Uzbekistan
We visited Uzbekistan in April 2019 and it is one of the most beautiful journeys I have ever done.
We have retraced all of Uzbekistan along the most famous stages of the Silk Road, visiting Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and up to the now almost disappeared Aral Sea, in a journey full of art, history, civilization and adventure.
All of Uzbekistan is magical and interesting: from the temples and mosques colored in blue (because according to the traders of the Silk Road, blue meant that the sky would be clear that day, so it was a sign of good luck), the magnificent and imposing Registon of Samarkand, the crowded bazaars, the desert, and also the food that I loved. Uzbekistan is an unforgettable journey not to be missed.
10 things to do in Uzbekistan
1. Admire the impressive Registon illuminated in the evening
The Registon, so majestic and imposing, is probably not only the main attraction of Samarkand, but one of the most extraordinary places in all of Central Asia.
In the evening before sunset, a video is shown that tells the story of Uzbekistan and Samarkand lasting about 20 minutes and during this show The Registon is illuminated with lights of various colors that create an incredible show.
2. Walking back and forth through the narrow streets of the Shah-i-Zinda
The Shah-i-Zinda is an avenue of mausoleums adorned with some of the most beautiful tile decorations of the Muslim world.You will go back and forth several times and you will always be amazed by the beauty of the tiles on the various shades of blue.The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning “The living king”) is connected with the legend that Kusam Ibn Abbas, the cousin of the prophet Muhammad, was buried there. Popular legends tell that he, after being beheaded for his faith, took his own head and went to the deep well, where he is still living
3. Get lost in one of the crowded bazaars in Bukhara
From the past, the area around Lyabi-Hauz square was a vast maze of commercial alleys.
Of the dozens of bazaars of the past only three survived, selling from silk pashminas to jewels, from clothes to carpets. Don’t miss taking a ride and getting lost inside the bazaars and if you want to buy something … it is mandatory to negotiate!
4. Have a drink at Lyabi-Hauz Square in Bukhara at sunset, watching the comings and goings of people
This square was built around a pool (indeed Lyabi-Hauz means “around the pool”) and is one of the most peaceful places in the city.
You can enjoy a drink in the shade of mulberry trees, admiring the Nadir Divanbegi Medressa, which is right close to it, and the people who come and go on the street at sunset.
5. Watch the sun set behind the Kalon mosque in Bukhara
Bukhara mosques are such a unique sight that they have an incredible charm at any time of day.
But at sunset time they give their best. It is very impressive to watch the sun set behind the Kalon mosque, which casts its long shadow at sunset on the building on the opposite side of the square, the Mir-i-Arab medressa, with its two bright blue domes. You can also sit on the steps of the square, watching the comings and goings or being enchanted by the Kalon minaret, with its 14 decorative bands, all different from one another.
6. Walk on the Ichon-Qala walls in Khiva
Walking about 1 km towards the northern door of the Ichon-qala, there are few steps leading to the walls of the historical center, that can be walked on foot.
The path is wonderful at sunset, as it allows you to admire the city from above.
Unfortunately, the route is a closed road, so it must be retraced completely in reverse to return to the historic center of Khiva.
7. Wake up at 6 am and wander the streets of the center of Khiva, before they will be crowded
Even though Khiva may not seem to be a particularly tourist destination, in fact in summer and in high season it is crowded with stalls and tourists, so much so that sometimes it is hard to move!
This can make it difficult to admire all the attractions that the city offers, for this reason during my stay in Khiva, one morning I decided to wake up at 6, wandering around the completely empty city, and I could enjoy a truly unique show: an incredible silence, and the streets frequented only by some merchant who is about to open his stall. Even if you are not a morning person (I am definitely not a morning person) it is worth it!
8. Walk among the rusty boats in Moynaq
Moynaq is the city that most bears the marks of the terrible tragedy of the Aral Sea.
In the past the city was one of the main fishing ports, but today it is about 200km from the water and what remains of its fleet of fisheries rusts on the sand where before there was the water of the Aral Sea.
In Moynaq you can visit, with a short walk in the middle of the desert, some boats stranded, and even climb on some of them. The show is surreal because the boats are completely surrounded by the desert, and are a strong testimony to the environmental disaster that occurred in this area.
9. Sleeping in a yurt on the shores of the aral lake
During the visit to the Aral sea you can choose to take a two-day tour, which allows you to sleep in the typical Uzbek tents, the yurts, typical shelter for shepherds.
This experience will put you in great contact with nature. As I am, it’s one of the experiences that while you’re doing it you think: why am I doing this??? but then you’re glad you did. During that night, however, some may be scared: the tent will be full of animals like butterflies that will fly around you, and since you are in the middle of the desert the wind will blow strong in a way that we are not used to in the city. Certainly many may not close eye all night, but in my opinion it is an experience that must be done, to fully get close the local culture.
10. Eat the typical Uzbek dish, “plov”
The “plov” recipe should be: rice, chopped vegetables, pepper seeds, bay leaf, meat.
I admit it: I love Asian cuisine in general, so I’m biased, but I must admit that Uzbek cuisine offers very simple but very good and light dishes. Plov is served in almost all restaurants and is one of the typical Uzbek dishes, impossible not to try it!
When to go?
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
The best times to visit Uzbekistan are the intermediate seasons, to avoid the climatic extremes to which the country is subjected. In particular, you can choose April and October in most of the country (Tashkent, Samarkand), and the periods from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October in the north-west (Aral Sea).
We wanted to visit all of Uzbekistan, from the easternmost part of Samarkand to the southern plains like Bukhara, up to the desert area of the Aral Sea, so we had to take into consideration the climate combinations suitable for all these areas. We chose the end of April/beginning of May and the weather was still slightly cold and rainy in Samarkand, but rather pleasant in Bukhara and Khiva. I would say that April/May is the ideal time, the only risk is to have some rainy days.
three unmissable stops
Best photos spots
I’m a photographer, so I’m always looking for the best corner in the world to make the perfect picture. Often, with great pleasure of my traveling companions, I also spend hours staring at the landscape, waiting for the perfect moment with perfect light. Therefore, when I decided to create my blog, I could not avoid to include a dedicated section to photography enthusiasts like me, always looking for the landscape that leaves you breathless. Hope you will enjoy these places where, in my opinion, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and take the best pictures.
Bukhara – Abdoulaziz Khan Madrasa 
Bukhara – Great Minaret of the Kalon 
Bukhara – Mir-i-Arab Madrasa 
Khiva – Islam Khodja complex 
Khiva – view from Kuhna Ark 
Samarkand – Registon 
Samarkand – Shah-i-Zinda 
Sunrise on Aral Sea
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