Tour guides Uzbekistan

5 ideas for guided tours in Uzbekistan

• Bukhara

  

  In the south-central part of the country, Bukhara holds more than a hundred places of worship listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many of them, including the ancient Samanid Mausoleum dating back to the 900s, are closely tied to Islam.

  The entire old town, fully pedestrian, is a maze of narrow streets passing through typical madrasas. The Abdullah Khan Madrasa shelters artisan workshops and vibrant covered markets where stalls overflow with sparkling jewelry and textiles — the Tak-i-Zargaron Bazaar is among the most striking.

  For the best view of the city, take the glass elevator near the disused water tower. Then, allow time to explore one of Bukhara’s most legendary sites: the Ark Fortress. Excavations show its first foundations date back thousands of years, and a museum inside tells the story of its occupation by various dynasties. As evening falls, stroll along the canals and settle at one of the many restaurants lining the water.

• Samarkand

  

  Samarkand remains, as it once was, one of the country’s largest economic and cultural centers. The fierce Turco-Mongol conqueror Tamerlane built his most monumental structures here in the 14th century.

  Among them stands the vast Registan, later flanked by three madrasas — Sher-Dor, Tilla-Kari, and Ulugh Beg, where astronomy was once taught. Each one is a masterpiece of architecture, and the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built in honor of Tamerlane’s wife, is considered one of the most magnificent mosques in the world.

  Nearby, a stroll through the Siab Bazaar plunges visitors into the atmosphere of the ancient Silk Road, with stalls overflowing with spices, fruits, and vegetables from the surrounding region.

  For an experience filled with beauty and tranquility, head to the Shah-i-Zinda mausoleums. Perched on Afrasiyab hill, this necropolis dazzles with its turquoise domes and intricate mosaics — best admired at sunset when the colors glow even more vividly.

• Ferghana Valley

  

  In eastern Uzbekistan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan, lies the fertile Fergana Valley — one of Central Asia’s richest agricultural regions. Nearly all the surrounding area’s fruits and vegetables are grown here, along with extensive vineyards.

  In many villages, vines are trained to climb along house façades, creating natural green canopies. During springtime, when the orchards bloom, the scenery bursts with color, turning the valley into a living painting.

  The two main towns, Margilan and Rishtan, are famous for their crafts. Visitors can explore numerous silk-weaving workshops producing garments, scarves, and small carpets, as well as artisans shaping the region’s iconic cotton-flower-patterned ceramics.

• Tashkent

  

  Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, is often the first or last stop of a journey through the country. The historic center is home to the striking Khazrati Imam Mosque, with its turquoise domes and two 54-meter minarets decorated with Khumo birds, national symbols of Uzbekistan.

  Though much of the city reflects the austere lines of Soviet architecture, the metro is a surprising highlight — each station showcases a unique design, with chandeliers, sculptures, and marble-clad halls reminiscent of the grand stations of the former USSR.

  For souvenirs, head to the lively Chorsu Bazaar, where stalls overflow with spices, fabrics, and ceramics. Just nearby, climb the small hill to visit the Kukeldash Madrasa and its Juma prayer hall, a serene spot to end your walk through Tashkent’s historic heart.

• The fortress of Nurota

  

  In the shadow of the ruins of the Fortress of Alexander the Great, dating back to the 4th century BCE, the oasis of Nurata welcomes travelers. Flowing through the heart of the settlement is the Chashma spring, a sacred site venerated by the local Shia Muslim community.

  Its blue waters, home to countless fish, reflect the facades of the Panjvakhta and Chil Ustun Mosques as well as the mausoleum of Sheikh Abdul Khassan Nour. The town, serene and inviting, is becoming a popular starting point for excursions into the Kyzylkum Desert, with its sweeping red sand dunes to the north.

  About 50 kilometers away lies Lake Aydarkul, often called “the turquoise sea in the sands,” where visitors can swim and relax by the shore.