Before you embark on this enchanting journey to Uzbekistan, here’s what you need to know and the arrangements you should make to ensure a seamless adventure. To ensure that your choice of departures, tours and hotels are available, we highly recommend an early reservation, especially during the high seasons, which run from mid April through mid June and from the end of August through early November. Book in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak tourist seasons or to popular destinations like Samarkand and Bukhara.
Do check the latest visa requirements for your nationality and apply well in advance. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity from the date of entry and has enough blank pages for stamps. Domestic flights are an option for covering large distances quickly, but trains and cars offer a closer look at the country’s landscape. Reserve your tickets early, particularly for high-speed trains, which are a popular and convenient way to travel between major cities.
Understanding Uzbek customs and a few phrases in the local language can greatly enhance your experience. Learn basic Uzbek greetings and read up on the cultural norms to show respect and build rapport with locals.
Uzbekistan is filled with must-see destinations, from the Registan in Samarkand to the walled city of Khiva. Plan your itinerary to include these highlights, but also allow time for unexpected discoveries.
Prepare for a range of climates depending on the season. Pack light, breathable clothing for the hot summers and warm layers for the cooler months. Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes for exploring the cities’ historical sites.
Venturing to Uzbekistan is most effortlessly achieved by taking to the skies. The capital, Tashkent, stands as a central nexus, welcoming travelers from the bustling airports of Europe, the sprawling cities of Asia, and the dynamic centers of the Middle East. There is even a direct flight between Uzbekistan and USA. A multitude of international airlines grace Tashkent’s gates, making it a prime gateway for explorers and adventurers alike.
The national flag bearer, Uzbekistan Airways, is your reliable conduit to this enchanting land, with regular services from global metropolises such as London, Frankfurt, Paris, New York, Beijing, Bangkok, Seoul and a host of others. The airline’s reach extends within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), ensuring that the cultural tapestry of the region is well within your grasp.
Upon landing in the enchanting realm of Uzbekistan, you’ll find the customs process streamlined for your convenience. Each international airport is equipped with a green channel, facilitating a swift passage for those carrying no prescription drugs classified as narcotic or psychotropic substances. Should you arrive unencumbered by such medications, you’re free to bypass the customs declaration form and proceed through the green channel.
However, if your journey necessitates the transport of prescription drugs from the specified categories, the red channel beckons. Here, you must present a customs declaration form, duly filled in duplicate. It’s imperative to declare all such medications. Remember to secure a copy of this declaration, endorsed by a customs official, and retain it for the duration of your stay in Uzbekistan. This protocol extends beyond the skies, to every land border crossing throughout the country.
As an international visitor to Uzbekistan, it’s essential to secure your stay within the first 72 hours of your arrival. Should you choose the comfort of a licensed hotel, rest easy as your registration is seamlessly handled at check-in. However, it’s wise to verify this with budget accommodations, as not all may be authorized to register your stay.
Upon registration, you’ll receive a slip, a crucial document that should accompany your passport wherever you go. This slip is more than just paper; it’s your peace of mind, ensuring that your travels within Uzbekistan are without a hitch.
A word to the wise: opting for private lodgings? Make sure to acquire that all-important registration paper. Neglecting this could complicate your departure.
As your journey in Uzbekistan comes to a close, and you prepare to depart, immigration officials will verify your passport and visa. They’ll also expect a narrative of your sojourn, told through the registration slips from each night’s stay. Keep these slips within easy reach, ideally clipped to your passport, to bid farewell to Uzbekistan as smoothly as you were welcomed.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has been on a mission to enhance its hospitality landscape, ensuring that every traveler’s experience is nothing short of comfortable. The nation’s major urban centers, including the historic gems of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, have seen a surge in the construction of top-notch hotels. These establishments are the epitome of modern comfort, meeting international standards that cater to the needs of the global wanderer.
For those seeking a more intimate and budget-friendly option, the charm of family-run inns and bed-and-breakfast establishments awaits. These cozy accommodations provide a warm welcome without weighing down your travel budget.
Step into most hotel rooms and you’ll find yourself enveloped in the conveniences of contemporary living: a refreshing shower, a private bath, the cool respite of air conditioning, a telephone to connect you with the world, and a satellite TV that brings global channels like CNN, BBC, and ESPN to your fingertips.
As you embark on your Uzbek journey, rest assured that converting your US Dollars, Euros, UK Pounds, and Japanese Yen into the local currency, Uzbek soums, is a straightforward process available at banks and hotel exchange counters. However, it’s important to note that only crisp, clean banknotes pass muster; those that are aged, scribbled on, torn, or creased are typically turned away. Should you find yourself with such notes, the National Bank of Uzbekistan in Tashkent may exchange them, albeit with a 10% service charge.
When it comes to reconverting soums into hard currency, the task can be challenging. To avoid any inconvenience, it’s wise to utilize your soums before your departure. Nevertheless, Tashkent International Airport offers a beacon of hope, providing a fair exchange rate for those last-minute conversions back to dollars.
