Gastronomy is one more reason to fall in love with Uzbekistan. Having arrived to our country, you can refuse any excursion, but you will never refuse food, especially here, where even at the airport the air is saturated with the smell of delicious dishes.

The gastronomic trip to Uzbekistan will give you an unforgettable taste experience for the whole year and you will certainly want to repeat it even at home.

7 facts about Uzbek food:
The most delicious bread is in Uzbekistan;

Many Uzbek dishes are cooked on the open fire (hearth);

Uzbek food is normally fat and high-calorie;

AUzbeks drink hot tea after the meal;

Uzbeks eat lamb, beef and horse meat (horse sausage – kazi);

In Uzbekistan, guests are greeted with fragrant tea and break a cake, and escorted by delicious pilaf;

Special tea ceremony (before to pass tea to the guest, a bowl of tea is poured into the teapot three times, and tea is served to the guest on the fourth).

Uzbek cuisine

Uzbek cuisine is, perhaps, one of the most diverse and colorful in the world. If you want to enjoy the most delicious pilaf in the world, succulent lamb on charcoal, the tandoor-kebab, the spicy lagman or the crispy samsa – visit Uzbekistan!

Traditional Dishes

Uzbek bread – non, patyr, shirmoi-non, katlama.
Dishes from the dough – soms, manty, khanum, chuchvara, naryn, kovurma lagman.
Rice dishes – pilaf, shawl, moshkichiri, moshhurda, mastava, hasip.
Desserts and sweets – fresh and dried fruits, sumalak, halva, halvaitar, nisholda, chak-chak, boogirsak, kushtili, urama (people call it “khvorost” and it translated as brushwood), baklava, pashmak behi-dulma.
Drinks – tea, koumiss, sharbat, ayran, katyk.

Wine making in Uzbekistan

Wine production in Uzbekistan has a very deep history. It is believed that the first grapes were brought here 6 thousand years ago. And even then in Central Asia there was a high technology of winemaking and growing grapes.

The famous Venetian traveler of the middle ages, Marco Polo, who traveled through Central Asia, wrote in his diary:

“Samarkand, Bukhara and other wonderful cities are the places decorated with the magnificent gardens and vineyards. I tasted the wine here. This wine was at least a dozen years old, and it amazed with its excellent quality…”

In 1927, a famous winemaker, Professor M. A. Khovrenko, came to Uzbekistan. He was the first in our country to develop technical methods for the production of fine wines, such as” Gulyakandoz”,” Shirin”,” Liqueur Cabernet”,” Aleatiko”,” Uzbekistan “and” Farkhod”, and organized the opening of the first winery for their production.

Have you ever had to think about modern life, about the role that man has come to play in it? Allow yourself to stop for a moment, forget about the endless pursuit of modern things and newfangled goods. Take a pause and think. What has become the inner appearance of a person? Can a modern person be called happy and what makes him so? To find answers to philosophical questions, some people spend their whole life, others unfortunately do not find these answers, and others go on a pilgrimage.

Islamic Ziyorat tourism objects

On the territory of Uzbekistan, there are many Holy places belonging to the Islamic culture and its current of Sufism, as well as other religions. The most valuable monuments are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Among them is the city of Bukhara, called in the Islamic world Bukhara-Sharif, which means Blessed Bukhara. The city of Samarkand, which has a huge number of priceless monuments. Shakhrisabz is the birthplace of Amir Temur. Of course, these cities have an ancient and rich history and have undergone significant changes throughout their lives.

The idea of immortality is associated with these cities. There was one episode in the biography of the prophet Muhammad. He was making a Mirage. He had a celestial horse and he ascended to the sky on this horse. First he visited Jerusalem, then Mecca. On his way to Mecca, he saw the sun’s rays illuminate the entire world. Then he saw only two points on the ground, from which the rays came up from below. These rays were Bukhara and Samarkand.

Christian Sites

The emergence of Christianity in Central Asia is associated with the names of the apostles Thomas and Andrew, who preached in this territory at the beginning of the 1rst Millennium.

Since then, the 2 most important religions of the world – Islam and Christianity-have coexisted peacefully. In Uzbekistan, there are more than 10 places of pilgrimage that are sacred and revered by Christians and Muslims.

Until modern times, on the territory of Uzbekistan there are revered by both Christians and Muslims “springs of Job”, the most famous of which is located in Bukhara.

The Orthodox Church in Uzbekistan is beginning to form along with the arrival of the Russian Orthodox Church in Central Asia after the annexation of the main part of this region to the Russian Empire and the formation of the Turkestan General government (1867).

