7: Bukhara and return to Tashkent by train
14-Day Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Tashkent
- Day 3-5: Samarkand
- Day 6-8: Bukhara
- Day 9-11: Khiva (via Urgench)
- Day 12-14: Return to Tashkent via internal flight
21-Day Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Day 1-3: Tashkent
- Day 4-7: Samarkand (with a day trip to Shahrisabz)
- Day 8-11: Bukhara
- Day 12-15: Khiva & Urgench
- Day 16-17: Nukus (The Savitsky Museum)
- Day 18-20: The Aral Sea Expedition (Moynaq)
- Day 21: Return to Tashkent
PART III: Things To Do on Your Uzbekistan Itinerary
These are the highlights of each of the key destinations in Uzbekistan.
Tashkent: The Modern Gateway
Often dismissed as just a transit hub, the capital is a fascinating blend of Russian imperial architecture and Soviet brutalism. We especially loved the huge Chorsu Bazaar and went on the daily for our second return to Tashkent.
- What to do: Explore the Tashkent Metro; each station is a work of art. Visit the Chorsu Bazaar under its massive blue dome to see the city’s pulse.
- For Kids: The Magic City Park or the many green spaces like Alisher Navoi Park are great for burning off energy.
Samarkand: The Jewel of the Empire
This is the city and the image most people have of the Silk Road.
- What to do: Stand in awe at Registan Square. It is arguably the most beautiful square in the world. Don’t miss the Shah-i-Zinda (the Avenue of Mausoleums), where the tile work is so blue it almost glows.
- Stay: Look for boutique hotels near the Registan to see it illuminated at night.
Bukhara: The Living Museum
Unlike Samarkand, where the monuments are spread out, Bukhara’s old city is a compact, walkable maze.
- What to do: Watch the sunset at the Po-i-Kalyan complex. Visit the Ark of Bukhara, a massive fortress that was the residence of the Emirs for centuries.
- Shopping: Bukhara is the best place to buy traditional scissors, carpets, and silk suzanis.
Khiva: The Walled Wonder (via Urgench)
To get here, you fly into Urgench and take a 30-minute taxi. Khiva’s Itchan Kala (inner city) is a UNESCO-protected open-air museum.
- What to do: Climb the Islam Khodja Minaret for a view over the mud-brick rooftops. Wander the streets at sunrise before the day-trippers arrive to feel the true ancient atmosphere.
Nukus: Art in the Desert
The capital of the Karakalpakstan Republic is remote and gritty, but it holds a hidden treasure. It is also the gateway to the Aral Sea Uzbek adventure…
- What to do: The Savitsky Museum (The Louvre of the Steppe). It houses a world-class collection of Soviet avant-garde art that was hidden here from the prying eyes of the KGB.
The Aral Sea & Moynaq: An Environmental Lesson
This is a long, bumpy 400km journey from Nukus, requiring a 4WD and a guide. But – it is absolutely worth it!
- What to do: Visit the Ship Graveyard in Muynaq, where rusted hulls sit in the sand where an ocean once was. For the full experience, take a two-day trip to the current shoreline of the Aral Sea and sleep in a yurt camp. It is haunting, beautiful, and a sobering look at environmental mismanagement.
Part III: The Food—What to Eat
Uzbek food is meat-heavy, carb-rich, and incredibly flavourful. It shares a base of cuisine from Turkic culture combined with Asian style and ingredients.
There is a lot of bread and noodles (you have to try lagman), and most meals are made with meat.
Mutton is the main variety of meat used in dishes like plov.
Some famous Uzbek dishes to try:
- Non: Bread (the best of the best!)
- Plov: The king of Uzbek cuisine. Rice, carrots, and lamb cooked in a massive cauldron (kazan). Every region claims theirs is the best!
- Shakarap: Salad of tomato and onion
- Kabob: Meat kebab
- Barak: Fried dumpling
- Samsa: Samosa-like pastry
- Lagman: Soft wheat-flour noodle dish
- Halva: Sweet dessert
- Katyk: Sour milk-yoghurt drink
- Qurut: Fermented yoghurt snack (this is one to try but not a fave!).
Accommodation in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is known in Central Asia as having the best options for travellers accommodation. There are beautifully renovated merchant houses to homestays, city hostels, hotels and remote desert yurts.
Plus, the best news for Uzbekistan travel these days is that it can be booked online ahead of time.
Where we Stayed on our Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Tashkent: Topchan Hostel
Incredible breakfast, trendy layout and spaces, really clean shared bathrooms, amazing staff – helped with anything and everything, shared kitchen immaculate. Highly recommend! - Nukus: Jipek Joli Inn
Great location in Nukus; great breakfast, really friendly staff, walking distance to markets and museum. In-house restaurant and convenience store across the road. - Aral Sea: Yurtstay (organised by Sanat Tours).
- Muynak: Homestay (organised by Sanat Tours).
- Khiva: Guest House Khiva Yoqut
Incredible location! Right inside the old city walls. Nice breakfast, really friendly family owners – took us fishing and even took me to the post office to send something home! - Bukhara: Samani Bukhara
Lovely courtyard breakfast; great central location; spacious room; lovely family owners plus friendly extended family and kids. - Samarkhand: Hotel Ishonch
Walking distance to centre; not many suitable restaurants close by.
Final Thoughts
We loved our travel in Uzbekistan and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Uzbekistan is a place that rewards the curious. It is a country in the middle of a massive transition, moving from a closed-off Soviet relic to a modern tourism powerhouse. But go now, while the high-speed trains are still affordable and the ancient cities still feel like living, breathing communities rather than theme parks!
For families, the logistics are surprisingly smooth, the people are incredibly welcoming to children, and the history is enough to inspire a lifetime of wonder.
Read More About Travel in Central Asia
- What Makes Silk Road Flatbreads So Fabled?
- The Greatest Gift Of Travel: We Found It In Uzbekistan.
- 5 Awesome Things To Do On Your First Time In Tashkent.
- Taking An Overnight Train To Nukus, Karakalpakstan.
- Border Crossing: Karkara, Kyrgyzstan To Kegen, Kazakhstan.
- Kazakhstan: Completing A Dream Circuit Of ‘Stans.
- 5 Reasons We Loved Kyrgyzstan (+ Why You Need To Visit).
- Kyrgyz’ What? A Complete Travel Guide To Kyrgyzstan.
More About Travel Planning for Uzbekistan and Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before travel in Uzbekistan!