What you should know before visiting Uzbekistan

We highly recommend making reservations in advance, as soon as possible, especially during the peak travel times, which are from the middle of April to the middle of June and from the end of August to the beginning of November. To ensure that our visitors have positive experiences while visiting Uzbekistan, we make an effort to arrange small groups, with a maximum of 10 to 15 people per guide and tour leader.

Destination: Uzbekistan

The easiest way to get to Uzbekistan is by flying into the capital city, Tashkent, from international airports of your country. There are various foreign airlines that fly to Tashkent. The national airline Uzbekistan Airways operates regular flights to Moscow, Seoul-Incheon, New-York, Tbilisi, Jeddah, Tel Aviv, Beijing, Bangkok, Delhi, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, London, Frankfurt am Main, and Paris. Moreover, Uzbekistan Airways also provides flights within our country. You can also travel in this manner by train to reach Uzbekistan.

Entry Forms for Customs Declaration.

All of Uzbekistan's international airports have green channels. You can walk through the green channel if you arrive in Uzbekistan without bringing any prescription medications (including narcotics and psychotropics). If a traveler is carrying one of the above prescription medications, they must go through red channel and complete the customs declaration form in duplicate. Every prescription drug should be declared. Don't forget to take your stamped copy of the declaration from the customs official, and keep it with you until you leave Uzbekistan. All points of entry along the land border with Uzbekistan follow the same customs declaration requirements.

About Registration

All foreigners are required to register their stay within 72 hours of arriving in Republic of Uzbekistan. If you are staying at an approved hotel, registration will be done automatically after check-in process (check with budget hotels as some are not eligible for registration). Your hotel will provide you with proof (paper) of registration, which you should always carry (in your passport) with you during your trip, as you may be required to present it. Please note that staying in a private building and not obtaining a registration document may cause problems upon departure. When leaving Uzbekistan, the validity of your passport and visa will be checked; at this point, immigration officials may ask you to provide proof of where you stayed each night. So make sure you have your hotel registration forms ready.

Stayings

The tourism infrastructure of Uzbekistan has been actively developed in recent years to make traveling to Uzbekistan more convenient. Large cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva have many high-quality hotels that meet modern hotel standards. In addition, there are family-run hotels and B&Bs that offer adequate accommodation at much lower prices. Most hotel rooms are equipped with shower, private bathroom, air conditioner, telephone, satellite TV and so on.

Money

Dollars, Euros, British Pounds and Japanese Yen can be exchanged for Uzbek Soums as well as at banks and hotel exchange offices. Currency exchange offices and banks do not accept old, worn, written, torn, flattened or wrinkled banknotes. Promissory notes are accepted only at one branch of the National Bank of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, and its processing fee is approximately 10 percent. It is also easy to exchange Soums back into dollars at a reasonable exchange rate, so it is recommended that you use the Soums you have before leaving the country.

Uzbekistan - Credit Cards and ATMs

Except for upscale eateries and hotels in Tashkent, credit cards are not commonly accepted in Uzbekistan. Uzbek soums are preferred as payment by stores, eateries, and local transportation. In Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, some posh hotels accept Visa cards and less merchants there accept Master cards. In Uzbekistan, ATMs are becoming increasingly common. The ATMs at upscale hotels in Tashkent typically accept separate Mastercard and Visa cards and can dispense US dollars, but they frequently malfunction or run out of money. Always prepare a fallback. Going to your neighborhood bank and obtaining a cash advance on your credit card is a more dependable way to obtain money. The fee for this service varies between 2 and 4 percent of the amount being withdrawn.

Bank opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., lunch break from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Exchange office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 24 hours a day in major hotels.

Access to the Internet

By connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots, tourists will have the simplest time accessing the internet in Uzbekistan. Hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls frequently have hotspots. However, Wi-Fi quality varies greatly depending on the city and the source. There are no providers of fiber optics in Uzbekistan that offer their services to residents of other countries, and none of them offer any packages for travelers. Mobile internet from Uzbek cellular companies is the only option for regular internet access. Although tariff plans frequently include a certain amount of mobile data, buying separate internet packages is very common. Additionally, some mobile service providers provide discounted rates to visitors. At each telecom operator's main offices, as well as at the country's main airports, you can purchase a SIM card and internet packages.

