General information:
Capital: Tashkent
Language: Uzbek (official), Karakalpak (official), Russian (unofficial)
Religion: 88.6% Muslim, 9.4% Christians, 0.2% Zoroastrian, 2% non-religious and others
Population: 33 million (2019)
English-friendly: Very few people speak English. It is better to learn a few words of Russian to “communicate” with locals
Wi-fi reliability: Poor
Currency: Uzbek Som
Average cost per day: 15$ – 20$
Visa: Entry requirements for Uzbekistan were eased in 2018 and even more in 2019. Nowadays, a lot of Western nationals do not need visa to enter Uzbekistan. If you do need visa, you can generally apply online (click here). Remember to keep all the hotel registrations or you may get in trouble when you exit the country (we travelled in September 2019 and our registrations were checked, click here for more details).
Safety: Good (September 2019)
When to go:
Spring (April-May): Mid seasons seem to be the best period to travel in Uzbekistan. In Spring the temperatures will not be as high as in summer so it’s perfect for a walk around the cities. In addition, if you visit in springtime, on the 21st of March, you will be able to join in celebration for Navruz, the Persian New Year. During the two days festival, uzbeks watch traditional sports including kopkari (horse racing) and kurash (wrestling), and there’s plenty of musical entertainment. Average temperature: 20°C – 30°C
Summer (June – September): It can be extremely hot an unpleasant to travel in Uzbekistan in Summer. On the plains, the temperature frequently reaches 40 °C or higher. However, it is the best time of the year to trek on the mountains and to try to sleep one or two night in a yurt. Average temperature: 30°C – 35°C
Autumn (October – November): Another good period to visit Uzbekistan is Autumn as temperatures are still warm but many of the crowds have gone. If you are planning to visit Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand then you should consider going there in Autumn! Average temperature: 20°C – 30°C
Winter (December – March): As winter falls, the temperature and the number of tourist drops significantly. You will be able to travel along the country for a much cheaper price but you may have to dress up warmly. Average temperature: 4°C – 15°C