Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has borders with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. It has the largest population among all the Central Asian countries, and a legacy of the Silk Road.

An Introduction to the regions of Uzbekistan

Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan) The most fertile and populous part of the nation, but also its most unstable with disputes between different ethnic groups like Uzbek and Kyrgyz.

Northern Uzbekistan Geographically dominated by the vast red sands of the seemingly endless Kyzylkum Desert and politically dominated by Qaraqalpaqstan and the vast autonomous republic of the Qaraqalpaqs, Uzbekistan's North is most notable in travel circles for the ancient Silk Road city of Khiva, and for the dying Aral Sea.

Samarkand through Bukhara This is truly the heart of the Silk Road and the passage along the Zeravshan River valley through Central Asia's most important historical cities of Samarkand and Bukhara and heavily populated mainly with Ethnic Tajiks.

Southern Uzbekistan The one mountainous part of the nation, where Uzbekistan meets the mighty Pamir Mountains, is heavily ethnic Tajik.

Tashkent Region The political and economic center of the nation, surrounding the capital, Tashkent.

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in Uzbekistan

• Tashkent — the modern capital and largest city.
• Andijan — Uzbekistan's fourth largest city, right in the heart of the vibrant but combustible Ferghana Valley.

Kalon-Ensemble Buchara - Bukhara

• Bukhara — a legendary Silk Road capital, 2,500 years old and the historical center of which is a UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage site filled with magnificent examples of monumental, medieval Islamic and Central Asian architecture.
• Khiva — site of the Itchan Kala
• Namangan — the third largest city, at the northern edge of the Ferghana Valley.
• Nukus — the capital of Qaraqalpaqstan on the Amu Darya is the home of the avant-garde painting collection of the Savitsky Gallery, and is surrounded by a region devastated by the environmental degradation wrought by the drying of the Aral Sea.
• Samarkand — the nation's second largest city and the whole of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the most famous Silk Road attraction of them all and the Registan.
• Shakhrisabz — a small city, whose historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its impressive monuments from the Timurid Dynasty.
• Termez — the southernmost city near the border with Afghanistan, named by Alexander the Great's forces for the intense temperatures they found here (thermos = hot).

Several of these were once great trading cities on the Silk Road.

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in Uzbekistan

• Aral Sea — a lesson in the perils of environmental degradation and the drying of the Aral Sea has ravaged a region roughly the size of Germany with disease, birth defects, agricultural and economic devastation, and one-time cargo ships lying on their side in the dust.

Uzbekistan Halal Travel Guide

The meaning of the name Uzbek is disputed. One version is that it is derived from Turkish 'uz/öz' ('good' or 'true') and 'bek' ('guardian').

History of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is rich in history. Samarkand was conquered by Alexander the Great. Islam was introduced by Arab Muslims in the 8th-9th century. The most famous leader to come from Uzbekistan is Tamerlane who was born in Shahrisabz south of Samarkand. Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century.

How is the Climate in Uzbekistan

Mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east.

What is the Geography of Uzbekistan

Aral Sea Bed (431479) - Aral Sea bed

Uzbekistan measures 1450 kilometers West to East and 930 kilometers North to South.

Mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) and Zarafshon; Ferghana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west.

• Syr Darya crosses the Ferghana Valley and runs on the North East edge of the Kizil Kum Desert. It is 2212 kilometers long (3019 kilometers including its source Naryn). In antiquity, it was called Jaxartes. Syr Darya flows into the (smaller) Northern part of the Aral Sea.
• Amu Darya rises in the Hindukush and has a length of 2540 km. It was called Oxus in antiquity. It can be a rapid river in spring and is called Dsaihun (suffering from rabies) in Arabic. The river has changed its course several times. Konye Urgench in Turkmenistan and the capital of the old empire of Chwarezm, was situated on the banks of the Amu Darya. Today the distance between the river and the old city is about 40 km. Amu Darya flows into the (bigger) Southern part of the Aral Sea.

Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein are the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; all their neighbours are landlocked. However, Uzbekistan has the southern shoreline of the Aral Sea, and a couple of its neighbours border the Caspian Sea, but both "seas" are (or, were, in the case of the Aral) actually huge lakes and do not connect to the oceans.

Public Holidays in Uzbekistan

Jan 1 New Year (Yangi Yi Bayrami)

Mar 8 International Women's Day (Xalqaro Xotin-Qizlar Kuni)

Mar 21 Navroz (Persian New Year) (Navro'z Bayrami)

May 9 Remembrance Day, Peace Day or Liberation Day (Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni), remembering that Uzbek troops participated in the Soviet army and that 500.000 Uzbek soldiers were killed in World War II.

