The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Uzbekistan
When I was lucky enough to be invited to visit Uzbekistan as a guest of Intrepid Travel I quite honestly didn’t know what to expect. At that stage, I hadn’t seen Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure and all I really knew about the place was that it used to be part of the Soviet Union and it bordered Kazakhstan (a country I was loosely familiar with thanks to Sacha Baron Cohen’s controversial comedy, Borat).
Perhaps it was the Soviet history that had me picturing bleak landscapes and a closed-off culture, but as it turns out, I shouldn’t have had preconceived ideas because they were all very wrong! Uzbekistan’s centuries-old Silk Road cities, spectacular Islamic architecture, bustling bazaars, desert landscapes, mountain villages, traditional food and genuinely immersive local experiences make it a traveller’s delight.
Why Australians should visit Uzbekistan now
Uzbekistan is experiencing a tourism boom, with international visitor numbers reaching 11.7 million in 2025 — a 46.8% increase since 2023, but not many Aussies have yet made the trip. So, you’ll be going somewhere unique that will captivate your next dinner party audience, with the benefits of going at a time when the country is investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, accommodation, and flights.
Australians can currently visit visa-free for up to 30 days, and getting there is becoming easier. From Melbourne and Sydney, there are regular connections through major Asian and Middle Eastern hubs, so you will have plenty of options for reaching the capital of Tashkent, where most good Uzbek adventures begin.
Where should you go in Uzbekistan?
Tashkent
Speaking of Tashkent, this was one of the most unexpected highlights of the trip. Having been the capital since the 1930s (early Soviet occupation period) I was anticipating a gloomy, austere city but it was busy, bustling and full of life! Key highlights included visiting the Chorsu Bazaar, where we tasted local delicacies (more on those later!) and fresh produce served by friendly locals. Other highlights were a trip around the beautiful metro stations, which are all individual works of art, an early morning run through one of the many modern and manicured parklands and a stop at the Kukeldash Madrasa, a stunning building that houses some of the world’s oldest versions of the Qur’an.
Other favourite destinations of mine included:
Samarkand
Samarkand is unlike any city in the world I’ve ever visited because it is literally chock full of incredible, historic landmarks that rival the likes of the Taj Mahal – but hardly any tourists!
Registan Square is perhaps the most iconic site in the country, a UNESCO heritage-listed legacy of Timur’s dynasty, the famous king who made Samarkand his capital city. This sweeping square with massive aqua-domed buildings was built over a number of centuries and was one of the most important parts of the Silk Road trade route. It also includes Uzbekistan’s first and oldest madrasah (a building traditionally used for Islamic education), Timur’s mausoleum, the Gur-e-Amir and the magnificent Bibi-Khanym Mosque (honestly one of the most enchanting buildings I have ever seen). The city is teeming with unbelievable architecture and rich history, so just can’t be missed.
Bukhara
Another former capital city, UNESCO heritage-listed site and Silk Road trade location, Bukhara also boasts having survived invasions by Genghis Khan in the 13th century and again by the Soviets in the 20th century. My personal highlight was taking a guided walking tour of the city with our local leader to learn about some of the spectacular buildings that literally litter the streets. This included seeing the dazzling Ark Fortress that dates back to the 5th century, the Ulugbek Madrasah (named after the famous ruler and astronomer), and the iconic Kalon Mosque and Minaret, which lit up as the sun set in a brilliant gold against the inky sky.
Khiva
If Samarkand is grand and Bukhara is historic, Khiva somehow feels the most immersive city in Uzbekistan thanks to the compact, enclosed centre of Itchan Kala. With its mud-brick walls, turquoise-tiled minarets, and ancient mosques and palaces, simply wandering the streets feels like stepping back in time.
Kyzylkum Desert
While the cities I mentioned were spectacular, getting out under the stars of the Kyzylkum Desert was a trip highlight for me. We stayed in traditional yurts and once you got past the smell of the camel hide they’re made from (apparently useful in warding off bugs and insects!) it was both a special and comfortable experience.
A proper bed, flushing toilet and delicious local meal of a hearty rice soup and a traditional dish called Golubtsi; a capsicum stuffed with spiced minced beef and onions (served with wine and vodka, thank you very much) in a communal dining yurt made for an overnight stay I would never forget. Nothing beats sitting around a campfire at the end of the night and stargazing without any light pollution from neighbouring towns or cities whatsoever. Except maybe the desert sunrise the next morning…
Nuratau Mountains
I visited Uzbekistan in autumn, which meant the stunning colours of the trees in the Nuratau Mountains were looking their absolute best. We enjoyed a local homestay in a small village called Hayat, where Narzullo and his family generously showed us around and introduced us to the other villagers, before taking us home to learn how to make flatbread using a local recipe in a traditional tandir oven. The gorgeous landscape itself is enough for me to recommend you visit the region, but the homestay experience made it extra special.
