Uzbekistan Itinerary: 5, 7, 10 & 14 Days (Based on My Trip)
I spent just over two weeks travelling around Uzbekistan, visiting Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, as well as making a few trips beyond the main cities. It’s an absolutely wonderful country and if you’re interested in history, it will be your dream.
That said, planning an Uzbekistan itinerary can feel a little confusing at first. There are several obvious stops, but working out how long to spend in each place, which order to visit them in and whether to add somewhere like the Aral Sea or the Nuratau Mountains is a little less straightforward. Also, you’re quite restricted with how to get around. Jumping on a bus last minute isn’t really a thing in Uzbekistan.
In this Uzbekistan travel itinerary guide, I’ve shared the routes I’d recommend for 5, 7, 10 and 14 days, including how long to spend in each place, the best order to visit the main cities and how to travel between them.
Uzbekistan is actually a fairly straightforward country to travel around, but I made it harder for myself by planning my trip at the last minute, well… not really planning it at all. I was also travelling during peak season (September), so trains were booked up and there were a couple of places I couldn’t visit quite as easily as I’d hoped.
So, I’ve tried to make this the guide I wish I’d had when I was planning my own trip to Uzbekistan.
If you’re still deciding whether to go, I’ve also written a full guide on whether Uzbekistan is worth visiting, including the things I loved and the things I didn’t. I’ve also written a guide for solo female travellers planning to visit Uzbekistan.
My ideal Uzbekistan travel itinerary at a glance
Okay, let’s cut to the chase. If you’re visiting Uzbekistan for the first time, I think 10 days is the perfect amount of time.
It’s enough time to visit the country’s main highlights, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, without feeling too rushed. You can absolutely see a lot in 5 or 7 days, but you’ll need to be more selective about where you go.
Here’s how I’d structure an Uzbekistan itinerary depending on how much time you have. Keep reading for more details on these itineraries.
| Time in Uzbekistan | Suggested route | Best for… |
| 5 Days | Tashkent > Bukhara > Samarkand | A short trip to see the main highlights |
| 7 Days | Tashkent > Khiva > Bukhara > Samarkand | A faster-paced trip covering the main cities |
| 10 Days (Adventure & outdoors) | Tashkent > Khiva > The Aral Sea > Bukhara > Samarkand | Balancing the historic cities with some adventure |
| 10 Days (City lovers) | Tashkent > Khiva > Bukhara > Samarkand (with day trips) | Seeing more of what the cities have to offer |
| 14 Days | Tashkent > Khiva > The Aral Sea > Bukhara > Nuratau Mountains > Samarkand | Seeing as much of Uzbekistan as possible |
If I was visiting Uzbekistan for the first time, I’d choose one of the 10-day itineraries. It gives you enough time to see Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva without constantly moving, while still keeping the trip varied.
How many days do you need in Uzbekistan?
I spent over two weeks in Uzbekistan and honestly… it was too long for me. How long you need in Uzbekistan really depends on how many historical sites you want to see and how interested you are in them.
I’m an outdoors gal. I’d much rather be in the mountains, by the ocean or exploring nature. I’ve never really been a city person, and while I enjoy wandering around historic sites for a couple of days and learning as much as I can, eventually I’m done and ready for an outdoor adventure.
If you’ve been to Thailand, you may have heard the term ‘temple fatigue’… well, I definitely got the Uzbekistan version of that. The cities are beautiful and incredibly interesting, but after almost two weeks of exploring madrasas, mosques and ancient sites, things started to feel a little same-y.
For me, 10 days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Uzbekistan. That gives you enough time to see the main cities without rushing, while still leaving room for somewhere a little different, such as the Aral Sea or the Nuratau Mountains.
That said, if visiting Uzbekistan has always been your dream and you love history, architecture and museums, you could easily spend two weeks or more here. I met someone spending a whole month there and they were having the best time.
Likewise, if you only have 5 or 7 days, you can still see a surprising amount.
A day or two in each of the major cities would have been enough for me. I think that’s especially true if Uzbekistan is part of a wider Central Asia backpacking trip and you’re also visiting countries such as Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, where you may want to save more time for hiking, mountains and other outdoor adventures.