Travel Insurance - A Must For All Tour Participants

To protect your well-being, travel insurance is a requirement for all tour participants. When making a reservation, every traveler must purchase their own insurance from a reputable insurance provider. This insurance must offer comprehensive protection for the duration of the entire trip, covering bodily injury, medical costs, costs associated with repatriation, lost luggage, and costs related to tour cancellations or shortenings.

To make filing a claim easier, we advise you to arrange your insurance through a business in your country of residence. We will do everything in our power to help you if you get sick while on one of our tours, but you will be responsible for paying for any hospital bills, doctor visits, or costs associated with returning home. If you must cut your tour short due to illness, we regret that we are unable to issue a refund.

Medication

There are medicines in circulation that are banned or restricted in the territory of Uzbekistan. In general, the list of restricted circulation drugs consists of sedatives, sedatives, and analgesics (e.g., Temazepam, Valium, Xanax, Morphine, Codeine, Librium/Novopoxide, Halcion, ProSom, Xanax, Ativan).
If you intend to bring medicines into Uzbekistan that are in limited circulation in here, you must declare them on the customs declaration form upon arrival and departure and bring the doctor's prescription in your native language with you.
Not listing drugs containing narcotic and psychotropic substances on declaration or lack of a prescription can lead to criminal prosecution.

Note: Your regular medications, which you would never believe may contain narcotic or psychotropic substances, for example in some countries contains Panadol contains or Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, both must be declared.

It is permitted to import and export without a doctor's prescription for personal use the following drugs in an amount of 10 drugs with different names and not more than 5 boxes of each; Medical devices in quantities not exceeding 5 units.

Each package must contain:

For solid finished dosage forms (tablets, dragees, granules, powders, capsules) - no more than 100 units;

For powders used to prepare solutions - no more than 500 g;

For homeopathic preparations in the form of granules - no more than 50 g;

For infusion and oral solutions - no more than 500 ml;

Solutions for injection - no more than 10 ampoules or no more than 10 vials;

For external use - no more than 200 ml or 200 g.

Medicines must be in the original manufacturer's packaging.

If the number of imported and exported drugs exceeds the specified figures, tourists must submit to customs a document issued by a medical institution in their country of residence. The document should contain a list of drugs for personal use, dosage forms and the recommended amount for one treatment. The import/export of five different (names) psychotropic drugs is allowed, no more than 2 packs of each for personal use without a medical prescription.

When passing through customs at checkpoints, you must declare narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (paragraph 6 of the customs declaration), as well as present a document issued by a medical institution in the country of residence, indicating the dosage form of the drug and the recommended amount for the course of treatment.

Departure

The departure procedure at the airport is simple: registration, customs (see Instructions for departure customs declaration) and passport control, security and boarding the plane. For international flights, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours before the departure time. Before leaving the hotel for the airport, please check the following documents: passport, registration form issued by the hotel or OVIR (police station dealing with visas and registration), entry declaration, plane ticket and Uzbekistan visa in the passport. with an expiration date. If your Uzbekistan visa expires before your departure, the fine at the departure airport can be as high as $3,000. 

Changes in Customs Departure

Due to a change in the law, you can now carry some amount of cash at the border without declaring it, and you can leave the country without declaring it, unless you are carrying more than 100 million soums or the equivalent (about 9 thousand USD (as of January 2023). This means that most tourists no longer have to deal with old customs declaration forms when entering or leaving the country.

Crafts and souvenirs.

