Born and raised in Samarkand, Abdu Samadov is an “insider’s insider” when it comes to knowing every corner of his native country, Uzbekistan. Fluent in English, Farsi, and Russian, he studied in England and works with MIR to guide travelers throughout Central Asia, and enjoys sharing his knowledge with other travelers.
Here, Abdu describes some of the progressive changes that have started to take shape in his home country, and offers seven reasons for why travelers should experience Uzbekistan now, before the rest of the world catches on.
Uzbekistan’s fabled Silk Road gems — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva – with their exquisite Islamic architecture and spellbinding cache of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have long been destinations that many people have dreamed of seeing. But such would-be travelers have also assumed that these ancient and exotic cities were too inaccessible, expensive, or difficult to visit. While that may have proven true in the past, things in Uzbekistan are finally starting to change for the better.
Recent reform-minded policies enacted by the Uzbek government are giving everyone a reason to smile
Photo credit: Michel Behar
A Nation Ready for Prime Time
Since the death of former Uzbek president Islam Karimov, the nation’s more liberal successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has implemented new policies that have slowly but surely started to open Uzbekistan up to the world. An increase in international flights; the start of new high-speed train routes; the changes to the visa system; and the removal of old bureaucratic processes are just some of the things that have boosted Uzbekistan’s status as an affordable and attainable travel destination, and are making it easier for everyone to experience the country’s remarkably preserved character.
All of these changes spell progress for Uzbekistan — meaning the time is ripe for travelers to visit now, before the flavor of the ancient Silk Road is diluted, even slightly, by increased contact with the outside world.
There are many reasons why Uzbekistan should be at the top of anyone’s travel bucket list, but here are seven of my favorites for why now is the best time to visit my extraordinary homeland:
Ornate mosaics decorate the Registan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Photo credit: Ana Filonov
1. Visas Are Easier & More Affordable
Gone are the days of having to acquire letters of invitation, filling out paperwork, and mailing off your passport. Now the once tedious, time-consuming, and expensive process of getting an Uzbek visa can be done with the click of a button.
In July 2018, Uzbekistan introduced 30-day e-visas for 51 different nationalities, including U.S. travelers. The entire application process can be done in less than 30 minutes online — simply go to EVISA.GOV.UZ to fill out the form requesting basic information, upload digital scanned copies of your passport and a passport-quality photo, and pay the consular fee. The cost is only $20, and the Uzbek e-visa will be sent straight to your email inbox, usually within a matter of days.
For now, the new e-visa system is only good for single-entry visas, but the Uzbek government is planning to add double- and multiple-entry e-visas by spring 2019. And as of January 2019, visa-free travel has been granted for citizens of over 60 countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
The Afrosiyob high-speed train is an efficient and affordable way to travel between Tashkent and Samarkand
Photo credit: Jessica Clark
2. Getting Around Is a Breeze
Traveling across Uzbekistan is now faster and much more comfortable thanks to the country’s excellent high-speed rail network. Implemented in 2016, the brand-new European-style bullet trains now connect the country’s capital, Tashkent, to the fabled, UNESCO-listed oases of Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as Andijan in the Fergana Valley.
Clean, comfortable interior on the Afrosiyob high-speed train
Photo: Jessica Clark
The government also inaugurated a new international rail line in 2017 running between Tashkent and Almaty, Kazakhstan, which has opened up even more possibilities for travel throughout the region. There’s no high-speed rail line to Khiva (yet), but in January 2019, a new regular train route with limited direct service between Bukhara and Khiva was officially launched, offering a more convenient transit alternative to car or bus rides. When the high-speed network extends to Khiva in late 2019 or early 2020, travelers can finally say goodbye to those long and frequently bumpy drives across the desert, and enjoy extra time exploring the dazzling mosaics and shimmering domes of Uzbekistan’s most treasured cities.
An early morning biker in Khiva
Photo credit: Jered Gorman
3. New International Flight Routes TakE Off
As many travelers might think, getting to Uzbekistan doesn’t require numerous long-haul flights with contentious connections. Over the last few years, Uzbekistan has made significant strides toward improving international and domestic airline service.
Turkish Airlines increased its service between New York and Tashkent, making just a single quick stop in either London or Moscow. They’ve also recently begun twice-weekly flights transiting between Istanbul and Samarkand, eliminating the need for an extra stopover in the Uzbek capital.