As a rough guide, I’d recommend:
- 5 days: Enough for a quick trip covering a few of the main highlights.
- 7 days: A good amount of time if you want to see the main cities but don’t mind moving fairly quickly.
- 10 days: My choice for most first-time visitors, and enough time to combine the cities with an outdoor or more unusual stop.
- 14 days: Best if you’re a big history lover, want to travel slowly or want to add several places beyond the main tourist route.
Best time to visit Uzbekistan
While you can technically visit Uzbekistan at any time of year, I’d suggest visiting in spring or autumn, particularly April, May, late September or October.
Uzbekistan has quite extreme seasons. Winters can be very cold, sometimes with snow, while summers are extremely hot – honestly, I’d avoid July and August if you can. The temperatures are incredible.
I visited Uzbekistan in early September, and it was still far too hot for me, with temperatures reaching around 40°C (104°F). It’s not especially humid, but the heat can still be uncomfortable, and by the middle of the day you’ll probably just want to get out of the sun.
Late September and October are generally considered some of the best times to visit Uzbekistan. You’ll hopefully avoid the worst of the summer heat, while still having pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. The downside is that this is also one of the busiest times of year.
A winter trip to Uzbekistan is also possible. My friend visited in January and loved it, although they said quite a few things were closed and the weather limited what they could do. On the plus side, they had many of the main sights almost entirely to themselves. I also have a friend who went in May and said there weren’t that many tourists.
So, personally, I’d aim for May or October.
How to get around Uzbekistan
Despite being relatively new to the tourism world, Uzbekistan is relatively easy to navigate. Here are the best ways to get around Uzbekistan.
By train
The train network in Uzbekistan is fantastic. The main tourist cities are well connected, and high-speed trains operate on several of the most popular routes. I found the trains clean, safe and well organised.
You have to book a seat to use the trains in Uzbekistan, which I’d recommend doing through the official website. This means you’re guaranteed a seat, but you’ll need to book well in advance, as trains can sell out, especially during peak season.
In my experience, tickets appeared around 45-60 days beforehand, although the exact timing varied, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on your dates. I ended up changing my itinerary several times and still managed to make it work, although one journey involved turning up at the station and hoping they could find me a seat. Thankfully, they did.
Trains have several different classes. I usually went for the middle option, mainly because I wanted air conditioning, but I found the overall standard pretty good across the trains I used.
Some routes use newer and faster trains, while others still use much slower trains, so always check the journey time when booking rather than assuming every service is high-speed.
Tip: If you’re travelling between Tashkent and Khiva, the overnight train can save you losing most of a day to travel. Flying is another option if you’d rather avoid an overnight journey.
By plane
Several of Uzbekistan’s main tourist destinations have airports, so flying can be a useful option for longer journeys.
Personally, I think it’s most useful between Tashkent and Khiva, where it can save a significant amount of travel time. For shorter routes such as Bukhara to Samarkand, the train is generally much easier and more environmentally friendly.
Uzbekistan Airways is the national carrier and is the airline I’d personally look at first for domestic flights.
By private car
Travelling with a private driver is another popular way to get around Uzbekistan, particularly if you want to visit somewhere that isn’t conveniently connected by train or travel at your own pace.
I only hired a driver for a couple of transfers, but I highly recommend Islambek Travel.
5-Day Uzbekistan itinerary
If you only have five days in Uzbekistan, I’d keep things simple and focus on Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand. Trying to squeeze Khiva in as well would mean spending too much of your short trip travelling.
This route gives you a taste of modern Uzbekistan in Tashkent, followed by two of the country’s most famous historic cities.
Day 1: Explore Tashkent
Spend your first day in Uzbekistan exploring Tashkent. I’d prioritise visiting Chorsu Bazaar – it’s one of the best local markets I’ve ever been to.
With one full day in Tashkent, here’s what I’d do:
- Start at Chorsu Bazaar and spend some time wandering through the food halls and market stalls. It can be a little overwhelming, but it’s an incredible spot.
- Explore the Tashkent Metro. Many of the stations have their own unique designs, so it’s worth hopping on and off at a few different stops. There’s a great DIY tour you can follow here.