At customs checkpoints, customs officials may ask to see any handicrafts and souvenirs you have bought to make sure you are not illegally exporting cultural property or antiquities. Be sure to have the appropriate documentation if you are exporting such items. For other souvenirs, it is best to bring a store receipt or proof that the item is mass-produced. If there are no documents, experts from the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan are on duty at the airport, who are responsible for checking suspicious items. A "inspection fee" must be paid on the spot; the type and value of the item being inspected determine the fee. When shopping while traveling in Uzbekistan, it's a good idea to keep receipts and ask for references for items that may have cultural value and/or look like antiques. Cultural objects and souvenirs of Uzbekistan:

- It is not allowed to export antique objects (carpets, ceramics, suzanna, musical instruments, paintings, etc.) made 50 (fifty) years ago and more from Uzbekistan.
- Cultural objects produced in the last 50 (fifty) years (including only handmade works of art, excluding handicrafts, works of art containing precious metals and precious stones, objects or fragments of objects found during archaeological excavations, ancient books, musical instruments and various historical weapons or cultural value) to be exported from Uzbekistan requires a special certificate from the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan.

Items that have been mass produced in the past 50 (fifty) years, such as common souvenirs, carpets, and embroidery products, do not need a special certificate. However, you should obtain a receipt or certificate from the store where you bought the item attesting to the fact that such items are in fact mass-produced. If a customs official has any doubts regarding the cultural value of the items you are carrying and you are unable to provide the required documentation, the official will request that the item be examined by the Ministry of Culture expert. The owner of the item in inspection must pay the inspection fee. The cost is based on the item's dimensions and worth. The starting fee is around 25,000 Uzbek soums.

Is it worth going to Uzbekistan?

Travelers of the 21st century have many destinations ahead of them, why do they choose Uzbekistan, a seemingly little-known country in Central Asia?

Uzbekistan is unique, offering visitors exquisite architecture that echoes from the times of Tamerlane, Alexander the Great, and the country's first Zoroastrian inhabitants. is just as charming, filled with fascinating cultures and diverse landscapes that provide the perfect backdrop for endless adventures. 

Traveling in Uzbekistan is an acceptable option for travelers on a small budget: an all-inclusive trip is several times cheaper than a similar trip to Europe or South America. Cheap transport, food and growing hotel options have also opened doors for individual travelers.

Uzbekistan is more accessible than ever: citizens of almost any country are eligible for a 30-day visa-free entry or a cheap online visa. Once in the country, all major attractions are connected by a modern and reliable rail system, and every city welcomes you with a range of comfortable accommodation options.

In conclusion, there has never been a better time to travel to Uzbekistan, one of the world's best kept secrets, the capital of ancient empires, rich in culture and beauty.

Dream Vacation  

With homestays, cooking lessons, and yurt camping, you can completely immerse yourself in Uzbek culture. Get into the time machine and go on a journey through the historical places of Uzbekistan. Create your tour of the exquisite artistic traditions of Uzbekistan with lessons in pottery, silk paper making and carpet weaving.

Our Uzbekistan travel packages are as diverse as the clients we serve. Whether you're interested in history, outdoor adventures or cultural immersion, whether you want to take a short walk around Uzbekistan's top attractions and/or embark on an extended expedition across the country, there is a chance that we have the tour you are looking for. If  not, write to us so we can start designing a personalized travel route for Uzbekistan based on your specific needs and interests.

Visa

It is now much easier than ever to visit Uzbekistan thanks to the country's relaxed visa regulations, which introduced in 2018. Up to 30 days of visa-free travel to Uzbekistan is now available to nearly 80 nations, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and numerous nations in Europe and South America. For $20, passport holders from more than 50 nations, including the US, India, Hong Kong, China, and the majority of the Middle East, can submit an online application for a 30-day e-Tourist visa.
Additionally, 5 days transit visas can be obtained pending pre-approval or air tickets confirming your departure.

Is it safe to travel in Uzbekistan?

There are very few violent crimes in Uzbekistan, making it a very safe country. Regularly patrolling the streets, law enforcement personnel are available to assist and support tourists. An English-speaking tourist police are ready to assist visitors in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva as well. Travelers frequently remark on how helpful and willing the people of Uzbekistan are, helping visitors in need. The nation has become increasingly tourist-friendly in recent years and has a genuine welcoming attitude toward visitors and foreigners.