September 1 Independence Day (Mustaqillik Kuni), remembering the proclamation of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991

Oct 1 Teachers' Day (O'qituvchi va Murabbiylar Kuni)

Dec 8 Constitution Day (Konstitutsiya Kuni), remembering the proclamation of the first constitution of independent Uzbekistan in 1992.

Holidays in accordance with the lunar year: the dates of these holidays vary according to the lunar calendar.

• Kurban Kait (Qurbaon Hayit)
• Ramadan (Ramazon Hayit), (Islamic fasting month)

Travel as a Muslim to Uzbekistan

Visa policy of Uzbekistan - A map showing the visa requirements of Uzbekistan, with countries in green having visa-free access; and countries in turquoise having simplified visa policy

Entry requirements

Visas are not required for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Türkiye. Visas are required for other countries. A 'Letter of Invitation' (LOI) is no longer required by citizens of All European Union Citizens (except Cyprus), Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, China (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), Iceland, India, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Thailand and United Arab Emirates

To apply for a visa complete the application form from here, print out the resulting pdf and take to your printed form, together with some photos and a photocopy of your passport to your nearest Uzbek embassy. They will then ask the MFA in Tashkent for permission to issue a visa, which takes 7-14 days. Once this permission is granted you can pick up your visa. To avoid two trips to the embassy you can get an LOI in advance (by email) and once approval has been granted you can pick up your visa from your chosen embassy in only 1 visit - this is handy for people travelling who want to pick up a visa 'on the go'. An LOI can be obtained from travel companies when a hotel booking is made. Talk to your local travel agent in your own country. The LOI will typically cost US$30-40 for a short stay.

Within 3 days of entrance to the nation, you need to make a registration, an official statement indicating the address you are staying at. If you stay at reasonable hotels and they will do it by default, however if you stay at a house, you will face a lot of bureaucratic paperwork in order to register yourself.

When you enter Uzbekistan expect fairly lengthy immigration and passport procedures, but these are fairly painless. In particular you will be asked to declare all the money you are bringing into the nation - don't worry about this - declare everything you have and make sure you have less money when you leave. The Uzbek government doesn't want precious foreign currency leaving the nation.

Travel permits are required for the mountain areas near the border to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, including great parts of the Ugam-Chatkal National Park and Zaamin National Park.

Update: Since July 2017, Uzbekistan offers a full online process for certain citizens that wish to apply for a visa.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Uzbekistan

TASHKENT AIRPORT.1 - panoramio - Tashkent Airport

The main airport of Uzbekistan is the

• Tashkent International Airport "Yuzhniy" IATA Code: TAS The airport itself is reasonably modern and has various international carriers operating as well as the national Uzbekistan Airways. Though the airport infrastructure is good and the staff is not. Expect pointless bureaucracy and an unhelpful attitude from most of them. Baggage claim and customs procedures can be time-consuming - allow two hours. For more information see the Tashkent#By plane|Tashkent#By plane section.

There are airports at Andijan, Bukhara, Ferghana, Karshi, Namangan, Nukus, Samarkand, Tashkent, Termez and Urgench.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Uzbekistan

Usable passenger services only exist to Kazakhstan and via Kazakhstan to Russia. These include the following trains:

• Tashkent - Moscow (3 times weekly): Train 6 Uzbekistan leaves Moscow on Mon, Wednesday and Friday at 23:15 and arrives in Tashkent at 22:35 on Wed, Friday and Sun. The distance from Moscow to Tashkent by rail is 3,369 km. Some Moscow-bound trains run to/from Andijan.
• Tashkent - Ufa (3 times weekly)
• Tashkent - Chelyabinsk (once weekly)
• Tashkent - Novosibirsk (every 4 days)
• Nukus - Tashkent - Almaty (once weekly)

There are also railway lines linking Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, but they are used only by transit trains and therefore officially inaccessible for travelers to/from Uzbekistan. See respective countries for details.

By car

There are roads from surrounding countries but the borders may not be open and there have been security problems. There is a risk of land mines in some border areas.

From Afghanistan

Friendship bridge afg uzb - The Friendship bridge

The Friendship Bridge, 10 kilometers south of Termiz, links Afghanistan with Uzbekistan.

