Tashkent · Chorsu Bazaar · Amirsoy · Chimgan · Samarkand · Bukhara · Khiva · Uzbek food and hospitality · from a trip our own team made
By the IMAD Travel Team, from Hamed Ali’s journey through Uzbekistan.
There are destinations you visit because everyone else is going, and there are destinations you discover just before everyone else starts talking about them. Uzbekistan is the second kind.
The headline news is the flight: since 28 September 2026, Centrum Air flies direct from Hyderabad to Tashkent, twice a week. Add the new visa-free rule for Indians who hold a multiple-entry US, UK or Schengen visa, and the Silk Road is suddenly much closer than it used to be.
But the flight is only the start. The real story begins after you land — tiled Silk Road cities, mountain drives, busy bazaars, generous tables, cups of tea that keep appearing, and people who make visitors feel genuinely welcome. These are the ten places that stayed with us, in the order we’d visit them.
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Uzbekistan at a Glance
| Best for | Silk Road history, architecture, food, mountains, families and couples |
| Main places | Tashkent · Chorsu Bazaar · Amirsoy · Chimgan & Charvak · Samarkand · Bukhara · Khiva |
| How long | 7–8 days for a first trip; add 2 nights for Khiva |
| Getting there | Direct from Hyderabad (Centrum Air, Tue & Fri) and from Delhi; one stop from other Indian cities |
| Getting around | Afrosiyob high-speed train between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara; private car for the mountains |
| Visa | Visa-free for 30 days with a valid multiple-entry US, UK or Schengen (and five other) visa · otherwise e-visa |
| Best time | April–May and September–October · December–February for snow in the mountains |
| Food | Plov, samsa, lagman, shashlik, fresh non bread · vegetarian options in Tashkent |
| Currency | Uzbek som (UZS) · carry US dollars to exchange |
| Also searched as | Uzbekistan tourist places · things to do in Uzbekistan · Uzbekistan travel guide · Uzbekistan itinerary |
10 Places to Visit in Uzbekistan
This isn’t a checklist to rush through. Think of it as a walk-through: the order, the feeling, what catches your eye, what to taste, and where you’ll probably stop taking photos for a moment just to look around.
1. Tashkent — Let the Country Introduce Itself Slowly
You land in Tashkent expecting a capital city, and you get one — broad avenues, parks, monumental buildings, grand metro stations and new development. But you keep bumping into older layers too: mosques, madrasas, neighbourhood markets and bread stalls.
Start gently. Don’t schedule five big sights straight after landing. Drive through the city, notice the scale of the roads, stop around Amir Temur Square, and let the architecture settle in. By evening, head to the Hazrati Imam complex or a well-lit square: families come out, the mood softens, and the capital stops feeling like a transit point and starts feeling like the first chapter of your trip.
Don’t miss: the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial — India’s second Prime Minister signed the Tashkent Declaration here in 1966, and a street and statue still carry his name.
2. Chorsu Bazaar — Where Uzbekistan Starts Feeling Real
If you want to understand a city, follow the locals to the market. Under Chorsu’s great green dome, the postcard version of Uzbekistan gets louder, busier and more delicious: dried fruits, nuts, spices, fresh produce, breads, pickles and sweets, with everyday conversations everywhere.
Don’t walk through with your camera up the whole time. Start in the bread section and watch the tandoor rhythm. Look at the mountains of apricots and almonds. Ask what something is, and taste when you’re offered. The beauty of a bazaar isn’t one landmark — it’s the hundred small interactions around you. It’s also where you first meet Uzbek generosity: sellers smile, explain, and are simply happy that you’re curious.
3. Amirsoy — The Plot Twist You Didn’t Expect
Yes, this is Uzbekistan — and no, it isn’t only deserts and blue domes. Leave Tashkent and the landscape changes: buildings thin out, the road climbs and the mountains fill the windscreen. Then Amirsoy appears, a modern mountain resort set in the Western Tian Shan.
Take your time. Ride the gondola up, breathe the cooler air, find a viewpoint, sit with a tea or coffee and let the city disappear for a few hours. In winter it becomes a snow and ski destination; in the warmer months it’s a scenic escape for families, couples and photographers. Some of the best travel moments are the pauses between the planned ones.
4. Chimgan and Charvak Lake — Save Space on Your Camera Roll
At Chimgan, the mountains become the main character. It is one of Uzbekistan’s main ecotourism areas, with gorges, waterfalls, a long chairlift and plenty of outdoor activity.
This is the day to stop trying to “cover” things. Enjoy the drive, pull over at viewpoints, and let the mountains sit behind you without a building in sight. Continue to Charvak Lake, where turquoise water meets rugged slopes — the “wait, this is Uzbekistan?” moment. For families and senior travellers we pace the day gently, with scenic stops; for younger groups it can be more active, with horse riding or ATV rides. Same mountains, a completely different holiday depending on who’s travelling.