Select Your Means of Transportation

Uzbekistan, which is situated in the very center of Central Asia, is easier to reach than you might imagine. Tashkent, the nation's capital, currently has direct flights to Istanbul, Bangkok, Moscow, and even New York City, while most other major cities in Europe and the eastern US require a stopover before reaching our country.

Once in Uzbekistan, a complex, effective rail network conveniently connects all of the country's major cities and regions. Short domestic flights are a quick substitute for train travel. Moreover, private car transportation lets you take in the scenery as you go.

Travel Seasons in Uzbekistan.

Since it is such a diverse and hospitable nation, Uzbekistan is a desirable vacation spot all year long. Each season offers its own benefits, though spring and autumn tend to draw the largest crowds thanks to their comfortable temperatures and colorful scenery.

Ski enthusiasts will find Chimgan, Beldersay, and Amirsoy Ski Resorts, the latter of which opened in December 2019, to be the ideal wintertime destinations. Because there are fewer visitors in the winter, it is also cheaper to stay in hotels and travel around popular tourist destinations in Uzbekistan.

Summer: Savory fruits and vegetables of all kinds are brought by hot summers. There won't be as many people around and you can frequently find tickets and lodging at a discount during the months of July and August. Additionally, it's a great time to cool off at Lake Charvak in the mountains close to Tashkent.

The most beautiful season in Uzbekistan is spring, which features pleasant weather, verdant meadows, blooming flowers, and a number of regional holidays and festivals that are well worth attending.

Autumn: A second wave of tourists are drawn to this Silk Road region by the cool, sunny weather and the abundance of melons and grapes in the local bazaars.

When is the best time to travel to Uzbekistan?

The best seasons to visit Uzbekistan are spring and fall, when the weather is ideal for touring the historic cities, which are the nation's top tourist destinations. While deserts predominate in the central and western regions, the mountainous east typically has a cooler and wetter climate.

Uzbekistan experiences a hot, dry summer with regular highs of 40°C. It can be a little uncomfortable to travel long distances at this time of year, especially if you are using a transportation without air conditioning. The eastern mountains of Uzbekistan have cooler temperatures than the plains and deserts, making them suitable for hiking and other outdoor activities. You can also visit all major cities in the summer, explore the sights in the morning or evening, and stay in air-conditioned rooms during the hottest part of the day.

The markets in Uzbekistan are brimming with melons, mulberries, figs, and persimmons when the green mountain foliage turns into lovely tones of crimson and brown in the autumn. Many people argue that the fall is actually the greatest season to travel to Uzbekistan because of the comfortable temperatures that allow for exploration of the country. The mild weather is also ideal for desert camel rides and cross-country train journeys. In Uzbekistan, the fall is a rather long season that lasts into December in the plains.

Uzbekistan experiences winter from December through February. The possibility of temperatures below 0°C during this time makes travel more difficult, especially in the highlands where regular, heavy snowfalls occur. The ever-expanding ski resorts in Uzbekistan are becoming more and more well-liked among fans of winter sports. Winter in the cities is manageable with the right attire, and with the weather typically sunny and clear, you'll have the ideal backdrop for your photographs. It is advised to postpone your trip until the spring if you are wondering "When is the best season to visit Uzbekistan?".

Beginning in early March, spring in Uzbekistan is typically begins by widespread rainfall. As the nation gets ready for the Persian New Year (Navruz), which is observed on March 21, there is a flurry of activity that coincides with the rain. Work is suspended on these holidays in favor of carnivals and gatherings that include regional cuisine and national dances. In April, the rains stop, making it possible to travel about the country once more. Through May, there are still celebrations and holidays including Victory Day and the Silk and Spice Festival. The ideal season to travel to Uzbekistan is still spring, especially if you want to visit the south, which is much hotter in the summer than the rest of the nation.