Responsible tourism in Uzbekistan
The ancient history of Uzbekistan is overwhelming, but slavery is not really something that jumps to mind. However, this is a country with a culture of enforced labour and other human rights issues such as torture and preventing freedom of speech. However, it is also a country that is new to tourism, so the opportunities are there to become a responsible, outward-facing country that respects worldwide democratic principles. Do read up on the issues before you go, but don’t be all gung ho about asking questions when you are there. Politics is still a sore subject, and this is still a police state. Softly softly is the only way. For further reading check out the stunning book, A Carpet Ride to Khiva by Christopher Alexander which reveals the many layers of Uzbek society.
Our Uzbekistan Vacations
Uzbekistan small group tour
Explore cities and landscapes of the ancient Silk Road
From
US $2349 to US $2799
11 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan small group vacation
10 days exploring the Silk Road Treasures of Uzbekistan
From
US $2244 to US $2619
10 days
ex flights
The Silk Road small group tour
Discover the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
From
US $3499 to US $3949
14 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan tours
See the Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
From
£1375 to £1425
9 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan tour, Road to Samarkand
Travel the ancient Silk Road through remote Central Asia.
From
US $2270 to US $2820
11 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan vacation, Tamerlane's Empire
Take a deeper look into the hidden gems of Uzbekistan
From
£2800 to £2990
15 days
ex flights
PEOPLE & CULTURE
Uzbekistan was the world’s second biggest user of modern-day slavery according to the 2016 Global Slavery Index.![]()
The mass production of cotton in Uzbekistan was introduced as a concept during the Soviet era, when its exports became of vast importance to the economy, as they still are today. Sometimes described as ‘white gold’, it is a bit like oil for the Middle East, except it is not going to run out. The ways in which it is produced, however, are highly unsustainable for the land, with intensive farming having destroyed large swathes of valuable rural land as well as drying out the once-vast Aral Sea. In addition, there is a history of enforced labour every year during the harvest, or pahta. This has included the use of child labour, as well as students and state employees who risked losing their jobs if they didn’t contribute. Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International are on the cotton case, and there was a recent worldwide call to boycott Uzbek cotton, which many international organisations adhered to. So, in the meantime, you may want to think twice about buying cotton while you are there, or at least look into a more Fairtrade option, which is in its nascence because, of course, the sale of cotton is still vital to small rural producers. Alternatively, dig back into history and buy the beauty that existed well before cotton: handmade silk.
Fairtrade International:
"Across Central Asia, more and more farmers want to join Fairtrade. Dried apricot producers in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan would like to sell on Fairtrade terms and we are looking into extending the Standards to this region. But the challenge of finding buyers for their products remains."
"Across Central Asia, more and more farmers want to join Fairtrade. Dried apricot producers in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan would like to sell on Fairtrade terms and we are looking into extending the Standards to this region. But the challenge of finding buyers for their products remains."
What you can do
Read up on the boycott of Uzbek cotton, with a lot of good information on leading ethical fashion website Good On You. And when you read up on it, take this opportunity to assess your pre-vacation consumer frenzy to pack as many t-shirts or summer dresses as possible from shops that support cheap and exploitative labour. Good on You has an excellent app which highlights the ethical practices of leading stores. Also, read up on the work of Amnesty International, which is not only fighting to stop forced labour in Uzbekistan but also to protect general human rights with regards to torture and freedom of expression there. Do consider becoming a member if human rights are important to you on your travels. These guys are fighting for human rights at the coal face all the time, not just vacation time.
And of course, when you are in Uzbekistan, seek out more traditional, ethical souvenirs:
Jonny Bealby, founder of our supplier, Wild Frontiers, says there are plenty of alternatives to cotton:
“The Fergana Valley is a little visited area of Uzbekistan and a good place for shopping, with silk factories to visit where you can watch and learn about the full silk making process. All round Uzbekistan you can buy locally produced pottery and ceramics that are painted by hand and are very beautiful souvenirs. And of course, everywhere in Central Asia is big on their carpets. They can be handmade depending on how much you want to pay and some tourists choose to have them sent home after their trip; you can spend thousands of pounds on a on a carpet if you want to.”
