Six surprising things I discovered about Uzbekistan

In March, our Client Services Director, Lucy Palmer, ventured to Uzbekistan on a Fam Trip with our trusted DMC partner, Orient Voyages. From ancient Silk Road cities to immersive cultural encounters, read on to find out Lucy's top trip highlights and why this captivating destination should be on your radar.

We have a verb in our office: 'to Palmer something'. As in I'm usually involved when there's an IT catastrophe! But shutting down an entire airport is pretty impressive even for me! 

Unfortunately, our Fam Trip to Uzbekistan was due to depart on Friday 21 March from Heathrow. Yes, THAT day. Heathrow was entirely shut down due to a fire at a local power station and for the majority of the group, our flights with Uzbekistan Airways were cancelled. 

Sometimes it takes something like this to really test a supplier and boy did Orient Voyages step up to the mark. Working tirelessly, they immediately found multiple solutions to deal with those who were delayed (rebooking flights, trains etc) and for those passengers who had already arrived, to ensure that the trip could continue. Knowing how swiftly and effectively the team dealt with this kind of pressure really impressed everyone and showcased what a ‘safe pair of hands’ they really are.

Luckily the destination itself quickly dissipated any stress of getting there. It is truly astonishing. The history, the architecture and the atmosphere of the Silk Road is ever present - transporting you back into ancient lands that still seem shrouded in legend. 

I’d wanted to go to Central Asia for years, but stupidly never found the time to prioritise it on my bucket list. I don’t know why but maybe I didn’t really have any idea of what to expect. These are six things that really surprised me and the rest of the group (we collaborated on this list!) on the trip.

1) There are treasures on every corner

I’d seen the blue domes in images of Uzbekistan of course, but stupidly I thought there were just one or two key iconic buildings like this - I had no idea that they are everywhere!  The itinerary encompassed the ancient cities of Khiva, Bhukara and Samarkand. UNESCO lists these entire cities (not just one or two buildings) as world wonders. Jaw-dropping architecture is on every corner - our guide classified them as the three Ms: mosques, minarets and madrases - which were ancient centres of learning for both secular and religious subjects.

Up close they are stunningly beautiful and the detail on the mosaics is exquisite. Their size is also remarkable - considering when they were built and what they’ve endured since. Centuries of earthquakes, Russian occupation and, the most formidable of all, Genghis Khan, who wiped out nearly everything as he swept through the region in the 1220s. It is extraordinary that they have survived.

2) Each city has its own unique personality

Tashkent is a fascinating mix of old Islamic and Soviet-influenced architecture. A legacy from Russia are the beautiful metro stations here, which are adorned with chandeliers and mosaics depicting rural life (and the Moscow olympics). 

More imposing sculptures appear in the many city parks and green spaces. Armies of rural farmers are bussed into the city to keep it clean (outside the harvest they only work for a few hours a day and are paid fairly). The city is absolutely spotless as a result. Another surprise!

Captivating Bhukara is one of those rare travel places where you instantly feel at home. Although there are lots of impressive sights to tick off, the best way to experience it is to wander round the ancient bazaars and simply soak up all the history.

The Ark really is like something out of Aladdin. A royal residence from the 5th century it has stables, state rooms, houses, mosques and of course a harem.

The final stop was astounding Samarkand. Its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities on earth has been passed down for centuries. The scale and grandeur of the buildings here literally takes your breath away.

We all gasped out loud when we first saw its centerpiece - Registan square. Unlike other majestic buildings such as the Taj Mahal and Petra, these aren’t merely arched facades - it is just as beautiful on the inside, with manicured gardens and intricate balconies. You could easily spend a week exploring all the sights here but Shah-i-Zinda is usually everyone’s favourite. Rows of dazzling ancient royal tombs line a narrow medieval street where Alexander the Great and Ghengis Khan once came to marvel too. Arriving in Samakand must have been mind blowing to visitors back then, as it still is today.