From Kazakhstan

There are only two border crossings between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan :

• Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka) between Shymkent and Tashkent is the primary street crossing between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan . A shared taxi or marschrutka from Kolos bus stop at Shymkent to the border costs about US$4. The trip takes about 1 hour. The border is open 7am to 9pm (Tashkent time). You will have to walk over the border and to take a taxi from the border to Tashkent, which will cost about 6000 som. There are reports of waiting times up to 6 hours at the border crossing.
• There is another crossing between Beyneu in Western Kazakhstan and Kungrad in Uzbekistan.

From Kyrgyzstan

• Busses from Bishkek to Uzbekistan stop at Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka) border. You will have to take a taxi from the border to Tashkent for 6000 som. A transit visum for Kazakhstan is required.
• You can take a taxi or shuttle van from Jalal Abad to Khanabad (20 som) and walk over the border crossing.
• You can take a taxi (50 som) or shuttle van (5 som) from Osh to Dustlyk (Dostyk) and a shared taxi from there to Andijan in Uzbekistan

From Tajikistan

It is about 55 kilometers from Dushanbe to the border at Denau. Taxis depart from Zarnisar Bazaar in Dushanbe. A seat in a taxi will cost about 8TJS and the trip will take about 90 minutes. There are Miníbusses from the border to the town of Denau. From there you will have to take a shared taxi to Samarkand.

You will have to take a shared taxi from Penjikent to the Tajik-Uzbek border (5 TJS, 22 kilometers) and another one from the border to Samarkand (about 50 kilometers).

Travel on a Bus in Uzbekistan

When land borders are open, buses run to all neighbouring countries.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Uzbekistan

Apart from the southern section of the inland Aral sea, Uzbekistan is land-locked. In fact, it's one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world - the other being Liechtenstein.

How to get around in Uzbekistan

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Uzbekistan

Bukhara train - Train in Bukhara

The most comfortable way to travel between the major tourist cities in Uzbekistan is by train. The main line Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara is served once a day in each direction by two express trains named "Afrosiob" and "Sharq": The Afrosiob is a Talgo-250-type train that makes a respective distance in 2.5 hours to Samarkand and the "Sharq" makes the 600-km-journey Tashkent - Bukhara (with intermediate stop in Samarkand) in less than 7 hours. A daily overnight train to and from Tashkent to Bukhara offers the possibility to travel during the night and so a day is not lost travelling. Comfortable sleeping cars allow a good sleep.

The timetable is available online]. The server is often down, but you can use the Russian Railways website to see timetables.

Unlike to ordinary local trains the express trains have three classes: The economy class (2nd) with 36 persons per carriage and still plenty of space and comfort and the business class (1st) and the VIP class (expect some free drinks and snacks). The Afrosiob is the fastest and most expensive train which costs from Tashkent to Samarkand for 2nd/1st/VIP 51,000/68,000/98,000 soms. Doing the same trip with the Sharq will save you around 22,000 soms ($7) in each class, but increases the travel duration for almost 1.30h.

Overnight trains also run from Tashkent and Samarkand to Urgench (3 times weekly) and to Nukus - Kungrad (2 times weekly), so it's also feasible to travel to Khiva (30 kilometers from Urgench, taxi/bus available) or to the Aral lake (Moynaq, 70 kilometers from Kungrad) by train. On Thursdays and there is an overnight train in Urgench that also stops in Bukhara.

There are four types of sleepers:

• miagki vagon (soft wagon) - 2 berth compartments
• kupeiny vagon - 4 berth compartments
• platskartny vagon - closely packed beds in a commonspace
• obshi vagon - as above but beds used in the seating configuration and therefore used for day trips

Book your ticket well in advance (booking at the day of departure is sometimes imfeasible: trains can get full or computer problems can make booking imfeasible). If you go and buy the ticket yourself, you'll have to show your passport. Some basic Russian can come in handy as well.

By shared taxi

The second best option, and an experience. Don't be put off - these are pretty safe as far as the people go and the roads are a different story - when they exist! But for getting between Nukus and Khiva, or Khiva to Urgench to Bukhara, this is the only realistic way to go.

The taxi driver will have a destination city - so at the ranks ask around for the city you're headed to. If you match, you then negotiate a rate. Ask around beforehand, you can quite easily get ripped off, because each passenger negotiates separately with the driver, so he can charge local residents normal rates and take you for all you have.

