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

Asia

<p>Assalomu alaykum! Welcome to Uzbekistan, an epicentre for many civilisations, a place steeped in world history and tradition, and home to rare, untainted landscapes. Once a witness to the grandeur and decadence of the Mongol and Persian Empires and a privileged step of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan still has countless treasures from its multicultural past. From the Bukhara Madrasas to the gems of Timurid architecture, we come to the Khanate of Khiva in the heart of the desert, which seems almost timeless . You can feel the weight of history pervading the whole area. The country also offers great excursions, on foot and by camel, and the opportunity to discover wildlife which, despite the drought, remains as varied as it is exotic. During walks in the steppes and mountains, you will have the opportunity to observe gazelles, scorpions, lynx, mountain sheep and even snow leopards in their natural habitats.</p>

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

 Bukhara is considered to be the holiest city in Central Asia. It's a key stop on a  trip to Uzbekistan between mosques, madrassas (Islamic schools), and even mausoleums that have been here for thousands of years. 

Bukhara

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<p>One can have a somewhat superficial image of Uzbekistan with its "museum" cities. Personally <strong>I really liked Bukhara, because we came in contact with the locals.</strong> I especially could meet some Uzbeks thanks to the Couchsurfing.com website.</p> <p>These encounters allowed me to have a local's view of the city while avoiding the traditional tourist destinations. I went to lose myself in the narrow streets of Bukhara, and I let myself be guided by the city's minarets, including the Kalyan minaret, impressive at 48 meters tall.</p> <p>For music lovers, I recommend that you discover Uzbek folklore by going to a traditional music concert in an ancient madrassa. Nadir Divan-begi, for example.</p> <p>Don't forget to visit the city's bazaars to soak up the local atmosphere.</p> <p>Avoid visiting Bukhara in full summer or winter, because this city sees significant changes in temperature. Nevertheless, the city has a clear blue sky most of the time.</p> 

 <strong>Bukhara is considered to be the holiest city in Central Asia.</strong> It's a key stop on a  trip to Uzbekistan between mosques, madrassas (Islamic schools), and even mausoleums that have been here for thousands of years. 

<p>When I arrived in Bukara at 6 a.m., traveling by overnight train from Samarkand, it took my breath away! People had been talking constantly to me about Bukhara over the last two weeks of my visit, and I can confirm that the place isn't overrated at all - it genuinely is that beautiful.</p> <p>To my eyes, there are two trips that you absolutely must take:</p> <ul> <li>The "off the beaten track" option involves walking through the maze of streets that surrounds the historic city center, where ancient madrassas and minarets truly give you a sense of returning to the fourteenth century, when Timur dominated Asia. Don't worry: as you move closer to the "classic" tourist trail, the shops and somewhat pushy souvenir merchants will quickly remind you how tourism has developed in Bukara since.</li> <li>The "classic" trail couldn't be more touristy if it tried - but it is nothing if not an experience! From the outside, the ancient fortress (the Ark) is impressive, as is the square where the minaret and the Kalon Mosque are located.</li> </ul> <p>A little bonus: the Modrai Khan and Abdullah Khan madrassas, which are a little way away from the center, are superb and are forgotten by the majority of tourists.</p> 

<p>Even though the city is transitioning into a popular tourist destination, where stores of all kinds are flourishing, the magnificence of its historic monuments and ancient streets means that <strong>Bukhara is a must-see destination</strong> during your <a href="/uzbekistan/">journey to Uzbekistan</a> <a href="/uzbekistan/"></a>. </p>

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<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>

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It was amazing to visit to Bukhara and I was so glad to be here. It is difficult to explain my expression, because I made my dream become true. Everything was very good and organized at high level. Transportation between Tashkent to Bukhara train "Afrosiyob" was one of the best option to travel and I have used to try it twice. Services were well organized and I have satisfied with all. I highly recommend to visit to Bukhara 

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