UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan has well preserved relics from the time when Central Asia was a center of empire, education, and trade. Uzbekistan cities including Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz and Tashkent live on in the imagination of the West as symbols of oriental beauty and mystery.

Ancient cities of Uzbekistan were located on the ancient Silk Road, the trading route between China and the West.

CLIMATE IN UZBEKISTAN

The continental climate brings long, hot and dry summers and cold winters with snow. The south of the country is generally warmer than the north with July temperatures that can reach in excess of 113°F (45°C) in summer and winter temperatures of 18°F (-8°C) in the north (can reach -13°F/-25°C) and 32°F (0°C) in the south. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to travel to Uzbekistan for mild weather, but trekkers are better off in the mountains in summer (July/August).

VISA FOR UZBEKISTAN

Passports of all visitors should be valid for the period of intended stay. All visitors are required to register with the local police on arrival, which should be entered on their visa and will be checked on departure from the country.

Americans: US nationals require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan.
UK nationals: UK nationals require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan.
Canadians: Canadians require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan.
Australians: Australians require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan.
South Africans: South Africans require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a visa and valid passport for entry to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Cities

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

One of the oldest cities of Uzbekistan and in the world is Samarkand, established during the middle of the first century BC under the name Marakanda and later known as Afrosiab. It was the capital of the powerful state Sogd, the center of Emir Timur's great empire. The numerous monuments of Samarkand and its suburbs impress tourist with their beauty and splendor. The refined architectural shapes, intricate ornamentation, mosaics, blue-tile domes and facades are interesting for all who visit theses beautiful buildings.

The settlement of Bukhara in Uzbekistan dates back to the 8th century when it was for 200 years the center of an expanding Islamic kingdom and prospered as a trade and intellectual center for Central Asia. During the Mongol invasion, It was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1219. Subsequently it was ruled by a succession of regional powers, including descendants of Genghis Khan, Turks, and Uzbeks. Bukhara was once one of Islam's most sacred city which contains many examples of fine Islamic architecture.

Khiva is known as a museum city under the open sky. It existed as a town for about 900 years, but developed into the settlement seen today only in the 19th century, when it was the last oasis on the northern Russian slave trade rout. Important spiritual and cultural values came form the large scientific centers of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine that existed in this area centuries ago. One can wander through the narrow streets of Khiva, peeking into the small courtyards through the wooden carved doors. The life inside the gardens assures the visitor that it is not just a museum, but also a living city.

Although Tashkent was probably first settled around the 1st century BC, written records date the city to its Arab occupation in the 8th century AD. The 13th-century defeat to Genghis Khan and his Mongolian forces threw Tashkent into an era of turmoil. The Mongols lost the city in the 14th century when the Timurids Empire seized control. The Timurids Empire ruled Tashkent until the late 15th century, when the Sheibanids swept through the region. Today, Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan.

Baysun, Uzbekistan

Do you wish to travel into time that will transfer you to a forbidden territory that keeps the memory of culture of Greek and Baktrian and Kushan kingdoms that fell into oblivion of heathen ceremonies of fire-worshippers, and shaman cults? Trade caravans traveled here through Iron Gates in narrow mountain canyon for thousands years. Armies of Alexander the Great, Chengiz Khan, Tamerlan passed through this area.

THINGS TO DO AND TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS IN UZBEKISTAN

Trek in the mountains in the south of the country. There are high peaks for those wanting a challenge, while easier treks can be done in the foothills and on the plateaux. The best time to go is between March and November. There is superb hiking along the spurs and gorges of the Chatkal Range to the ancient silver mine in the Chatkal Natiore Preserve.

• Climb 7,000m- (23,000ft-) high mountains. There are many opportunities for serious mountaineering, and Uzbekistan contains some of the world’s highest peaks, including Peak Pobeda (7,439m/24,399ft), Peak Korzhenevskaya (7,105m/23,304ft) and Peak Khan-Tengri (6,995m/22,943ft). Equipment can be transported to base camps by helicopter.

• Go ice climbing on the Gissar, Matcha and Turkestan ridges. Vertical rock faces for rock climbing can be found in the Fan mountains (at Bodkhana, Chapdara, Maria-Mirali and Zamok) and on the Matchi Ridge (at Aksu, Asan-Usan and Sabakh).

• Ski in the mountains above Tashkent.

• Explore the deepest caves in Asia at Boi-Bulok (1,415m/4,641ft) and Kievskaya (990m/3,247ft). These are suitable for experienced cavers only. Beautiful gypsum formations can be seen at the Kugitang cave, while the caves of Baisuntau contain mummified bears and those in western Tian Shan feature underground rivers and lakes.

• Cycle the Silk Road from Tashkent via Lake Aidarkul to Khiva. Easier rides can be done in the Ferghana Valley and around Tashkent, where lake and mountain scenery can be enjoyed. Organised tours are available.

• Raft or kayak on the Angren, Chatkal, Pskem, Syr Darya and Ugen river, the best time being September to October