Read up on the boycott of Uzbek cotton, with a lot of good information on leading ethical fashion website Good On You. And when you read up on it, take this opportunity to assess your pre-vacation consumer frenzy to pack as many t-shirts or summer dresses as possible from shops that support cheap and exploitative labour. Good on You has an excellent app which highlights the ethical practices of leading stores. Also, read up on the work of Amnesty International, which is not only fighting to stop forced labour in Uzbekistan but also to protect general human rights with regards to torture and freedom of expression there. Do consider becoming a member if human rights are important to you on your travels. These guys are fighting for human rights at the coal face all the time, not just vacation time.
And of course, when you are in Uzbekistan, seek out more traditional, ethical souvenirs:
Jonny Bealby, founder of our supplier, Wild Frontiers, says there are plenty of alternatives to cotton:
“The Fergana Valley is a little visited area of Uzbekistan and a good place for shopping, with silk factories to visit where you can watch and learn about the full silk making process. All round Uzbekistan you can buy locally produced pottery and ceramics that are painted by hand and are very beautiful souvenirs. And of course, everywhere in Central Asia is big on their carpets. They can be handmade depending on how much you want to pay and some tourists choose to have them sent home after their trip; you can spend thousands of pounds on a on a carpet if you want to.”
Culture & etiquette
Uzbekistan can be confusing. It is Islamic yet it has a lot of Soviet influences, so it is important to get a bit of a handle on cultural conventions. They seem to be quite fluid in some places but then rigid in others. So, for example, pork won’t be served in many restaurants due to the fact that it is a Muslim country, but you may be given vodka as an aperitif.The Uzbeks are very hospitable and love to invite visitors into their homes. You will get etiquette gold stars for remembering to remove your shoes, bring a gift and shake everyone’s hands – although some particularly strict Muslim homes don’t encourage shaking women’s hands, so let your hosts lead on that one. As a guest for a meal (and there is nearly always some food offered wherever you go), you may be asked to start the meal and, therefore, offer a toast. If this is the case, always thank your host in your toast. Sometimes there is cutlery, but most Uzbeks eat with their hand. If you join them in this tradition, it is important to remember to eat only with your right hand. Do also accept everything you are offered, even if you don’t fancy another vodka.
Dress sensitively and cover up in rural areas, or people’s homes. The cities are more laid back, but in other parts of the country, respecting the Muslim traditions of keeping shoulders and legs covered is the respectful thing to do. Another important aspect of Uzbek life is respecting the elderly.
In general, do not discuss politics. Uzbekistan was under the rule of Islam Karimov for 27 years, a premiership shrouded in secrets, conspiracies and authoritarianism. It is still more or less a police state and criticising or commenting on the current government is not something people are happy doing.
In general, do not discuss politics. Uzbekistan was under the rule of Islam Karimov for 27 years, a premiership shrouded in secrets, conspiracies and authoritarianism. It is still more or less a police state and criticising or commenting on the current government is not something people are happy doing.
Mike Pullman, from our supplier Wild Frontiers:
“No one would discuss politics at all in Uzbekistan. Our guide very much toed the party line and said ‘the president’s great and everyone’s very happy with the president, and we have these very fair elections..."
“No one would discuss politics at all in Uzbekistan. Our guide very much toed the party line and said ‘the president’s great and everyone’s very happy with the president, and we have these very fair elections..."
WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENT
Water can be in short supply in Uzbekistan, for several reasons. One is historic, with the transformation of agriculture from traditional farming to intensive cotton farming. This infamously dried up a vital water supply, Lake Aral, as a result of the diversion of the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya Rivers to irrigate the cotton fields. The land around this now dried up lake is also now salinised and unusable for farming. The recent farming of watermelons is not helping the water situation in this desert terrain either.
