Uzbekistan vacations
Tours & vacations in 2019 & 2020

The UNESCO-listed walled, old city of Khiva, known as Ichon Qala, was the unexpected gem of this trip. Also, swimming in the man-made Lake Aidarkul in the middle of the Kyzylkum desert was a surprising and relaxing pleasure. (more)Christine Biggs

Visiting the silk road cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara and having time to wander in each place and admire the reconstructed buildings. The guide Dilshod is extremely knowledgeable and a superb fixer. Uzbekistan is full of architectural surprises and friendly people. I would highly recommend a trip there. (more)Sally-Anne Deards

Each of the cities visited were very different and interesting and I really enjoyed the night in the Yurt and the camel ride and swim in the lake (more)Rosemary Chinchen

The most memorable part of the vacation was... Camping by the Darvasa gas crater, the off-road drive to the Gonur Depe archaeological site or the wacky city of Ashgabat (more)David Finbow

The hospitable and very friendly people wherever we went - smiling faces all the way. Also the sheer vastness of Kyrgyzstan, which I loved - the dramatic mountain passes, the shepherds bringing their animals down from the high pastures. (more)Sara Warren

Excellent. Our tour leader, Jude, was knowledgeable, unflappable and always encouraging and helpful. She really made the vacation. (more)Ann Rix

Memorable parts? The Pass between the Pamirs and the Tien Shan mountains and Sary Tash; the Chinese warriors, the Registan at dusk. Tips? Take luggage you can carry up and down stairs. Enjoy it, it’s wonderful. Local benefits? A little. Wonderful Overall rating? Wonderful (more)Imogen Bell

Memorable parts? Walking in the Kyrgyz mountains. Tips? Be prepared to be flexible, pack light. Local benefits? Interaction with local people was good. Difficult to evaluate environmental impact. Use of personal water bottles is a good idea, but drinking water is mainly supplied in single use plastic bottles. Conservation is probably supported only by the fact that as tourists you bring much needed dollars into the country. Overall rating? Very good, a great way to... (more)Ges Payne

The most memorable part of the vacation was the stunning architecture of Tamerlane's Samarkand. (more)David Gibson

The most exciting part of the vacation was seeing the crater and the mountains. (more)Malvina Limb

I did feel that it was a trip of a lifetime (more)Shaun Casey

The most exciting part of this trip was the road journeys and bus that had plenty of space to sit alone. (more)Catherine Albers

Traveling the mountains of Tajikistan and the homestay there was the most memorable. (more)Ana Maria Lopez

Memorable parts? We did. Trek over Ton Prival pass, approximately 4,100m high, through the snow, for 9 hours. It was an exhilarating day, with the most amazing views. The view from the top was great, but every corner on the way it just got better and better. That was a definite highlight! Tips? Have as much time as you can to spare. We managed 31 days, which allowed lots of time for visiting cities as well as hiking, which was the primary point of our trip. Don't overlook places... (more)David Harper

Excellent (more)Martin Diamond

The islamic architecture was great. (more)Martin Diamond

10+ - definitely somewhere to recommend. (more)Sheila Taylor

All of it was memorable (more)Dianne Garwood

We enjoyed the whole trip, but Kyrgyzstan was a highlight. Also the Labrang Monastery was lovely. Very good. It adjusted the way I think about the world. (more)Becky MacLeod

Do not hesitate!! It is very interesting trip and very well organised. (more)Ljiljana Padjen-Pajovic

Fascinating....The wonderful places we saw and the differences between the three stans (more)Sophie Luard

It was all memorable and exciting. (more)John Hayes

The vacation was very good, learnt lots and as only a small group we all got on very well. (more)Anne Higgins

The whole trip was pretty exciting but I particularly enjoyed Bukhara. (more)Helen Berg

Excellent! The v isit to desert fortresses north of Urgench was the most memorable part (more)John Bird

We were able to get a small sense of what the Silk Road merchants must have experienced, and also an insight into some pretty remote parts of Central Asia. (more)Anne Teal

One of the best trips I have been on !! (more)Joan Godman

A series of memorable experiences that will continue to be thought about in the weeks and months to come. (more)Roger Slade

Memorable parts? Loved beautiful buildings and people friendly and welcoming Tips? Take water filter bottle to help reduce use of plastic bottles. May need soft pillow as bedding and pillows was hard in some hotels. Local benefits? Yes country needs tourism and is developing fast. But now unspoilt and very safe and welcoming. People proud of their country which has well maintained buildings and is clean and culturally really interesting. Overall rating? 10/10 (more)Heather Reed

Memorable parts? Climbing the Islam Khodja minaret (not for the faint of heart) and being rewarded with the most spectacular view over Khiva. Not too bad for my first day! Tips? Learn some pleasantries in Uzbek/Russian: few people speak English, and this is a great way to connect. Local benefits? Yes: I only purchased items at locally-run/owned places and all of the accommodations were also locally operated. Additionally, I can speak some Russian so I was able to have (basic)... (more)Milla

Memorable parts? The burning crater Tips? Pack half what you think you need and buy stuff like silk scarves, carpets in Buchara Local benefits? Yes Overall rating? Excellent (more)Simon Castleman

The most exciting part of the trip was the architecture, increasing in grandeur from Khiva to Bukhara to Samarkand - breathtaking. (more)Paul Hill

My most memorable part of the vacation was emerging from our taxi and seeing Registan Square in Samarkand sparkling in the afternoon sunshine. It was absolutely breathtaking. (more)Ondre Webb

An informative, interesting, and awe inspiring vacation. (more)Graham Packer

So many 'Wow' moments would be impossible to choose just one favourite! (more)Val Matthews

The culture and architecture were memorable. The guides were very knowledgeable and gave a great history of the silk road itself. (more)Dave Hinder

Memorable parts? Learning about the impact of the Central Asia region - both for centuries past, and the possibilities for the future. Also seeing all the marvellous historical forts, mosques, madrassahs and other buildings remaining from the Silk Road era. Tips? Accommodation and food are definitely around 2-star ... and traveling long distances in a small mini-bus was uncomfortable. It is also quite difficult to change money - the best option is to take USD and change at a bank. Local... (more)Sarah Nicholson

The most memorable parts of our vacation were the cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand as expected, but the petroglyphs at Sarmish Say gorge were also outstanding. (more)Geraldine Butler

There are a few! But I think for me the stay in yurt camps and remoteness of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the contrast of history and architecture in Uzbekistan will stay with me the most. (more)Amanda Gordon

Very well organised, fascinating, memorable and packed with thought-provoking information. Feel I've been on a rollercoaster history lesson from 500 BC to the 21st century. Highly recommended. (more)Caroline Gant

Memorable parts? Experiencing a rare storm in the desert on the journey to the shores of the Aral Sea. The tracks soon turned into raging streams, there was thunder and lightning and even hail. We had been prepared for dust but the 4X4 drivers quickly adapted to floods and mud so we had an exciting off road experience. Tips? The wild camping and spending a night in a yurt contrast well with sightseeing in the fabulous cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. Be adaptable and enjoy... (more)Diana Rybinski