An inland sea straddling Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea has now almost dried out,&nbsp;exposing a landscape of desolate desert.

Asia

Uzbekistan

Aral Sea

Located on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Lenin Peak climbs majestically to a height of 7,134 meters. 

Lenin

A tiny Turkmen village razed in 2002 by order of the President, Derweze is famous for its fiery crater, nicknamed the "Door to Hell." 

Darvaza

Khiva is a small, fortified town located in the middle of the Uzbek desert. The town is an open-air museum with an enormous number of Islamic religious monuments that are open to visitors.

Khiva

Merv is an ancient, historic Islamic city on the Silk Road and is one of the finest examples of early Islamic culture. 

Merv

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

<p>Today, the city lies in ruins <strong>but , at least according to legend, Merv was the largest city in the world in the twelfth century</strong>, when it was an opulent oasis on the Silk Road. Historically, it played a role in the development of the Islamic world as important as that of Cairo or Baghdad.</p> <p>Nonetheless, I unfortunately have to admit that my visit left me a bit disappointed. That's because it was such a leap of imagination to envisage the splendor of the city as it must have been in the past. Very little of the Merv of antiquity remains, except for a few fortified walls, the citadel and a mausoleum. It is a fabulous experience to find historic remains so deep in the arid desert landscape, which makes the visit particularly compelling for during a <a href="/turkmenistan/">visit to Turkmenistan</a>. </p>

<p>Merv is an ancient, historic Islamic city on the Silk Road and <strong>is one of the finest examples of early Islamic culture.</strong> </p>

The best local travel agencies in Uzbekistan for family tours with kids

Family trip ideas in Uzbekistan

The best tailor-made Uzbekistan trips for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect family vacation with a local expert in Uzbekistan

Family trips in Uzbekistan

Family Trips

Family Vacations in Uzbekistan | Child-Friendly Travel

The best local travel agencies in Uzbekistan for one week trips

One week trip ideas in Uzbekistan

The best one-week trips to explore Uzbekistan, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect one week trip with a local expert in Uzbekistan

One week in Uzbekistan

One Week Trips

One Week in Uzbekistan | 7 Day Tailor-Made Trips

The best local travel agencies in Uzbekistan for history and heritage trips

Trip ideas for visiting Uzbekistan's historical sites

The best tailor-made trips to see Uzbekistan's historical sites, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect history tour with a local expert in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan historical sites

History & Heritage

History Tours in Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan's Best Historical Sites

The best local travel agencies in Uzbekistan for Summer vacations

Summer trip ideas in Uzbekistan

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a data-destination-id="100" data-internal-link="destination">Uzbekistan&nbsp;</a></strong>is an under-the-radar destination in the heart of central <strong><a href="https://www.evaneos.com/asia-travel/" target="_blank">Asia</a></strong>. Home to ancient cities and the famous Silk Road, it features medieval mosques and walled cities that sit side by side with Soviet-era architecture. Summer in Uzbekistan is hot, with long hours of daylight to maximise your sightseeing time. Uzbekistan is firmly off-the-beaten-track and promises a fascinating vacation to remember.</span></p><h3>Why should I visit Uzbekistan in summer?</h3><p>The climate is the main reason for visiting Uzbekistan in summer. June to September are warm and dry, in contrast to winter which is much colder and often wet. There's lots to see in Uzbekistan, so maximise your time in central Asia's most vibrant and interesting country by booking an English-speaking guide.<br></p><h3>Best things to do in Uzbekistan in summer</h3><p>Uzbekistan is so rich in history and culture that you'll want to pack in as much as possible. <strong>With careful planning, you'll be able to see all the main sights</strong>, whether your interests are <strong><a href="https://www.evaneos.com/uzbekistan/tours-historical-sites/" target="_blank">historic</a></strong>, cultural or artistic. Spend some time in the major cities, but leave time to see the rural landscapes too. Here are the top things to do in Uzbekistan.<br></p><h4>See the past at Shah-i-Zinda</h4><p>Cool off on hot Uzbek summer afternoons at the mausoleum complex of Shah-i-Zinda. The shaded rooms around the shrine make for a cool retreat from the sun, each <strong>tiled so delicately they are considered the best in the Islamic world</strong>. The sunsets here are spectacular, so it's worth timing your visit accordingly.<br></p><h4>See the crossroads of culture in Samarkand</h4><p>Samarkand is one of the oldest inhabited <strong><a href="https://www.evaneos.com/uzbekistan/tours-city-breaks/" target="_blank">cities</a> </strong>in central Asia, and an important stopping point along the historic Silk Road between China and Europe. Don't miss Registan Square, packed with <strong>ornate doorways, minarets, and elaborate tiles</strong>. It’s here that the east really did meet the west, and this is evidenced in its architecture.&nbsp;<br></p><h4>Explore the walls of ancient Itchan Kala</h4><p>Itchan Kala is the walled center of Khiva and is home to <strong>a high concentration of historic monuments</strong> and buildings. Climb the watchtower or a minaret and peer through the doors of splendid palaces.<br></p><h4>Escape the cities in the Fergana Valley</h4><p>The Fergana Valley covers a wide area of Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries. It's a place where time seems to have barely passed, as <strong>weavers, potters, and wood carvers still work using traditional methods</strong>. The valley is the center of the Uzbek wine industry, and you can visit a vineyard for a tasting session.<br></p><h4>Stand on the bottom of the Aral Sea</h4><p>Over the last 50 years, the <strong>Aral Sea has shrunk to 10% of its original size</strong>. A sobering aspect of the lack of water is the ship graveyard at Muynak, where visitors can stroll around ships, hundreds of miles from water.<br></p><h3>What’s the weather like in Uzbekistan in summer?</h3><p>Uzbekistan has a continental climate, with <strong>hot summers and cool winters</strong>. Temperatures in the summer can reach as high as over 100°F, although temperatures around the mid 80s are more typical. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed sun hat.</p>

Start planning your summer trip to Uzbekistan

The best tailor-made trips to visit Uzbekistan in Summer, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect summer vacation in Uzbekistan with a local expert

Summer in Uzbekistan

Summer Trips

Summer Vacations to Uzbekistan | Tailor-Made Travel

The best local travel agencies in Uzbekistan for city tours

Trip ideas for visiting Uzbekistan's cities

The best whistle-stop tours and city breaks in Uzbekistan, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Merv Vacations

Merv: How to get there?

Merv: When to go?

Merv: For how long?

Merv: What to see in the surroundings?