- Visit the Hazrati Imam Complex, one of the city’s main historic and religious sites.
- Walk around Amir Temur Square and the surrounding city centre.
- If you have time, visit Minor Mosque (and grab a somsa from Minor Somsa – I ate here several times and LOVED it).
- Finish the day with dinner somewhere in central Tashkent before heading back to your accommodation.
How to get around: Tashkent is spread out, but the metro is cheap, easy to use and connects many of the main sights.
Days 2 & 3: Bukhara
Start your second day early and take the train to Bukhara. Then spend the rest of day 2 and all of day 3 exploring this unique city. With almost two full days in Bukhara, here is what I’d do:
- Spend your first afternoon wandering through Bukhara’s historic Trading Domes, including Toqi Zargaron, Toqi Telpak Furushon and Toqi Sarrofon.
- Consider visiting a traditional hammam (a public bath).
- Watch the sunset at the Ark of Bukhara.
- Grab some local food in the historic centre.
- The following day, do a full walking tour – this is the exact tour I did and I loved it.
- If you don’t want to do a guided tour, prioritise seeing Poi Kalyan, the Ark of Bukhara, Lyabi-Hauz, Bolo Hauz Mosque and Chor Minor.
How to get there: Take the train from Tashkent to Bukhara. The fastest services take just over four hours, although journey times vary depending on the train, so check when booking.
Days 4 & 5: Samarkand
Start as early as you can and take the train from Bukhara to Samarkand. If possible, I’d actually take an evening train on day three so you wake up in Samarkand and have two full days to explore.
Two days is a great amount of time in Samarkand. You won’t see absolutely everything, but you’ll have enough time for the main highlights without rushing too much.
Leave some time just to wander around the city as well. Samarkand is much more spread out than Bukhara and I enjoyed seeing the more everyday side of it.
Here are the things to prioritise:
- Visit Registan Square, ideally both during the day and again at night. They normally do an evening light show.
- Explore Shah-i-Zinda, one of my favourite places in Samarkand.
- Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque and wander through Siyob Bazaar next door.
- See Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of Amir Timur.
You could also consider ticking off most of these sights in a walking tour. Here’s the tour that I did.
How to get there: Take the train from Bukhara to Samarkand. The train normally takes between 2 and 3 hours, but double check this when booking.
7 Day Itinerary for Uzbekistan
Are you planning to spend one week in Uzbekistan? 7 days is a great amount of time to see the main highlights without rushing too much.
Having said that, if you want a more leisurely paced trip, you could stick with the 5 day travel itinerary above and spend an extra day in Bukhara and Samarkand. However, if you want to see Khiva as well, here’s exactly what I’d do.
Day 1: Tashkent and overnight train
Spend your first day exploring Tashkent before taking the overnight train to Khiva. With limited time, I’d focus on Chorsu Bazaar, the Tashkent Metro and Hazrati Imam Complex rather than trying to see everything.
You can follow my Tashkent suggestions in the 5-day itinerary above, but make sure you leave enough time to collect your bags and get to the station for the overnight train.
Taking the sleeper means you don’t lose an entire day travelling across the country and you’ll arrive in Khiva in the morning ready to explore.
Day 2: Khiva
Wake up in Khiva and spend the day exploring Itchan Kala, the historic city centre and the main reason most people visit Khiva.
Khiva was actually my favourite place in Uzbekistan. It’s small, incredibly atmospheric and very easy to explore on foot, which makes one full day here doable if you’re short on time. It feels a little bit like stepping into a time machine.
I’d prioritise:
- Wandering through Itchan Kala without too much of a plan.
- Climbing one of the minarets or viewpoints for views over the old city. My favourite was the Kuhna Ark at sunset.
- Seeing the Islam Khoja Minaret.
- Staying until the evening when the day-trip crowds have started to disappear.
- Watching the Jabborov Rope Walking Show in the evening
If you want more historical context, this is also somewhere you could consider a guided walking tour, although I think Khiva is small enough to do it yourself. It also means you can stop and try some local food as and when you please.