5. Registan Square, Samarkand — Where the Silk Road Becomes Real
You’ve seen it in photos. Standing there is a different story. Save Registan for a moment when you’re not rushed, and walk towards the square slowly. Its three madrasas — Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kori — rise around the plaza in layers of turquoise, cobalt, gold and geometric tilework.
Don’t just take one wide shot from the front. Walk closer, look at the arches and step into the courtyards; the scale becomes more impressive once you see how much detail sits inside it. Then come back in the evening if you can. Daylight shows you the craftsmanship. The night lighting turns the square into theatre.
Don’t miss: Gur-i-Emir, the ribbed turquoise dome over Amir Temur’s tomb, and the giant Bibi Khanum Mosque, both a short drive away.
6. Shah-i-Zinda — Don’t Rush This Blue Corridor
Some places impress you from far away. This one pulls you closer. At Shah-i-Zinda, you walk up a narrow avenue of mausoleums, portals and passageways where the blues seem to shift every few steps.
Look at the tiles from a distance first, then move in and notice the calligraphy, patterns and texture. This is a sacred complex, so experience it quietly and respectfully: dress modestly, and never let photography interrupt prayer or other visitors. The strongest memory here may not be a photograph at all — it may be the silence between the walls, the cool shade, and the feeling of walking through centuries of devotion and design.
7. Bukhara — The City That Makes You Stop Checking the Time
Samarkand wows you. Bukhara slowly wins you over. The historic centre is denser, more walkable and more lived-in: you’re not hopping between isolated monuments so much as moving through an old city where mosques, madrasas, courtyards, workshops and trading domes keep appearing along the way.
Begin at the Po-i-Kalyan ensemble, where the 47-metre Kalyan Minaret anchors the skyline above the mosque and madrasa courtyard. Then let the route loosen: wander through the trading domes, browse textiles and crafts, and settle around Lyabi Hauz for tea. The secret is the evening. Once the heat fades, Bukhara softens, the lights come on and conversations get longer. The city isn’t asking you to do more; it’s asking you to stay longer.
8. Khiva — Walk Through the Gate and Leave the Modern World Outside
Khiva doesn’t look like a film set. It feels like you walked into one. Itchan Kala, the walled inner city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gives you a minaret, a carved doorway, a madrasa courtyard or a long mud-brick wall catching the light at almost every turn.
Resist the urge to power-walk to the big landmarks. Find Kalta Minor, the turquoise unfinished minaret; climb to a viewpoint if you can; step inside the Juma Mosque to see its forest of carved wooden columns; then circle back as the sun softens. Stay overnight if your plan allows: day-trippers see the monuments, but overnight guests get the quiet lanes and the golden light once the crowds thin out. Khiva sits far to the west, so plan two extra nights for it.
9. Besh Qozon — Come Hungry, Leave With a Story
This isn’t just lunch — it’s a live show with a very good ending. Back in Tashkent, Besh Qozon, the city’s famous plov centre, turns Uzbekistan’s national comfort food into something you can see, smell and hear: giant kazan cauldrons, rice in huge quantities, carrots, meat and clouds of steam.
Watch the process for a few minutes before you eat; it makes the plate more interesting. Plov isn’t simply rice with meat — every region cooks and serves it differently, and it sits at the heart of family gatherings and hospitality. Then sit down and eat it fresh, with salad, bread and tea. Clients remember this stop because it isn’t sightseeing; it’s something they took part in.
10. The Uzbek Table — Because the People Are Part of the Place
The last “place” on this list isn’t an address. It’s the table. Uzbekistan makes more sense once you sit down with food in the middle and tea being poured.
Try samsa straight from the tandoor, manti, lagman, shashlik, fresh non bread, soups, salads, dried fruits and local sweets. In Khiva, look for the green dill noodles called shivit oshi; in Samarkand, notice the famous breads. Every city adds its own accent to the same food story. And watch the social side: meals are shared, tea keeps coming, and hosts encourage you to try more. Even when you don’t share a language, the warmth comes through.
That’s why we never sell Uzbekistan as only “Samarkand and Bukhara sightseeing”. The people, the markets and the meals stop the trip from feeling like a museum tour.
Uzbekistan Is Now a Direct Flight From Hyderabad
Central Asia just moved from “someday” to “why not this year?”. Centrum Air’s direct Hyderabad–Tashkent service started on 28 September 2026, making Hyderabad the airline’s second Indian gateway after Delhi.
| Flight | Days | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6 552 Hyderabad → Tashkent | Tuesday, Friday | 03:35 | 07:45 (Tashkent time) |
| C6 551 Tashkent → Hyderabad | Monday, Thursday | Evening | 02:20 next day (Hyderabad time) |
The early-morning arrival is handy: you land in Tashkent with a full day ahead. If you’ve already done Dubai, Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia and want something visually fresh, culturally rich and still close to India, Uzbekistan is a very clear choice. Travellers from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities can fly via Delhi or connect through a Gulf hub — we plan the best routing from your city.