During the Soviet era, the five countries of the region shared their energy and water resources successfully, but the new borders and politics make this tricky. And a lack of basics like water and energy has, hardly surprisingly, led to local unrest in many areas. According to the World Bank research from 2016, only a quarter of households have access to a centralised sewerage system and, outside Tashkent, many houses depend on public water pumps for their drinking water. Tourism is growing in Uzbekistan, and so we must be careful that by providing tourists with all the water they need, or think they need, local people aren’t being deprived further.
What you can do
Use water sparingly. All common sense stuff really. Shower instead of bath and keep them short. Don’t leave the tap running when brushing teeth, and ask your hosts how best to preserve it for their own uses. Short of taking on the department of the environment, there is little else you can do at this time. On a more positive note, there are scientists who believe that the Aral Sea, or Lake, can be restored. Read the New Scientist for more details.
During the Soviet era, the five countries of the region shared their energy and water resources successfully, but the new borders and politics make this tricky. And a lack of basics like water and energy has, hardly surprisingly, led to local unrest in many areas. According to the World Bank research from 2016, only a quarter of households have access to a centralised sewerage system and, outside Tashkent, many houses depend on public water pumps for their drinking water. Tourism is growing in Uzbekistan, and so we must be careful that by providing tourists with all the water they need, or think they need, local people aren’t being deprived further.
What you can do
Use water sparingly. All common sense stuff really. Shower instead of bath and keep them short. Don’t leave the tap running when brushing teeth, and ask your hosts how best to preserve it for their own uses. Short of taking on the department of the environment, there is little else you can do at this time. On a more positive note, there are scientists who believe that the Aral Sea, or Lake, can be restored. Read the New Scientist for more details.
Linda Maguire from our supplier, Undiscovered Destinations, shares her opinion on the issue of land degradation in Central Asia: “When we were crossing areas of Uzbekistan it looked as though the land was thick with snow because of the salt that lay on top of it. They have a huge problem with salt water and actually with water supply full stop and yet they’re intent on growing things like melons and cotton, which need vast quantities of water to grow. You have to wonder how on earth they can possibly keep up such a supply into the future. The water they do have is very salty, and though they try and wash the salt away to cultivate the land, it always comes back. They do have agriculture, but it’s very hard to see how it is sustainable.”
Responsible tourism tips
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, shares travel tips for men:
“Be wary in hotels, because lots of ladies will approach you. You will think you are the most popular man in the world, but prostitution is rife throughout the country which is not a good thing.”
“Be wary in hotels, because lots of ladies will approach you. You will think you are the most popular man in the world, but prostitution is rife throughout the country which is not a good thing.”
More about Uzbekistan
The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in spring or autumn, when you will avoid the scorched summers and freezing winters.
Our Uzbekistan travel guide explores the country at the very heart of the Silk Road, and one that has absorbed the many cultures that passed along its roads and trails.
Our Uzbekistan map and highlights pinpoint not only the cultural gems of the Silk Road, such as Samarkand and Bukhara, but also the far northern deserts, the southern belle of Shakhrisabz and many other lesser known Uzbek unique spots.
The Silk Road hubs and Islamic architectural wonders are all musts when working out things to do in Uzbekistan, but there is a whole array of life going on here.
The Silk Road through Uzbekistan: The Silk Road can seem just too big to get your head around, geographically and historically.
Uzbekistan's Central Asian setting made it one of the Silk Road's most important stopovers with numerous cultural influences all still present in the food that's served today.
A visit to Uzbekistan is like leafing through the charred chapters of the Silk Road and nowhere is this ambience more exemplified than within the Islamic architecture adorning the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent.
Uzbekistan is definitely a bit like Marmite, as you will discover from our Uzbekistan travel advice.
