Why Uzbekistan Is Within Reach for a Short Break
Uzbekistan sits at the heart of the old Silk Road, and its cities hold some of the finest Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Flights from Sharjah to Tashkent take around four and a half hours, and the country is only an hour ahead of UAE time, so an Uzbekistan holiday package from the UAE works as a short break. Travelling overnight means you arrive with the whole first day ahead of you.
Samarkand, crossroads of cultures
Samarkand is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site under the name Crossroads of Cultures. Its heyday came under Timur and his successors in the 14th and 15th centuries, when the city was the capital of an empire stretching from India to Turkey. Registan Square, framed by three tiled madrasas, is its centrepiece. Nearby are the Gur-e Amir, the Timurid dynasty’s mausoleum, the vast Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the tiled tombs of the Shah-i-Zinda and the remains of Ulugh Beg’s 15th-century observatory. A fast train links Samarkand with Tashkent in about two hours, which makes a day trip practical.
Tashkent and the Chimgan Mountains
Tashkent, the capital, is a green city of wide avenues, Soviet-era monuments and an unusually ornate metro. In the old city, the Hazrati Imam complex gathers a 16th-century madrasa and mausoleum around a mosque, and for decades it housed one of the oldest surviving Quran manuscripts in the world, now displayed in the new Centre of Islamic Civilisation next door. Chorsu Bazaar, under its blue dome, is the city’s busiest market.
About 65 km away, the Chimgan Mountains are the western edge of the Tian Shan. The Amirsoy resort, opened in late 2019, runs a gondola up to 2,494 metres with views over the ridges and valleys, while the Charvak Reservoir fills the valley below. Mountain temperatures in late November are low, so bring warm layers.
Planning your Uzbekistan trip
This Tashkent and Samarkand tour suits couples, friends and families who want history and architecture with a day in the mountains, with a guide and train tickets arranged for you. Modest clothing is appropriate at religious sites. The trip runs over the UAE National Day break and works at other times of year too. Entry rules depend on your passport and UAE residency, so check the Visa Info section before you book.
Take a look at the full itinerary and inclusions on this page, then send us an enquiry to check availability on this departure.