Once you've done that, you wait. The vehicle only leaves when full, or when the driver gets bored enough. If feasible, get the front passenger seat - 'only a lemon takes the middle seat'. Don't be polite about this - you do NOT want that middle seat. When it's over 50°C in the middle of the desert, with no air conditioning (you pay extra for a vehicle with that), you want to be as close to a window as feasible, and with only one person sweating against you!

Also and the roads are slow and sometimes barely existent - dirt tracks with potholes. It takes 6-8 hours from Urgench to Bukhara if you're lucky. Still and the vehicle will probably make it - when you do this section you'll understand why you don't want to risk the bus.

Travel on a Bus in Uzbekistan

Bus travel is only for the truly adventurous and not for anyone in a hurry in Uzbekistan. Except for special tours, buses are old, decrepit, crowded, painfully slow and prone to frequent breakdowns. If you do travel any distance on a bus in Uzbekistan, take toilet paper with you and be careful what you eat at stops along the way.

Others

You can travel by private taxi, shuttle van, or normal bus. While there are official taxis, most cars will become taxis if you wave them down. Meters are rare, so negotiate the price beforehand.

By car

File:Ташкентская область - panoramio (14) - Entering Tashkent region

Drive on the right. International driving permit required. Minimum age: 17. Speed lim 60 to 80 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on highways.

There are several paved highways with two lanes in Uzbekistan:

• AH5 from Gishtkuprik/Chernyavka on the border to Kazakhstan via Tashkent, Syrdaria, Samarkand, Navoi and Bukhara to Alat on the border to Turkmenistan (680 kilometers),
• AH7 from the border to Kyrgysztan via Andijon, Tashkent and Syrdaria to Xovos/Khavast on the border to Tajikistan (530 kilometers),
• AH62 from Gishtkuprik/Chernyavka on the border to Kazakhstan via Tashkent, Syrdaria, Samarkand and Guzar to Termez on the border to Afghanistan (380 kilometers),
• AH63 from Oazis on the border to Kazakhstan in the North West of Uzbekistan via Nukus and Bukhara to Guzar (950 kilometers paved road, 240 kilometers unpaved)
• AH65 from Uzun on the border to Tajikistan to Termez on the border to Afghanistan (180 kilometers)

Urban transport

During the day the metro (underground train) is the good option. After 12 midnight you are recommended to use taxi services. It is better to call the taxi (car-service) to pick you up in advance. Some car-services can serve the foreign speaking tourists. You can get more information in the hotel.

Local Language in Uzbekistan

The sole official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek. The majority of citizens are ethnic Uzbeks and speak it as their first language, though due to its history as part of the Soviet Union, many also speak Russian, which continues to be a compulsory second language in all schools. There are also significant numbers of ethnic Tajiks and Kazakhs in Uzbekistan, primarily speaking their native tongue as a first language. In Samarkand and Bukhara, for instance, one is just as likely to hear Tajik phrasebook|Tajik being spoken as Uzbek. Russian is widely spoken especially in the cities. In Tashkent the majority of the population speak Russian and one is just as likely to hear it being spoken on the street as Uzbek.

In the semi-autonomous region of Karalkalpakstan in western Uzbekistan and the ethnic Karalkalpaks speak their own language, which is related to Kazakh. Many Karalkalpaks also speak Russian.

In the cities, more and more people speak English, especially those in the hotel and catering trades. However, English is still generally not widely spoken, so if you cannot speak Uzbek, Russian would be your best option.

What to see in Uzbekistan

Architecture

AlBukhari Mausoleum dome - Detail of Al Bukhari mausoleum, Samarkand

Uzbekistan has preserved a rich architectural legacy. The construction of monumental buildings was seen as a matter of prestige, emphasizing the power of the ruling dynasty, leading families and higher clergy. The external appearance of towns was determined to a great extent by their fortifications. The walls were flanked at regular intervals by semicircular towers and the entrances to towns were marked by darwazas (gates). These gates usually had a high vault and a gallery for lookout and were flanked by two mighty towers. The doors were closed at night and in case of danger. Along the main streets were rows of shops, specialized in different goods, and many skilled craftsmen had their workshops in these stalls. The most important covered markets are called tag, tim or bazaars (shopping passages( and charsu (crossroads, literally "four directions"). In big cities the ark (fortress) was the administrative center. It contained the emir's palace, chancellery, treausry, arsenal and the jail for high-ranking prisoners. The towns also had large public centres, consisting of a maydan (open square) surrounded by large buildings for civil or religious purposes.

