For the longest time, Uzbekistan was once the cradle of culture and trade that merchants of the ancient world had to go through, thanks to its strategic location, right at the center of the ancient Silk Road.
Fast forward to today, many of the remnants of that prosperous time are still pretty much intact, and for those who are looking to travel back in time and relive the golden age of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is hands down, one of the best places to be.
Within this itinerary, you will find all the information you need to plan a perfect backpacking trip across Uzbekistan. The itinerary will take you through some of the most beautiful ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and more, in 2 weeks, so without further ado, here is the ultimate backpacker itinerary for Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan Itinerary Map
What are things to know before traveling to Uzbekistan?
- You are required to register for accommodation every 3 days you are in Uzbekistan. The hostel/hotel will manage this for you but you will have to keep all the registration papers provided by your accommodation throughout your entire trip so you can show them on your way out.
- Since 2017, the official rate of exchange has been equalized to be the same as the black market going rate so you are no longer required to exchange your money at the black market. You can do it at any back now.
- Crossing the border from Osh to Uzbekistan, my bags, my camera, and my laptop were searched. Most of the time, they are looking for illegal drugs, pornography, drones, and political books so be sure not to carry those with you when you are traveling to Uzbekistan
2 Weeks Uzbekistan Itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent (2 nights)
- 📍 Stay: ART ECO HOTEL
- 🕐 Time: 2 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 16 EPIC Things to Do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2026 Guide) (via nomadasaurus.com)
Tashkent is not exactly my cup of tea, but it is still a good place to see the proper metropolitan area of Uzbekistan. The city is equipped with a Metro system, making traveling around the city easy and fast. It is also a good place for you to get a SIM card and prepare for a trip through the country.
There are a few sights to see, but the most interesting ones are the Chorsu Bazaar and the Kukeldash Medressa, which is right next to the bazaar and can be easily reached by metro.
If you enjoy beautiful architecture, make sure to visit Hotel Uzbekistan and the surrounding buildings. This area has all the cool-looking architecture on display, from the Soviet era to modern Uzbek architecture.
- Highlights of Uzbekistan (10 days)
- The Silk Road of Uzbekistan (11 days)
- Uzbekistan Cultural Tour (Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva) boutique hotels option (8 days)
Day 2 - 4: Samarkand (3 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Jahongir Guest House
- 🕐 Time: 3 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: Samarkand Itinerary: 2-3 Days in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (via wander-lush.org)
Samarkand is one of the reasons why I decided to come to Uzbekistan. The entire city is like an open-air museum with multiple UNESCO sights all concentrated in one area, which makes it easy to explore. Right at the center of it all is Registan, a public square framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) with a distinct architectural style.
Registan is best seen during sunset with locals coming out in droves to enjoy the last light of the day and the beautiful structure lit up like fireworks. Be sure to check out Registan at sunset.
Another one of my favorite sights is Shah-i-Zinda, a necropolis that includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings. This cluster of buildings is most photogenic in the evening when there are fewer people.
A few other sites, such as Bibi Khanym Mosque and Gur-e Amir Complex, are also worth visiting.
Day 5 - 7: Bukhara (3 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Samani Bukhara
- 🕐 Time: 3 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: Bukhara Itinerary: Best Things to Do in 2-3 Days (via wander-lush.org)
The beauty of Bukhara lies within the small alleys of the old town area, where you can discover locals living out their lives in the traditional sand structure.
You can spend an entire day just walking around the Lyab-i Hauz Square, shopping for souvenirs, drinking cold beers, and enjoying the traditional food in rooftop restaurants.
Kalon Mosque and the minaret are also quite a sight to behold, as one can walk around this spacious mosque admiring the intricate craftsmanship of the Uzbeks or hide from the sun under the shade of the minaret.
Kalon Minaret is one of the few architectures that was spared by the Wrath of (Genghis) Khan when his army invaded Bukhara. Although the fate of the minaret was spared, what the tower had come to represent after that was as dark as if it had been destroyed. The Tower of Death, as it was known, was due to the fact that people were executed by being thrown out of the tower.
Walking a little further, you will stumble upon a beautiful sand fortress called the Ark of Bukhara, a massive fort that has since turned itself into a museum for the public.