How to get there: Take the overnight train from Tashkent to Khiva for a local experience in Uzbekistan. Alternatively, you can fly to Urgench and take a taxi from there.
Day 3: Transfer to Bukhara via the desert fortresses
Instead of travelling directly from Khiva to Bukhara, I’d use this day to visit some of the ancient Khorezm desert fortresses along the way.
You’ll need to organise a private driver or tour for this, but it’s a good way to break up a long transfer and see something completely different from Uzbekistan’s historic cities. I hired a private driver through my guesthouse but you can also use tours via Get Your Guide.
Depending on the route you choose, you can visit several ruined fortresses before continuing on to Bukhara. It’s a VERY long day and a long drive, so the alternative is to skip this and use the train to get from Khiva to Bukhara (or do a morning fortress tour and grab a train the afternoon).
I saw seven of the fortresses and it did feel a little too many, so I would suggest doing the three or five fortress tours instead.
Days 4 & 5: Bukhara
With this itinerary, you will have two days to explore Bukhara. I’d follow the same general plan as my 5-day itinerary: spend time wandering the Trading Domes and historic centre, visit the Ark and the Samanid Mausoleum, and use your second day for a walking tour or the main sights independently.
On day five, I’d take a late-afternoon or evening train to Samarkand so you have as much time there as possible.
Days 6 & 7: Samarkand
Finish your week with Samarkand. With roughly two days, I’d prioritise Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyob Bazaar and Gur-e-Amir.
If possible, see the Registan both during the day and again in the evening. It feels completely different once it’s lit up and they were doing a great light show when I was there (sometimes in English).
If you want to experience the mountains of Central Asia, you could also consider a Seven Lakes day tour to Tajikistan. It means you’ll be quite rushed in Samarkand, but it will allow you to see another side of Central Asia.
If you do opt to do the Seven Lakes day tour, be sure to check visa requirements. At the time I was visiting, Brits couldn’t get visas for Tajikistan (even for a day trip), so I had to skip this tour. I’ve heard very good things, though.
How to get there: Trains regularly run between Bukhara and Samarkand.
10 Day Itinerary for Uzbekistan (Adventure & outdoors)
If, like me, you enjoy cities for a bit but then want to be outdoors, the below 10-day itinerary is for you. You’ll still see the main historic cities, but visiting the Aral Sea gives you a completely different experience and breaks up the mosques, madrasas and museums.
Day 1: Tashkent
Spend your first day exploring Tashkent. I’d follow the one-day itinerary above and prioritise Chorsu Bazaar, the Tashkent Metro and Hazrati Imam Complex.
At the end of the day, either take the overnight train towards Khiva or fly to Urgench if you want to save time.
Day 2 Khiva
Give yourself a full day to explore Khiva and Itchan Kala. Follow the suggestions in my 7-day itinerary above, but with a little more time you can explore at a slower pace and visit some of the smaller museums and viewpoints too.
If your Aral Sea tour starts from Nukus, head there this afternoon via taxi.
Days 3 & 4: The Aral Sea
Spend the next two days and one night exploring the Aral Sea. I sadly didn’t get to do this as I planned my trip so last minute that I couldn’t find a tour that had a space for me (another reason to book ahead!).
But while I haven’t had the chance to visit the Aral Sea myself, I have heard it’s a really fun trip and an absolute must do if you’re up for an adventure and have the time.
The Aral Sea was once one of the largest lakes in the world, sitting between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. But from the 1960s onwards, the rivers feeding it were heavily diverted for Soviet irrigation projects, causing much of the sea to disappear. It’s now become a prime example of environmental destruction, causing no end of issues for both locals and biodiversity.
While the story behind it is upsetting, the trip gets you off the beaten path (quite literally), and a chance to see another side to Uzbekistan. Most trips also include a stop at Moynaq, a former fishing town that was once on the shores of the Aral Sea. The water is now many kilometres away, and old fishing boats sit stranded in the desert at what has become known as the Moynaq Ship Cemetery.
This is one activity where I’d definitely recommend booking a tour rather than trying to do everything independently. Most trips start from Nukus (and some even Khiva) and visit Moynaq before travelling further across the Aral Sea.