Local Mosques in Uzbekistan

• The Friday Mosque (Masjid Al Jumu'ah) is located in the town. It had a spacious courtyard with a surrounding gallery and a maqsura (screened-off enclosure) in the main axis. A typical example is the Kalan Mosque at Bukhara.
• The Oratory Mosque (Namazgah) is situated outside of the town. Prayers at two important Muslim festivals were conducted in public. The worshippers gathered in an open space in front of the building where the minbar (imam's pulpit) stood.
• The Neighbourhood Mosque was smaller in size and consisted of a covered hall with the mihrab and an exterior gallery with columns. They were built from donations of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood and are often richly decorated. An example of this type is the Baland (Boland) Mosque at Bukhara.
• The Madrasa is an institition for higher education of ulama (Islamic scholars). The madrasa has a courtyard with two or four aywand (arched portals) on the axes which were used as classrooms in the summer, a row of cells on one or two floors, darsakhanas (lecture rooms) in two or four corners and a mosque for daily prayer. The main facade has a high portal with two or four minaret-like towers at the junctions of the building. Madrasas from the 16th and 17th cent. which have been preserved are Madar-Khan, Abdullah Khan, Kukeldash, Nadir Divan Begi and Abdul Aziz Khan at Bukhara, Shir-Dor and Tilla-Kari at Samarkand, Kukeldash and Baraq Khan in Tashkent, Said Ataliq at Denau and Mir Rajab Dotha at Kanibadam. Madrasas built in the 18th and 19th cent. include Narbuta Bi at Kokand, Qutlugh Murad Inaq, Khojamberdybii, Khoja Moharram, Musa Tura and Allah-Quili Khan in Khiva.
• The Khanaqah was originally a guest house for travelling Sufis near the residence of their pir (spiritual masters). Under the Timurids they became meeting places of the followers of a Sufi order, attended by representatives of the ruling elite and often a zikr-khana (room for exposition and Sufi rites) was added. Examples of khanaqas from the 16th and 17th cent include Zaynuddin, Fayzabad, Bahaudin and Nadi Divan-Begi at Bukhara, Mulla Mir near Ramitan, Qasim Shaiykh at Karmana and Imam Bahra near Khatirchi.
• Memorial buildings were erected in the 14th and 15th cent for Temur and his family, e.g. Gur-Emir and Shah-i Zinda at Samarkand and at Shakrizabs. In the 16th and 17th cent. fewer mausoleums were built. An example from this period is the Qafal Shashi Mausoleum in Tashkent. Monumental buildings were often erected near holy tombs. At Bukhara a monumental kanaqah was built near the founder of the Naqshbandi order, Bahauddein and at Char Bakr and the family necropolis of the powerful Juybari shaykhs. From the 16th cent. onwards mauseoleums for rulers were no longer built. The rulers were interred in madrasas and the Shaybanids of Samarkand in the Abu Said Mausoleum on the Registan, Ubaydullah Khan from Bukhara in the Mir-i Arab Madrasa and Abdul Aziz Khan in the Abdul Aziz Madrasa.

Civic architecture

Ak Sarai - Ak Sarai in Shakhrizabz

• Market buildings (Charsu, Tim, Taq) form the very heart of an oriental town. The charsu is a building covered by a central dome, standing at the crossroads, surrounded by shops and workshops covered by small domes. The tim is a trading passage and the taq a domed building on a smaller scale built at the intersection of major streets. At Bukhara the Taq-i Zargaran (Goldsmiths' Dome) has an octagonal central space covered by a dome set on 32 intersecting arches. Shops and workshops around the central space are toppes by small domes.
• Caravanserais played an important role along the trade routes. According to the traditional plan a caravanserai is a rectangular building with a large courtyard, galleries for animals and baggage, lodgings for the travellers and a mosque. The outer walls were high and thick and the entrance was well guarded and at the junctions there were towers for defense. The best exampla is at Rabat al-Malik. A small number of caravanserais have survived, party in ruins, e.g. the caravanserai near the Qaraul Bazar on the road from Bukhara to Karshi and the Abdullah Khan caravanserai on the road from Karshi to Termez.
• Bathhouses from the 16th and 17th cent. have been preserved at Samarkand, Sahrh-i Sabz, Bukhara and Tashkent. They are heated by a system of channels under the floor, distributing the heat uniformly through the whole building. Some of them have rooms for disrobing, hot and cold rooms, a private massage room or a water closet. Bathhouses are covered with domes which give them their characteristic external appearance.

