Tours to Uzbekistan from Petropavlovsk: prices

The best time for the trip is April, May, late September and October, when daytime temperatures are +20…+28 °C. The classic route: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, 7–8 days is enough for all of it.

When to go to Uzbekistan

Weather determines half of the impressions from a trip. Such tours are more sensible to plan for spring or autumn, when sightseeing does not compete with the heat, and the route through the cities goes calmly.

Spring months: blossoms and mild weather

Beach holidays in Uzbekistan in spring begin in March, and the peak of comfort falls in April and May. In Tashkent the air warms up gently, without sharp swings, and walks around the city are not tiring. In Samarkand the gardens bloom, and at Registan there are fewer tourists than in May. Bukhara and Khiva in April still breathe coolness, but by noon it is already pleasantly warm. Rain and wind do occur, so a light jacket will not hurt. Spring offers a rare balance: greenery, mild weather, and available hotels. Finish the route before the end of May, while the heat has not yet taken hold.

Autumn period: harvest and easing of heat

Autumn in Uzbekistan is the second comfortable season, and it begins in late September. In Samarkand and Bukhara it no longer scorches during the day, and in the evening it is pleasant to walk through the old quarters. Pomegranates, persimmons and melons appear at the bazaars, and that is a separate reason to linger. Khiva in October stands quiet, without the summer crowds at the walls of Ichan-Kala. By November the air grows fresher, and trips around the city require a sweater. Autumn is convenient because sightseeing goes on all day, not only in the morning and evening. Book accommodation in advance: in high season guesthouses in the old quarters are snapped up quickly.

How to cope with heat and coolness

Summer heat and winter coolness are two extremes that are worth preparing for in advance. In Uzbekistan they feel different depending on the city, and the route is adjusted accordingly.

How to cope with high temperatures in Bukhara and Khiva

In summer in Bukhara and Khiva the heat is around forty, and sightseeing is best planned for morning and evening. From noon to four in the afternoon, tours of open areas make no sense. At this time hide in a madrasah with thick walls, in a chaikhana, or in a room with air conditioning. Water should always be at hand, and a head covering is mandatory. Clothing made of light fabrics with a loose cut is easier to cope with than heavy clothing. In the evening in Samarkand and Bukhara it becomes noticeably cooler, and the city comes alive. If the heat is frightening, choose such tours for spring or autumn, and leave summer for short transfers.

Winter restrictions for out-of-town sites

In winter in the cities of Uzbekistan it is cool and sparsely populated, but some out-of-town sites operate on a shortened schedule. In Samarkand and Bukhara the city mosques and mausoleums are open, but trips to remote monuments should be checked in advance. In Khiva in winter it is quiet, but the wind at the walls of Ichan-Kala cuts through more strongly than in Tashkent. The day is short, so plan the route compactly. A warm jacket, a hat and comfortable shoes with non-slip soles are the basic kit. Winter in Uzbekistan suits those who want calm and low prices. Check the schedule of each site on the spot so as not to waste a day on closed gates.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan, https://gov.uz/en/mfa/activity_page/o-zbekiston-respublikasi-vizasi. The information on this page was verified on 17.09.2026.

Money and communications on the route

Financial and everyday details are resolved more easily if you prepare in advance. In Uzbekistan cash and cards coexist, but they are not accepted everywhere, and this is worth taking into account.

Exchanging sum and cash at bazaars

The Uzbek sum is a closed currency; exchanging it outside the country is difficult, so it is exchanged as needed. Take dollars or euros in cash with you and exchange in small amounts. The rate in banks and exchange offices at hotels differs, and at the bazaars in Bukhara and Samarkand payment is more often in cash. Small notes will come in handy for tea, taxi and souvenirs. Keep large sums in the hotel safe, and carry a daily supply with you. For beach holidays in Uzbekistan this is the usual scheme: card plus cash. Do not exchange everything at once, otherwise by the end of the trip there will be extra money that has nowhere to go.