Buddhist Heritage

In 1968, a statue of the Buddha was discovered on the territory of old Termez, and since then this land has become the main object for the study of many scientific archaeologists, later the oldest Buddhist temple complexes were discovered: Fayaztepa (1st century BC – 3rd century ad), Kampyrtepa, Karatepa. And the discovery of elements of the famous Ayrtam frieze with the image of ancient musicians-became evidence that Buddhism was once preached in this region and elements of Hellenistic culture were revealed. Now the terracotta bas-reliefs of the frieze are stored in the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

7 saints of Bukhara

Bukhara is the birthplace of the seven great Sufis of the Nakshbandi order. The great representatives of Sufism lived here, led religious and social life, which contributed to the formation and prosperity of the fertile Bukhara, to the education of spirituality, raising the emotional spirit. The Muslim sanctuaries, the burial places of Sufi saints can be found here.

Most of the pilgrims of Bukhara begin their journey with a blessed visit to the mausoleum of Khoja Abdalkhalik al Gijduvani, a spiritual mentor who paved the path of Nakshbandi teachings. Abdulkhalik al Gijduvani is connected with the spiritual parts of the tenth generation of the prophet. The terrace of the mausoleum with ten columns and props is a symbol of the mentioned dynasty.

In the time of Khoja Abdalkhalik al Gijduvani, the mausoleum was a “chillahona”, where people came to pray during forty-day of sweltering heat. The Holy place of prayer then became a cherished place of worship.

The complex of Khazrati Imam

One of the spiritual monuments of Tashkent is the Khazrati-Imam ensemble, popularly called Khast-Imam. The square is located in the heart of the old city, which survived after the strongest earthquake in 1966. The complex was built near the burial place of the first Tashkent Imam – Kaffal ash Shashi, who was a scholar and religious figure.

The complex consists of Tillya Sheikh mosque, Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan madrasah and Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute.

There is a library for visitors, where a large number of eastern manuscript literatures are kept, as well as the Koran of the third Khalif – Osman that is stored separately. Written in the VII century, the book was in a large number of countries. This ancient holy book is quite large and consists of 353 parchment leaves.The book was brought to Uzbekistan during the time of Amir Temur. The scientists from Russia have studied the book and have confirmed it’s the authenticity.A variety of exotic plants was brought into the ensemble. The storks nest here from spring to autumn. The Khast-Imam looks especially beautiful at night, when the territory is lit by lanterns and it creates the illusion of the oriental tale.

It is no secret that Uzbekistan is attractive for its rich cultural and historical heritage, unique architecture and art. The ancient historical monuments of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Khiva, Urgench, Termez, Karakalpakstan are the main foundation of historical and educational tourism in Uzbekistan.

Cognitive tourism

Did you know that in our country there are more than 7000 objects of cultural heritage, many of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical centers of Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Khiva – this and much more is evidence of the huge potential of Uzbekistan in the arena of the global tourism market.

A trip to the ancient cities of our country, attracting with its unique architecture, monuments of cultural heritage, old shops and artisan’s workshops, will undoubtedly leave a bright and unforgettable experience for every traveler.

Museums

One of the best ways to get in touch with the centuries-old history of Uzbekistan and discover a new culture is to visit various museums located in all regions of the country.

There are more than 400 different museums in our country, of which 155 are state-owned. Their main focus is – history, local history, fine and applied art, as well as memorial house-museums of prominent figures of culture and art.

The most famous large and significant museums of the country are: The State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of the History of Timurids, the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan named after I.V. Savitsky, State Museum of Nature of Uzbekistan and others.

Are you tired of the city traffic and noise? Do you need to relax and feel the harmony and balance on the camping? Visit one of the Uzbek village.

we offer wide variety of ethnic tours. Here you can participate in the life of rural residents, live in a remote village or in the yurts, attend a local wedding or celebration of the baby birth, ride horses and camels, go on a safari through the colorful deserts and enjoy the unique exotic fauna of diverse Uzbekistan.

Tourist villages

Living in a tourist village is a great opportunity to see rural life from the inside. Wake up with the sound of birds, enjoy the most natural breakfast, lie on the grass and admire the blue sky, see how to cook pilaf on the hearth, how to milk a cow and participate in the harvest, see how to make ceramics by hand or the world’s most beautiful silk using ancient technology. All these can be seen during the living in the tourist village.

Yurt camps

If you want to join the life and culture of the northern people of Uzbekistan and learn the centuries-old traditions and the way of life of local residents, choose yurt camps.

Traditional Uzbek yurt camps are built in the form of traditional nomadic settlements.

Living in the yurts is absolutely eco-friendly, only natural materials are used in their production, such as wood and felt. Each yurt is designed for about 5 people.

In the yurt camp you will feel yourself on the edge of civilization, transported in time, feel the atmosphere of the Silk road, among the nomads and traders whose caravans once passed through these places.

Usually, tours with accommodation in the yurt camps often include various exotic services: a ride on camels, three meals a day, camping by the fire with folklore performances under an endless starry sky.

In addition, you can walk to the nearest village and get acquainted with the daily life and culture of the local people, or, for example, see an ancient fortress.

Some of the most famous yurt camps in Uzbekistan are: “Aydar”, located 10 kilometers from the Aydarkul Lake, “Safari” camp near the city of Nurata, Yurt camp “Muynak” on the shore of the Aral Sea, “Ayaz-Kala” camp near the settlement of Ayaz-Kala and others.

