Uzbekistan · 15 - 24 October 2024
10 Day Uzbekistan Silk Road Cities Expedition
Across the Blue-Tiled Silk Road
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Overview
Uzbekistan is at the heart of the Silk Road, where traders once traversed between Istanbul and Xian. This itinerary will begin from the capital of Tashkent and go on to explore the wonderous architecture of Samarkand, the intimate historic core of Bukhara, and finally the slave trading outpost of Khiva.
Hosts
Nicole Smoot
Expedition Lead
Nicole Smoot is a travel adventurer and photographer born and raised in the Alaskan mountains. She enjoys bad taxidermy, post-soviet bunkers, spelunking, and homemade wine. Nicole’s adventures include surviving a bear attack, a glacial cave collapse, and utilizing a ceasefire to move a tour through Northern Afghanistan. She became the first foreign woman to summit Shah Foladi Mountain. Additionally, she has discovered and cataloged petroglyphs, cave drawings, and glacial cave location data.
Nicole maintains a proprietary network across Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. She has consulted for various Ministries of Tourism and NGOs on tourism development. Despite the challenges, Nicole gravitates to regions often overlooked due to geopolitical strife and lack of tourism infrastructure. Her photography can be seen in National Geographic, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Lonely Planet, and at The.Adventures.Of.Nicole on Instagram.
FAQs
Is Uzbekistan Safe to Visit?
Uzbekistan is a safe destination for travelers with a low crime rate and a generally kind and welcoming population.
As with any destination, visitors should exercise regular precautions they would anywhere in the world while traveling in Uzbekistan. While uncommon, petty crimes do happen, so it is best to be vigilant as you would be anywhere else in the world.
Where are the Start & End Points on this Expedition?
This 10 Day Uzbekistan Silk Road Cities Expedition will begin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on October 15th, and end in Tashkent on the evening of October 24th.
What Is The Difficulty Level Of This Uzbekistan Expedition?
This 10 day Uzbekistan Silk Road Cities expedition is rated as easy. We will be staying in hotels and homestays each evening. Each day you can expect to do some walking around various sites we will visit.
Do I Need Travel Insurance to Join this Uzbekistan Expedition?
To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. It is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation.
We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue.
What are the Entry Requirements for Uzbekistan?
Most European, Asian, North American, and South American countries, Australia, and New Zealand may ever Uzbekistan visa-free for varying lengths of time or with an e-visa.
The following passport holders may visit Uzbekistan visa-free:
90 days: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine
60 days: Kyrgyzstan
30 days: All European Union citizens, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Qatar, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican.
10 days: Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Kuwait, Oman.
The following passport holders may visit Uzbekistan with an e-visa:
Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, India, Iran, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Morocco, Nauru, Nepal, North Korea, North Macedonia, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam.
Apply for your Uzbek e-visa here.
If your country does not appear on any of the above lists, you most likely need to apply at a Uzbek embassy for a visa. Check with your nearest Uzbek embassy for up-to-date requirements.
Please let us know if you will need any supporting documents, such as a LOI (Letter of Invitation) to obtain your visa and we can secure the necessary documents for you.
What Currency Is Used In Uzbekistan & How Can I Pay For Things in Uzbekistan?
The Uzbek Som (UZS) is the official currency of Uzbekistan. The value of the Som fluctuates but for the last two years has stayed around 10,000-12,500 UZS to $1 USD.
Is There A West Uzbekistan Packing List & Prep Guide?
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our Best of Uzbekistan expedition that can be viewed here.
What Is The Food Like & Can You Accommodate Dietary Restrictions?
Uzbek food is very similar to its neighbors in Central Asia, featuring influences from Russia and China, blended with the local fare. You'll encounter plenty of Central Asian dishes in local restaurants throughout the expedition but there is a variety of international food to be found in the larger cities. You can expect flavorful soups and salads, plov (a traditional Central Asian take on fried rice), noodle dishes, and meat dishes. Of course, almost any meal in Uzbekistan is accompanied by a hot glass of chai.
Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.
Will I Have Internet Access & Electricity?
It is possible to purchase a Uzbek SIM card in Tashkent, with a selection of local carriers.
Generally, we will have access to mobile internet throughout the trip. Each night of the trip you can expect to have access to Wi-Fi.
Do note that some websites in Uzbekistan are blocked, so you may want to download a VPN before you arrive.
There will be access to electricity each night as well.
Is There a Minimum Number of Participants Necessary for the Expedition to Run?
Yes, a minimum of 4 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn't reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.