Cards of foreign banks and taxi apps

Cards of foreign banks are not accepted everywhere, so a supply of cash is mandatory. In large hotels in Tashkent and Samarkand card payment works, but in small guesthouses and at markets it does not. Taxi apps work in the cities, and a ride costs less than hailing a car on the street. The internet is needed constantly, so a local SIM card with data pays for itself quickly. In Bukhara and Khiva drivers sometimes ask for cash, even if the order is through the app. Keep some small change for such cases. Decide in advance how much cash you are ready to carry with you each day.

How to dress and behave when visiting

Respect for local customs and care for yourself make the trip calmer. In Uzbekistan guests are treated warmly, but there are a couple of rules, and it is better to know them in advance.

Clothing for visiting mosques and mausoleums

Respectful clothing will come in handy when visiting active mosques and mausoleums. It is better to cover shoulders and knees, and women should take a scarf for entering some sites. In Samarkand and Bukhara tourists are familiar, but in active mosques the rules are stricter. Shoes are removed at the threshold, so socks without holes are not a trifle. It is better to photograph people with their consent, especially at bazaars and in residential mahallas. In Khiva inside Ichan-Kala the atmosphere is calm, and loud conversations are inappropriate. A light wrap in the backpack solves most situations.

Drinking Water and Hearty Uzbek Cuisine

Tap water is not worth drinking; bottled water is bought, and this is done everywhere in Uzbekistan. Local cuisine is abundant and fatty, so in the heat appetite decreases on its own. Pilaf, samsa and manti are filling, and it is better to leave a pause between meals. In Bukhara and Khiva in summer, do not fill up before a sightseeing tour. Green tea helps better than soda and is served in any teahouse. Fruits from bazaars in Samarkand should be washed with bottled water. If your stomach is sensitive, take your usual medications with you.

What to see in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva?

The classic route around the country is assembled from four cities, and each gives its own character to the trip. Uzbek architecture, bazaars and teahouses add up to a coherent picture if you follow the route without rushing.

The Capital and Its Bazaars

Tashkent is a convenient starting point: flights arrive here, trains to Samarkand and Bukhara depart from here. The metro is an attraction in itself, and Chorsu Market gives a first idea of local tastes. In the capital it is worth staying for a day: the old city, Kukeldash Madrasah, the embankment. In summer it is hot during the day, so walks are better scheduled for the morning. In the evening the city becomes softer, and dinner in a teahouse drags on for a long time. From here it is convenient to leave for Samarkand by high-speed train.

Samarkand: Registan and the Observatory

Samarkand is the heart of the route, and it is worth allocating at least two days to it. The Registan, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum and the Ulugh Beg Observatory are close together, but require time. In the morning the square is almost empty, and photos come out without a crowd. By lunchtime it is hot, so a break in the shade and a teahouse is mandatory. In the evening the illumination changes the appearance of the ensemble, and the city comes alive again. Beach holidays in Uzbekistan are hard to imagine without Samarkand: here the density of history per square meter is the highest.

Bukhara and Khiva: Time Inside the Walls

Bukhara and Khiva give what big cities do not: a sense of time stopped inside the walls. In Bukhara the old city is residential, and ordinary streets with houses run between the madrasahs. Khiva is more compact: Itchan Kala can be walked around in a day, and that is convenient. In Bukhara it is worth staying for two days; in Khiva one is enough. In spring and autumn it is especially good here, and in summer only the early morning saves you. Buy souvenirs on the spot: ceramics and fabrics here are local.

How much does the trip cost and how to assemble it?

The price depends on the season, hotel class and the way to get to Tashkent. Aim for 7–8 days of the route: this is enough for four cities without rushing.

Briefly

• Spring and autumn are comfortable seasons for traveling around the country.
• In summer in Bukhara and Khiva, sightseeing tours are planned for morning and evening.
• In winter, some suburban sites operate on a reduced schedule.
• Registration at hotels is arranged automatically; in the private sector it is on the owner.
• Sum is exchanged as needed, carrying cash dollars or euros.