Uzbekistan: When to Go

The best time to visit is in spring from May until the end of June, and in autumn from September until November. The weather is mild and in April the desert blooms briefly. In autumn it's harvest time, and the markets are full of fresh fruit. If you're interested in trekking the mountains, summer (July and August) is a better time to visit; at all other times the weather is unpredictable and there can be snow in the passes from Christmas to February. You may wish to remain in the mountains to stay cool, as the rest of the country will be sizzling at this time. But remember, whilst the mountains are pleasantly cool in summer, they are freezing in winter.

Weather

Temperatures in Uzbekistan vary wildly, with 20°C (68°F) drops at night and dramatic differences between the deserts and mountains. Rain is minimal, except at higher altitudes, but does tend to turn everything to mud from March to April and October to November. The lowlands can be quite pleasant from May to early June and September to early October. Midsummer (mid-July to August) is insane, with temperatures up to 40°C (104°F) in Tashkent, and 50°C (122°F) in southern Uzbekistan. In winter (January to February), daytime temperatures hover around -5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F).