3) Bullet trains are a great way to travel

I imagined Uzbekistan to be quite run down and prepared myself for long distance road journeys full of potholes. I failed to realise the impact of Soviet investment.

We mostly travelled by bullet train which was modern, efficient, cheap and sustainable. Some of the group also travelled by ‘ordinary’ train from Khiva and loved how it enabled them to authentically mingle with domestic passengers of all ages, who were keen to chat and interact. 

4) The food is sublime

We had a ‘light lunch’ with a local family on the first day and quickly realised that Uzbeks take their food very seriously. The table was groaning with exquisite platters of mouth watering delicacies and just when we thought we had finished, more and more courses kept on coming!

The local cuisine is absolutely delicious and utilises all the spices found along the Silk Road. Freshly baked bread and aromatic, herby salads accompany most meals. We visited beautiful boutique restaurants serving traditional dishes, but for me the most fun place to eat was in the local markets, where vendors eagerly handed out samples for you to try. I’m vegetarian and although the majority of meals are meat based - it wasn’t hard to find great veggie alternatives. 

Plov is the much adored national dish that drives people into a frenzy. A quite ordinary looking mix of spiced rice and meat (or vegetables in my case), it sends people into a spin with its heavenly flavours. I’m drooling just thinking of it now.

5) Shopping

Now this is a Fam Trip and usually there is no time in an itinerary for frivolous activities such as shopping. But I don’t think I’ve ever visited a destination before which universally inspired a craving for retail therapy throughout the entire group.

Markets are central to every city here and beautiful silk kaftans, cashmere scarves, colourful pottery, vibrant paintings, carpets, wood carvings, leather… The variety of crafts on display was tantalising. As were the ridiculously cheap prices. Eventually the guide gave up trying to hold us back and let us loose for an hour. It was as if the whispers of centuries-old Silk Road traders were infiltrating the atmosphere and encouraging us to ‘buy, buy, buy’! It seemed churlish to refuse! 

We also had the opportunity to join in a range of workshops to witness how these crafts are created. We made our own ceramic plates in the studio of a renowned potter, witnessed a puppet maker bringing his creations to life, had a master class at a school for miniature painting for talented deaf and mute children and had a moving tour with a female carpet maker who provides work and shelter for women who have been subject to domestic abuse.

These interactions were not only fascinating - they also help preserve centuries-old skills and provide purpose to those who need it most.

6) The People

It is a cliche, but usually it is the people you meet along the way who provide the lasting memories for any trip. I don't know why, but I thought the residents here may be a bit quiet and reserved. But Uzbeks have an innate gift for hospitality, as if inherited from generations of welcoming travellers along the Silk Road.

Our Orient Voyages guide was exceptional - honest, open and knowledgeable, she made history come alive and enlightened us on the many positive aspects of Russian rule - a view that I hadn’t expected. All the locals we met were a delight - whether it was an old lady bartering with a twinkle in her eye, a spice trader carefully preparing a package (double wrapped) for me to take home or the young train staff taking selfies with us in the vodka carriage! 

I can’t believe it has taken me so long to experience this dream of a destination. It’s off the beaten track, but easily accessible. There are also very reasonable, direct flights with Uzbekistan Airways who fly three times a week from London. Avoiding a layover meant you could relax during the flight and our Fam Trip participants were impressed with the level of service on the national carrier.

Orient Voyages impressed everyone with their wealth of destination knowledge and their expert guides.  They also proved what a reliable and professional safe pair of hands they are, should the unthinkable happen. In our post trip feedback, 100% of participants rated them ‘excellent’. We cannot recommend them highly enough.  

Uzbekistan has a long list of awe inspiring world wonders, but without the crowds. It’s so easy to travel around and I’d go back for the Plov alone! In such a short time we created lifelong memories. If you’re not featuring it yet, I’d urge you to find out more and move quickly, before everyone else discovers just how phenomenal this beautiful country is! 

For an introduction to Orient Voyages, please contact miskola@theadventureconnection.com.