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

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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

Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most visited country, and Samarkand was a key staging post on the Silk Road with its celebrated Islamic monuments.

Samarkand

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<p>I spent several days in Samarkand during my "journey to Uzbekistan" and I was quite taken aback by the city. The famous Registan Ensemble, a cluster of madrassas (Koranic schools) is extremely pretty, but I quickly noticed the walls that surround the historic district.</p> <p>Effectively, there was an active decision to hide some of the older neighborhoods (which represent the authentic, everyday life of the Uzbek people) from the tourists' view. I had the impression of wandering around a museum that was covering up the truth.</p> <p>Despite a repressive government and significant amounts of organized group tourism, it is nonetheless possible to explore the everyday lives of the Uzbek people in Samarkand. </p> <p>At first glance, I found the city superficial and almost charmless, despite its grandiose religious monuments. However, meeting the Uzbek people helped me to understand the history and culture of this mysterious city. Don't hesitate therefore to hire a local guide to embed yourself in the authentic city.</p> 

Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most visited country, and <strong>Samarkand was a key staging post on the Silk Road</strong> with its celebrated Islamic monuments.

<p>It's difficult to give a clear cut opinion on this city. On the one hand, I discovered a restored historic center, quite touristy, where the monuments are beautiful, but the general atmosphere is increasingly "mass tourism."</p> <p>But on the other hand, I enjoyed the nice old town with little side streets and small shops selling all the basic necessities. However, it's cut off and hidden from the rest of the city by a giant wall, where finding the entrance turned out be a complicated exercise.</p> <p>The fact remains that the Registan is impressive, just like the Gur-e Amir or the Bibi-Khanym mosque. Walking in the Afrasiyab cemetery at dusk while passing through the unguarded entrance to Shah-i-Zinda (to the right of the main entrance) remains an unforgettable memory of the city for me.</p> <p>Be open to what the locals can offer you. While walking, I met a young Uzbek who wanted to improve his French, and he offered me a guided tour of all of Samarkand! Excellent!</p> 

<strong>Samarkand is unbelievable</strong> with the beauty of its mausoleums, madrassas, and mosques. By contrast, if you're looking to discover the country's traditions on your <a href="/uzbekistan/">trip to Uzbekistan,</a> don't stay here too long.

<p>Few cities resonate as much in the mind of the traveler as <strong>"Samarkand, the most dazzling and celebrated of the cities along the Silk Road</strong>. " Immortalized in poetry, romance, and myth, the city of Samarkand has a lot to live up to, and might be a disappointment for travelers.  This is particularly due to the fact that the present-day city is the second largest in Uzbekistan by population, and thus consists of more than just the magical oasis along the Silk Road. However, it is difficult to be disappointed here, with the perfectly preserved, incredible historic sites: the Registan, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, or the Shah-i-ZInda Mausoleum that each display incredible colors, gilding, and architecture, embodying the wealth of this thousand-year-old city.</p> <p>Modern Samarkand itself is a little less interesting, even though its relatively large size means that this Uzbek city is still an active, lively destination. Regardless, it is an <a href="/uzbekistan/">unmissable Uzbek destination</a>. </p>

<p>The country's most dazzling city, <strong>Samarkand, is still the enchanted oasis along the Silk Road</strong> that it once was.</p>

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

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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>

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Samarkand Vacations

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