Uzbek dancers swirl in traditional costumes, decorated with intricate embroidered motifs
Photo credit: Suresh Mehta
The country’s national carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, has also stepped up its level of service. The airline recently deployed larger airbuses on routes to major international airports such as Delhi, Dubai, and London Heathrow, and for the first time in over 25 years renewed service between Tashkent and the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. There’s plans to roll out direct flights to Ashgabat in neighboring Turkmenistan soon, giving travelers greater options to visit other parts of Central Asia in just one trip.
Locals at Shah-i-Zinda
Photo credit: Abdu Samadov
4. Border Crossings Are Re-opening Again
During the 27-year rule of former president Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan had closed itself off from its neighbors. Many of the country’s overland border crossings had been shut down, but scores of them have finally re-opened in the last year or so.
These include the Dostuk border crossing, connecting Andijan and the Fergana Valley with the city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan, as well as 10 points along the Tajik-Uzbek border, such as the once-popular Samarkand to Penjikent crossing. This means that travelers can now easily add a visit to the excellent Osh Bazaar or the ancient ruins of Penjikent to their itinerary, without having to backtrack or take a more complicated transit route.
Many hiking trails surround tiny Hayat Village in Uzbekistan
Photo credit: Abdu Samadov
5. Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure Awaits
Uzbekistan’s architectural legacy amazes, but the country is also gaining a solid reputation as an outdoor adventure destination. Within a few hours’ drive of both Tashkent and Samarkand, you can discover green forests, blossoming alpine meadows, cool blue lakes, and sweeping mountain vistas dotted with traditional villages, waterfalls, and cave networks.
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Uzbekistan offers multiple opportunities for hiking — from quick jaunts to multi-day treks — in areas such as the alpine Chimgan Mountains and remote Hayat Village in the Nuratau Range. Travelers desiring a peaceful escape from the caravan cities can spend a night in a nomadic yurt camp in the Kyzyl Kum Desert. And a brand-new ski resort is currently being built in the mountains northeast of Tashkent, set to be fully completed in 2022 with hotels, restaurants, a spa, and a concert venue.
6. There’s Reason to Celebrate All Year Long
Many people ask me when the best time to visit Uzbekistan is. The simple answer is anytime. No matter when you choose to visit, you’re bound to discover some kind of exciting festival or cultural event going on.
Mid- to late March brings the annual Navruz Festival, when locals all over the country celebrate the arrival of the first day of spring with rituals, feasts, and age-old traditions. In April, the city of Termez will host a nationwide bakhshi folklore competition to pay homage to the traditional epic poetry and music of Uzbekistan. And travelers can see Uzbekistan’s famed Silk Road ceramics come to life this June, when the city of Rishtan hosts its annual international pottery and ceramics festival.
Smiles galore as Abdu Samadov (kneeling) joins travelers and local children for a Navruz photo
Photo credit: Abdu Samadov
7. A Shifting (and Lifting) of Attitudes
President Mirziyoyev’s recent modernizing reforms have signaled the start of an open, progressive shift in Uzbekistan’s development. Since then, an optimistic change of mood has been felt all across the country. Many recent travelers have taken notice of the more easygoing vibe here, from the scores of smiling police and immigration officials, to the more relaxed security regulations around famous monuments. You’re even encouraged to take photos of once-restricted areas like the Tashkent metro, the first time travelers can do so since a photography ban was enacted more than 40 years ago.
Friendly smiles greet travelers in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Photo credit: Ana Filonov
Mobile apps like WhatApp and Instagram are now working in the country, meaning travelers can quickly and easily share their photos and favorite highlights with family and friends. In addition, major tourist sights have been staffed with a special branch of the police force designed to offer greater assistance to visitors. These friendly and approachable individuals can help answer questions, give language tips, and make suggestions for what to see and do during your time in Uzbekistan.
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There’s never been a better time to travel to Uzbekistan than now. Consider exploring this off-the-beaten-path destination before it becomes the next travel hotspot!
Hello from a spice vendor in Bukhara
Photo credit: Abdu Samadov
(Top photo: Smiling vendors show off their beautiful embroidered suzani in Uzbekistan
Photo credit: Phil Kidd)