Architectural Ensembles

• The Pay-i Kalan (Pedestal of the Great at Bukhara,
• The Kosh Madrasa at Bukhara,
• The Lab-i Hauz at Bukhara,
• The Registan at Samarkand
• The Char-Bakr Complex at Sumitan, outside of Bukhara

Nature Reserves

• Jeyran Ecological Centre | The jeyran (Central Asian gazelle) was hunted in the last century by men in jeeps and helicopters. Today and the Uzbekistan jeyran is included in the Red Book of Endangered Species). The Jeyran ecological centre was founded about 1985 and is the only one of its kind in Central Asia. At the beginning 42 jeyrans were brought here, but today 700 unique animals live here in a fenced area of 5000 hectares. Besides jeyrans, Prezhevalskiy horses and koulans are bred in the reserve.

• Kitab State Geological Reserve

Cattle in Kyzyl Kum (Uzbekistan) - Cattle in Kyzyl Kum

• Kyzylkum Tugai and Sand Reserve | The reserve was founded in 1971. It covers the flood-lands of the Amu Darya river and the sand-dune desert near-by. The riverside vegetation occupies an area of 3177 hectares and the sand area is 2544 hectares. The best time to visit the reserve is spring. According to ornithologists there are 190 species of birds in the reserve, including herons, river terns, wild ducks, sandpipers NS turtle-doves. The reserve has a lush flora of poplars, silver oleasters and riverside willows. Deer, wild boars, wolves, jackals, foxes, hares and reed cats live on the tugai woods and zhe population of jeyrans is being restored.

• Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve | The Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve is being implemented by the government of Uzbekistan, Global Ecology Fund and UN Development Program and co-financed by German Union of Nature Protection. The reserve lies between the desert and mountain systems of Central Asia. It consists of the southern part of the Kyzylkum Desert, lakes Aydarkul and Tuzgan and the mountain ridges of Nuratau and Koitash. The existing Nurata Reserve and Arnasay Ornithological Reserve on Lake Tuzgan will be integrated into the new Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve. Among the animals integtrated in the Red Book of Endagered Species are the Severtsev ram or Kyzylkum ram, golden eagle, bearded and black griffon-vulture. In the reserve are rare sorts of walnut-trees, Central Asian juniper, Bukhara almond-trees, pistachio-trees, wild vines, united-kingdom/dried-apricots-5/ Apricots -trees, apple-trees and various sorts of dog-roses. Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biospheric Reserve will be included in the UNESCO global list of biosphere reserves. The experiences will be used in founding biosphere reserves in the Central Kyzylkum Desert, Southern Ustyurt Desert and the tugai woods of the river Amu Darya.

• Ugam-Chatkal National Park | Ugam-Chatkal National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in Uzbekistan, founded in 1947. The Western Tien Shan is the natural habitat to 44 species of mammals, 230 species of birds and 1168 species of plants including several endemic plants. In the National Park live white-claw bears, wolves, Tien Shan foxes, red marmots, stone-martens, Turkestan lynx, snow leopards, wild boars, badgers, Siberian roes, mountain goast and Tien Shan wild rams as well as wild turkeys, mountain partridges, golden eagles, bearded and eagle vultures. The slopes of the Pskem ridge are covered with walnut-trees, wild fruit trees and wild bushes. The banks of the river are occupied by archa (Central Asian juniper). The Chimgan-Charvak-Beldersay Resort Zone, covering an area 100,000 hectares, has three health-recreation complexes: 'Charvak', 'Chimgan' and 'Beldersay'.

What to do in Uzbekistan

• Camel trekking | in the yurt camps at Lake Aidarkul or Ayaz-Quala

• Bird watching

• Trekking | in the Ugam Chatkal National Park

• Rafting | in the Chatkal or Syr-Darya Rivers

• Skiing

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Uzbekistan

Money Matters & ATM's in Uzbekistan

The currency of the nation is the Uzbekistani so‘m, denoted in Cyrillic as "сўм" (ISO code: UZS).

However, Uzbekistan finds itself in the curious situation of having a huge trade surplus (from its energy exports) but also having a parallel black market exchange rate. In September 2017 and the government devalued the som from the official rate of 4210 per USD to 8100 per USD, below the black market exchange rate effectively ending the black market.

10,000 som, 50,000 som bills were introduced in 2017 and are the usual bills which you will get at the exchange counter. The US dollar used to be the foreign currency of choice, but nowadays the euro is also accepted everywhere.