It’s a long journey and a lot of it is spent in a 4×4… but if you want to see a very different side of Uzbekistan, I think it’s one of the most interesting additions you can make to your itinerary. You’ll also get to spend the night in a traditional yurt.
I suggest booking with Islambek Travel. They are a local operator and very well reviewed.
Day 5: Transfer to Bukhara
Most tours to the Aral Sea will end either in Nukus or Khiva, so spend day five making your way to the next destination: the ancient city of Bukhara.
You can either take the train to Bukhara or take a car transfer via the desert fortresses. I chose to go via the ancient fortresses and hired a private driver through my guesthouse but you can also use tours via Get Your Guide.
Whichever you decide, it’s a long day of travel, even the trains can take around seven hours.
Days 6 & 7: Bukhara
Spend the next two days following the Bukhara itinerary I’ve suggested in the 7-day itinerary above.
Two days is plenty of time to see the main sights, wander through the Trading Domes and either join a walking tour or explore by yourself. With some extra time, don’t miss the lesser-visited sites like the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum.
If you want to add the Nuratau Mountains, I’d leave Bukhara on the afternoon of day seven and travel towards the mountains for an overnight stay.
How to get to Bukhara: Either by private transfer, train or plane.
Days 8-10: Samarkand (with possible overnight in Nuratau Mountains)
Next up is Samarkand, one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. With a 10-day Uzbekistan itinerary, there are two options on how to get here.
To spend the most amount of time in Samarkand, take the train straight from Bukhara to Samarkand.
Alternatively, if you want to see a bit more of the countryside and squeeze in one more outdoor adventure, then head to Samarkand via the Nuratau Mountains and spend a night in a traditional yurt.
The Nuratau Mountains sit roughly between Bukhara and Samarkand, so they can work quite well as a stop between the two rather than a completely separate trip. I recommend using Sayyod Yurt Camp (they also offer tours which include pick-up and drop-off in Samarkand/Bukhara).
Either way, be sure to give yourself at least one full day exploring Samarkand. This isn’t a lot of time, but you’ll be able to squeeze in most of the main attractions, including Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyob Bazaar and Gur-e-Amir.
If you’d rather not add another transfer to an already fairly busy itinerary, skip the Nuratau Mountains and travel straight from Bukhara to Samarkand. You’ll then have almost three full days in Samarkand, which gives you plenty of time to explore at a slower pace or add a day trip.
For the outdoor lovers, I’d personally prioritise the Seven Lakes day tour to Tajikistan. The mountains are incredible. Just check the visa requirements well in advance. When I was there, Brits weren’t being given visas (even for day trips). It sounded like it got better for a while, but now I’m hearing stories that they’re being rejected again.
Tip: Samarkand has an international airport so you may be able to travel home from here rather than heading all the way back to Tashkent.
10 Day Itinerary for Uzbekistan (City lovers or slower paced)
If history, architecture, culture and exploring cities are the main reasons you’re visiting Uzbekistan, I’d build your 10 day itinerary slightly differently.
Rather than fitting in the Aral Sea or Nuratau Mountains, this itinerary gives you more time in each of Uzbekistan’s main cities.
Note: I excluded the Aral Sea from this itinerary to give you enough time in each of the cities. However, you could easily drop a day in Khiva and Tashkent to fit in the Aral Sea.
Days 1 & 2: Tashkent
Start with two days in Tashkent.
On your first day, explore Chorsu Bazaar, the Tashkent Metro and Hazrati Imam Complex, along with some of the sights around Amir Temur Square. On day two, you could visit Minor Mosque, explore more of the metro stations or simply wander around some of Tashkent’s neighbourhoods, parks and cafes.
Having a second day means you can take things a little slower and see some of the places that are harder to fit into a one-day itinerary (if you’d rather spend more time in another one of Uzbekistan’s cities, one day is still enough time to get a feel for Tashkent).
At the end of day two, take the overnight train to Khiva or fly to Urgench.
Days 3 & 4: Khiva
Spend the next two days exploring Khiva.
One full day is enough to see the main sights inside Itchan Kala, but having two days means you don’t need to race around ticking everything off.
