Uzbekistan
Central Asia, Caucasus & Mongolia - Touring with local transport
Itinerary idea: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, yurt camp in the Kyzylkum desert, Nurata
Strengths: Some of the most beautiful Silk Road cities in the world, comfortable trains, cheap
Weaknesses: Extreme heat in August, little nature and little adventure
Children and safety: Visit at dawn and dusk because of the heat; cities are fascinating for children too
Weather: Very hot: 36-42 °C by day, dry
Book ahead: 3-4 months
Key facts
- Best time to go: April and May, September and October
- Flight from Milan: about 6 hours
- Rain days in August: 0
- Daylight hours in August: 14
- Driving: on the right
- Malaria: none
- Visa (EU citizens): No for short stays (to be checked)
- International licence: Not needed
- Currency: Uzbek som (UZS)
- Language: Uzbek and Russian, English in tourism
- Roads: No driving needed: high-speed trains and driver
- Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid
Ratings (1 to 5)
- Ease of getting around: 4
- Child friendly: 3
- Scenery and wildlife: 3
- August weather: 2
- Logistics ease: 4