Since March 2018, it has been illegal to change money outside official currency exchange offices, which are found only in banks and some expensive international hotels. In particular and the money exchange at Chorsu Bazaar has stopped, although you might find yourself being asked by one or the other person on the market if you want to exchange currency with them. Their exchange rate can be much worse than the official one. As of March 2018, it was feasible to exchange all sorts of foreign currency at the official exchange offices, even very small bills. The exchange of US dollars and euros appeared to be done at almost the market rate, while Russian rubles were exchanged at 5-10% below the market rate.

ATMs don't accept foreign cards anymore [as of March 2018], if you run out of cash you can find special "international ATMs" at expensive hotels which provide you with USD, usually only in 100 $ bills. Moreover, be careful of withdrawing a large number of dollars and then leaving Uzbekistan with more money than you declared when you entered. You have to declare foreign currency above USD 1700 at the airport upon arrival.

UZS5000 2013 rear - The obverse of a 5000 som banknote issued in 2013 shows the National Assembly building.

What is the living cost in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is cheaper than the neighbouring Kazakhstan, but probably a little more expensive than Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan. A Street food|street snack costs about US$0.80. A comfortable double room is US$40.

Bazaars

In Uzbekistan people traditionally buy goods at bazaars. Prices are fixed in department stores only. In bazaars, private shops and private souvenir stores haggling is part of the game. Bazaars are the best place to observe the daily life of the local residents. The Alayski Bazaar is one of the oldest and most famous bazaars of Central Asia. You will find beautiful rugs, silk, spices, handicrafts and traditional clothes in the Eski Djouva and Chor Su bazaars in the Old City of Tashkent.

Typical souvenirs are:

• babaichik, figurines,
• tubeteika, traditional Uzbek caps and
• Shiljait, Shilajit means "Conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness". It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an herbal rejuvenator, nerve tonic and natural stimulator.

Halal Restaurants in Uzbekistan

When you go to restaurants, always ask for menu or price if they do not provide one. While some of the well-established restaurants are surprisingly good value by Western standard, some of the random or less popular restaurants try to take advantage of tourists by ripping off up to 5 times of normal price.

Oshi palov tajik - Plov

• Osh (commonly called plov, palov or pilaf) is the national dish. It's made of Rice, carrots, onions, and mutton, and you will eat it if you go to Uzbekistan. Each region has its own way of cooking plov, so you should taste it in different places. According to the legend plov was invented by the cooks of Alexander the Great. Plov can also be made with peas, carrots, raisins, dried united-kingdom/dried-apricots-5/ Apricots, pumpkins or quinces. Often spices as peppers, crushed or dried tomatoes are added.
• Chuchvara - similar to ravioli and stuffed with mutton and onions (aka 'pelmeni' in Russian).
• Manti - lamb and onion filled dumpling-like food, often with onions, peppers and mutton fat.
• Somsas, which are pastry pockets filled with beef, mutton, pumpkin or potatoes. In spring time "green somsas" are made from so-called "yalpiz" a kind of grass which grows in the mountains and in rural parts of regions. And the amazing thing is people just pick them up for free and make tasty somsas. You can find somsas being cooked and sold on the streets.
• Lagman - thick soup with Meat, potatoes, spices, vegetables and Pasta. By right, it should include 50 ingredients. Often carrot, red beet, cabbage, radish, garlic, tomatoes, peppers and onions are added. The - Noodles should be very thin.
• Shashlik - grilled meat. Usually served only with onions. Veal or mutton is marinated in salt, peppers and vinegar and eight to ten pieces of Meat are grilled on a spit over the open fire.
• Bread - Uzbeks eat lots of bread (in uzbek its called non). Round bread is called lepioshka. You can buy it anywhere, while in the bazar it costs around 400 sum. Samarkand is very famous for the bread. The characteristic Samarkand bread obi-non is traditionally baked in clay furnaces. Bread is served to every meal.

• Mastava | Rice soup with pieces of onion, carrots, tomatoes, peas and eventually wild plums

• Shurpa | soup of mutton (sometimes beef), vegetables

• Bechbarmak | a speciality of the nomad Kazakhs, boiled Meat of sheep or ox and pieces of liver, served with onions, potatoes and noodles

Being an historic crossroads and part of numerous empires, Uzbek food is very eclectic in its origins. Indian, Iranian, Arab, Russian, and Chinese influences are present in this unique cuisine.