Chor Minor is also worth a visit. Chor Minor, or Four Minarets, is a nice little old mosque located between the cramped stalls of the modern city of Bukhara.
Day 8 - 10: Khiva (3 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Meros B&B
- 🕐 Time: 3 nights
The entire city of Khiva is a UNESCO site, and for good reason. The city is surrounded by an old wall that has maintained its traditional look throughout the years. You can still see many households living inside the wall in traditional sand structures, with their unique culture intact.
Khiva's old town square is where you will spend most of your time. It is located right inside the front gate, where you can find nice restaurants, museums, and locals hanging out in the evening.
You can also go up one of the many minarets in town and enjoy a beautiful view from above. I highly recommend you get up there at sunset. Trust me, you are going to love it.
Another thing to do in Khiva is to go out into the desert and explore the many long-forgotten fortresses that are scattered throughout the barren land. Ayaz Qala is the most impressive one of all, and you will be able to see it from a wonderful viewpoint on a nearby hill. It's too bad that there were zero attempts at maintaining all these forgotten fortresses. You should be able to organize a taxi driver there via your accommodation.
Day 11 - 12: Nukus (2 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Jipek Joli Inn
- 🕐 Time: 2 nights
Only a few hours away from Khiva, Nukus is worth a visit if you have a bit of time left on your trip. The Mizdakhan Necropolis, Moynaq, and the Nukus Museum of Art are definitely worth a visit.
Why Visit Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is like Iran on steroids. With its Persian roots and its significant location during the Silk Road era, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara have been able to preserve most of their wonderful structures and culture that have been thriving for the past two millennia.
With so much history, Uzbekistan is the place to be to learn about the Silk Road trade route that dominated much of Central Asia's history, explore the stunning desert landscape, and be immersed in its unique culture.
When To Visit Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is best visited during either spring (April - May) or autumn (September - November) when the weather is mild and the colors of the seasons are in full swing. In the summer, it is possible if you can handle the desert heat.
If you want to go during the summer, keep in mind that most road transports are not equipped with air conditioning, and the marshrutka (minivan) can be cramped at times, so prepare accordingly.
How to Get a Tourist Visa for Uzbekistan?
Getting into Uzbekistan is easier than ever with the introduction to the eVisa portal as well as a number of countries no longer requiring visas to visit the country. If you hold a European or US passport, you should be able to enter the country without a visa. For other countries, you can check out the Uzbekistan Visa Requirement page on Caravanistan.
If your country is not eligible for a free visa or eVisa entry, you might also need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) to obtain a tourist visa, so make sure to get it before embarking on the journey. To check if you need an LOI or not, please visit Caravanistan for the latest information.
You can also get your visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which is highly recommended if you plan to visit Kyrgyzstan as well. For more information on this, please see a quick guide by Lost With Purpose.
How to Get to Uzbekistan?
You can fly to Tashkent if you already have your visa organized, but if you are already in Kyrgyzstan like I did, you can cross the border from Osh and take a taxi to Tashkent all in one day. If you are looking for a flight, be sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia before comparing prices so you can get the cheapest flight possible.
How To Get Around Uzbekistan?
High-speed trains are the easiest, most comfortable, and cost-effective way to travel around Uzbekistan. You can also book the ticket online now from the Railway official website. You can also buy the ticket on the same day at the train station, but there is a high chance that it will be fully booked during the summer.
Another option is taking a bus. It is cheap and not as uncomfortable as a marshrutka (minivan), but it is slower, and you might have to change buses at times.
Some stretches of the itinerary I proposed might require you to get a shared taxi. From Bukhara to Khiva, it is best that you organize a shared taxi with your hostel since the train doesn't reach Khiva directly, only Urgench. The shared taxi might be a little expensive, but it's direct and much more comfortable. It will take you around 6 hours to travel from Bukhara to Khiva.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
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2 Comments
great guide!
Hi Pete! Was this your own trip or how you'd recommend planning the trip? I've been suggested a 6 day itinerary (not including arrival and departure days) that covers Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-Tashkent. Comparing against your plan, wondering if 6 days might be a bit too hectic...