Schedule as announced at launch. Airline timings change, so we confirm them at the time of booking.
How We’d Plan Your First Uzbekistan Trip
For a first visit, we’d avoid cramming every Silk Road city into four days. Seven or eight days gives you time to enjoy the food, bazaars and evenings, not just the monuments:
- Day 1: Arrive in Tashkent, a slow city introduction, evening architecture and a local dinner.
- Day 2: Tashkent highlights, Chorsu Bazaar and the Besh Qozon plov experience.
- Day 3: Amirsoy and Chimgan — a scenic mountain day.
- Day 4: Bullet train to Samarkand; Registan by evening.
- Day 5: Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi Khanum, Gur-i-Emir and a slower Samarkand evening.
- Day 6: On to Bukhara; old-city walk and sunset.
- Day 7: Bukhara’s highlights, crafts, tea and the historic core.
- Day 8: Return home — or add 2 nights for Khiva for a fuller Silk Road circuit.
Want a ready-made route? Our 7 Days Uzbekistan Delight follows almost exactly this plan, with mountains, Samarkand and Bukhara. For a shorter trip, the 6 Days Jewels of Uzbekistan covers the classic Silk Road, and our 4-day Tashkent tour package fits a long weekend. Compare every route on our Uzbekistan tour packages from India page.
Visa, Season and Practical Tips
Visa: Indians holding a valid multiple-entry visa from the USA, UK, Schengen states, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea or New Zealand can visit visa-free for up to 30 days. Everyone else applies for an e-visa online, which takes about three working days. Our Uzbekistan visa guide for Indians explains both routes step by step.
When to go: April–May and September–October are the sweet spots for walking the old cities. Summers are hot in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva; winter brings snow to Amirsoy and Chimgan.
Dress and etiquette: Cover shoulders and knees at mosques, madrasas and Shah-i-Zinda, and carry a scarf. Ask before photographing people.
Money and food: Carry US dollars in newer notes to exchange for som. Vegetarians do well with breads, salads, dairy and Tashkent’s Indian restaurants — tell us in advance and we’ll plan your stops.
Plan Your Uzbekistan Holiday With IMAD Travel
Uzbekistan gives you blue-tiled cities, dramatic mountains, deep Islamic and Silk Road heritage, lively markets, generous food, and a culture that still feels personal as you travel through it. And getting there from Hyderabad has never been simpler.
We customise every Uzbekistan holiday around your travel dates, hotel category, family needs, sightseeing pace and budget — flights, stays, trains, transfers, guides and on-ground planning, built around the way you like to travel.
Tell us three things: who’s travelling, how many days you have, and whether your style is culture, food, mountains, family time — or all of it. We’ll build the route around you, not force you into a generic package.
Places to Visit in Uzbekistan: FAQs
What are the best places to visit in Uzbekistan?
Tashkent, Chorsu Bazaar, Amirsoy, Chimgan and Charvak Lake, Registan Square and Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, Bukhara’s old town, Khiva’s Itchan Kala, and Besh Qozon for plov.
How many days are enough for Uzbekistan?
Seven to eight days covers Tashkent, the mountains, Samarkand and Bukhara at a comfortable pace. Add two nights for Khiva.
Is there a direct flight from Hyderabad to Uzbekistan?
Yes. Centrum Air flies Hyderabad to Tashkent direct twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, since 28 September 2026. There are also direct flights from Delhi.
Do Indians need a visa for Uzbekistan?
Not if you hold a valid multiple-entry visa from the USA, UK, Schengen states or five other countries — you get 30 days visa-free. Otherwise, apply for the e-visa online.
How do you travel between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara?
By the Afrosiyob high-speed train — about two hours from Tashkent to Samarkand and around an hour and a half from Samarkand to Bukhara.
Is Uzbekistan good for families and senior travellers?
Yes. The cities are walkable, the trains are comfortable, and we pace mountain days gently with scenic stops for families and seniors.
Is Uzbekistan good for vegetarians?
With some planning, yes. Tashkent has Indian restaurants, and breads, salads, dairy and dried fruit are easy to find everywhere.
What is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?
April–May and September–October, when days are pleasant for sightseeing. Visit in winter for snow at Amirsoy and Chimgan.
Last verified: 5 October 2026 — flight schedule as announced by Centrum Air at the 28 September launch; visa rule per the Embassy of India, Tashkent.