There are two national drinks of Uzbekistan: tea and vodka (result of more than a century of Russian domination of the land).

• Tea is served virtually everywhere: home, office, cafes, etc. Uzbek people drink black tea in winter and green tea in summer, instead of water. If tea is served in the traditional manner and the server will pour tea into a cup from the teapot and then pour the tea back into the teapot. This action is repeated three times. These repetitions symbolize loy (clay) which seals thirst, moy (grease) which isolates from the cold and the danger and tchai (tea or water) which extinguishes the fire. If you are being served tea in an Uzbek home and the host will attempt at all times to make sure your cup is never filled. If the host fills your cup, it probably means that it is time for you to leave, but this occurs really rarely, because Uzbeks are very hospitable. The left hand is considered impure. The tea and the cups are given and taken by the right hand.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Uzbekistan, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Uzbekistan. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Uzbekistan and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Uzbekistan. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Uzbekistan. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inUzbekistan: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Uzbekistan.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Uzbekistan: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Uzbekistan, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Uzbekistan.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Uzbekistan, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Uzbekistan, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Uzbekistan and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Uzbekistan, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Uzbekistan, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Uzbekistan without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Uzbekistan is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Uzbekistan.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Uzbekistan is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Uzbekistan, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Uzbekistan Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Uzbekistan

eHalal Group Uzbekistan is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Uzbekistan. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Uzbekistan.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Uzbekistan ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

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Muslim Friendly hotels in Uzbekistan

Hotels

There are many hotels in the nation. In Tashkent there are various types of hotels you can stay, it can cost you US$60 and more depending on how much you're willing to pay for your pleasure in hotel.

Yurt stays

• Nurata Yurt Camp, about 500 kilometers (7 hours drive) from Tashkent, 250 kilometers /3 hours drive) from Samarkand and Bokhara, near Aydakul Lake, US$ 60 per person incl. full board and camel trip. The Yurts can accommodate 8 to 10 people.
• Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp, about 100 kilometers from Khiva, 70 kilometers from Urgench, 450 kilometers from Bokhara and 150 kilometers from Nukus. phone 2210770, 2210707, 3505909, fax 53243-61. Access from Khiva and Urgench is via a pontoon bridge over the Amu Darya River. The yurts are on a hill about 30 meters high, near the archaeological site of Ayaz Kala. The ancient fortresses of Ayaz Kala are nearby. US$ 60 per person incl. three meals. The yurts can accommodate 20 to 25 persons.
• Aydar Yurt Camp, in the Navoi region in the center of the Kyzyl Kum desert, 10 kilometers from Lake Aydar Kul. The Aydar Yurt Camp is famous for camel safaris.

Stay Safe

Samarkand-21 - |Uzbek police in Samarkand

For the most part, Uzbekistan is generally safe for visitors.

Normal precautions should be taken, as one would in virtually any country. Especially in the cities (few travellers will spend much time overnight in the small villages), be careful after dark, avoid unlighted areas, and don't walk alone. Even during the day, refrain from openly showing significant amounts of cash. Men should keep wallets in a front pocket and women should keep purses in front of them with a strap around an arm. Avoid wearing flashy or valuable jewellery which can easily be snatched.

Common scams|Scams are not unheard of. While all of these precautions should be observed during travel virtually anywhere in the world, for some reason many visitors in Uzbekistan seem to lower their guard. They should not.

It is also feasible that you will be asked by police (Militsiya) for documents. This doesn't happen often, but it can, and they have a legal right to do so. By law, you should carry your passport and visa with you in Uzbekistan, though in training, it is better to make a color scan of the first two pages of your passport and your Uzbek visa before you arrive. Carry the colour copies with you when you're walking around, and keep the original documents in the hotel safe. The scanned documents will almost always suffice.

Medical Issues in Uzbekistan

Fruits and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Visitors should consider tap water to be unsafe to drink in regions, while in capital of Uzbekistan the water is safe for drinking. In any case drinking bottled water is advised.

Local Customs in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, and in Central Asia in general, elderly people are greatly respected. Always treat the elderly with great respect and be deferent to them in all situations.

Telecommunications in Uzbekistan

Mobile connection works in most parts of Uzbekistan and the services are cheap. There are several popular mobile service providers in Uzbekistan - Ucell, Beeline, MTS (MTC in Cyrillic), Perfectum Mobile. A foreigner can get a SIM card after showing his passport. For activating the cell phone connection a person has to be registered.

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