Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Nukus near Aral sea, Ferghana valley are the most prominent places to see in Uzbekistan
Tashkent
Capital city and mountains of Ugam Chatkal National park including Chimgan, Charvak and Jade lake
We covered the following sites in Tashkent City
- Hazrati Imam Complex: Out first visit to blue domed buildings
- Chorsu Bazaar: Just to get a sense of chaos and colors
- Alisher Navoi Metro station and Amir Temur Station: To get an experience of travelled in a metro and getting to see some stations
- Amir Temur Square: Nice park wide lanes to walk and rest
- Tashkent Tower: Gives a nice bird’s eye view of Tashkent and character of the city
- Jade lake: This is a lesser-known treasure, also called Urungach lake (different from Urgench which is the city near Khiva). It is known as Nefrit Koli by the locals. While most people visit Chimgan, Charvak, rarely people go beyond. The road to Jade lake itself was very scenic with snow-capped mountains, clouds touching the mountains, rivers changing colors along, poppy flowers in some places
We arranged this day tour through Zidulay travel, a local travel company which we found on Instagram (reachable on +998931711207). They have accounts in Uzbek, but can communicate in basic English over Telegram once you reach out. There are options on sites like Getyourguide which are priced much higher. I had contacted few other companies on Instagram- Nefrit Koli, Urungach tour, Nefrit Travel, Ananas Travel, but didn’t go with them as they either had tours on specified dates only or the price was higher or some didn’t respond promptly
The driver was professional, prompt with clean vehicle. The tour included 4×4 which is required to reach the lakes. Overall, we paid $140 (1.8 Mn Som) for the day
It is relatively easy to reach the lower lake. The water was truly jade colored with apricot blossoms around the shore making it a picture-perfect destination
The hike to the upper lake took us a couple of hours. It started raining on the way and by the time we reached, the water was muddy and there was haze all around. We could still see snow-capped mountains and imagined what it would have looked like on a sunny day
There are limited options for washrooms along the way, it is typically a pit-based toilet only. Carry toilet roll for emergency
Where we stayed: Courtyard Tashkent on redemption. The stay was very good- we got upgraded and got breakfast for two along with credits which we could use for third person. The building has Western touch but food has lot of Uzbek options
Khiva
A world heritage site and small city inside a fort that has everything within itself- a mosque, minar, mausoleum, market
Khiva provides a good view of what to expect ahead in grander sizes at Bukhara and Samarkand. It is an hour away from Urgench. We arranged for airport transfer through Islambek Travel since we were to arrive at midnight
It seemed like a festive fair when we first went in- The energy is infectious! There are many statues of travelers, camels near caravanserai that give a special feel to the silk route city. Special efforts have been taken to retain the historic feel of the city
The gorgeous minars were used to punish people during slave trade era by dropping them from the top
Within Itchan Kala (inner fort), it is entirely walkable. Vehicles are not allowed inside, so you can peacefully take a stroll. We highly recommend staying inside Itchan Kala, the fort so that you can walk inside during the night when lights are on
We stayed at Kala Khiva, homestay run by a passionate historian and his family. The terrace had a very good view of the overall city
Places to see in Khiva
- The entry gates across four sides: They are an attraction themselves!
- Juma Mosque: Mosque with hundreds of wooden pillars of different designs
- Pahlavon Masuoleum: Building with blue colored dome
- Toshkhovli Palace: Had good interior patterned design. You might be able to witness local women singing here
- Madrassas: Amin Inaq Madrasa, Alah Kuli Madrasa and many more
- Kalta minar: Half finished colorful minar
- The outer walls: Take a stroll on the outer border at night once the lights are on
Bukhara
Ancient buildings, domes with a tinge of brown. My favorite among all silk road cities
Places to see in Bukhara
- Chor Minor: Four pillared small monument with bird nest on top
- Sitoi-i-Mokhi Khosa Palace- Ancient palace built by Emir of Bukhara Mir Sayyd Muhammad Alim Khan. It has peacocks freely moving around and a place with most of them are caged
- Chor Bakr memorial complex with tombs and courtyards. There is a small corner with Ostrich and some birds
- Ismail Samani mausoleum: Has intricate architecture and work on the walls
- Chasmai Ayub Mausoleum
- Ark of Bukhara: Tall fort of Bukhara with many rooms inside
- Bukhara Tower: Gives you a good view of the entire city. The lift can stop if there are power cuts for a short while. Be prepared to wait on top till it functions again
- Poi Kalon complex: The central courtyard of Bukhara with Kalyan minaret . Ulug Beg Madrasa is on the side
There are many side monuments beside Poi Kalan mosque. Some of them were only shops and had nothing to see inside. Ensure you are going not right buildings
- Trading domes: Market where you can shop colorful clothes, souvenirs
- Lyabi Haus: Vibrant square with a lake, madrassas on the sides and statue of Nasiruddin Hodja at one end
We stayed at ASL Bukhara Hotel near Lyabi Haus Square, which is one of the most vibrant and lively places in Bukhara. We had a guest cat enter in from the window to pay us a visit. Vegetarian items in breakfast were limited
Samarkand
Large roads, monuments with a tinge of blue everywhere
Places to see in Samarkand
- Registan: Most popular monument of Uzbekistan with the famous courtyard and three large buildings on the sides. It has been restored after earthquakes to its present form. There is a tacky light show at night around 8 PM (could move across months) which we saw for first few minutes. It then got a bit repetitive, and we made a move
- Shah-i-Zinda– Blue tiled world housing mausoleums
- Mausoleum of Islam Karimov
- Bibi Khanym Mosque– Dedicated to wife of Amir Timur
- Amir Timur Mausoleum– Resting place of famous king Timur who is revered here
- Aksaray mausoleum : Just behind Amir Timur mausoleum. Small place with a gentleman maintaining it and helping visitors take superb photos of the place
We stayed at Hotel Ishnoch. It had large rooms, a nice rose garden, beside a sprawling university campus park. It is better to go early for breakfast as they take time to refill once guests start coming in. The park around had scampering squirrels, attention seeking cats and huge old trees that gave a sense of calm