My trip to Uzbekistan

Beautiful photos! What other hotels did you stay in? How much time did you spend in each city? Any advice about what not to miss and what to avoid? Any surprises? Did you travel independently? I'm interested because my husband and I are traveling to UZ in October, so anything I can glean from other travelers is much appreciated. Thanks so much and I'm glad to hear you had such a nice time.

Hi!! I booked a fixed tour on the Internet and I travelled with another 6 tourists (I met them in Uzbekistan). We visited the cities of Taskent: (3 night, 2 nights at Uzbekistan Hotel and 1 night at Raddus hotel), Khiva (2 nights, I can't remember the name of the hotel), Bukhara (2 nights at Amelia Hotel), Samarkand (2 night at Caravan Serail Hotel).

The hotels where I staid where all ok (basic and clean) but the Uzbekistan hotel in Taskent. I really liked the Amelia Hotel, the staff there is very friendly and the breakfast is great.

I recommed:
-Change Euros or US$ in the black market 1€=4200sums.
-The roads in Uzbekistan are incredibly horrible, it takes about 6 hours to cover 250 km...it's better to fly...
-Tashkent is one of the most boring cities were I've been, dont spend much time there
-I really liked Khiva and Bukhara, they are small but the most traditional cities.
-Know that i've been there I will organize the tour by myself instead of buying a tour.
-The best city to buy souvenirs (carpets,arabic paintings, suzannes, ceramics etc) is Bhukara.

Regards!

Edited by: ruben96

I disagree with some things you have written about Tashkent.
I agree that it is not as special as Bukhara, Samarkhand and Khiva.
Personally, I liked Tashkent (though I was there over a public holiday). I enjoyed the Chorsu area for the market. I felt the museums and art galleries were worthy, the Alisher Navoi park was relaxing. The medrassas are fine. The outdoor railway museum and tv tower worth a visit. The subway system is one of stunning beauty (sadly photography of the interiors is not allowed)

jahlie: travel by car is not great in Uzbekistan but the rail system is good and reliable, though there is no rail link to Khiva, nearest station is Urgench.

Nice specific information. Thanks so much. I've booked transportation and hotels through a local UZ travel agency, without guides, and hope to see as much of the country as possible. I'm sure personal tastes dictate what we all like. I love cities and usually find most pretty interesting. I'm not going to Khiva because of distance and honestly, I'm not sure I'd enjoy what I've read as a museum type quality. I opted instead for more time in the Ferghana Valley by car. We (my husband and I) don't have any scheduled tours or guide so it's up to us as to where to stop, do, etc. Same is true in Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent. It will be an adventure.

Yes, the roads will be bad but we have booked a couple of train trips as well - Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara to Tashkent - so we'll get some relief. Everything else, side trips from Samarkand and Bukhara also, will be by car. For me, nothing beats travel by car. I can stop anywhere I want, take side trips and really explore. I've seen incredibly bad roads in my lifetime and I suspect the roads and driving in UZ won't be a total shock. Worth the effort.

The money issue - specifically how to carry around so much cash (backpack?)- is a bit scary. I'm not used to carrying cash and find myself lucky to have parking meter change. This will be interesting.

I'm not staying in any of the mentioned hotels but I suspect our hotels will be OK but I appreciate your warning about the Uzbekistan Hotel. That's something everyone needs to know.

Thanks again