Agrotourism

Do you like adventure and nature? What do you think about living in an Uzbek village? In fact, it is possible.

You come to a certain region, live in a village, and learn how to run a farm together with the owners. There are many options for the offered tours – from the stockbreeding (horse-breeding, cattle-breeding, fishing, poultry farming) to the growing of vegetables and fruits.

What can be better for the suffering traveler than the active leisure in the nature, giving a lot of interesting impressions and emotions.

Wine making in Uzbekistan

Wine production in Uzbekistan has a very deep history. It is believed that the first grapes were brought here 6 thousand years ago. And even then in Central Asia there was a high technology of winemaking and growing grapes.

The famous Venetian traveler of the middle ages, Marco Polo, who traveled through Central Asia, wrote in his diary:

“Samarkand, Bukhara and other wonderful cities are the places decorated with the magnificent gardens and vineyards. I tasted the wine here. This wine was at least a dozen years old, and it amazed with its excellent quality…”

In 1927, a famous winemaker, Professor M. A. Khovrenko, came to Uzbekistan. He was the first in our country to develop technical methods for the production of fine wines, such as” Gulyakandoz”,” Shirin”,” Liqueur Cabernet”,” Aleatiko”,” Uzbekistan “and” Farkhod”, and organized the opening of the first winery for their production.

Uzbekistan is a unique country. In addition to the stunning nature and unique architectural monuments, there are excellent conditions for sports. You can come here at any time of the year and enjoy any sport, from skiing and ice skating in winter, to golf, soccer, tennis, horse-riding and athletics and even paragliding in summer.

By the way, Uzbekistan has one of the oldest boxing schools, which was opened here by the Americans in the early 20s of XX century.

Wildlife & Nature

Would you like to change the climate, enjoy the beautiful nature, unique flora and fauna, to sunbathe on the coast of crystal lakes and noisy rivers and to ascend to the highest point on the planet, or ride across the desert?

Now it is possible. Visit Uzbekistan! The unique nature of Uzbekistan opens the entire palette of its colors of natural and pristine beauty to you.

Baysuntau

On the south-western spur of the Gissar range, in the Surkhandarya region, there is the world-famous Baysuntau range, which attracts adventurers with its huge caves, deep canyons and Alpine meadows. By the way, the huge fossilized dinosaur tracks were found here and the notorious Teshik-Tash cave, where the burial of a Neanderthal girl was discovered in the last century, is located there.

After crossing the hot steppes of Baysuntau, you find yourself in the fantastic, magical settlements, the names of which are so full of magic: Kafirun, Derbend, Padang, Rabat. Walnut groves are replaced by juniper forests, alpine meadows delight the eye with their bright green, spreading like a carpet on the slopes. The crystal water of the rivers breathes life into all living things around.

The locals cultivate the land in the old way – drawn by horses and plows. Here the houses are decorated with handmade carpets, bright suzanas, and local clothes and shoes with a variety of embroidered ornaments. Almost all houses have a tandoor – an oven, where bread is baked. Everything in this region is done manually. Blacksmiths masters of Surkhandarya are famed for their skills.

Kitab State Geological Reserve

Kitab Nature Reserve is located in Kitab region on the spurs of the Zarafshan range. This is one of the most unique natural monuments. Here, you can touch the history of the ancient world, track the stages of life formation on our planet. The remains of ancient life forms can be seen in the cuts of the local rocks.

Trails and viewing platforms are equipped here for the tourists. In the rocks you can find the oldest corals and other marine remains formed about 470 million years ago. It is amazing that about 140 million years ago a warm sea basin was located here.

The main attraction of the reserve is the opportunity to look closely at the history of the formation of mountains and the preserved ancient life forms in them. The paleontological and the biological museums, the hotel, the hostel and cottages are located here.

Unimaginable beauty of the Urgut district

Look what the spring has bloomed in Urgut, in the unique area of the Samarkand region! The birds are chirping everywhere, and the air is filled with the freshness and fragrance of spring flowers. April painted the local nature in bright and juicy colors. The majestic mountains of Zarafshan seem to stand guard over this beautiful landscape.

One of the main attractions of this area is the ancient Chor-minor garden. On the territory of the garden about fifty thousand-year-old plane trees grow. Many of them reach 16 meters in diameter. Each tree is like a messenger from the past. Their wonderful trunks and curved rhizomes create a unique appearance of the garden.

Zarafshan reserve

Located along the right bank of the Zarafshan River, in the southeast of the Samarkand region, the Zarafshan Reserve has a large territory – more than 2 thousand hectares of land. The tugai forests and the rare Zarafshan pheasant on its territory are strictly protected by the government of the country.

Although the entire area of the reserve is tugai forests, in addition to tugai, fruit trees, willow, poplar, comb, sea buckthorn, reed, licorice, broom, goof and much more can be found here.More than 24 species of mammals make up the local fauna, including fox, badger, jackal, toll hare, porcupine and various rodents.