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What to eat in Uzbekistan
Being based in Melbourne, I feel fortunate to have access to lots of different foreign cuisines, but Uzbek/Central Asian cuisine wasn’t one that I was very familiar with. However, some of my favourites Uzbek dishes included:
Plov
Known as pilaf in some countries, plov is Uzbekistan’s national dish. Served as a main dish (unless it’s a special holiday or festival, in which case it will be the hero of a feast), you’ll be treated to different versions in different parts of the country. Some varieties include roasted vegetables and meat, while others are fully steamed in a pan, but you will always have a base of rice, cooked in flavoured oil and topped with mutton or beef. Then there’s a layer of onions and yellow carrot (a regional ingredient), before being topped off with raisins or sultanas, like a perfectly balanced Middle Eastern risotto!
Samsa
As a proud Australian, I can’t help but compare Samsa to a meat pie. Picture spiced mince meat (usually lamb or beef) and fried onions wrapped in golden pastry, plus they’re cheap and readily available from roadside kiosks, markets and everywhere in between for a delicious snack or lunch on the go!
Manpar
If you normally think of Vietnam, Japan or Malaysia when you think of noodle soups, fair enough, but once you’ve tried Manpar, you’ll think of Uzbekistan every time! Manpar is made from a thin, meaty broth with thick noodles and big chunks of slow cooked beef and root vegetables, topped with a freshly chopped parsley – hearty, satisfying and nourishing and enjoyed by locals at lunch or dinner. You’ll find Manpar at any good local teahouse, where a visit will double as an authentic, local dining experience.
Non/nan bread
It might sound basic to include bread in my top dishes, but given it’s a staple at every meal, it’s hard to ignore! Non or nan is a traditional flatbread, cooked fresh on streetcorners and in Uzbek homes every day. When fresh out of the tandir oven, the plain dome of flatbread is soft and crusty, but it will toughen up after a few hours, which makes it the perfect dipping vessel in a bowl of Manpar!
When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?
This question is always tough to answer, as it largely depends on your preferences in weather and your tolerance for crowds in peak season, however I loved visiting in autumn as the weather was mild enough to enjoy sightseeing all day but nowhere was too crowded.
Uzbekistan’s official tourism website recommends spring as another great time for the same reasons, plus Navruz, Uzbekistan's major spring festival, takes place in March.
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How long do you need in Uzbekistan and what are some of the best tours you can book?
I would recommend at least 10 days to see Uzbekistan, but you could absolutely spend longer, particularly if you want to visit some of the neighbouring ‘Stans too!
If you’re looking at 10 days or under, check out these tours:
10-day Uzbekistan Adventure with Intrepid Travel - this is the itinerary I did!
10-day Premium Uzbekistan with Intrepid Travel - a more elevated experience
If you’re looking at spending two to three weeks, take a look at these tours:
13-day Silk Road Sojourn with Crooked Compass - focused on immersive, local experiences
13-day Ultimate Uzbekistan with Wendy Wu Tours - a comprehensive tour covering a few more destinations
15-day Uzbekistan by Bike with World Expeditions - if you’re looking for something a little different or fitness focused
The five 'Stans of Central Asia are Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. If you'd like to tackle more of the 'Stans, here are some of our recommendations:
15-day In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great with World Expeditions, visiting Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
27-day 5 Stans with Crooked Compass
30-day 5-Stans with Bunnik Tours
Intrepid Travel have various tours that range from 16 to 37 days and cover up to 5 of the 'Stans, with both Original and Premium styles available
Inspiring Vacations have a large range of tours from 22 days to 25 days. They also have extended options that include Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan or Turkey
Or for something a bit different, you can experience four of the 'Stans on the Golden Eagle Train
Private touring options are also available, ask your FBI Travel Advisor for more information.
So, if you’re thinking about booking an overseas holiday that showcases history, architecture, food and culture but want something a little different, Uzbekistan should be in consideration. You won’t have to sacrifice on quality hotels, restaurants, good transport and a swiftly developing tourism infrastructure, but it offers something a little bit more unique than your standard holiday in Europe or Asia. Like me, you’ll probably leave wondering why you hadn’t thought about it sooner!
Contact one of our FBI Travel Advisors and start planning your Uzbekistan adventure today.
Amy travelled courtesy of Intrepid Travel