Spend your first day seeing the main attractions, including Islam Khoja Minaret, Kuhna Ark and the viewpoints around the old city.
On your second day, explore some of the smaller museums and buildings, try some local food and spend some time wandering around without much of a plan.
Khiva is especially lovely early in the morning and later in the evening when there are fewer tour groups around.
On day two, you could also consider a day trip to Nukus and the Muynak Ship Cemetery (although this would be a very long day), or the ancient fortresses.
Days 5 & 6: Bukhara
Take the train to Bukhara and spend two days exploring the historic centre. It’ll take you most of the day to reach Bukhara, so spend the evening relaxing and familiarising yourself with the historic centre.
I’d spend your first full day wandering through the Trading Domes, visiting Lyabi-Hauz and exploring the streets around the old city. I also visited the Chor-Bakr Necropolis while there. You’ll need to take a taxi to get there, but it’s worth it in my opinion. It’s much more off the beaten tourist path.
Use your second day to visit the main sights properly. You could take a walking tour, or explore Poi Kalyan, the Ark of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Mosque and Chor Minor independently.
I think Bukhara is a good spot for a walking tour. Everything is quite close together and I learnt so much interesting history here.
P.S – for good coffee, I recommend Donuts and Coffee (they have incredible cinnamon buns)
Days 7-10: Samarkand
Catch an early train from Bukhara to Samarkand and spend your final few days in Uzbekistan exploring one of the country’s most fascinating cities.
Three full days is more than you need simply to see the main attractions, but if you love history it means you can explore properly without trying to cram everything into a couple of days.
Spend your first two days visiting Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Siyob Bazaar.
You can then use the remaining time for some of Samarkand’s smaller attractions, museums and neighbourhoods.
You could also use one of these days for a trip outside the city. One popular option is the Seven Lakes in neighbouring Tajikistan, although this obviously means crossing an international border, so make sure you check the latest visa and entry requirements before booking anything. I personally do think it’s nice to get out of the cities and see a different side to the country.
Alternatively, just enjoy having a slower couple of days. After travelling between Tashkent, Khiva and Bukhara, you might appreciate not having to pack your bag again.
I didn’t get a chance to do this, but my friend who spent one month in Uzbekistan recommends trying a cooking class.
14 Day Uzbekistan Itinerary
If you have two weeks in Uzbekistan, you can see the main cities and still have time to get away from the usual tourist route.
Days 1 & 2: Tashkent
Spend your first two days exploring Tashkent.
Follow the suggestions above, visiting Chorsu Bazaar, Hazrati Imam Complex and some of the city’s incredible metro stations.
Having two days also gives you time to recover from your flight and explore without rushing.
With two days, you could also fit in a day trip to Charvak Lake and the Tian Shan mountains.
At the end of day two, take the overnight train to Khiva or fly to Urgench.
Days 3 & 4: Khiva
Give yourself two days in Khiva.
Explore Itchan Kala, visit the main minarets and museums and make sure you’re still inside the old city around sunset.
With two days, you can also spend some time simply wandering around. Khiva was my favourite city in Uzbekistan, so I definitely wouldn’t rush it if you have the time.
I’d also consider a visit to the ancient fortresses (this can also be done as a transfer to Bukhara – but it’s a long travel day so I’d only suggest doing this if you’re short on time).
Days 5 & 6: Aral Sea
Follow the above 10 day itinerary for lovers of the outdoors and visit the Aral Sea. I suggest booking with Islambek Travel. They are a local operator and very well reviewed.
It involves a LOT of driving, but it’s completely different from anything you’ll experience in Uzbekistan’s historic cities.
Days 7 & 8: Bukhara
Make your way to Bukhara via the train and spend the next two days exploring.
Follow the itineraries above, giving yourself time for the Trading Domes, Poi Kalyan, the Ark of Bukhara, Lyabi-Hauz and some of the smaller sights.
I’d also recommend doing a walking tour here. There’s so much history in Bukhara that I definitely got more out of the city after having someone explain what I was actually looking at!
Days 9 – 11: Nuratau Mountains
After Bukhara, swap the cities for the countryside and spend a few days around the Nuratau Mountains.
