Best Time to Visit Uzbekistan - The Land Beyond the Oxus River

If someone wants to witness the spectacle of ornate architecture with its hues of blues; geometric patterns, mosaics, religious symbols, intricate tilework and majestic minarets, then there is no country better than Uzbekistan.

From the capital city of Tashkent to Samarkand and Shakhrisabz; Bukhara and Moynaq, Uzbekistan is a country rich in art, and culture. Its ideas flow freely through every stone and blue-tinted glass intricately carved and placed inside the grandiose palaces, mosques and ancient towers. Each piece, speaks of the region’s past, the emperors who ruled and left the ruins, of those who rebuilt and of the curious and kind people living today. There is a unique charm to this country that even our Uzbekistan tour packages could not fail to capture.

Uzbekistan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and when it comes to witnessing it in its true nature, it is important to time your trip right! Read on, for we have everything you need to know before you book your tour - right from the best time to visit Uzbekistan to the tourist destinations worth exploring during your visit.

The Best Time To Visit Uzbekistan

• December to February
• March and April
• May and June
• July and August
• September to November

Uzbekistan from December to February

Right from the onset of heavy winter in December to the late February, these months are one of the coldest in Uzbekistan. With temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Celsius in Samarkand to minus 24 degrees in the mountainous area, visiting during these months in Uzbekistan is considered best for cosying up in a cabin and enjoying some clear skies.

With little to no visitors present to witness the snow sprinkled on top of the buildings, minarets and monuments, winter presents the best time to have the cities to yourself and experience the beauty of Uzbekistan in peace and tranquillity. Also, with no queue lining to see the monuments, this is the best time of year to go to Uzbekistan. Travellers can happily explore popular sites like the Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum, the Ark of Bukharayou, The Bibi-Khanyum Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, and Itchan Kala on the ancient Silk Road cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva.

Away from the summertime crowd when the city streets are bustling with eager tourists ready to take on cities and scorching heat, Uzbekistan rests and thrives in winter. What is more exciting is to watch as a blanket of snow slowly covers the desert castles in the Kyzylkum desert region.

Despite the low season and most cultural experiences absent from Uzbekistan, winter is the best time to go to Uzbekistan if you love winter sports. While this desert nation might not sound like an ideal ski destination, the mountain slopes of Chimghan and Beldersay, the UNESCO-listed Chatkal mountains have some of the best ski resorts.

Uzbekistan in March and April

March is when Uzbekistan begins to warm up a little and welcomes spring. Despite the snow melting off the top of the buildings at the end of February, the terrain is still peaceful and quiet. Though the occasional rain may compel you to stay indoors, the aftermath is another thing in itself.

This is the best time to travel to Uzbekistan, with apricot trees blossoming in the fields and flowers carpeting the mountains and plains, March breathes back life into the country.

April is when visitors begin showing up at the ancient monuments and enjoying local fares. With spring in full swing in April, the month is great for exploring the mosques and mausoleums in Bukhara, Samarkand, Kiva and the cultural capital Tashkent. April, still with its cool and balmy nights is also about exploring the deserts, sleeping in yurts under the stars and taking in the quiet of the Kysylkum Desert.

Besides exploring the ancient cities, March and April are the best months to visit Uzbekistan which brings with them one-of-a-kind experiences and festivals such as the Boysun Spring International Folklore Festival held every two years and the International Dance Festival "Lazgi" in Khiva. This time is also best to visit Tashkent. With Easter just around the corner and Tashkent hosting an international marathon as part of the Navruz festival celebrated during the spring equinox and the Persian New Year, this is the best time of the year to experience Uzbekistani culture.

It is also during the Navruz festival that the Uzbekistani government announces a five-day holiday when people take to the streets to enjoy the festivities, art and craft fairs, sell their wares, and hop from event to event.

Uzbekistan in May and June

The start of May to the mid of June is an exciting time in Uzbekistan. Temperatures are beginning to rise without being overly warm, people are setting camp and enjoying the sun, consequently, events and festivals are taking place across the country.

May is a busy month in Uzbekistan, what with the Boysun Bahori Festival in full spring in the first week of May and The Silk and Spice Festival gracing the atmosphere of Bukhara in the last week of the month. Street shops crowded with locals and tourists buying spices, fine handmade crafts, and silk scarves. People dressed up in traditional costumes, artists, and acrobats performing and trading on the city streets. Medieval warriors lined up near Ark Fortress and caravans loaded with silks and spices being pulled by camels and horses. The festivals also host master classes, events and artist’s meetups. Since the country is alive and bustling, many travellers consider it the best time to visit Uzbekistan.

With most activities in May, June is time for relaxation and taking refuge in the cooler parts of the country. June is when the country begins to get hotter. With temperatures in Chimbay, Bukhara, Chakhrisabz, Khiva and pretty much the rest of the plains ranging between 20-35°C, the weather is a little endurable. However, it is best to head out for sightseeing early in the morning. June is also the best time to go to the Nuratau Mountains in Uzbekistan to experience the traditional Uzbekistani lifestyle and cool down before stifling summer takes hold.

Uzbekistan in July and August

Even though July is not the best season to visit Uzbekistan, it still holds some charm to it!

July is one of the off-seasons where the country does not experience much footfall. Especially in the desert region, the temperatures are well above 30°C and sometimes even reach 40°C, this time is best to grab some great low-season deals for Uzbekistan. Also, since the heat is too intense to go out camping or exploring during the mid-day, travellers can fill their days with museum visits in Tashkent, visit eateries, and spa treatments, or enjoy late dinners.

By mid-August, Uzbekistan is still warm but the heat is not as excruciating as the preceding month. It is towards the end of the month that temperatures begin to drop a little and things cool down for people to leave their homes and indulge in the fun activities, visit the open-air bazaars, desert camping and enjoy the Stihia (Element) Festival in the Kyzylkum Desert.

Uzbekistan from September to November

From September to November, Uzbekistan experiences a mix of seasons. With the onset of Autumn in September, the weather in Uzbekistan begins to get a little cooler. The temperatures are ideal for hiking along the Nuratau and Chimgan mountain ranges and camping at Nurota.

September and October are also the harvest seasons that provide travellers with ample opportunities to sample the local produce and feast on fruits and vegetables from the apple-cheeked local vendors. Other highlights of the season are the open-air concerts, jam concerts, folk festivals, Bukhara Night Race, Sharq Taronalari festival and Maqom festival in Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. This is the best time of year to go to Uzbekistan to immerse yourself in the vibrant and artistic culture of the country.

By the end of October, as the temperatures begin to drop again to welcome the winter, the crowds begin to dwindle and things start to quieten down a little. However, there is still some time left to freely explore along the Silk Road before the low season kicks in, in November.

Uzbekistan is a landlocked country with a colourful history and a mesmerising present. It was during the time when Islam was prevalent in the country that it was called Mā warā’ an-nahr, “The land beyond (the Oxus) river”. At present, the country enjoys its fair share of tourist activities and is most coveted for the charm the Uzbekistan tourist places hold.

When it comes to picking the best time to visit Uzbekistan, we are sure this blog would have made things a lot easier and given you a glimpse into what this country has in store for you. So, grab your gear and as they say in Uzbek, “Safaringiz xavfsiz bo'lsin”.