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

The appeal of Nukus as a destination boils down to the Savitsky Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art, which - for what it's worth - is absolutely fantastic. Otherwise... there's not much else.

Nukus

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

<p>The capital of Karakalpakstan, Nukus is the last "city" in western Uzbekistan. The town isn't particularly interesting, but I stayed there during my <a href="/uzbekistan/">journey to Uzbekistan</a> for several reasons:</p> <p>Igor Savitsky brought together an incredible school of Russian artists who had been censured by the Stalinist regime. The museum that displays their work is a cultural oasis in the middle of the desert.</p> <p>It's also the last city to speak of. As you head further west, you have to make do with a very Spartan level of comfort, and cuisine that is highly tailored to local tastes!</p> <p>If you want to see the Aral Sea up close, you need to organize your trip here (there is an agency that offers trips to the Aral Sea by 4×4), and heading out further before making your arrangements would be extremely complicated, or even impossible if you don't have a vehicle!</p>

<strong>The appeal of Nukus as a destination boils down to the Savitsky</strong> Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art, which - for what it's worth - is absolutely fantastic. Otherwise... there's not much else.

<p>It goes without saying that, as soon as you set foot in <strong>Nukus, one of Uzbekistan's largest cities,</strong> you will be overwhelmed with a single, all-consuming desire... to get out of there as soon as possible. Sketchy, dirty, polluted and dusty, with massive concrete boulevards clogged with virulent traffic jams, Soviet tower blocks crumbling all around you: there is seemingly nothing in the town to offset the overwhelming sense of despair. On top of all that, the climate seems to amplify the hostile atmosphere with sweltering summers and glacial winters.</p> <p>However, despite the catastrophic backdrop, there is a museum that stands out from all the doom and gloom: the Savitsky Museum, also known as the Nukus Art Museum, reveals an utterly exceptional collection of historic artifacts, as well as the world's second greatest collection of avant-garde Russian art. In fact, it's shocking to find such a concentration of artworks in a town in the southern reaches of the <a href="/uzbekistan/">Uzbek</a> desert.  However this unpredictability is actually a hallmark of the region and, in my view, that is what gives it its charm.</p>

<p>Deep in the <strong>depressing concrete jungle of Nukus</strong> is, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, one of Uzbekistan's finest museums.</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 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 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 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.

Nukus Vacations

Nukus: How to get there?

Nukus: When to go?

Nukus: For how long?

Nukus: What to see in the surroundings?