Horse riding is a well-liked tourist activity in the Chimgan Mountains, and it gives you a pretty fantastic way to wander through those alpine views in the Tien Shan range. Nearby operators offer rides for all levels, from someone brand new to people who already know their way around saddles and reins. You can grab…
Fishing in Aydarkul Lake is extremely popular, and travellers are allowed by law to fish right in its waters. The lake stays rich with different freshwater species, so it becomes a good desert oasis for anglers who are looking for something more than usual. This large semi-artificial basin formed in a kind of accidental way,…
Tourists can, in practice, go all the way through the interior courtyard and the gallery areas at the Kalyan Mosque in Bukhara. It is one of the oldest as well as largest mosques in Central Asia, so people often treat it like a must-see stop. To enter, you have to pay an entry fee at…
Tourists can’t enter or climb the Kalta Minor Minaret in Khiva. There’s no public internal stairway you can reach, and the place works mainly as an outside visual signal; that’s it, really. It was commissioned by Mohammed Amin Khan in 1851, and he wanted the minaret to be tall enough so you could see all…
Tourists are welcome to go to the Juma Mosque in Khiva, which is well-known for its unusual architecture, with 212 intricately carved wooden pillars. Entry is generally included with the usual Itchan Kala visitor ticket, so people don’t need to buy extra access. Unlike many older Central Asian mosques with large inner courtyards and heavy…
Tourists are allowed to climb the Islam Khoja Minaret in Khiva, which reaches 45 metres and is considered the tallest building in the place. For the climb, there is a separate entrance fee that you pay right at the base, and that’s it. Once you reach the observation deck, you get a breathtaking panoramic view,…
Bukhara’s historic centre is perfectly fit for walking, with almost all major attractions placed within a tight, pedestrian-friendly distance. In practice, you will not need a taxi or public transport to move between the main historical sites. The arrangement of the old city lets visitors glide along on foot from the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble all the…
Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent is one of the best spots in Uzbekistan to try authentic street food, freshly made in the moment. The big open-air dining pavilion kind of feels lively all the time, and it offers many traditional dishes for prices that stay very reasonable. People really head to the separate food area, which…
You can fairly easily explore Khiva without any guide because the historic inner stronghold of Itchan Kala is fully pedestrianised, and it feels very compact. Wandering around on your own through those older lanes is practical, feels safe, and the scenery keeps paying you back as you go. The main historical locations, tall minarets, and…
The Bukhara Trading Domes offer a truly excellent and highly authentic souvenir-shopping experience, and yes, it feels deeply Uzbek. They mostly focus on traditional craftwork, as you would expect from a proper old market, and the domed bazaars themselves are the first place to go if you want quality silk, ceramics, or handmade carpets. They…