A word to the wise: steer clear of American Express Travelers Cheques. A limited places where they are accepted, their high fees and unfavorable exchange rates make them a less-than-ideal choice for your travels in Uzbekistan.
In the realm of Uzbek commerce, cash reigns supreme, particularly in the form of Uzbek soums. While credit cards may find their niche within the confines of Tashkent’s more luxurious establishments, their utility fades in the everyday transactions of shops, eateries, and local transport. Visa cards enjoy a modest acceptance in the upscale hotels of not only Tashkent but also Samarkand and Bukhara, whereas Mastercard holders may find their options even more limited.
The landscape of ATM availability is expanding across Uzbekistan, with machines increasingly common. In the upscale hotels of Tashkent, dedicated ATMs for Mastercard and Visa are available, dispensing US dollars, though reliability can be an issue due to frequent outages or cash shortages. This unpredictability extends to the ATMs of various banks throughout Tashkent, which also cater to Visa and Mastercard users.
For those in need of US dollars, a more dependable method involves obtaining a cash advance through a local bank. Visa cardholders can turn to institutions like KDB Bank Uzbekistan and the National Bank of Uzbekistan, while Asaka Bank stands as the sole provider for Mastercard cash advances. These services typically incur a fee ranging from 2 to 4 percent of the withdrawn amount.
When planning your banking needs, keep in mind the operational hours: banks open their doors from 09:00 to 16:00, pausing for a lunch break between 13:00 and 14:00, and remain closed on weekends and public holidays. Exchange offices offer broader availability, operating from 08:00 to 18:00 and around the clock within larger hotels.
At Shahina Travel, we prioritize the well-being and peace of mind of our adventurers. That’s why securing travel insurance is a highly advisable step for all our tour members. When you’re preparing for your journey, it’s essential to partner with a trusted insurance provider to ensure you’re covered comprehensively throughout your travels. Your policy should shield you against unforeseen events, including personal injuries, medical bills, emergency evacuations, and even the loss of personal belongings. Additionally, it should safeguard you against the financial implications of having to cancel or cut short your trip.
We advise arranging your insurance with a firm based in your home country, simplifying the process should you need to file a claim. While we pledge to offer unwavering support in the event of illness during your tour, it’s crucial to understand that medical costs, doctor’s fees, and return travel expenses fall under your financial responsibility. And in the unfortunate circumstance that illness requires you to leave the tour early, please be aware that Shahina Travel cannot offer refunds for the unused portion of the trip.
For those journeying through Uzbekistan, Wi-Fi hotspots are your gateway to the digital world. These convenient connections dot the landscape of hospitality and leisure, from hotels to cafes, and from eateries to shopping hubs. Yet, the Wi-Fi experience is not uniform—it ebbs and flows with the locale and the provider.
Traditional wired internet services, such as ADSL and fiber optics, remain elusive for travelers, with no tailored packages for the transient visitor. Thus, the lifeline for consistent online access lies with the mobile networks of Uzbekistan’s telecom companies. These carriers offer a variety of tariff plans, often bundled with data, but the real draw is the customizable internet packages that cater to individual needs. Tourists aren’t left out, with special deals crafted just for them. To get connected, one can acquire a SIM card or internet package directly from the telecom operators’ main offices or the well-trafficked corridors of Uzbekistan’s major airports.
When planning your trip to Uzbekistan, it’s crucial to be aware of the country’s strict regulations on medication. Certain drugs, especially those that are sedative, tranquilizing, or pain-relieving, are either banned or tightly controlled. This includes medications like Temazepam, Valium, Xanax, Morphine, Codeine, Librium/Novopoxide, Halcion, ProSom, Xanax, Ativan, among others.
Should you need to bring any medication that falls under these restrictions, it’s imperative to declare them upon both entering and exiting the country using the customs declaration form. Additionally, carrying a prescription in your native language is a must to avoid any legal complications. Not declaring the medication containing narcotic and psychotropic substances or absence of doctor’s prescription may be subject to criminal charges.
It’s also important to note that common over-the-counter medications in your country might contain substances that are regulated in Uzbekistan. For instance, some versions of Panadol and Cold & Flu medication contain Codeine, and Sudafed contains Pseudoephedrine, all of which require declaration. An extended list of medications circulation of which is prohibited or limited on the territory of Uzbekistan is available here.
For personal use, you’re allowed to bring in up to 10 different medications, with no more than 5 packages of each, and up to 5 medical devices without a prescription. The specifics of what each package can contain are as follows:
If you exceed these limits, you’ll need to present documentation from a medical institution in your home country, detailing the medications, their forms, and the recommended amounts for your treatment. Additionally, up to five different psychotropic drugs can be imported or exported without a prescription, limited to two packages each.
Remember, while at customs, you must declare these substances (Point No.6 of Customs Declaration) and present the necessary medical documentation to ensure a smooth entry into Uzbekistan.
Tours in Uzbekistan