There are several homestays and tours in the area where you can stay in small villages and spend your days hiking. I suggest booking with Sayyod Camp who offer two and three day tours and can also organise transport to/from Bukhara and Samarkand.
This was another place I unfortunately didn’t manage to visit on my trip, but I think it would have made a brilliant break between Bukhara and Samarkand.
Days 12 – 14: Samarkand
Finish your Uzbekistan itinerary with three days in Samarkand.
Spend your first couple of days seeing the main attractions, including Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyob Bazaar and Gur-e-Amir.
Having a third day means you can also potentially do a day trip to the Seven Lakes in neighbouring Tajikistan (just check the visa requirements first).
I’d also leave some time just for wandering around Samarkand. It’s much bigger than Bukhara and Khiva, and I enjoyed seeing the parts of the city away from the main historic attractions.
Uzbekistan Itinerary FAQs
Is 7 days enough for Uzbekistan?
Yes and no! If you want to see the main highlights and get a feel for the country, then yes, 7 days is enough. However, if you want to travel a little slower or see more of the attractions, I’d suggest looking at 10 days or longer.
Despite the main cities being well connected, they’re still quite far apart, so you’ll need to factor in travel time too.
Is 10 days enough for Uzbekistan?
Yes! Personally, I think 10 days is the best amount of time to spend in Uzbekistan. It gives you enough time to see the major cities without rushing, while still leaving room to get slightly off the beaten path.
How many days should I spend in Samarkand?
I’d suggest having at least two full days in Samarkand. This gives you enough time to see the key attractions without rushing. If you really want to see everything, aim for three or four days, especially if you’re planning a day trip.
How many days should I spend in Bukhara?
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Bukhara. It felt almost too perfect at times. In all honesty, I think you can see most of the main sights in a single day. However, two days will let you explore at a more relaxed pace without rushing.
Is Tashkent worth visiting?
Yes! I read so many negative things about Tashkent before visiting, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a very modern city that’s also filled with culture and history, and I found it fascinating to walk around.
I’d recommend having at least one full day there, although I personally wouldn’t prioritise it over Khiva, Samarkand or Bukhara.
Should I visit Bukhara or Samarkand?
Choosing between Bukhara and Samarkand can be tough, but I’d personally choose Samarkand. While it’s bigger and doesn’t have quite the same historic feel, I think it has more to offer and, for me, it felt more authentic.
The two cities are actually very different. Bukhara has a much older feel, and its main historic area is almost like walking through a living museum. Having said that, I found the crowds overwhelming, the restaurants overpriced and some of the historic area almost a little too perfect. At times, it felt a bit like being in a theme park… just without the rides.
Samarkand, on the other hand, is a much bigger city and has a similar feel to Tashkent. It still has some incredible places to visit, though, and because the sights are more spread out, I found the crowds much easier to deal with.
How to dress in Bukhara?
You need to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered when visiting any historic site. Women may also be asked to wear a headscarf in certain places, particularly mosques.
I carried a scarf around with me but in most places, they were available to borrow or hire.
I’d also suggest wearing footwear that’s easy to remove and put back on. You have to take your shoes off in quite a few places.
Do you need to book Uzbekistan trains in advance?
Yes, yes and YES again. If you’re travelling during peak season, I’d book your trains as early as you can. Popular services can sell out quickly, and it can become very difficult to get tickets for the exact route and time you want – I learned that the hard way.
It can be annoying having to plan so far in advance, but I’d highly recommend it if you have a set itinerary.
I did notice that some extra tickets occasionally appeared on the day, but I definitely wouldn’t rely on this as there’s no guarantee it will happen.
You can book your tickets on the official Uzbekistan Railways website.
Is Uzbekistan safe to travel?
Yes! Of all the places I’ve travelled to, Uzbekistan felt like one of the safest countries. I’ve written a whole guide on safety in Uzbekistan. Although it’s aimed at solo female travellers, anyone can use it as a rough guide.
Planning a trip to Uzbekistan? You may also find these useful:
Backpacking Central Asia: 13 Things I Wish I’d Known